WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE FANTIC RAMPAGE
The Fantic Rampage 1.4 Limited Edition is Fantic’s cross-country to trail, lightweight electric mountain bike. It features short travel with a relatively modern geometry set for its intentions; a flexstay suspension setup, and a bit of boost from TQ’s HPR50 motor. With full build weights from 38.5lbs (17.5kg), Fantic ensured the Rampage was undeniably light.
DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS
We had four TQ-equipped bikes as a part of the shootout this year, but with two different TQ drive units. Three featured the new TQ HPR60, while the Fantic Rampage is equipped with the HPR50 that came before it. Unsurprisingly – as we are familiar with the TQ systems at this point – both e-bikes are whisper-quiet. That is thanks to TQ’s Harmonic Pin Ring technology, which allows for a quiet and compact eBike motor.
The TQ HPR50 featured on the Rampage provides 300W of peak power and 50Nm torque. This is powered by a 360Wh fixed internal battery, and a 160Wh range extender can boost capacity if desired.
Integrated into the top tube is TQ’s 2” display screen, allowing users to view the power mode, battery life, range, and other data. A small, two-button remote is mounted to the handlebars, allowing riders to toggle between the power modes — Eco, Mid, and High — or activate the walk mode.
TQ also offers an app in which further customization and updates can be made to the HPR50 system.
FRAME AND FEATURES
The Fantic Rampage is a carbon fiber frame that can do something no other bike on test can. While most (if not all) of the bikes in our test group offer range extenders, using one means having to ditch the water bottle on the frame. The Fantic Rampage is the only bike with two sets of water bottle bosses, with enough space to run their 160Wh range extender and a water bottle simultaneously.
The frame is sleek and looks well-built. There is a geo-adjust flip chip on the Rampage that adjusts one specific geometry point — chainstays — but it probably isn’t what you think. This flip chip doesn’t change the chainstay length to accommodate a smaller 27.5” rear wheel; instead, it allows clearance for different tire widths with the stock 29” wheel size. The shorter setting maintains a tight fit with clearance for a 2.2” tire, while the longer setting accommodates up to 2.4” wide rubber.
SUSPENSION
Fantic uses a flex-stay suspension platform to deliver the 120mm of rear travel on the Rampage. The layout resembles a standard four-bar, but with the pivots near the dropouts replaced by a “flex” area. This minimizes weight and removes some moving parts, reducing overall complexity.
GEOMETRY
The Fantic Rampage has quite typical geometry for a cross-country or light-duty trail bike (dare we say downcountry?). But it also has some numbers that stand out. The most significant standout is the 463mm reach on our size large, which is the shortest of any bike on test. This is a result of the long 70mm stem the Rampage is designed around.
Depending on the chainstay flip chip and the tire width used, the rear-center is either 430mm or 437mm. Our 2.4” wise Schwalbe Albert control rear tire required the longer, 437mm stays. The HTA and STA are 65° and 75°, respectively, and the stack height is 627mm. The BB is relatively high at 349mm with a drop of 23mm.
BUILD SPECS
Fantic offers the Rampage in four build options. They sent us their top-of-the-line 1.4 Limited Edition build, with a retail price of $8,190 at the time of writing.
Our Rampage 1.4 had a Fox Factory 34 set to 140mm, paired with a 120mm Fox Factory Float rear shock. It also sees a Fox Factory Transfer dropper post.
Stopping is handled by Magura MT8 PRO brakes, with 180mm rotors front and rear. The Rampage is equipped with a SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain (non T-Type), and 170mm FSA carbon cranks. FSA also takes care of the wheels and handlebars, using their KFX carbon wheels and KFX carbon bars.
Our size Large Fantic Rampage 1.4 Limited Edition weighed in at 40.2 lbs (18.2kg) with the Schwalbe Albert and Magic Mary Radial Gravity tire combination we fitted across the group of test bikes.
THE DIRT
SETUP
The Fantic Rampage was the only bike on test with a Fox 34 fork. Using the setup chart on the fork leg, we easily found our sweet spot. Prior to getting the bike ready for the trails, the Rampage arrived nearly fully assembled, needing only the front wheel to be fitted and the bars straightened. Using the Slacker sag tool, we set the bike up at 30% which ended up being on the softer side for the 120mm of rear travel, but provided tons of traction and comfort.
ELECTRONICS AND INTEGRATION
The Fantic Rampage is a newcomer to our Lightweight eMTB Shootout, and Fantics’ only SL bike. Unlike other TQ-equipped bikes on test, this drive unit was the older HPR50 model. The reduced torque of 50Nm was notable compared to the 60Nm from the new TQ HPR60 variant. Fantic’s Rampage had one of the smaller batteries on test at just 360Wh. While it meant that the range was not exceptional, this smaller battery also aided in making the Rampage the lightest bike on test. The TQ remote and display combo was one of our favorites, thanks to its simplicity and effectiveness in communicating power modes and battery life.
