Rattan Pinus

Overview

Today I am testing out the Rattan Pinus, a robust entry into the folding fat tire e-bike market. If you are not familiar with Rattan, they have actually been in the biking industry for around ten years. They started out making traditional non-electric bikes, and when the electric revolution hit, they successfully transitioned their lineup. They currently offer five different models, but the Pinus immediately stands out because of its dual-battery configuration and massive range potential.

The Pinus comes in two different colors and offers three distinct purchasing tiers. The base option features a single battery and comes in at $1,700. The version I have in my hands for this test is the dual-battery model, which costs just under $2,200. Interestingly, they also offer a third configuration that pairs a single battery bike with a specialized fat tire pull-cart, which looks incredibly practical. Rattan goes heavy on customization, offering a page and a half of accessories on their site, including various bags, baskets, and racks.

At its core, this is a step-through, foldable fat tire e-bike built for utility and distance. While the folding fat bike space is incredibly crowded these days, putting two large batteries on a frame that breaks in half is a bold move. I wanted to see if the real-world performance actually justified the heavy-duty build.

Real-World Performance

The power delivery on the Rattan Pinus is genuinely impressive. It is equipped with a 750W motor that peaks at 1200W and delivers 80 Newton meters of torque. To see what that translated to on the pavement, I did a flat-ground acceleration test. I wanted to see how fast it could go from zero to 20 mph. Pushing the throttle, I hit 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, and finally 20 mph in just over 10 seconds. Off the line, it feels incredibly fast and responsive.

Next, I wanted to test the top speed. I put the bike into its highest assist level (level 5). Because this is a torque sensor bike, you normally have to put some physical effort into the pedals to access all the motor's power. However, I wanted to see what the bike could do if I was just feeling lazy. Relying purely on the throttle, the motor proved it has serious power, pulling me all the way up to 29 mph without me turning the cranks at all.

My absolute favorite test was the hill climb. I took the Pinus to a hill with a steep 20% grade that stretches for about half a block. I hit the incline using only the throttle to see if the motor would bog down. It started climbing right away with zero hesitation. As I reached the steepest section right before the crest, the bike held a steady 10 mph. That is exactly the kind of robust hill-climbing power I want to see from a $2,000 electric bike.

As for off-road performance, the bike is equipped with Kenda 20 by 4-inch all-terrain tires. They are very knobby and provide plenty of grip and traction if you take the bike on a dirt trail. However, I quickly realized that you need to be pretty choosy about the types of trails you tackle. Despite the rugged tires, the heavy folding frame and overall geometry mean this is not the best choice for aggressive off-road riding or technical single-track.

Design & Build Quality

The step-through design makes the Pinus incredibly easy to mount and dismount, which is a major plus given how heavy dual-battery setups can be. Rattan opted to make the frame two times thicker than most standard e-bike frames. They did this specifically to help absorb smaller vibrations on the road, and the bike does feel solidly planted as a result.

Up front, the paint job is beautiful, and the welding around the head tube is completely smooth. There is also a neat-looking pass-through hole up front where mounts are welded on for an optional front basket. Unfortunately, that attention to detail does not carry over to the rest of the frame. Down near the center where the bike folds, there are a lot of highly visible, messy welding scars. The fenders are also a disappointment; they are your typical, cheap-feeling plastic that rattles a bit.

When it comes to portability, breaking the bike in half is straightforward. There is a standard center lever that releases the hinge, allowing the frame to fold together alongside the folding pedals. The T-shaped handlebars also feature a quick-release lever, allowing them to fold completely down to save space.

The bike sits on BMX-style rims and includes a welded rear rack with a carrying capacity of around 60 lbs. For braking, it uses full hydraulic brakes with the right lever controlling the rear and the left controlling the front. Overall, while the thicker frame is a nice touch, there is nothing overly fancy about the build—it is a standard, highly functional foldable fat bike.

Key Features

The standout feature of the Pinus is undeniably the dual battery system. Both batteries can be shut off individually, and remarkably, they only take 4 to 5 hours to recharge. Rattan claims you can get up to 150 miles of range, but in my testing experience, achieving that requires specific settings. You certainly will not get 150 miles if you leave the bike in 'Sport' mode. To hit those massive numbers, you need to dive into the settings, switch the bike into 'Eco' mode, and drop the pedal assist down to level 2 or 3.

Rattan provides 5 pedal assist levels and 3 distinct riding modes (Sport, Normal, Eco), giving you a total of 15 different riding experiences to cycle through. You interact with all of this via a nice color LCD screen. The advanced settings menu is fantastic because everything is clearly spelled out in plain text—there is no guesswork or referencing a manual to figure out what a numbered code means. In this menu, you can adjust the speed limit anywhere from 13 mph up to 31 mph, change the screen brightness, set a password, toggle cruise control, and adjust the auto-shutoff timer.

Not every software feature worked flawlessly, though. There is a 'slow start' setting with options ranging from 1 to 4. I played around with this extensively during my ride, but I honestly could not feel any difference in takeoff power between the settings.

The bike is well-lit for safety. Holding the plus button turns on a massive, bright headlight and a solid tail light, simultaneously dimming the LCD screen for night riding. The Pinus also features turn signals controlled by two arrow buttons on the keypad. Hitting them flashes the rear light and illuminates a bright indicator on the screen. However, there is no sound or clicker when they are active, meaning you have to remember to hit the button again to turn them off.

Comfort features are excellent. The hydraulic front fork suspension is fully adjustable with a lockout, and when fully open, it provides 180 mm of plush travel. The bike accommodates riders from 5'3" to 6'4". I am a 5'11" guy, and by raising the saddle and the quick-release handlebars, I easily dialed in an upright, comfortable posture with just a slight bend in my knee. You also get stitched leather wing-tipped grips that screw securely onto the handlebars so they do not twist while you ride.

Who It's For

I highly recommend the Rattan Pinus for long-distance commuters, delivery riders, and RV owners who need a compact package without sacrificing range or power. If you regularly encounter steep, demanding hills and want a bike that can carry cargo while pushing 10 mph up a 20% grade on throttle alone, this is a phenomenal tool for the job.

Who Should Skip It

If you are a stickler for premium frame finishes and seamless welds, the messy joint work and cheap plastic fenders here will drive you crazy. Additionally, if you are looking for a dedicated trail machine for actual mountain biking, you should skip this; despite the knobby tires, the heavy folding frame is not built for aggressive off-road use.

How It Stacks Up

When looking at the broader market of folding fat tire e-bikes, the Rattan Pinus separates itself through raw battery capacity and climbing power. The vast majority of folding e-bikes under $2,000 come with a single battery, limiting your realistic range and forcing you to charge frequently. By integrating a dual-battery system and tweaking the frame to be twice as thick to handle the load and vibrations, Rattan has created a foldie that performs more like a heavy-duty cargo cruiser. While it lacks the refined aesthetic polish of some higher-end boutique brands, it delivers significantly more torque and range than standard budget foldables in this space.

Final Verdict

The Rattan Pinus is a powerhouse that justifies its just-under-$2,200 price tag. The true appeal here lies in the dual batteries offering up to 150 miles of range and a surprisingly fast 5-hour recharge time. Combine that with a 1200W peak motor that effortlessly conquers 20% grade hills, and you have a wildly capable utility machine. If you can overlook some cosmetic welding scars and basic plastic fenders, I highly recommend picking this up for your long-range adventures.