iGo Outland Cabot RS Review, 2023 | Electric Bike Report

Our Range Test gave us an opportunity to test the motor and battery efficiency of the Cabot RS and determine how far riders could expect to travel on a single charge of the 48V, 720 watt-hour (Wh) battery. We also used our data to evaluate iGo’s claimed range of 60 miles.

The graphic above explains our process and the results of this test. As I hinted at previously in this iGo Outland Cabot RS review, our results were excellent; the bike exceeded both the manufacturer’s advertisements and our own expectations! We measured a bracket of roughly 45 to 67 miles of range depending on the pedal assist setting used.

Many factors affect a bike’s range – including speed, weather, terrain, etc – but most riders should expect to fall within this bracket. We measured between roughly 750 and 1200 feet of elevation change during our testing, so it’s possible that riders travelling on flat roads or paths might exceed our results. On the opposite side of things, users regularly riding on extremely hilly forest roads where the motor uses more power may achieve less.

A huge contributing factor to the bike’s great efficiency is its mid-drive motor, which requires at least some contribution from the rider. Rear hub motors (especially those with cadence sensors) are typically less efficient because they only require that the bike’s pedals be moving, not that any pressure be applied. You can learn more about the differences in e-bike motors in our guide to mid-drives and our guide to hub motors.

The Cabot RS’ efficiency is reinforced by math; specifically, a calculation based on nominal motor wattage and battery watt-hours. This indicated that the Cabot RS’ battery charge should theoretically last a maximum of 1 hour and 25 minutes in Boost mode. Our test ran almost exactly an hour longer, proving that the motor was drawing less energy from the battery due to the added human input and extending the bike’s overall range.

Our Hill Test allowed us to evaluate the raw power of the Outland Cabot RS’ motor and its ability to confidently climb steep inclines. Our goals were to determine how effective the motor’s input was and how much effort was required by the rider. Using the process explained in the graphic above, we measured the time and average speed from the base to the summit of the hill.

With the Cabot’s throttle – using 100% motor power – the bike successfully climbed Hell Hole in 1 minute and 36 seconds, with an average speed of 11.3 miles per hour. With added effort from our test rider, Justin, we measured 1 minute and 40 seconds while maintaining an average of 10.8 mph.

Using the method explained above, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the Outland Cabot RS’ brake system. As with most of the iGo e-bikes we’ve tested so far, the bike is equipped with Tektro E-350 hydraulic disc brakes, including 2-piston calipers and 180mm rotors.

Using three sets of data from our trials, we calculated an average stopping distance of 23’-0”. This result falls within our expected range, but is firmly on the slower end; the average of all commuter and commuter hybrid e-bikes we tested previously is currently 21’-7”.

The difference between the Cabot’s result in this test and the commuter average is reasonable, and we consider the bike to be within the safe range, but we’d prefer to see a system with 4-piston calipers and potentially larger rotors to provide more trustworthy stopping power. Considering the likelihood that the bike will ride alongside motor vehicles – as well as its ability to travel off-road – the ability to stop quickly may be essential.

I do want to give credit to the Cabot for being one of the most stable-feeling bikes I’ve tested. Even when riding on loose pea gravel and applying the brakes (a situation that can easily cause many bikes to slide out), the Outland Cabot RS remained firmly planted and didn’t deviate from its line of travel. This was primarily due to the bike’s unique Schwalbe Hurricane tires, which include a combination of smoother street treat bordered by chunkier teeth and studs for biting into looser ground.

As a hybrid e-bike, the Outland Cabot RS blends elements from a light mountain/trail bike with more expected features often found on a dedicated commuter. The combination of these elements created a unique ride quality that I found generally quite pleasant. I have a few minor points of critique, but these are largely due to personal preference instead of being related to any fundamental issues with the bike. It’s a cool one!

The Cabot RS leans – literally – into its commuter side when it comes to rider positioning; the bike features a moderate-to-aggressive forward angle that didn’t quite fit my personal taste. That said, it was made infinitely more comfortable by the bike’s contact points; the saddle was accommodating, the pedals provided a large and stable platform, and the broad Velo ergonomic grips may just be my new favorites!

There is just a single frame size for the Cabot RS, which iGo’s advertises can fit riders between 5′-0″ and 6′-2″. The bike felt cramped for some of our riders above 6’-0”’, so we’d like to see the brand offer multiple frame sizes to offer a better fit for riders on the taller end of the spectrum. At 5’-11” I felt relatively comfortable, but there was undoubtedly room for improvement.

To sum it all up: the Outland Cabot RS is a solid bike! We were impressed by most areas of its test performance, the responsiveness of its ride feel, and the appropriate measures of its power and speed. While the bike leans heavily into its commuter elements, we appreciated the unique spin that iGo composed with the Cabot, primarily by including the hybrid Schwalbe tires.

While its brake performance was on the better side when compared to all of the iGo bikes we’ve tested, we’d like to see a 4-piston system with larger rotors for even better stopping power both on- and off-road. And while the single frame size accommodated our riders of medium height, we’d welcome at least a couple of frame size options so riders above 6’ could ride without feeling cramped.

Those are fairly minor concerns, however; we think the Outland Cabot RS would be great for shorter riders who commute on the daily and want a little more freedom on the weekends. It may also be perfect for those whose weekday commutes include some (relatively) smooth dirt or pea gravel roads.

The Cabot can certainly go the distance, and includes all the base features we expected for a bike of its style, making it firmly capable for its intended purpose. On top of that, the bike provides solid value in proportion to its price; there are a host of name-brand components with proven track records – which we’re happy to see on an e-bike that will likely see a ton of miles.

All-in-all, we’ve been pleased with all of the iGo bikes we’ve reviewed so far, and the Outland Cabot RS is certainly another win for the brand!

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the iGo Outland Cabot RS.