Biktrix gets it-riders want e-bikes that cut with the flow. Bike EXIF
The Swift Step-Thru 3 and Swift Lite 3 ST take a different approach but equal dosing of electrifying performance. Gravel Goat
Do the additional $300 justify the splurge on the Step-Thru 3? Bike Snob
We hit the streets in both, so let’s see which machine justifies your spend money.
Let’s find out in our hunting e-bike review….
Best Overall: Biktrix Swift Step-Thru 3
Best For Leisurely Commutes: Biktrix Swift Lite 3 ST
- Upright Seating Geometry
- Step-Thru Frame
- Battery Options
- City-Friendly Tires
Troughs:
- Limited Suspension
- Pricey
Biktrix Swift Lite 3 ST & Swift ST 3 Review
Price
$1,499.00 Biktrix Swift Lite 3 ST
$1,799.00 Biktrix Swift St 3
Pricing is at $1,799 for the Biktrix Swift Step-Thru 3 and $1,499 for the Swift Lite 3 ST. These prices go along with the high-quality features and performance that both of these bikes are bringing, and the Step-Thru 3 will target power and adaptability through every variety of terrains.
To put things into perspective, the Engwe E26 Step-Thru is very tempting at $1,199. It gives you about 10 more kilometers of range thanks to its beefy 768Wh lithium-ion battery and fat tires that can provide some extra cushioning on rough stuff while addressing the shortcomings of the Swift’s suspension.
But it weighs in at an impressive 33kg and packs a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, but no gearing as with the Swift Step-Thru 3, or the lighter frames of this pair of Swifts.
If you’ve got the discretionary cash, either one of these e-bikes is a good pick, just depends on what kind of ride you’ve got in mind.
Weight/Frame
The Swift Lite 3 ST wins hands down in the realm of commute-friendliness if we talk about weight. 20.8 kg is light enough for a dashing sailor like this one to sneak upstairs without breaking a sweat and slice through the city streets like a hot knife through butter. The lightness of the Swift Lite 3 ST has also been very helpful during swift maneuvers in tight spaces, which is why we employed it for our urban escapades.
The Swift Step-Thru 3 has more muscle, as it weighs in at a solid 27 kg. And that added bulk can only really be felt on steeper inclines, as it equates to more stability on less forgiving roads that give us that confidence on chunkier terrain.
The convenience of the step-thru design makes it easy to hop on and off, which suits short stops or city errands.
Both are much more upright, meaning less stress on our spines even over longer trips. Your posture will appreciate this thoughtful design as you spend your short dash to the café or your longer jaunt through town feeling comfortable.
Battery
The Swift Step-Thru 3 takes the crown here, boldly with a strong 48V 21Ah battery, good for as much as an astonishing 80 miles (129 km) on one charge. Meanwhile, the Swift Lite 3 ST, mounted with a 36V 10.4Ah battery, goes up to a respectable 30 miles (48 km).
Ride style, weight, and terrain always determine how fast you’ll get to that limit.
We teamed up for this ride but certainly did not push the Step-Thru 3 to its full potential of 80 miles, we clocked 28 miles (45 km) with more than half the juice left to keep rolling.
So for social rides with friends, the Step-Thru 3 might be your best bet. Swapping out lights or grabbing an extra battery for your Lite 3 ST, while a handy option, could start eating into that $300 price gap we mentioned earlier.
After taking them out for a spin, it’s clear where the value shift kicks in, with those extra dollars translating into more ride and less worry.
ℹ️ Be cautious with your assistance use on hazardous technical sections – the bike’s heavyweight, combined with its immense power, could lead to a nasty accident if you aren’t careful or don’t have the strength to cope with it.
Motor
The motor division is not about who the winner is; it is about selecting the right tool for your ride.
For a city commuter, this will be enough to cruise across the urban alleys with finesse due to its 350W motor of the Swift Lite 3 ST. This nimble beast would cruise around reasonably comfortably on city-friendly speeds, hence it could be termed as a joyride.
But, if you’re taking it out way out of the city limits, this is where the Swift Step-Thru 3 comes into its own with its heavier-duty 500W motor. You built this bike for tackling over some modest hills, or to up the pace on roads less traveled, to scorch up to a blistering 43 km/h, letting the motor do its grunt work, and then pop with great power at the top.
All in all, you wouldn’t like to mount a beast only to hold it back from the speeds it is meant to hit. So, do match your choice to the demands of the journey, ensuring every ride takes full advantage of the thrills these motors promise.
Display and Controls
Display and controls are great both with the bikes; they do exactly what they are designed to. The intuitive LCD display gives us very important ride data, including speeds, battery status, and assist level-just about everything we need for a seamless journey.
Designed to be ridden, not to withstand the rigors of a Grand Tour, they do the basics reasonably well. If we had planned to climb Kilimanjaro, we would seek something more, but within their intended environment, these displays and controls are perfectly acceptable.
Suspension
We’re a little biased on this one—having ridden e-bikes with much more travel, our view might not be utterly objective. But if we had to pick an area that could be improved, this is where it shows.
The Swift Step-Thru 3’s 60mm Trama fork should get you through the city bumps all right, but we did feel a want for more when things got rougher, and we threw it onto those trails that include sandy beaches or super steep inclines. You’re gonna feel the terrain when things get bumpy.
