Finding a good substitute for a car for everyday commuting can sometimes be difficult. Regardless of what we’re doing, we all need extra space for the items we carry around and plenty of options for stowing equipment.
People looking for this kind of versatility in transportation may have just found the answer.
One great replacement for a vehicle has to be an electric bike, more specifically, the Himiway Big Dog. This is a powerful all-terrain cargo e-bike that you can ride up any hill and easily trudge through snow and sand.
Priced at $2000, I believe the Himiway Big Dog provides a lot of value - be prepared to get a powerful e-bike that will carry all your cargo without any issues.
If you want an affordable yet powerful cargo e-bike that you can ride on all terrains, then the Big Dog is a great option.
In this electric bike review, I will discuss Himiway’s budget-friendly cargo electric bike in hopes of helping you make your e-bike purchase. However, before I go any further, let’s take a look at the Big Dog’s specs:
The Big Dog utilizes 6061 aluminum for its frame and due to its higher-quality material, it is sturdier compared to many other e-bike frames. This gives the Big Dog an increased carrying capacity of up to 400 lbs.
In addition to having higher payload capacity than many e-bikes, the wires are integrated within the bike’s frame, so you won’t get them tangled on your equipment as you load and unload the bike throughout the day.
With a name like this, it was only fitting that Big Dog comes with a rear rack and a removable front rack. Multifunctional all-terrain electric bikes with plenty of payload capacity can be hard to find in the current market, so this one is a welcomed sight.
Another great feature related to the bike’s shape and style is the double-leg center kickstand. It’s heavy-duty and rust-resistant - sometimes, the small conveniences make an e-bike so useful.
Motor
Powering the Big Dog is a 750W brushless gear hub motor with obvious power and speed capabilities. With this motor, you’ll be able to reach high average speeds commuting around the town, climb hills, and ride through the sand.
This is worth mentioning because climbing hills and riding off-road are where certain e-bikes have difficulty maintaining their speed. This motor's power will allow you to easily climb up just about any slope or ride on any terrain.
This powerful motor utilizes an upgraded inner ring that’s made to withstand high
temperatures and offer fantastic heat dissipation in tough environments. As you are running errands, riding the trails, or delivering packages, you’ll need an engine that can keep up and Big Dog’s motor can definitely do that.
However, you should keep in mind that Himiway’s e-bikes in general have a slight delay in pedal assistance - their bikes (along with the Big Dog) have approximately a one-second engine lag when you start pedaling.
When it comes to the Big Dog’s speed, it’s very fast for a cargo electric bike. You can reach the top speed of 25 mph on straight roads with ease. And because of its fat tires, you’ll also feel highly stable on the Big Dog at those speeds.
Drivetrain
The Big Dog has a Shimano 7-speed gear shift system and a Shimano Altus Derailleur. These two components pair up nicely - and when you shift, they provide a snappy feeling.
The gear range on the Big Dog is decent for hill climbs and speed in general.
The range of 7 gears is more than enough for this cargo electric bike, and with how fast it can go, you’ll rarely ride the Big Dog in gears 1-3. Nonetheless, having the lower gears is still nice for when the trail gets steeper.
The Shimano gear shift setup featured on the Big Dog is the ideal groupset for the job. One additional advantage of this particular drivetrain is the fact Shimano produces it. And because of this, you can take your bike to your local bike shop as they will know how to tune the drivetrain if needed and will probably have replacement parts in stock.
Battery
The Big Dog sports a new, integrated, 48V 20Ah Samsung/LG lithium battery. This battery is integrated right into the frame which makes the bike look very stylish and gives it a sleek moped appearance.
People might not even realize it’s an e-bike by looking at it until you zoom off effortlessly.
Another benefit of the integrated battery is that it offers functional protection from rain, wind, and dirt. Since the battery is so crucial and expensive, this added level of protection is a huge plus.
And as if the functionality and style weren’t enough, the Big Dog’s battery has a longer range compared to many cargo electric bikes. The advertised range of the Big Dog is around 80 miles per full charge.
However, the average rider can go around 60 miles on a single charge which is still a lot! Especially for an electric bike that you will use for traversing all around town. A long-range battery is a must, so I’m happy to see it here.
Brakes
As for the brakes, the Big Dog has mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors and a firm braking potential.
A thing about Big Dog’s brakes is that they’re somewhat on the lower end in comparison to some other electric bikes in this range.
So, if you plan on riding this cargo electric bike at higher speeds, it’s very important to check its brakes on a daily basis and make sure they’re well maintained.
The main reason you should check the brakes is that electric bikes are heavy in general - cruising with a heavy e-bike at higher speeds will wear through the brakes faster in the long run. Therefore, I would prefer the Big Dog to have hydraulic disc brakes.
Tires
The tires that come with the Big Dog are the key components that make this bike an all-terrain cargo e-bike.
The Kenda 20x4-inch tires are excellent for commuting around the town and for some off-road rides. These fat tires will give you an amazing cushy feeling on almost all types of terrains because of the increased volume. They also have a decent level of off-road threads, which makes off-road riding easier.
Post-Test Summary: Himiway Big Dog Pros And Cons
With how powerful Big Dog is, this electric bike gave me a new perspective on cargo e-bikes. It features two racks with a total of 400lbs of load capacity, enabling you to carry a lot with you.
What I Like About The Himiway Big Dog
In addition to the fantastic payload capacity, the Big Dog also has a great motor that will help you get around the town quickly, climb hills with ease and even ride through sand and snow if needed.
Another great thing about the Big Dog is its battery life - you can comfortably expect to get around 60 miles of range with a full charge.
PROS
What I Don’t Like About The Himiway Big Dog
While the mechanical disc brakes work well, I believe that hydraulic disc brakes are a must on cargo e-bikes such as the Big Dog since they are more reliable.
Also, while this isn’t a big deal, you should keep in mind that the bike’s motor has a one-second lag when you start pedaling.
Lastly, Big Dog is an e-bike for shorter riders starting at around 5 feet tall. So if you are someone who’s over 6 feet tall, you might not enjoy riding this e-bike.
Cons
Advice To Buyers
While I would personally love to see some upgrades in the brakes, the Big Dog’s components will perform rather well. This is a fat tire cargo e-bike that anyone looking to ride around the town and carry a lot with them will find satisfaction in riding.
Our Rating - 82/100
If you’re looking for a fat-tire cargo electric bike that’s capable of climbing just about any hill, conquering almost any type of terrain, and carry all of your cargo, then the Himiway Big Dog might be just for you.
Conclusion
Overall, Himiway Big Dog is a well-made bike. It features a huge payload capacity of up to 400lbs. It is powerful and can tackle just about any hill without issues.
Moreover, this bike comes with a huge battery, so you can take it for long rides around the town without ever fearing you’ll run out of power.
Lastly, the Big Dog costs only $2000, making it a budget-friendly electric bike, especially considering its build quality.