If you have been hunting for real-world value and the cheapest electric bike price that still gets you solid performance, the TST R002 keeps popping up for a reason. The original R2 model was already a strong budget pick, with good power, a decent battery, and room for a passenger for around 700 to 800 dollars.
The updated Fall 2025 TST R002 keeps that budget-friendly spirit but tightens up the build quality, adds fresh color options, and keeps the same punchy ride. It is not a luxury ebike and it does not pretend to be one. It is basic transport that looks cool, carries two people, and feels quicker than most bikes in its price bracket.
This review walks through the design, specs, ride feel, range, and who this bike actually suits so you can decide if it belongs on your short list.
Overview of the TST R002: What Changed For Fall 2025?
The R002 started life as a simple, moped-style ebike with a big battery in the middle, a torquey rear hub motor, and a long seat that could handle a passenger. For under a thousand dollars, it was easy to recommend for anyone who wanted cheap, practical transportation for two.
The Fall 2025 update keeps the core recipe but adds some key upgrades.
The most obvious change is visual. You now get a bright, high‑visibility orange paint option, along with white and black. The older version only came in black, so this update gives you a lot more personality and visibility on the road.
The rear section has also been reworked. Instead of a fixed long seat and rack area, the new R002 uses a bolt‑on rear module that can hold a padded passenger seat or be used as a small cargo platform if you remove the pad. That keeps the bike flexible for riders who switch between carrying a friend and hauling gear.
TST also mentions updated suspension and geometry. In practice, the bike feels a bit more solid than the early 2025 version, but the suspension still sits on the basic side.
If you want to buy one, you can get 100 dollars off the updated R002 with the code “AMPED” using the official TST R002 discount link.
Key updates at a glance:
- New bright orange and white color options, plus classic black
- Modular rear section with bolt‑on passenger seat or cargo area
- Noticeably better build quality than the early 2025 version
The core idea stays the same: a fast, affordable, two‑person ebike that focuses on value first.
Design and Build Quality: Simple But Better Than Before
The TST R002 still looks like a compact moped more than a traditional bicycle. That is part of its appeal. It feels approachable and easy to swing a leg over, especially for newer riders.
Frame and Comfort Features
The main frame shape is very close to the earlier R2, with a central battery box and a long, straight top section. The real difference is that bolt‑on rear extension. Out of the box, it arrives with a padded passenger seat installed. If you want more storage, you can remove the pad and use that rear area for a bag or cargo.
The main rider seat has a soft, cushy feel, with a slightly grippy seat material that holds you in place. The surface has some texture, so you do not slide around when you accelerate or when you hit bumps. That grip matters on this bike because the motor pulls harder than many cheap hub‑drive bikes.
The reviewer is 5'9", about 150 pounds, with a 31 inch inseam, and can flat‑foot the bike easily. That makes it a very friendly choice for average and shorter riders. Taller riders can still use it, but it will feel like a compact moped rather than a stretched-out bicycle.
Passenger comfort gets a few nice touches too:
- Rear seat pad included for two‑person rides
- Option to remove the pad and free up the platform for cargo
- Fixed foot pegs for the rear rider that bolt to the frame
The pegs do not fold up, but they are sturdy once installed and give a proper spot for a passenger's feet. You can even rest your own feet there if you want to ride more like a scooter, though the pedals are always available.
Overall, the build quality feels like a step up from the early 2025 R2. The levers, frame welds, and general tightness of the bike feel more refined for the price.
Suspension and Tires
On paper, the R002 comes with front and rear suspension plus 20 x 4 inch fat tires. In reality, the suspension is basic.
The rear shock is on the stiff side and not really adjustable. It does help take some sting out of cracks and smaller bumps, but it is not plush. The front fork also feels budget friendly. It works, just do not expect it to float over rough trails.
The Compass-branded 20 x 4 inch fat tires use a wire bead and have a mixed tread pattern that suits pavement and light trail work. They help smooth out the ride and add a bit of cushion that the stiff rear spring does not provide.
There is one small cosmetic gripe. On the orange model, some parts of the frame do not match perfectly. The main frame uses a deeper shade of orange, while the bolted rear section is a lighter tone. You do not see it much from a distance, but up close it is a minor finish mismatch.
Handlebars and Controls
Up front, the layout is familiar if you have ridden any moped‑style ebike recently.
You get:
- Rubber grips that feel comfortable on longer rides
- A left‑hand thumb throttle
- A small control pad for the display and pedal assist settings
- Hydraulic brake levers that feel solid and no longer sink to the bar under pressure
On the right side, there is a standard 7‑speed Shimano shifter, paired with a basic Shimano derailleur. Shifting is smooth and predictable. You also get a lockable battery with keys so you can remove it for charging indoors.
