Finally a Power E-Bike That Isn’t Crazy Heavy: GhostCat Saber S1 Review

The GhostCat Saber S1 breaks the power performance e-bike mold by weighing just 105 lb, roughly half what most bikes in this 44+ mph category weigh, thanks to a single large center-mounted battery instead of a split front-and-rear setup. Andrew and Jimmy's joint testing found a bike that's pleasantly stable at speed, still gives real pedal resistance up to 44 mph, and stops in just 14 feet from 20 mph, with a torque sensor sensitive enough to pull away from a stop in seventh gear. Missing turn signals and a proper horn are the standout gaps at this price and speed, but GhostCat's local dealer network, a rarity in this category, adds real peace of mind at the price point.

Video Review

Written Review

Andrew and Jimmy took the GhostCat Saber S1, a fat tire power performance bike claiming speeds past 44 mph, out for a full day of joint testing: speed runs, an off road trail, a brake test, plus a full walkthrough of everything packed into the cockpit. Their headline finding came down to one number that has nothing to do with speed: at 105 lb, this is the class-leading lightweight contender for power performance e-bikes.

• Current price of the GhostCat Saber S1: https://bit.ly/4A8ytlo
• Use coupon code FreshlyCharged to save $50

Speed, Stability, and That Center Mounted Battery

Jimmy barely had time to set up and film before Andrew screamed past on a GPS verified run of 46.4 mph, quicker and quieter than either of them expected from a bike running dual Hentach hub motors. What impressed Andrew exceeding the marketed speeds was that he could still feel resistance in the pedals all the way up to 44 mph, well past the point where most power performance bikes go completely ghost. He credited a lot of that composure, along with a stability he called the best he's felt on this style of bike, to GhostCat's decision to build one large center mounted battery instead of splitting capacity between the frame and rear rack the way most competitors do. With no weight hanging off the back, the front end stayed planted even at speed, without the oscillation Andrew usually feels on similar bikes.

Cockpit and Hardware Walkthrough

The display is crisp and easy to navigate, and unlocking the bike's full performance means holding plus and minus for two seconds to enter the P settings menu with passcode 2000. From there, Andrew bumped the speed limiter from its stock 20 mph Class 2 setting up to 50 mph, raised the controller's amperage from 20 to 55, and switched the throttle's start mode to require a bit of pedaling first, since he found the Lekkie Pacemaker full twist throttle sensitive enough to catch him off guard a few times. Throttle follow is a nice touch too: drop into pedal assist level one and the throttle caps out around 14 mph, no matter how hard you twist it.

Up front is an RST Renegade air fork with 120 mm of travel, lockout, and rebound adjustment, paired with a DNM AO-30AR air shock in back offering the same lockout and rebound control, plus a front facing light with an adjustable angle that both called out as unusually bright for the category. The 26x4 inch Maxxis Minion tires ride on a bike tall enough that Andrew (6ft tall) said it comes up nearly to his chest. Braking comes from four piston hydraulic brakes on 203 mm rotors front and rear. That single 60V, 30Ah battery uses LG cells for 1,800 Wh total, twist locks out with a laser cut key, and Andrew clocked its stopping performance at just 14 feet from 20 mph, better than the 16 to 18 feet he estimated given the bike's weight. Power comes from the 2,200 W Hentach motor (3,700 W peak, over 160 Nm of torque) with steel internal gears, GhostCat's fix for reliability issues on earlier models, run through a 52-tooth chainring and a 7-speed Shimano Altus derailleur. Riders can toggle between torque and cadence sensor modes, and Andrew demonstrated just how responsive the torque setting is by barely pressing on the pedals while parked in seventh gear, the bike's highest and typically hardest to move from a stop, and it still pulled away easily. Rounding things out: a Rock Bros seat and pedals, a 50 lb rated rear rack, plastic fenders, and an IP65 water resistance rating with UL battery certification.

What We Loved

Beyond the stability and quiet power delivery, our team was won over by the practical case for a single big battery: one charge cable instead of two, easier removal when you need to bring it inside during Colorado hailstorms, and better weight distribution than a split setup. The Rock Bros seat earned specific praise for its ventilation channel and integrated carry handle, and the full size 26 inch wheels struck Andrew as a real advantage over the smaller 20 inch tires some rival power performance bikes use, soaking up rough terrain better while still delivering strong acceleration. On an off road sand test, the Maxxis tires held their line, and a later experiment riding with all electronics switched off showed the bike still pedals smoothly even dead, unlike most bikes this heavy. GhostCat's steel gear fix for the motor, the IP65 rating with UL certification, and the option to buy through local dealers instead of direct to consumer only, paired with what both called significantly responsive customer service out of the company's California base, rounded out the list of things to love about the S1.

Where It Falls Short

Given this bike's speed, our team was hoping for a proper motorcycle grade horn and turn signals to be included rather than left to the aftermarket. Andrew wasn't a fan of the button cluster on the left control module either, since loose clothing can snag the edges and rip the plastic covers off. The rear rack doesn't list its 50 lb weight rating anywhere on the bike itself, an annoyance for anyone trying to gauge a load in the field, and the battery's release latch sits slightly proud even when properly locked, which had Jimmy repeatedly checking whether it was actually secure. Andrew also flagged the handlebar mounting bolts as smaller than he'd like for a bike hitting 44 plus mph, low pedal clearance that requires an attack stance off road to avoid pedal strikes, and Maxxis tires he loves but doesn't think are actually rated for the speeds this bike reaches.

The Freshly Charged Verdict

GhostCat prices the Saber S1 at $2,999, a bit less with our unique discount code, though Andrew wasn't certain whether that price might climb down the line. For riders who've wanted a power performance bike but have been put off by the usual 130-140 lb curb weight, or by not being able to find a local dealer for service, the Saber S1 solves both problems at once; and as far as Andrew and Jimmy know, it's the only bike in this category currently sold through a dealer network at all.

• Current price of the GhostCat Saber S1: https://bit.ly/4A8ytlo
• Use coupon code FreshlyCharged to save $50

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