The Mustang’s overall ride quality, which is a measure of its comfort, user-friendliness, responsiveness, etc., was generally solid. I found much to appreciate about the bike, including its overall simplicity and ease of use, though there may be some important considerations for some riders to keep in mind.
GOTRAX offers the bike in a single frame size that is designed to fit riders from 5’4” to 6’2”, so my height of 5’11” places me near the top end of its recommended range. I found the bike generally comfortable when throttling, though it could be somewhat cramped when pedaling.
As I mentioned previously in this review, e-bikes of this style often feel somewhat inconvenient to pedal due to their low positioning and non-adjustable saddle. In my experience, scooting back on the saddle improves comfort, but the Mustang’s flared, relatively short seat limited my ability to do this.
As such, riders on the taller end of the spectrum may find themselves in my shoes, but those on the lower end—or those who plan to throttle most of the time—should be fine.
I enjoyed the overall smoothness of the ride, made possible by a combination of the Mustang’s suspension, saddle, and tires. Its dual-crown fork, which matches the bike’s edgy aesthetic, offers a respectable 80mm of travel, while its thickly padded seat and 20×4” fat tires add an additional layer of cushioning.
Most moped-style e-bikes I’ve tested previously were larger and heavier than the Mustang, so I appreciated this bike’s uncommonly nimble, more playful feel. It’s not a lightweight e-bike by any means, but its size and weight create a great balance between agility, stability, and plantedness.
I primarily rode the bike on paved trails, but I also ventured off-road for some brief testing. The bike performed well on hard-packed dirt and loose gravel, making it appropriate for limited adventuring off the beaten path.
As I referenced previously, I found many qualities to appreciate about the Mustang’s torque-sensing pedal assist system and 7-speed drivetrain, including its controllable power and easy pedaling. That said, I believe a properly-programmed cadence-sensing PAS paired with a single-speed drivetrain could potentially deliver the same benefits while reducing cost and weight.
A setup such as this would also complement the Mustang’s already low learning curve and easy to grasp user interface. The display is probably the most complex aspect of the bike; its large color screen packs in a lot of data with bold, unique presentation and good organization.
I greatly enjoyed the bike’s overall simplicity. Many e-bikes on the market are loaded with an abundance of features (Bluetooth apps, complicated settings menus, etc.) that increase their functionality, but their higher learning curve may be intimidating to some riders. The Mustang takes the opposite approach by sticking to the basics and keeping its operation simple and effective.
This approach extends to its components and accessories; the Mustang is outfitted with just enough to be useful, not overwhelming or overcomplicated. It includes integrated lights and fenders, and a small, frame-mounted cargo box. GOTRAX offers a handful of additional accessories for those who wish to outfit their bike further
