The Freesky Ranger Air M-540 (affiliate link) is a step-through fat tire e-bike with two motors, one in the front wheel and one in the rear (0:09 to 0:14). I tested it for several weeks for my video review (0:14 to 0:19), and the front motor is what stood out: on a steep incline, that front wheel pulls you up (1:35 to 1:45).
Everything I say about the ride comes from that video, with time stamps so you can watch each moment. Specs I didn’t measure, like weight, range, top speed and motor ratings, come from Freesky’s Ranger Air M-540 product page, checked Oct 23, 2026, with price and stock rechecked Oct 27, 2026.
Should you buy one?
If your rides include steep hills, gravel or dirt, the Ranger Air is worth a look. I called the two motors pretty awesome and definitely unique in the e-bike world (2:36 to 2:41), and I said the bike has plenty of juice (2:11 to 2:14). You also get a fork plus a rear shock, hydraulic brakes, a throttle that works from a stop and an NFC card to unlock it.
Two things might rule it out. Freesky lists it at 95 lb, which is a lot of bike to lift onto a car rack or carry up stairs. And it doesn’t stay in dual motor mode; it starts in rear-wheel drive every time, and you press a button to bring the front motor in (0:48 to 1:05).
As of Oct 27, 2026, Freesky lists the M-540 at $1,399, available in Black, Blue and Green, with Gray sold out. My video description says the affiliate link above takes $80 off.
Two motors, and how you switch them on
This bike starts in a rear-wheel drive mode. To get both motors working, you press the circle button on the controls, and you can see both motor icons blinking on the display, which tells you it’s in dual motor mode (0:48 to 1:03). I wish there were a way to just keep it in that mode (1:03 to 1:05). If you want the front motor for every ride, you’ll be pressing that button every ride.
Once both are on, the difference shows up off the pavement. On any sort of off-road or gravel, it’s great, because the front tire will pull you up a steep incline (1:35 to 1:45). Freesky rates each motor at 2,000W peak and 105 Nm. Both the rear and front motors are rather large (2:05 to 2:11), and it’s a joy to ride with that much juice (2:11 to 2:14).
Freesky lists a 34 mph top speed. That’s above the 28 mph Class 3 limit, so at that speed it isn’t a Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike. Freesky’s FAQ says its bikes ship limited to 20 mph and that going faster needs a license, plates and insurance, so check the rules where you ride. I didn’t test top speed.
A smooth ride, front and rear
The Ranger Air has a front fork and a rear shock, and the ride is super smooth, like you’re riding on a surfboard. I called it just an excellent ride (1:45 to 1:52). Freesky lists a 120mm oil fork and a 180mm coil rear shock, on 26 by 4 inch tires. The tires are definitely meaty (1:30 to 1:32). You can check today's price at Freesky.
Unlocking it with a card
To turn it on, you press and hold the power button, and the display asks for a passcode. Freesky also includes an NFC smart card that you just tap on the display instead. That’s nice if you want to keep the bike locked (0:33 to 0:47).
Controls, brakes and build
The controls look like those on other e-bikes: turn signal buttons, up and down for pedal assist and a light button. The M button cycles through the odometer and other ride data (1:05 to 1:13). Overall, I said the build quality is pretty great (1:13 to 1:15).
On the left side, there’s a hydraulic front brake and a thumb throttle that works from zero (1:15 to 1:22). On the right, a pretty standard shifter and the rear brake (1:22 to 1:26). Freesky lists 180mm four piston hydraulic brakes and a Shimano 7-speed. I really like the hand grips on this bike, too; they’re a style I like a lot (1:26 to 1:30).
Lights and the rear rack
There’s a nice big headlight up front (1:30 to 1:35), and an integrated tail light with turn signals at the back (1:58 to 2:02). I’ll be honest: I think turn signals on an e-bike are a little gimmicky (2:02 to 2:05).
