QuietKat Apex Review – An Introduction
Would you like to discover why the QuietKat Apex electric hunting bike offers the performance you need when hunting, fishing, camping, and exploring?
If you do, I wrote this QuietKat Apex review specifically for you.
Keep on reading to find out exactly what the QuietKat Apex can do for you and your hunting lifestyle.
QuietKat Apex Review: How Does This Electric Hunting Bike Perform In The Wild?
Image: ©Quietkat
Apex is QuietKat’s top-of-the-line hardtail model featuring everything you’d expect from a QuietKat electric hunting bike but in the “hardtail” version.
This electric hunting bike is equipped with QuietKat’s highest-end component package.
According to their tagline: “hunt, fish, camp and explore” the Apex hunting ebike offers the performance you need.
The QuietKat is first and foremost designed to offer great utility and great power when riding off-road, on private land or in areas where you don’t have the typical 3-class ebike restrictions.
However, if you want to use your QuietKat Apex also on the road, QuietKat offers this very capable electric hunting bike with a compliant 750 W motor, too.
But in this QuietKat Apex review, we’ll talk hunting.
Continue reading to see how well the Apex electric hunting bike performs under more challenging conditions.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Hill Climbing Capabilities
Image: ©Quietkat
The Apex is QuietKat’s most powerful hardtail electric hunting bike.
This ebike doesn’t just manage to get up that hill. It excels at this task.
When testing the Apex hunting ebike in the field (actually on the road, but you know what I’m saying) Electric Bike Report and We Tried It both found that the Apex was able to accelerate when riding up a hill.
The Apex by QuietKat is a very nice and pleasant climbing bike that lets you, the hunter, tackle steep climbs and rugged, moderately steep descents with confidence.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Motor
Image: ©Quietkat Edited by Electric-Hunting-Bike
The motor is the most important and most expensive part of any hunting eBike which is why we take a close look at it in the next section of this QuietKat Apex review.
The Apex electric bike for hunting comes with 2 motor options: 750 W and 1000 W Bafang motors.
QuietKat Apex Motor Review: Mid-Drive Motor Pros And Cons
Both are mid-drive motors that are usually superior in off-road and hill climbing performance compared to similar hub-drive motors.
However, if you’ve read some of my other reviews you might have learned that mid-drive motors are less forgiving and require a steeper learning curve for the beginner.
That’s because a mid-drive motor moves the chain itself (unlike a hub-drive motor that only turns the wheel without moving the chain).
The advantage is that all of the motor’s torque is transferred through the drive train to the rear wheel (hence the better hill-climbing capabilities).
The issue with this often arises when less experienced riders try to shift gears. Because this ebike has so much power it can easily bend the chain, the cassette, or even the front chain ring if you’re not careful.
QuietKat Apex Motor Review: Special Protective Feature
The Apex has a fantastic safety feature that aims to eliminate this issue.
When shifting gears, the torque sensor picks up that change, cuts the motor for a split second, and allows the bike to shift gears under much less power.
I cannot overstate how big of an improvement that is.
QuietKat Apex Motor Review: Eco Mode And Sport Mode
The QuietKat Apex electric hunting bike can be used in 2 different modes: Eco-mode and
Sport-mode. The latter provides even more power while also draining the battery slightly faster.
For each of these 2 modes, you can choose between 5 levels of pedal assist, giving you effectively 10 different motor settings to handle any situation that comes your way.
QuietKat Apex Motor Review: Walk-Assist Mode
Another great feature of the Apex is QuietKat’s “walk-assist” mode.
This setting moves your Apex hunting ebike at approximately 3 mph. It’s ideal if you’re hauling a lot of gear or your big game back to your truck across rough terrain that you don’t feel confident riding across.
With the “walk-assist” mode you can easily walk next to your ebike (with your hands on the handlebar, of course) while the bike is moving all that weight for you.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Brakes
Having a powerful motor also requires some powerful brakes.
QuietKat has equipped their Apex electric hunting bike with strong Tektro 4-Piston Hydraulic brakes that help you stop your hunting ebike when you need to.
These brakes also allow you to descend challenging declines with more confidence.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Off-Roading Capabilities
Image: ©Quietkat
In the next section of this QuietKat Apex review, we investigate the different components that influence the off-road performance of this great hunting companion.
With the QuietKat Apex you can tackle tough terrains such as soft sand or snow and even hard-pack trails and rocks.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Tires
This is accommodated by some great fat tires.
The small frame size comes with high-quality 24’’ x 4’’ fat tires while the medium and large size frames are fitted with 26’’ x 4.5’’ fat tires.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Suspension
The suspension on the QuietKat Apex electric hunting bike deserves some special attention.