One thing we loved to see was the derailleur being hardwired to the bike’s battery, which removed the need to charge the derailleur battery or carry a spare. Additionally, the routing for the controller ran neatly into the headset, creating a very clean cockpit. Love it or hate it, the headset cable routing in this case was very clean and simple.
DRIVE UNIT RANGE TEST RESULT
We compared drive unit performance and efficiency with a standardized test. We created a 13-mile, 1,300-foot elevation “Battery Efficiency Loop” and rode every bike in its highest assist mode until the loop was done. Our test rider, Travis, is 193lbs and was diligent about his efforts and physical state for each ride.
The TQ HPR 50 system completed the loop in 01:05:50 (8th/8), and used 230.4Wh of its 360Wh capacity (64%). This placed it 2nd lowest in terms of energy used, and 4th in capacity remaining (predicted range: 20.3 miles, 2,030 feet).
CLIMBING
Mellow XC-style terrain is where the Rampage was built to shine. The geometry lent itself to a forward-biased position, which helped to unlock some extra pedal power. While this was not the typical fit we are accustomed to, it was appropriate for the terrain this bike was aimed at. We found that the HPR50 motor’s lack of power was very noticeable when ridden alongside the newer HPR60 motors. While this light eBike developed plenty of traction from the rear suspension, the steep, punchy climbs took a significant amount more energy to clean when compared to other bikes on test.
On longer sustained fire road climbs, Cole found the seat tube angle to be quite slack for his taller saddle height. While not a unique complaint, it was more noticeable than any other lightweight eMTB on test. This slack angle, paired with a long stem and low front end, caused some lower back pain and numb hands on long climbs. For some, this may be the fit you are after, but with our crew being more gravity-focused, the difference in fit was very noticeable.
On flat and rough terrain, the 120mm rear end muted bumps impressively well, while staying efficient and not pushing deep into the travel when pedaling up and out of the saddle. This supple feel also provided loads of traction on steep and technical climbs.
Combining the geometry with the reduced assistance of the TQ drive unit, the result was an assisted cross-country machine that helped to take the edge off steeper climbs while still offering an engaging workout. This was not a bike for the soft pedalers, but could help to extend the ride for those looking to earn their turns. As an e-XC bike, it’s a solid representation of what we think a certain group of riders might be seeking.
DESCENDING
As you may expect, this was not the bike to take down double black tech trails. But with that said, the rear suspension on the Fantic Rampage impressed when pushing through rough terrain. With this being the only XC-focused bike on test, we rode with this in mind. While the Rampage fell short of the more gravity-focused bikes on test on the descents, it is a very capable XC-style SL eBike.
The longer stem was one of the most notable things that impacted the descending performance. Instead of leaning into corners, the bike wanted to pull your hands in with the bars. While this was great for tight switchbacks, it reduced confidence on faster sections of trail. Replacing the stem and bars with something shorter would offer a more gravity-focused descending feel, but would compromise on the strengths going up the hill. On flatter terrain where you need to pump and push into the bike to gain speed, it was the most rewarding bike on test. There was no delay when pressing into the bike, so pumping rollers and compressions quickly amplified your average trail speed.
While we may be gravity-focused riders, we know that this is not the only riding style out there. We are proponents of buying the bike that best suits your terrain and riding preferences, over buying what is cool to say you own. If you know what you are looking for, the Rampage is not a bad choice for its category. It is just not the type of bike our crew would grab for our typical lightweight eBike rides.
FINISH AND VALUE
When looking at the bike’s overall fit and finish, Fantic has done a great job, creating a quiet and well-integrated bike. The paint has a nice pearl glow, and the clear coat held up well to plenty of abuse.
When it comes to overall value, the $8,190 price point felt fairly high with the older TQ HPR50 drive unit. Helping to alleviate the value concerns were the Carbon wheels, cranks, and bars. On the other hand, there was only a GX-level drivetrain. At this price point, we would like to see XO spec’d, but in reality, the impact on the ride performance was minimal. The price point was in line with other bikes on test, especially given the carbon wheelset.
COMPARISON AND RANKING?
In a field of primarily gravity-focused bikes, the Rampage fell short of the team’s top-five picks to suit our preferences. However, there were some solid ride qualities for riders looking at short-travel XC-focused bikes. The 120mm of travel performed impressively through rough terrain, but the geometry demanded riding trails with less overall gradient.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Our riding style and preferences didn’t lean in favor of the Fantic Rampage for our final review, but that’s not to say it was a bad eBike. If you rarely find yourself on technical descents and want a close feeling to a human-powered cross-country mountain bike with a motor to take the edge off, the Fantic Rampage is something to consider. 
Price: $8,190
Weight: 40.2 lbs
Website: Fantic.com
SHARE THIS REVIEW
Thanks again to our amazing sponsors who made this group test possible.
SUPPORT AND JOIN THE LOAM WOLF PACK
Did you find this review helpful? Would you like the chance to review (and keep) products? Are you interested in saving big bucks by getting exclusive Members Only discounts from industry brands all while helping support a small, rider-owned media crew? We have big plans for our members beyond big discounts and product giveaways! To learn more and help support small, independent media, visit our Member’s Page.