It’s an easy step-through model, and it has a rear rack (1:52 to 1:58). Freesky lists a step-through height of 18 inches and riders from 5’3” to 6’8”.
Battery and range
Freesky lists a 48V 25Ah battery, which is 1,200Wh, rated IPX7, with a 3A charger. Its rated range is 60 to 105 miles on one motor and 40 to 60 miles with both. I didn’t test range, so those are Freesky’s numbers.
What I didn’t like
My complaints were small. The bike always starts in rear-wheel drive, and I wish it could stay in dual mode (1:03 to 1:05). I also find turn signals a little gimmicky (2:02 to 2:05). The bigger thing to weigh is Freesky’s own spec: 95 lb, about 9 lb more than the dual motor Engwe E26 I filmed.
What I didn’t test
I didn’t run a range test, a top-speed test or a braking test, and I didn’t weigh it. The range, 34 mph and 95 lb figures are Freesky’s.
How it compares with bikes I’ve filmed
The closest bike I’ve filmed is the Engwe E26 dual motor, another step-through with motors front and rear. With both motors on, it got me up a steep gravel peak without pedaling, dropping from 10 to 5 mph near the top. Engwe lists 2,000W peak and 160 Nm, a 960Wh battery, 203mm hydraulic brakes, a 120mm fork and an 80mm rear air shock, at 85.9 lb and $1,799 (regular $2,399) as of Oct 23, 2026. The Ranger Air costs $400 less and lists a bigger battery, but it’s about 9 lb heavier.
Among single motor bikes, the Mokwheel Obsidian lists a 1,300W peak motor with 105 Nm, about 77 lb and a 560 lb load, at $1,799.99 on sale in October 2026. The Bee Cool Adventurer lists 1,200W peak, 92 Nm, a 48V 21Ah battery and 78 lb, at $1,099 as of Oct 22, 2026. The Segway Xyber Air lists a 1,600W peak motor with 80 Nm, a 717Wh battery and 84 lb, at a $1,999.99 MSRP as of Oct 26, 2026.
Those rival specs come from the brands, as listed on my review pages. The Ranger Air is the only one of the four with a second motor and has the biggest battery, but it’s the heaviest of them all.
Who it’s for
The Ranger Air fits riders with steep hills, gravel or dirt who want a front wheel that pulls (1:35 to 1:45), riders who want a step-through with a rack (1:52 to 1:58), and anyone who likes a keyless start with a card or passcode (0:33 to 0:47). If you need to lift the bike often, or you want dual drive on without pressing a button, look elsewhere.
FAQ
Is it always in dual motor mode?
No. It starts in rear-wheel drive. You press the circle button to switch on the front motor (0:48 to 1:03).
How far does it go?
Freesky rates 60 to 105 miles on one motor and 40 to 60 on both. I didn’t test range.
Will it fit me?
Freesky lists riders from 5’3” to 6’8”, with an 18 inch step-through height.
Does the throttle work from a stop?
Yes, the thumb throttle works from zero (1:17 to 1:22).
Pros and cons
Pros: a front motor that helps on steep climbs; a fork plus rear shock that rides like a surfboard; great build quality; NFC card or passcode unlock; hydraulic brakes; a throttle that works from zero; a big headlight and a rear rack; a 1,200Wh battery (Freesky).
Cons: resets to rear-wheel drive at each start; 95 lb (Freesky); turn signals I find gimmicky; a 34 mph top speed (Freesky) that’s above Class 3.
Price
As of Oct 27, 2026, freeskycycle.com lists the Ranger Air M-540 at $1,399 in Black, Blue and Green, with Gray sold out. On Oct 23, 2026, the site also showed a code, B100, for $100 off. Check the cart to see which discount applies; I didn’t test whether they stack.
Check the Ranger Air M-540 at Freesky (affiliate link; it doesn’t cost you any more)
For more choices, see my best e-bike for hills guide and my best fat tire e-bike guide.
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV)