QuietKat is using a technology that, to my knowledge, not many other hunting ebike brands have included in their models.
First of all, the Apex is a hardtail electric bike for hunting, which means there’s no suspension at the rear wheel.
That’s not an issue for me personally at all but if you prefer a full-suspension electric hunting bike you might want to consider the QuietKat Jeep or the QuietKat Ridgerunner.
Back to the Apex.
QuietKat Apex Suspension Review: Inverted Adjustable Air Suspension Fork
At the front fork, QuietKat is using what’s called an Inverted Adjustable Air Suspension Fork (also known as Moto style fork) with 150 mm travel.
In the following part of this QuietKat Apex review, I’ll explain what that means and why it’s a big deal.
In layman’s terms in a traditional front-end suspension fork, the smaller stanchions are on the top and the bigger stanchions are on the bottom.
In an inverted front suspension fork it’s as the word says “inverted”, i.e. the other way around. You have the bigger stanchions on the top (closer to the handlebar) and the smaller stanchions at the bottom closer to the axle of the front wheel.
This is much more similar to a suspension on a dirt bike or a motorcycle (hence “moto style suspensions”).
QuietKat Apex Suspension Review: Advantages
Numerous advantages result from this setup.
Because the part that is moving when you’re hitting a bump is smaller (the smaller stanchions at the bottom) there’s less unsprung weight.
This gives a remarkably stable, stiff responsive, and stout front end.
This fork doesn’t allow any sort of wallowing in the front end, especially when traveling at higher speeds or around corners.
With some conventional fat tire ebikes, the front fork, especially the narrower gauge ones, can sometimes struggle when turning the front wheel over, making it hold the line and change direction at higher speeds.
The four inches of rubber combined with a very big stout rim can produce a lot of rotational mass that wants to stand up straight and spin so there’s kind of a constant battle taking place between them and the front fork.
The Inverted Adjustable Air Suspension Fork on the QuietKat Apex is winning that fight, giving the hunter much more control and confidence in handling this powerful hunting ebike.
However, if you prefer full suspension check out some other bikes in my review of the Best Electric Hunting Bike.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Gearing
The next section of this QuietKat Apex review is dedicated to the gearing of the Apex electric hunting bike.
Since the Apex has such a powerful mid-drive motor that uses the drivetrain to power the rear wheel in all situations, it also needs a powerful drivetrain and cassette to handle the potentially destructive power of the motor.
That’s why the QuietKat Apex electric hunting bike comes equipped with a very capable SRAM X5 derailleur with a nine-speed cassette.
This allows the Apex’s powerful mid-drive motor to take advantage of the full range of gears to produce maximum torque to get you and your gear up and down steep mountain trails without difficulties.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Cockpit
I really like the wider handlebars of the Apex hunting ebike.
These are typically more common on mountain bikes and they make the ride much more stable, especially on more difficult and rough terrain.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Load Capabilities
Image: ©Quietkat
The QuietKat Apex can carry a total weight of 325 lbs which is probably more than enough for most hunters including their gear and game.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Rack
I have included the rack of the QuietKat Apex hunting eBike in this QuietKat Apex review because QuietKat did a really good job with it in my opinion.
Unlike some other electric hunting bikes that require you to purchase a rear rack separately and then mount it to your bike yourself, the Apex by QuietKat features an integrated Panier Rack that’s not only color-matched, of course, but more importantly, allows you to strap everything you need for your hunting trip.
This integrated rear rack can carry up to 100 lbs which are plenty considering you can also attach a trailer if you need to haul more weight than that.
However, sometimes an ebike can become more difficult to handle the more weight you attach to it.
QuietKat Apex Integrated Rack Review: Advantages
This is especially true when you’re starting to move a heavily loaded ebike from zero, i.e. from standing still.
That’s why the integrated Panier rack on the Apex was built to keep that weight centered over the top of the rear wheel.
As a result, carrying this type of weight with the Apex electric hunting bike is much easier and more controllable.
It’s a great addition to this hunting ebike.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Range Capabilities
Image: ©Quietkat
Range and battery power are two important yet quite difficult topics that I’ll briefly cover in this QuietKat Apex review.
I consider them difficult because when used to compare the performance of two different electric hunting bikes, they only have limited meaningfulness.
That’s because the range you can achieve depends on so many different factors that an accurate prediction is not possible at all.
You should use any estimated guidance only as a rough guide to help you in your decision-making.
According to QuietKat, the Apex hunting ebike has a range of 24 – 48 miles.
