Price
Motor (Nominal)
Range
Battery
Technical Architecture
Overview
Price
$1,399
MSRP
Motor
500 W
Nominal Output · 750 W peak
Battery
500 Wh
Battery Capacity
Speed
20 mph
Unlocked Top Speed
Payload
220 lbs
Max Load Capacity · bike weighs 65 lbs
Safety Standards
UL 2849 Certified
Electrical System Integrity
UL 2271 Certified
Battery Performance & Safety
Foldable
No
Frame style(s): High-Step
Score breakdown
20.5 out of 100 — Not recommended
Data notice. UNVERIFIED SPEC: Controller Power
The arithmetic, in full
Power & Drive3 / 16
Battery & Range3 / 21
Safety & Braking5 / 14
Ride Quality & Components7 / 32
Utility & Practicality1 / 8
Display & Connectivity1.5 / 9
Performance score20.5 / 100
Value — 20.5 points ÷ $1,39914.7 pts per $1,000
Show every metric and rung — how each subtotal was earned
Every metric below is a ladder. The bike sits on one rung, and that rung’s points are the points it earns. Add the six category subtotals and you get the score at the top of the page. There is no weighting step, no normalisation and nothing rounded away.
Adding a bike never moves another bike’s score. The score is absolute, not a curve. A bike that earned 62 in January earns 62 in December unless its specification changes or we correct a data error — and we log every correction.
Power & Drive
Peak power output1.5 / 9.5
This bike: 720 W — 600–749 W
Under 600 W0 pts600–749 W1.5 ptsThis bike750–899 W2.5 pts900–1,049 W4 pts1,050–1,199 W5.5 pts1,200–1,349 W7 pts1,350–1,499 W8 pts1,500 W or more9.5 pts
System voltage x controller amperage - the one number that decides acceleration and hill climbing. Scored once, not three times.
Pedal-assist sensing0 / 3.5
This bike: Cadence — Cadence sensor only
Cadence sensor only0 ptsThis bikeTorque sensor3.5 pts
A torque sensor measures how hard you pedal and matches it. Every bike has at least a cadence sensor, so cadence alone earns nothing.
Throttle1 / 1
This bike: Yes — Throttle included
No throttle0 ptsThrottle included1 ptThis bike
Lets you pull away from a stop without pedalling - useful with a load, on a hill, in traffic, or with joint pain.
Speed class0.5 / 2
This bike: 20 mph — 20–27 mph (Class 1/2)
Below 20 mph0 pts20–27 mph (Class 1/2)0.5 ptsThis bike28 mph (Class 3)2 pts
Class 3 bikes (28 mph) keep pace with city traffic. Class 1 and 2 stop assisting at 20 mph.
Battery & Range
Usable battery capacity2 / 12
This bike: 499 Wh — 350–499 Wh
Under 350 Wh0 pts350–499 Wh2 ptsThis bike500–649 Wh4 pts650–799 Wh6 pts800–999 Wh8 pts1,000–1,299 Wh10 pts1,300 Wh or more12 pts
Total watt-hours you can carry, counting a second battery if one is included. Capacity is scored once whether it arrives in one pack or two.
Charger speed1 / 3
This bike: 192 W charger — 150–199 W
Under 100 W0 pts100–149 W0.5 pts150–199 W1 ptThis bike200–249 W2 pts250–349 W2.5 pts350 W or more3 pts
The charger's own output in watts. Scored on the charger alone so that a large battery is not penalised, and so a 36 V high-amp charger cannot pass for a 48 V one.
Cell supplier0 / 2
This bike: China Tier 1 — Not LG, Samsung or Panasonic
Not LG, Samsung or Panasonic0 ptsThis bikeLG, Samsung or Panasonic2 pts
Cells from LG, Samsung or Panasonic publish cycle-life and thermal data. Anything else earns nothing.
Battery ingress protection0 / 4
This bike: IPX4 — Not published or IPX4
Not published or IPX40 ptsThis bikeIPX50.5 ptsIP65 / IPX62 ptsIPX7 / IP674 pts
The published IP rating of the battery pack - not the bike. IPX5 is a water-jet test only; IP65 adds a dust-tight claim; IPX7 adds immersion.