The Swift Lite 3 ST, with its 50mm Zoom fork, performs well on smooth roads. Yet on cobblestones and gravel, that fork wasn’t quite up to the task of soaking up each jolt.
For daily rides on predictable surfaces, they do the job. But for rougher adventures, the comfort may fall short. We hit the limits of these suspensions quickly when venturing beyond the familiar.
Wheels / Tires
The Swift Step-Thru 3 and the Swift Lite 3 ST work in spot-on pace for the city streets.
Kenda 26×2.1″ tires, wide by only a fraction, perfect for a stable and confident ride. They grip the pavement well, making those swift turns and sudden stops a breeze, and they even handled beach sands with some flair thrown in.
The Swift Lite 3 ST runs on 24×2.125″ wheels. Around town, these are smooth, comfy tires which make things nimble and a snap to get through tight spaces. No complaint for day commutes; they buffer the ride well on predictable ground and make for a great day.
Brakes
With regards to stop power, the two bicycles were designed to stop you dead in your tracks-literally.
FIESTA STEP-THRU 3: stopping you in your tracks
Extending the joints
Swift Step-Thru 3 is coupled with Liipro E4 quad-piston hydraulic brakes and paired with 180mm rotors. From cruising at 43 km/h to an abrupt stop, these brakes would do the trick of giving unmatched control and instant response.
The Logan mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors make for decent stopping power for urban commutes on the Swift Lite 3 ST. On our own urban dalliances, we experienced no fuss and no reliability issues on the stop-and-go traffic.
Mechanicals therefore provide more than adequate performance for the city rider, giving consistent stopping power without offering that extra maintenance given over to hydraulic systems.
Both systems break in their bikes like a glove. The Step-Thru 3’s hydraulics hug the bike, ready to take on a bit more than just the daily grind. Meanwhile, the Lite 3 ST’s mechanicals serve up straight-up commuting and everyday riding.
Drivetrain
We’ve tested these ourselves, and of course, the Swift Step-Thru 3 drivetrain was quite impressive. Its 8-speed Shimano Acera trigger shifter includes superior versatility in diverse terrain mastery.
With these qualities, you might think that the beauty of this torque sensor lies in its intuitiveness-think of how it syncs with our rhythm, allowing us to feel the ease of every climb and responsiveness to every pedal stroke. It keeps the legs in sync, pushing up hills and navigating trails effortlessly.
The Swift Lite 3 ST is built with a Shimano 6-speed thumb shifter and cadence assist, designed to deliver a ride through the urban jungle that feels as smooth as it can get. Smooth shifting on city streets made it an excellent commuter bike to zip by tight corners in heavy traffic.
Biktrix Swift E-Bike Facts & Figures
Geometry Configurations
| DIMENSION | MEASUREMENT (Swift Lite 3 St) | MEASUREMENT (Swift Step Thru 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Effective Top Tube Length | 20.9″ (53 cm) | 22.4″ (57 cm) |
| Seat Tube Length (Classic Bike Size) | 16.3″ (41.5 cm) | 16.5″ (42 cm) |
| Reach | 17.3″ (44 cm) | 17.3″ (44 cm) |
| Standover Height | 16.5″ (42 cm) | 16.5″ (42 cm) |
| Head Angle | 70° | 70° |
| Seat Angle | 73° | 73° |
| Wheelbase | 44.1″ (112 cm) | 44.1″ (112 cm) |
| Total Length | 71.7″ (182 cm) | 71.7″ (182 cm) |
| Max Seat Height | 37″ (94 cm) | 37″ (94 cm) |
| Min Seat Height | 31.1″ (79 cm) | 31.1″ (79 cm) |
| Handlebar Height | 43.3″ (110 cm) | 43.3″ (110 cm) |
| Weight (Without Battery) | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) |
Full Specifications
| FEATURE | Swift Lite 3 St | Swift Step Thru 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | 6061 aluminum | 6061 aluminum |
| Rims | Black 36h | Black 29″ 36h |
| Headset | Threadless 1-1/8″ (2.86 cm) straight | Threadless 1-1/2″ to 1-1/8″ (3.81 cm to 2.86 cm) tapered |
| Handlebar | 25.6″ wide, 2.4″ rise, 1″ clamp (65 cm wide, 6 cm rise, 2.54 cm clamp) | 27.2″ wide, 1.6″ rise, 1.25″ clamp (69 cm wide, 4 cm rise, 3.18 cm clamp) |
| Chain | KMC 6-speed | KMC Z8 |
| Seat Post | 1.1″ (27.2 mm) | 1.2″ (31.6 mm) |
| Motor | 350W Rear hub motor | 500W Rear hub motor |
| Battery Sizes | 36V 10.4Ah 374Wh | 48V 21Ah 1008Wh / 48V 25Ah 1200Wh |
| Brake Levers | Mechanical with brake cutoffs | Adjustable with integrated brake cutoffs |
| Display | YL81C-B | 500S |
| Assist Type | Cadence | Torque |
| Throttle | Twist throttle | Thumb throttle |
Final Thoughts
Biktrix Swift ST 3 and Swift Lite 3 ST: each new motorcycle causes a fire in the market.
Step-Thru 3 – blast off into power and range, ready to take on more adventurous routes with confidence, whilst the Lite 3 ST shines in the city with its light frame and hassle-free performance, making everyday commuting a breeze.
Each of these takes in the capture of adventure and ease to what you need for your ride.
