QuietKat Villager Review, 2022 | Electric Bike Report

The results from our range test were something of a mixed bag. We sent our tester out on the QuietKat Villager set to PAS 5 and it covered 31 mi., substantially more than what QuietKat listed as its potential range at this PAS level with the website listing 19 miles on the low end. It was an impressive result.

In PAS 3 (which is the realistic lowest PAS for getting reliable assistance), most riders would expect to see a substantially greater range than they did in PAS 5, and while the QuietKat Villager’s range did grow, it didn’t grow by much. Our test rider covered 37 miles. While that isn’t a bad result, we didn’t understand why its range grew by only 6 mi. It’s a surprising result, and while we were a touch disappointed it didn’t give us even more range in PAS 1.

At the end of the day there is enough battery to last you a very long ride, or several shorter ones between charging, and you can dial your preferred speed in across three of the PAS levels, but there isn’t a lot of incentive to take it slow where adding battery life is concerned.

The QuietKat Villager features a 500W hub. Hub motors often provide terrific power, but can also struggle to produce sufficient torque for hill climbing on. The QuietKat Villager, however, performed well.

In our run up the ⅓-mile, 12 percent climb of Hell Hole, the QuietKat Villager made the ascent in 72 seconds, at an average speed of 15.1 mph. It’s a fine performance for a 60-lbs+ e-bike with a 500W motor.

Not only does the motor help with hills, but QuietKat even specs the Villager with an above average drivetrain. The Sram 7-speed system makes for crisp and reliable shifting. You’ll be able to adjust on the fly even if the path you’re on goes from flats to hills in a hurry.

The only way in which the gearing isn’t ideal is due to the fact that the motor and tires are such a good combo. The bike can get up to speed and rolls well beyond it. The seven gears are adequate for handling up to 20 mph (the motors class 2 cutoff point), but given that it’s easy for the bike to pick up speed beyond it I did notice quite a bit of ghost pedaling at the cranks in an effort to try and keep up. It’s something I encountered frequently enough to point out, but it didn’t enter the realm of bothersome.

We talk about hydraulic disc brakes matched with 180mm rotors being the gold standard for brakes on e-bikes. It’s possible to improve braking beyond that point, by either moving from two-piston calipers to four-piston calipers (two per side), or by swapping the 180mm rotors for 203mm ones. That said, the only riders on bikes with such setups are typically mountain bikers who spend more time in the air than some birds.

When we noticed the QuietKat Villager spec’d with mechanical disc brakes we were curious how they’d do. Mechanical discs typically don’t stop as well as hydraulic ones, but that’s not to say they don’t stop.

In our brake test we performed three passes to make sure we were getting consistent data. As we’ve mentioned in other recent reviews, we’ve altered our test protocol slightly. Previously, we were performing panic stops to find out the absolute shortest stopping distance possible for the e-bikes we test. The problem was, it doesn’t accurately reflect the riding experience of most people. We now do the test remaining seated, braking as hard as we dare, but without skidding.

The QuietKat Villager needed 26 feet 6 inches to come to a stop. It’s an understandable result, considering this e-bike is equipped with mechanical disc brakes. They are capable brakes, but not quite as powerful as hydraulic discs.

It’s a longer distance than most brake tests we’ve performed meaning that in our unofficial scoring department we’d call the Villager’s braking capabilities just ‘okay’. The good news is they help you stop comfortably. That is to say, you remain in control and the wheel doesn’t skid or fishtail on you. But again, given how easy it can be to ramp up speed we’d hope for something with a bit shorter braking distances and we wish hydraulic brakes came on the Villager instead.

The QuietKat Villager trades in nothing so much as comfort. Sure, the Villager’s build showcases a beefy aluminum frame meant to be stiff. Shouldn’t that make the e-bike less comfortable? No, because the combination of 3-in.-wide tires, suspension fork and a well-padded saddle do more to cushion the rider from bumps in the road than the aluminum frame’s stiffness can to rattle a rider. What’s more—the stiff aluminum frame makes the bike handle more predictably. The more the frame flexes, the less secure a rider feels.

Here’s the bottom line from my time reviewing the QuietKat Vilager: it’s a bike meant for commuting for those looking for something bigger and sturdier. The wide tires roll well and offer great stability. The welded on rear rack is confidence inspiring for the variety of accessories it can be equipped with and the gear you’d look to haul.

It’s cool to see a company so well known for going off-road put together something for urban settings too – it carries the same rough and rugged flair the brand is known for, but sets it loose in a new environment.

It’s got its warts as virtually all products do: I’d swap the 203mm mechanical brakes for 180mm hydraulics, and I wish you could fully utilize all five levels of pedal assistance instead of having only three that are practical so people could better dial in their preferred speed.

But those points aside there is plenty to like about what the Villager brings to the table. There are several attempts to provide you with more than your typical commuter be that from a Sram drivetrain or the 100mm travel of the front fork.

I can see QuietKat fans who want something for city-suited springing for the Villager while leaving their hunting bike at home, or heck, anybody who wants a bigger bike wat larger tires that do well on the road wanting to take the Villager for a spin.

‘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 QuietKat Villager.