Safety & Braking
Braking system3 / 6.5
This bike: Hydro 2p — Hydraulic disc, 2-piston
Rim, V-brake, coaster or mechanical disc0 ptsHydraulic disc, 2-piston3 ptsThis bikeHydraulic disc, 4-piston6.5 pts
Mechanical disc is the bare minimum and earns nothing. Hydraulic discs stop harder with less hand effort; a four-piston calliper is more than twice the braking power of a two-piston and over double the price.
Brake hardware0 / 2.5
This bike: OEM — Unbranded or not published
Unbranded or not published0 ptsThis bikeTier-2 name brand (Tektro, Star Union)1 ptPremium (Magura, Shimano, SRAM, TRP, Hayes)2.5 pts
Whether pads, rotors and callipers can be bought and serviced anywhere. Tektro and Star Union are both serviceable; Magura is better.
Motor cut-off at the brake lever2 / 2
This bike: Yes — Motor cut-off at the brake lever
Throttle fitted, no cut-off at the lever0 ptsMotor cut-off at the brake lever2 ptsThis bikeNo throttle fitted - the failure mode does not apply2 pts
On a throttle bike, squeezing the brake should cut motor power. It is a backstop for a stuck throttle or a controller fault. A bike with no throttle cannot have that failure, so it scores full marks here.
Brake-activated light0 / 1.5
This bike: No — No brake light
No brake light0 ptsThis bikeBrake-activated rear light1.5 pts
A rear light that brightens under braking is the cheapest way to be seen slowing down.
Turn signals0 / 1.5
This bike: No — No turn signals
No turn signals0 ptsThis bikeIntegrated turn signals1.5 pts
Signal without taking a hand off the bars.
Ride Quality & Components
Suspension2.5 / 11
This bike: OEM — Unbranded suspension fork
Rigid steel fork0 ptsRigid aluminium or carbon fork0.5 ptsUnbranded suspension fork2.5 ptsThis bikeName-brand suspension fork (SR Suntour, RST, KKE)6.5 ptsPremium suspension fork (Fox, RockShox, Marzocchi)9 ptsPremium fork plus rear suspension11 pts
A rigid steel fork costs about $6 to make; a name-brand suspension fork is $80 or more. The spread reflects that.
Drivetrain0 / 10.5
This bike: Single / N/A — Single-speed chain
Single-speed chain0 ptsThis bike3–7 speed, entry tier2 ptsSingle-speed belt drive4 pts7–8 speed, mid tier4 pts9+ speed, quality tier7 ptsInternally-geared hub or gearbox with belt10.5 pts
Gear range, shifting quality and maintenance burden on one ladder. An internally-geared hub with a belt is several levels above a single-speed chain and costs roughly eighty times as much.
Tyres0 / 1.5
This bike: OEM — Unbranded or OEM
Unbranded or OEM0 ptsThis bikeValue brand (CST, Chaoyang, Innova)1 ptPremium brand (Maxxis, Schwalbe, Kenda, Continental)1.5 pts
The best available proxy for grip, rolling resistance and puncture resistance. Deliberately kept small - a name-brand tyre is only about $5 more.
Frame finish1.5 / 2
This bike: Smooth — Smooth welds
Basic welds0 ptsSmooth welds1.5 ptsThis bikeGravity-cast or hydroformed2 pts
Weld finish is a visible proxy for frame manufacturing control.
Axle standard2 / 2.5
This bike: Yes — Thru-axle
Bolt-on or nutted axle0 ptsQuick-release axle0.5 ptsThru-axle2 ptsThis bikeThreaded thru-axle2.5 pts
A thru-axle holds the wheel more securely than a quick-release; a threaded thru-axle more securely still.
Stem0 / 2
This bike: Rigid — Non-adjustable stem
Non-adjustable stem0 ptsThis bikeTooled adjustable stem1.5 ptsQuick-release adjustable stem2 pts
An adjustable stem lets one bike fit several riders. A quick-release adjustable stem costs roughly triple a tooled one.