QuietKat Apex Electric Hunting Bike Review Of The Battery
The 750 W model has a battery with 48 V and 16 Ah. This results in a total of 768Wh.
The 1000 W model has a battery with 52 V and 17.5 Ah resulting in a whopping 910 Wh.
The batteries are made up of premium Panasonic lithium cells and weigh 10 lbs and 12 lbs.
Using my general assumption that 1 mile consumes 20 Wh you can expect a theoretical range of 38.4 and 45.5 miles respectively, all on a single charge and without pedaling.
That’s ample and on a standard charger or solar charger the battery can be fully recharged in approximately 6-8 hours.
With the pathfinder rapid charger, you can significantly reduce this time to 3-6 hours of charging time.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Speed Capabilities
The QuietKat Apex 1000 W electric hunting bike comes without any speed restrictions while the 750 W model has a top speed that’s limited to 20 mph.
QuietKat Apex Review: How To Transport Your Electric Hunting Bike
Image: ©Quietkat
To bring your Apex hunting ebike along, you can simply put it on your truck bed.
However, bearing in mind that this ebike weighs about 71 lbs you can also use a bike trailer to make loading and unloading our electric hunting bike even easier.
QuietKat Apex Review: Other Useful Upgrades And Addons
The Apex electric hunting bike by QuietKat comes in 3 different color options for you to choose from: “Evergreen” and “Veil Caza Camo” and “True Timber Camo”.
It also comes with a customizable LED display.
QuietKat Apex Review: Warranties, Financing, And More
Image: ©Electric-Hunting-Bike
In the following part of the QuietKat Apex review, I’ll briefly summarize some of the warranties, guarantees, and financing options you can expect.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Warranties
QuietKat offers a 1-year warranty on all components and the frame even has a lifetime warranty.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Money Back Guarantee
You can try the Apex electric hunting bike for 30 days and up to 10 miles completely risk-free.
That’s possible thanks to the “30-Day Risk-Free Trial (30 DAY, 10 MILE MAX)” offered by QuietKat.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Financing Options
If you prefer to pay for your new Apex hunting ebike in installments I have good news for you.
QuietKat and some other online retailers have partnered with Affirm and PayPal to offer a seamless payment experience and convenient installment plans that you can choose during the checkout process on the respective websites.
QuietKat Apex Review: What I Like The Most
QuietKat Apex Review: What I Like The Least
Doesn’t come with headlight or fenders
The display does not show you which gear you’re in
QuietKat Apex Review: Who Should Buy This Electric Hunting Bike
Image: ©Quietkat
No QuietKat Apex review would be complete without covering some important aspects that could have a major influence on your decision about which electric hunting bike to buy.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Size
Image: ©Quietkat
The Apex hunting electric bike by QuietKat comes in 3 different frame sizes to accommodate a variety of rider heights.
The SMALL frame is 15.5’’,
the MEDIUM frame is 17’’ and
the LARGE frame is 19’’.
The SMALL version has a Stand Over Height of 26.5’’.
The MEDIUM version has a Stand Over Height of 29.5’’.
The LARGE version has a Stand Over Height of 30.5’’.
QuietKat Apex Review Of Its Legal Compliance
The laws regulating the usage of electric bicycles in the United States are evolving rapidly to keep up with the surging demand.
However, laws and regulations differ not just from state to state but also from region to region.
Always inform yourself about the legal situation before taking your electric hunting bike for a ride.
Quietkat Apex 750 Review: eBike Law Compliance
The Apex 750 W hunting ebike by QuietKat Class comes pre-set as a Class 2 electric bike.
That means it comes with a 750 W motor, with a top speed of 20 mph, and can be operated by a throttle.
What’s great is the throttle can be removed, turning your Class 2 ebike into a Class 1 ebike without a throttle.
This can allow you to use your Apex electric hunting bike on the road and on many trails that are only accessible by bicycles, for example.
Quietkat Apex 1000 Review: eBike Law Compliance
The QuietKat Apex 1000 W electric hunting bike is too powerful to be classified as either a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 ebike.
Instead, it’s designed and intended to be ridden on private land, in areas that are open to motorized vehicles, or in places that don’t have those regulations in place yet.
If in doubt always inform yourself through a qualified legal professional before you start riding to represent the hunting community well and avoid any other legal issues.
QuietKat Apex Review: My Conclusion
I hope you found this QuietKat Apex Review helpful in discovering what exactly this amazing electric hunting bike brings to the hunting table.
Summarise the main findings about the Bakcou Storm.
Please let me know if I missed any important aspect so that I can further improve this QuietKat Apex Review to help more hunters along the way.
Happy Riding
Image Attribution
Featured Image: ©Quietkat