Nothing fancy here, but everything feels sorted and functional.
Key Specs and Features: What You Get For The Money
For riders focused on getting the most bike for the lowest cost, the R002 spec sheet delivers in the right places.
Power and Battery
The star of the show is the rear hub motor. It is rated at 1500 watts, which is higher than many budget bikes that advertise 750 watts or 1000 watts but feel weak in practice. On the R002, the motor feels strong, with real torque and fast response to throttle.
The battery is a 48 volt, 15 amp hour removable pack mounted in the center of the frame. That is a common size for moped‑style ebikes and gives you a respectable mix of range and weight.
There is also an optional Plus version that upgrades the battery to 25 amp hours for much longer rides between charges.
Here is a quick spec snapshot:
| Component | Spec |
|---|---|
| Motor | 1500W rear hub motor |
| Battery (standard) | 48V 15Ah removable pack |
| Battery (optional) | 48V 25Ah on the Plus version |
| Drivetrain | 7‑speed Shimano with derailleur |
| Tires | 20 x 4 in Compass fat tires |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Cororide brakes front and rear |
If you want more background on how this setup compares to other budget ebikes, the detailed written review of the TST R002 puts it side by side with similar models.
Lights and Safety Features
Lighting and safety features are decent for the price.
Up front, you get a built‑in headlight powered by the main battery. It is bright enough for city and suburban riding. There is no horn wired into the bike, which feels like a miss since many similar headlights include a horn function.
At the back, the bike includes a tail light with built‑in turn signals. The tail light brightens and flashes when you pull the brakes. The turn signals only appear on the rear, not the front, so drivers behind you benefit the most.
Using the signals can feel a bit awkward since you need to move your thumb off the throttle to tap the signal controls. On a straight road it is fine, but it is not the smoothest setup while accelerating or cornering.
Fenders are included, which helps a lot if you ride on wet streets or gravel.
The Cororide hydraulic brakes are a real highlight. They give much better stopping power and feel than the cable brakes that often show up on bikes at a similar or higher price.
Display and Unlocking Top Speed
In the center of the bars sits a compact LCD display. It shows:
- Current speed
- Pedal assist level
- Battery bar
- Odometer and trip distance
- Turn signal indicators when active
The screen is bright enough to read in full sunlight and does what it needs to do without any fluff.
To unlock the top speed, there is a short sequence:
- Make sure the bike is turned off.
- Hold the left brake lever.
- While holding the brake, press and hold the plus, minus, and power buttons together until the bike turns on.
- When the top bar on the screen is flashing, press plus and minus at the same time.
- Use the headlight button to scroll through settings until you reach “P3.”
- Change P3 from 0 to 1.
Once set, the bike can reach its full unlocked speed range.
Performance On The Road: Fast, Fun, And A Little Wild
On pavement, the updated R002 feels like a small electric moped that really wants to move. If your focus is getting decent speed for the lowest cost, it hits that target hard.
Speed and Power
With the speed unlocked, the bike will show up to 28 miles per hour on the display. Using a GPS speedometer, it can touch around 30 mph when going downhill. On flat ground it still feels quick and eager.
The motor has a strong kick. From a dead stop, a hard press on the thumb throttle can lift the front wheel, especially if you are sitting toward the back of the seat. The bike has a habit of popping accidental wheelies on flat ground, which is fun for some riders and a bit unnerving for others.
That same torque shows up on hills. It pulls harder than you would expect from a 48 volt hub motor in this price range. It is not a mid‑drive electric dirt bike, but for a budget commuter it feels genuinely lively.
When you add a passenger, you sit with more weight over the rear wheel, which can add to that wheelie tendency if you hammer the throttle. With smoother inputs and a bit of body weight shifted forward, it settles down.
For basic city or suburban transport, the bike has plenty of speed to keep up with traffic on slower streets while still feeling playful.
Pedal Assist Modes And Throttling
The R002 uses a cadence sensor for pedal assist. That means the system measures if you are pedaling, not how hard you are pedaling.
The assist levels roughly behave like this:
- PAS 1: Throttle and pedal assist top out around 9 to 10 mph. Good for paths or crowded areas.
- PAS 2: Eases you up to around 15 mph. Feels like a relaxed cruise.
- PAS 3: Target speed around the high teens. You can still add some leg input.
- PAS 4: Pushes toward 18 mph, then trims power a bit.
- PAS 5: Full performance mode, taking you up toward the upper 20s. Above 18 mph, your pedaling does not add much.
Because of the compact frame and wide seat, this is not a natural pedal bike. The seat makes it harder to spin your legs freely for long workouts. Pedaling on this bike is more about helping the motor off the line or stretching your legs than doing a full cardio session.