Pedals0.5 / 2
This bike: Steel
Plastic0 ptsSteel0.5 ptsThis bikeAluminium1.5 ptsQuick-release aluminium2 pts
The part most owners replace first. Quick-release aluminium pedals fold the bike into a smaller space and do not snap.
Lock-on grips0.5 / 0.5
This bike: Yes — Lock-on grips
Standard grips0 ptsLock-on grips0.5 ptsThis bike
Lock-on grips do not twist loose or slide off in the wet.
Utility & Practicality
Rack & cargo system0 / 4
This bike: No / N/A — No rack included
No rack included0 ptsThis bikeSteel rack1.5 ptsAluminium rack2.5 ptsAluminium rack with standard accessory interface (MIK/AVS)4 pts
Whether the bike carries anything out of the box, and whether accessories clip to a published standard instead of needing bungee cords.
Fenders & weather protection0 / 2.5
This bike: No / N/A — No fenders
No fenders0 ptsThis bikeBasic plastic fenders0.5 ptsMetal fenders2 ptsFull-coverage composite fenders2.5 pts
Full-coverage fenders are what make an e-bike usable in the rain. Composite fenders do not rattle, rust or cut.
Kickstand1 / 1.5
This bike: Rigid — Fixed kickstand
No kickstand0 ptsFixed kickstand1 ptThis bikeAdjustable or double-leg kickstand1.5 pts
An adjustable or double-leg stand holds a loaded bike upright.
Display & Connectivity
Display1.5 / 6.5
This bike: LCD — Monochrome LCD
LED indicator only0 ptsMonochrome LCD1.5 ptsThis bikeColour LCD or OLED2.5 ptsTFT4.5 ptsTouchscreen TFT6.5 pts
How much you can read at a glance, in sunlight, without stopping. A touchscreen TFT is $40-50 of cost over a colour LCD.
Rider tuning0 / 2
This bike: No — No rider tuning
No rider tuning0 ptsThis bikePartial tuning1.5 ptsFull rider tuning2 pts
Whether you can change how the bike delivers power, or only how much.
App connectivity0 / 0.5
This bike: No — No app
No app0 ptsThis bikeApp connectivity0.5 pts
Useful for firmware updates and diagnostics. Nice to have, but most riders do not use it.
Features we show but do not score
0 points — useful to know, not evidence of quality—Quick-release pedals✓Lock-on grips—Tyre sealant fitted—Plastic-free packaging—Second battery included—Foldable frame
These are real, checkable facts about the bike, and buyers ask about them. None of them predicts whether the bike is good, so none of them moves the score. Quick-release pedals are convenient; they are not a quarter of a braking system.
Editorial Insights
Key Benefits & Drawbacks
Reasons to Buy
- Bold, moto-inspired design appeals heavily to younger demographics.
- Long bench seat allows for changing riding positions or carrying a passenger.
- Dual-battery options provide massive range for exploring the city.
Reasons to Avoid
- Fixed seat height prevents proper leg extension for efficient pedaling.
- Heavy construction makes lifting the bike difficult.
Expert Verdict
In-Depth Analysis
Editorial Review: Evaluating theX1S
The Macfox X1S is an affordable, entry-level entry into the popular retro, mini-moto style scrambler market. If the Macfox X7 is the heavy-duty, high-carbon steel tank of the family, the X1S is the lighter, bare-bones neighborhood brawler. Stripping away complex gears and massive frame sizes, it delivers a clean, "twist-and-go" moped experience modeled after vintage dirt bikes.
It is highly popular with teenagers, beach cruisers, and campus commuters who want a stylish, low-maintenance aesthetic inspired by brands like Super73, but without the premium price tag.
The Technical Snapshot
- Power & Single-Speed Simplicity: Driven by a 500W nominal rear hub motor that peaks out at 750W and provides a modest 65Nm of torque. To keep things completely foolproof, it utilizes a single-speed drivetrain—meaning there are no mechanical gears, shifters, or delicate derailleurs to get damaged if the bike gets knocked over.
- Speed & Real-World Pace: Configured out of the box as a Class 2 street e-bike capping at 20 mph, but can be unlocked via the display settings to reach a top speed of 25 mph. It is controlled via an ergonomic thumb throttle and 3 basic pedal assist levels (Eco, Mid, High).
