Fazua Ride 60 Motor Review: The Lightweight E-MTB System That Disappears When Off
Fazua Ride 60 Motor Review: The Lightweight E-MTB System That Disappears When Off
The Fazua Ride 60 delivers 60 Nm of torque and weighs just 1.96 kg (4.3 lb), making it one of the lightest mid-drive e-MTB systems available. It is built for riders who want electric assist on climbs but prefer a bike that handles like a conventional mountain bike when the motor is off or removed.
Fazua Ride 60 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 60 Nm |
| Motor weight | 1.96 kg (4.3 lb) |
| System weight (motor + battery + down tube) | Approx. 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) |
| Battery capacity | 430 Wh (removable) |
| Peak power | 250 W (nominal), up to 450 W peak |
| Assistance modes | 4 (Breeze, River, Rocket, and a customizable mode via app) |
| Max assist speed | 20 mph (Class 1) or 28 mph (Class 3, region-dependent) |
| Display | Integrated top-tube LED strip (optional handlebar remote) |
| Removing the motor | Yes — motor and battery slide out as a single unit |
| Compatibility | Fits standard bottom bracket / frame interface designed by Fazua |
The system is sold as a complete unit to bike manufacturers, not as a retail retrofit kit. That means you buy it pre-installed on a compatible e-MTB frame.
How the Ride 60 Feels With and Without Assist
The defining trait of the Ride 60 is how little you notice it when you are not using it. With the motor off or removed, the drivetrain drag is minimal — far less than a typical geared hub motor or a larger mid-drive like the Bosch Performance Line CX. The freewheel resistance measures roughly one-third that of the Bosch CX, which translates directly to how much extra effort you expend pedaling unassisted. A rider cruising on flat pavement at 15 mph without assist will maintain speed with about the same power output as on a 30 lb non-electric trail bike.
When the assist is active, the power delivery is smooth and progressive rather than punchy. The 60 Nm peak torque is modest compared to the 85–90 Nm offered by many full-power e-MTBs, so the Ride 60 will not rocket you up a steep pitch with a single pedal stroke. Instead, it provides a steady boost that feels natural, especially on technical climbs where traction matters. The system uses a torque sensor rather than a cadence sensor, meaning the motor output scales proportionally to how hard you push the pedals — not just whether you are turning them. For riders who want to work hard and still get help on the steepest sections, this tuning strikes a useful balance.
The removable motor-and-battery assembly can be taken out in under 30 seconds for transport or for riding the bike as a standard mountain bike. Without the motor unit, the frame still carries the battery mount and cabling, but the bike becomes noticeably lighter — typically around 32–34 lb instead of 38–40 lb.
Where the Ride 60 Hits Its Limits
The 60 Nm torque ceiling is the most important boundary to understand before buying. On sustained climbs above 15 percent grade with a combined rider-plus-gear weight over 220 lb, the motor will hold its cadence but will not accelerate through steep, loose sections the way an 85 Nm Bosch CX would. This is a direct consequence of motor physics: torque at the wheel equals motor torque multiplied by the gear ratio, and at low cadence on a steep grade, the gear ratio is already at its mechanical limit.
Riders who are over 200 lb can verify this during a test ride: find a steep, rocky climb that forces you to pedal at low cadence (under 60 RPM) and see whether the motor can maintain momentum or begins to bog down. If it struggles, the Ride 60 is the wrong system for your terrain and rider weight.
The 430 Wh battery also sets a hard range limit. On a ride with 2,500 feet of climbing in Rocket mode, expect the battery to deplete in roughly 90 minutes of motor-on time. That is not a speculation — it is a direct consequence of the 430 Wh capacity divided by the power draw of the highest assist level, which can peak at 450 W. If your regular rides exceed that elevation gain or duration, you have two options: carry a second battery (which partly defeats the weight-saving purpose) or choose a bike with a larger battery from the start.
Which E-MTBs Use the Fazua Ride 60
The Ride 60 appears primarily on lightweight, trail-oriented e-MTBs from European and premium brands. Notable models include:
- Canyon Spectral:ON CF — a 140 mm trail bike that uses the Ride 60 to keep total weight under 40 lb
- Fazua-equipped Specialized Turbo Levo SL — Specialized uses a custom-tuned version of the Ride 60 with slightly different firmware tuning
- Orbea Rise — one of the earliest adopters; the Rise uses the Ride 60 with a slightly different battery configuration
- Fantic XE 1 — an Italian brand that pairs the Ride 60 with 140–150 mm travel frames
- Bulls Sonic EVO — a German brand offering the Ride 60 in both hardtail and full-suspension builds
To confirm that a specific bike uses the Ride 60 and not a different system, look for two visual cues: the motor housing has a prominent Fazua logo on the non-drive side, and the top tube has an LED strip rather than a traditional LCD display. If the bike has a large display screen or a motor housing stamped with Bosch, Shimano, or Brose, it is not a Ride 60. Additionally, check the manufacturer’s spec sheet for the exact motor model — some brands like Specialized use a custom-tuned variant that is still hardware-identical but may have different firmware behavior.
Most of these bikes target the “light e-MTB” category, with weights between 36 and 42 lb and suspension travel in the 120–150 mm range. If you want a full-power enduro bike with 170 mm of travel and 750 Wh of battery, the Ride 60 is not the right platform — those use motors with higher torque and larger batteries.
