Fantic Rampage eMTB

Italian brand Fantic has a broad reputation in the two wheeled world of sports. From motorcycles to bicycles they have earned the right to be recognized amongst other major legacy brands.

The Rampage is Fantic’s first lightweight eMTB, with the option of 120mm or 140mm of travel out front, there are six different builds available. The Rampage 1.2 Race is quite the machine on two wheels with a TQ drive unit, SRAM GX AXS transmission and 120mm of front travel. The Rampage weighs in at 15.5kg for the high-end version with the 1.2 Race weighing just a pinch more.

The Rampage is a Class 1 eMTB using a TQ HPR50 w/ a 360Wh integrated battery across all models.

The HPR50 has 300w of power and 50Nm of torque. Helping maintain Fantic’s lightweight goals for the Rampage, the HPR50 weighs 1850 grams and has a 135mm Q-Factor for a nice narrow platform. While integrated into the frame, the battery is removable and with the TQ platform and bike being so light, you could always remove the battery and crank out a few extra laps if you still have it in you.

The TQ system can be run with a 160Wh range extender, which is about the size of a water bottle. A simple two button remote is found on the bars with an integrated LCD display into the top tube. With such a minimal and discreet system, pairing to their app for more depth and expanded abilities is well worth it.

The Harmonic Pin-Ring, or HPR, is what TQ brings to the table with their system. This patented technology is built around a harmonic drive gear that gives us the discreet and silent integration of electric assist into the bike. To give more context, your average eBike drive unit uses electric motors and a series of different gears. This is what makes them bulkier and louder.

While the TQ HPR50 may not be the most powerful drive unit, the whole system weighs almost 2 lbs less then similar drive units like the Fazua Ride 60. In addition to it being very lightweight and helping to keep the bike low in weight as well, the narrow Q-Factor feels so much more familiar to riding a normal XC or Downcountry bike.

Although not a performance aspect of the HPR50, the minimal sound it emits is damn near silent. Again, there aren’t any performance gains to be found, but it sure will enhance the ride experience when you don’t have to listen to it, especially on those long steep rides.

The Fantic Rampage can be found in three of the overall six models in the US. Now this can change at anytime especially as Fantic gains more footing here. The SRAM SX equipped 1.4 Sport (140mm) starts at $4990 with the 1.2 Race (120mm) priced at $7890 and the 1.4 Factory (140mm) coming in at $9790.

The Rampage 1.2 Race is what we have been spending our time. This uses a Rockshox SID 2P 120mm fork and a Rockshox SIDLuxe 2P, both with remote lock that can be found on the handlebars for fast action control of the suspension. The 1.2 Factory has a Rockshox SID Ultimate 2P fork with a Rockshox SIDLuxe 2P Ultimate.

It comes with a SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission 12-speed and 170mm FSA cranks. Brakes are Magura MT8PRO 2 piston with 180mm rotors. Tires are Pirelli Scorpion ProWall XC-RC 29×2.2 tires wrapped around Mavic Crossmax SL S 29″ wheels. the DC models will have 2.4″ tires. You can adjust the rear axle position with the Fantic Flip Chip choosing between two positions for a 2.2″ or 2.4″tires. All the same you could always upgrade the fork to a 140mm from 120mm if you are feeling like making some changes.

All of the Rampage models will come with a one piece carbon stem and bar combo. This is a 780mm wide bar with a -17° stem. For you XC guys this is right up your alley, while more trail centric riders may be interested in making some changes to bring your riding position up a little higher.

Frames range in sizes Small thru X-Large. Our size large has familiar XC geometry with a 67.5° head tube angle and 74° seat post angle. Reach is 463mm and a stack of 627mm. Across the size ranges are about a 20mm reach difference and 10-15mm stack height variation. Chain stays are consistent across the sizes at 430mm while effective top tube length ranges from 410mm to 500mm jumping 30mm per size. The 140mm DC models have the same frame and mostly the same geometry, the only noticeable difference would be a slacker head tube angle of 65°. Find the rest of the geometry you may be looking for at Fantic.com.

The Rampage uses a hybrid four-bar linkage rear suspension of sorts. Flex stays are used in place of a rear pivot. This reduces weight and stiffens up the rear triangle. I rather liked the feel myself, and between a more traditional four bar and the flex stay design it’s really hard to notice any differences.

Fantic set out to make a lightweight cross country eMTB and we think they absolutely delivered. This ranks highly with the rest of the XC and Downcountry SL eMTB’s.

Whether it be logging big days in the backcountry or looking to slam out a sprint, the Rampage has a premium component spec and generous geo numbers help riders get more time in the saddle. The option of a range extender, or two if you’re comfortable with the weight means you can easily log 70± miles. From our experience the single 360Wh battery can easily do 30 miles in ECO. While ±34 pounds isn’t grazing the numbers of the lightest full carbon mountain bikes, it is pushing the boundaries of how light a full suspension electric mountain bike can reduce to.

The Rampage 1.2 Race we think is fit for classic XC riders that are all about the elevation and miles. While the 1.4 models will favor those that are more trail oriented. With a common frame across the models we’ll be changing out some components to see how the subtle difference will impact the ride performance and what routes are favored between them.

Focusing on the climbing aspect of the Rampage, as the 1.2 is more XC oriented. The TQ motor does a great job at supplying power and the overall bike weight aids in allowing the TQ to work as well as it does. Yes comparing to a full power Bosch or Shimano it does not stack up the same, but for a quieter riding experience, lower overall weight and a narrower (more familiar) Q Factor, I find I rather enjoy it. I have spent time on other TQ bikes and walked away with similar feelings. The Scott Lumen and the Trek Fuel EXe, the Lumen representing the similar XC priorities, while the Fuel leans heavy towards the Downcountry, trail oriented, riding style.

The rider position as to be expected is very XC leaning. The one piece carbon stem/bar combo is not particularly my favorite. It takes some time to get used to, but I’m sure for a more XC principled rider they will feel very natural on it. A higher rise bar and new stem are definitely in the works to aid in getting my ideal fit.

Descending, while 120mm both front and rear may not seem like much, as long as the trails aren’t too rowdy, you can sure getting moving quick and let the bike ride the rails. All this talk of being lightweight it’s a good reminder to consider that the additional weight of battery and drive unit help bring some beneficial weight to this fully carbon rocket to help keep the weight lower and ride more confidently.

The Pirelli Scorpion tires are definitely not the right tire for this time of year locally. After a few rides on them it was definitely time to change things up to get back some much needed traction.

Bars, tires, these are all very approachable things that most people are likely to change on their bike as it is. It would be nice to see some more options available, but again they’re very minimal details that don’t by any means take away from the overall performance and capabilities of this bike.

Our step off point as we look around at the broad range of electric mountain bikes is that if you’re truly a cross country rider this is a great bike to look closer at. We’re eager to see what a 140mm fork and the new tires will do in regards to riding more aggressive trails, but as it is I’ve voluntarily parked the gravel bike for the time being to log some miles on the Rampage.

Price: $4990-9790
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Weight: 34lbs
Website: fantic.com