- Battery & Dual Options: The standard model runs on a removable 48V 10.4Ah (500Wh) battery mounted directly beneath the seat, yielding a real-world range of 25 to 38 miles depending on how aggressively you throttle. It is heavily advertised with a Dual Battery model option, which mounts a secondary fuel tank to effectively double your range up to 56 to 76 miles.
- The Moto-Style Ride & Stance: Rolls on high-volume 20x4.0-inch fat knobby tires paired with a front suspension fork to absorb sidewalk cracks and smooth gravel paths. It features a long, 24-inch motorcycle-style PU memory foam bench seat that is incredibly comfortable, though it has a fixed 33-inch seat height that cannot be adjusted up or down.
- Brakes & Bare-Bones Hardware: To hit its budget-friendly price point, the base X1S relies on standard cable-actuated mechanical disc brakes. While they offer plenty of stopping power for a 65-pound bike, they require more frequent manual pad adjustments than hydraulic systems.
- The "Bs.zay" Special Edition Twist: Macfox frequently features a limited-edition collaboration variant called the X1S x Bs.zay. This upgraded version ditches the stealth-black look for a striking custom purple-and-white paint scheme, a gold chain, a retro shield-style front headlight, optional stunt footpegs, and upgraded hydraulic brakes.
Hardware & Capacity Breakdown
| Feature Metric | Spec Rating |
| Motor Output | 500W Nominal / 750W Peak (65Nm Torque) |
| Battery Capacity | 500Wh (48V 10.4Ah) |
| Estimated Real Range | 25–38 miles (Single) | 50–76 miles (Dual) |
| Bike Weight | ~65 lbs |
| Maximum Capacity | 220 lbs (Rider limit) / 300 lbs (Total payload) |
| Braking System | Mechanical Disc (Standard) | Hydraulic (Bs.zay Edition) |
The Ergonomic Warning: Because the long bench saddle is bolted at a fixed 33-inch height, pedaling it like a traditional bicycle can feel awkward for taller riders. The X1S is best tailored for riders between 5'3" and 5'11" who intend to treat it primarily like a light electric moped, letting the throttle do the majority of the legwork.
Key Specifications
X1S
Performance
- Motor (Nominal)
- 500 W
- Motor (Peak)
- 750 W
- Battery
- 500 Wh
- Battery (Ah)
- 10.4 Ah
- Range
- 28 mi
- Top Speed
- 20 mph
Practicality
- Price
- $1,399
- Weight
- 65 lbs
- Payload Capacity
- 220 lbs
- Foldable
- No
Real-World Range Estimator
Fine-tuned for the 500 Wh Battery
25 mi
Motor Type
Terrain Profile
The Science of eBike Range
Estimated range is total usable battery capacity divided by adjusted energy consumption: Range (mi) = Battery (Wh) ÷ Adjusted Consumption (Wh/mi). Manufacturer range claims are measured in ideal lab conditions, so this model starts from a real-world baseline and applies a multiplier for each factor you change above.
The variables
- Baseline: 20 Wh per mile, for a 180 lb rider on flat ground using standard assist with a hub motor. Every adjustment below is a multiplier against that number.
- PAS level: assist is banded rather than linear, because a controller delivers set power steps rather than a smooth ramp. Levels 1–2 draw 30% less energy than standard, level 4 draws 30% more, and level 5 draws 60% more — the jump at the top is steep because aerodynamic drag rises with the square of speed.
- Motor type: mid-drive motors run through the gearing, so they hold a more efficient operating range under load and consume roughly 14% less energy than a hub motor over the same route. Hub motors lose more to heat when they bog down on climbs.
- Rider weight: consumption rises 5% for every full 20 lbs over the 180 lb baseline, reflecting the extra rolling resistance and the energy lost accelerating more mass back up to speed.
- Terrain: a hilly profile adds 30% over flat ground. Regenerative braking recovers very little of what a climb costs, so elevation is close to a straight energy penalty.
This estimate is independent of the Battery & Range score in the rating breakdown, which scores the published specification rather than predicting a single ride. Treat the figure as a planning guide — tyre pressure, wind, temperature and stop-start riding all move the real number.
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