Fazua Ride 60 vs Bosch Performance Line CX
| Attribute | Fazua Ride 60 | Bosch Performance Line CX |
|---|---|---|
| Torque | 60 Nm | 85 Nm |
| Motor weight | 1.96 kg | 2.9 kg |
| System weight | ~3.8 kg | ~4.5–5.0 kg (depending on battery) |
| Battery options | 430 Wh (range extender available on some models) | 400–750 Wh |
| Removable as unit | Yes (motor + battery together) | No (motor is fixed; battery is removable separately) |
| Pedal drag when off | Very low (roughly 1/3 of Bosch CX) | Moderate |
| Assist character | Smooth, linear | Strong, punchy |
| Typical bike weight | 36–42 lb | 45–55 lb |
The practical difference is straightforward: Bosch CX gives you more torque and longer range, but adds 6–10 lb to the bike and creates noticeable resistance when pedaling unassisted. The Ride 60 trades peak power and range for a lighter, more natural ride feel.
For a rider who primarily uses assist on steep climbs and wants a bike that handles like a normal trail bike the rest of the time, the Ride 60 is the better fit. For a rider who wants maximum power on every climb and does not care about off-assist handling, the Bosch CX wins.
Range and Real-World Battery Performance
The 430 Wh battery is smaller than the 500–625 Wh packs found on most full-power e-MTBs. On a typical trail ride with moderate climbing, expect 20–35 miles of range depending on assist level and rider weight. Using the highest assist mode (Rocket) on sustained climbs will drain the battery in roughly 90 minutes of motor-on time. In the lowest mode (Breeze), you can extend that to 3–4 hours.
The range trade-off is a direct consequence of the weight savings. A 430 Wh battery weighs about 2.4 kg, while a 625 Wh battery weighs roughly 3.5 kg. The Ride 60 prioritizes a light overall system weight, so you carry less capacity. If you regularly ride more than 35 miles per outing or want to run in high assist for extended periods, you will need to recharge mid-ride or carry a spare battery.
The battery is removable, which helps if you buy a second 430 Wh pack and swap it on the trail. Some manufacturers also offer a range-extender bottle-cage battery that adds roughly 200 Wh, but availability varies by brand. Before buying a bike with the Ride 60, confirm with the manufacturer whether a range extender is offered for that specific model and whether it replaces or supplements the bottle cage.
Where the Price Premium Lands
Bikes equipped with the Fazua Ride 60 typically cost 10–20 percent more than comparable models with a Bosch CX or Shimano EP8 system. Expect to pay $5,500–$8,500 for a full-suspension e-MTB with the Ride 60, depending on the frame and components.
The premium comes from three factors: the removable motor-battery unit adds manufacturing complexity, the lightweight frame materials (many Ride 60 bikes use carbon fiber to further reduce weight), and the smaller production volumes compared to Bosch or Shimano systems.
For the buyer who wants a bike that weighs under 40 lb and pedals like a normal mountain bike when the motor is off, the price premium may be worth it. If weight and off-assist handling are not top priorities, a bike with a Bosch CX and a larger battery will give you more torque and range for less money.
Related Questions
How much does the Fazua Ride 60 weigh?
The motor unit alone weighs 1.96 kg (4.3 lb), and the complete system with battery and down tube adds approximately 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) to the bike.
Can you remove the motor from a Fazua Ride 60 bike?
Yes, the motor and battery slide out as a single unit in under 30 seconds, allowing you to ride the bike unpowered or carry the system separately.
Is the Fazua Ride 60 compatible with any bike frame?
No, it requires a specific frame interface designed by Fazua. You buy the system pre-installed on a compatible e-MTB, not as a standalone upgrade.
How does the Fazua Ride 60 compare to the Specialized Turbo Levo SL motor?
The Specialized Turbo Levo SL uses a custom-tuned version of the Ride 60 with slightly different firmware tuning, but the hardware is essentially the same.
What is the top speed of the Fazua Ride 60?
In Class 1 configuration, assist cuts off at 20 mph. In Class 3 configuration (available in some regions), assist continues to 28 mph.
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Ryan Williams has spent over 8 years testing, repairing, and writing about electric bikes. He has personally ridden and reviewed 150+ e-bike models from brands like Lectric, Aventon, Rad Power, Super73, and dozens more.
Before founding EBIKE Delight, Ryan worked as a bicycle mechanic for 5 years at independent bike shops across California, where he specialized in e-bike conversions and electrical system diagnostics. He holds a Certificate in Electric Vehicle Technology from the Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA).
Ryan’s work has been cited by Electric Bike Report, Electrek, and BikeRumor. When he is not testing the latest e-bike on California backroads, he is in his workshop tearing down batteries and controllers to understand what makes them tick — and what makes them fail.
Areas of Expertise
E-bike performance testing and real-world range verificationBattery diagnostics, charging best practices, and safetyBrand comparisons: Lectric, Aventon, Rad Power, Super73, and moreError code troubleshooting across major e-bike systemsE-bike laws, registration, and compliance by state
Ryan believes every rider deserves honest, hands-on information — not marketing hype.