The thumb throttle is responsive from a standstill and delivers smooth, predictable power. It is easy to modulate once you get used to the bike's torque.
Braking And Handling
The Cororide hydraulic brakes stand out right away. From about 28 mph, the bike can slow down quickly and in control without locking the wheels, even when you hit some bumps while braking. The levers feel firm, not mushy.
Handling on pavement is where the R002 feels at home. The fat tires track well in turns and the bike feels stable at speed. On smoother roads, the suspension feels acceptable, and the stiff rear is less obvious.
The frame feels more solid than the earlier version that some riders found a little loose in build quality. The updated bike feels tighter and more confidence inspiring.
The rear‑only turn signals and their slightly awkward controls are not perfect, but they are still a nice safety bonus for city riders who like the extra visibility.
If you want another real‑world take from a different reviewer, the long‑term TST R002 2025 ebike review on The Gadgeteer highlights similar strengths in speed and braking.
Off‑Road Test: Trails, Hills, And Limits
While the R002 wears fat tires and has dual suspension, it is not an off‑road specialist.
On light dirt trails or gravel paths, the bike is fine. The motor has plenty of power to keep you moving, and the fat tires add some grip and cushion. But the stiff rear shock and simple fork mean you feel a lot of the trail through your body. The rider's voice in the test ride even shakes from the bumps.
On steeper off‑road hills, the torque becomes a double edged sword. From a dead stop on an incline, the bike can try to lift the front wheel again, even when you are not sitting all the way back. Shifting your weight forward helps, but the tendency does not fully go away.
That wheelie behavior is something TST did not really solve, even with their geometry update.
For clarity, here is a quick off‑road summary:
- Pros: Strong power for climbing, fat tires handle dirt and grass fairly well
- Cons: Basic, stiff suspension, wheelie tendency, not comfortable on rough, rocky terrain
If your riding is 90 percent pavement with the occasional gravel path or park trail, the R002 works. If you want to bomb rough singletrack, you should look at a more off‑road focused ebike.
Battery Life, Range, And Value
Range will always depend on rider weight, terrain, wind, and how much you rely on throttle versus pedaling. In testing, the updated R002 covered about 15 miles with mostly throttle use and still showed 2 out of 5 battery bars left. That points to a total of roughly 16 to 17 miles at that heavy throttle style.
For a 48V 15Ah pack on a powerful hub motor, that sits in the middle of the road. If you want true long range commuting or big weekend rides, the 25Ah Plus version makes more sense.
Where this bike really shines is the combination of power, two‑person capability, and cost. The R002 currently sits around 849 dollars retail, and with deals and codes it has dropped to around 699 dollars at times. For readers focused on the cheapest electric bike price that can still carry two adults and stop with hydraulic brakes, that is hard to beat.
Value highlights:
- Seats two people comfortably with real power for both
- Strong 1500W hub motor at a budget price point
- Hydraulic disc brakes, fat tires, and useful lighting for daily riding
- Fresh color options that make it stand out, especially the orange
If you are comparing several budget ebikes and want more help sorting specs, the free Amped E‑Bike Buyers Guide is a handy resource for matching bikes to your riding style.
It also helps to look at rider feedback. Some owners on Reddit's ebike community discussing the TST R002 have called it one of the best low‑budget ebikes they have found, especially when they caught it around that 699 dollar mark.
Also Read: How To Choose The Best e Bike Under 5k Without Wasting Money
Final Thoughts: Who Is The TST R002 For?
The Fall 2025 TST R002 is not perfect, but it nails its main goal. It offers serious power, room for two, and solid brakes at a price many riders can actually manage.
Pros:
- Affordable two‑seater, often close to the cheapest electric bike price for a real passenger‑capable model
- Peppy 1500W motor with quick acceleration
- Strong hydraulic brakes that outperform many cable setups
- Comfortable main seat and grips for daily use
- Modular rear section for either passengers or cargo
Cons:
- Stiff, basic suspension that is not great on rough off‑road terrain
- Noticeable wheelie tendency under hard throttle, especially from a stop
- No horn, and rear‑only turn signals that are a bit awkward to use
- Not ideal for riders who want to pedal hard for exercise
If you want a lightweight exercise bike or a serious off‑road machine, this is not it. If you want a fun, fast, budget‑friendly ebike that can haul you and a friend across town, the updated R002 belongs on your short list.
For riders chasing real value, not just the cheapest electric bike price on paper, this bike offers a strong mix of power, practicality, and everyday fun. If you do end up picking one up with the current discount, pay attention to that throttle, shift your weight forward when you take off, and enjoy the ride.
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