Although the DUOTTS brand is still relatively new to the electric bike market, their released models such as the C29 and F26 have attracted a lot of interest over the past year. The bikes of this manufacturer are distinguished by an excellent price/parameter ratio, and the F26 tested by NiuxTech in the summer of 2023 left a really good impression.

So, this time we tested the updated DUOTTS S26 model with 2* 750W motors, larger capacity 48V 20Ah battery, front and rear shock absorbers and up to 55 km/h. at a developed speed. In this review, we will share our personal observations, how far we drove on a single charge, what we liked and what could be better. Let's go!

Unboxing

The electric bike came from the Geekbuying e-store. Shipping from EU warehouse took about 5 working days. The box is not light (~49kg), so you will need help to carry it. Box contents: DUOTTS S26 bicycle, user manual, battery, charger, mudguards, bicycle trunk, tool kit, 2 keys, hand pump. Additionally, a phone holder was also added.

Preparing the bike for operation is not difficult, and all the necessary tools are included in the kit. This electric beast does not arrive fully assembled, so after taking it out of the box, you need to put on the front wheel, steering wheel, seat, pedals, mudguards and trunk. Of course, we didn't forget to check the tire pressure as well, which always works perfectly for that Xiaomi electric pump.

First impressions

Since I had previously ridden the DUOTTS F26 bike, which is basically very similar to the S26 model, I did not expect any major surprises. From a design point of view, I personally find the F26 more beautiful, more modern, due to the fact that the battery is integrated into the frame of the bike. Meanwhile, DUOTTS S26 is more of a standard, maybe a little more practical solution - the battery is placed on the holder intended for it.

Also, it should be mentioned that the S26 model we tested is an updated 2024 model. The essential upgrades are as follows: a more capacious 48V 20Ah Samsung battery, better protection and controllers integrated into the bicycle frame, more nicely routed/concealed wires, new LCD screen with Bluetooth, synchronization with APP, USB charging connector (for phone) placed on the steering wheel.

DUOTTS S26 electric bike frame is black with red accents. It looks really neat and tasteful, and the red brake calipers add an additional sporty look. Thanks to its massive 26*4" inch tires - you will definitely get a lot of attention from those around you.

The build quality, like the previously tested model, turned out to be solid. Everything is in its place, the connections are in order, there are no extraneous sounds. The bicycle trunk is durable, you can safely put on a child seat or travel bags. The seat is wide and soft, the pedals are metal, the battery goes on and locks firmly.

The only thing that surprised me and somewhat disappointed me are the plastic mudguards, which hit the metal trunk when driving on uneven roads and are somewhat annoying with their sounds. It's strange, because on the F26 the kit added more serious metal mudguards with better mounting, which would fit perfectly on this model as well.

Speed / Power / Distance

One of the main features of the DUOTTS F26 / S26 / N26 series is the 750W motors installed in the front and rear. Acceleration with two motors is really fun, and it climbs steeper hills without much trouble. True, due to this decision, not only the weight of the bike has increased, but also when driving on a rough road, the vibrations are more felt on the steering wheel. Well, it is not easy to "get" on the curb while driving the front wheel.

The maximum speed developed on a flat road with a fully charged battery and a weight of ~85 kg is about 55 km/h. When driving down a steeper hill, I managed to get up to ~63km/h, but this was done only out of curiosity. In reality, a speed of up to 40 km/h is quite sufficient in the city, you only want to push it on longer straight sections.

It is also important to mention that other factors such as bicycle load (rider weight, trunk weight), tire pressure, temperature, terrain, driving style, which mode and speed will be used are very important for the distance traveled. If you think more, you will also travel more.

Driving experience

The DUOTTS S26 model features front and rear shock absorbers. True, these used spring shock absorbers are budget class. Therefore, it is too naive to expect that it will absorb all bumps and potholes like butter. Yes, they are not just for the image, they partially fulfill their function. The ride is a bit softer compared to the F26 model, which only has front shock absorbers.

Thanks to the wide 26*4.0" inch tires, you can also adjust the driving comfort according to your needs. If you want to travel a longer distance, develop a higher speed - then you should inflate to 20PSI. And if you want a softer driving experience, then you will need to sacrifice distance and lower the tire pressure until you find the balance you want.

It is possible to drive in several modes: turning the gas lever and driving fully on electricity; press the pedals and set the motor assistance level (from 1 to 5, depending on the speed you want to drive); and the last - to drive only with the help of pedals (that is, think for yourself). If the battery is fully discharged, it is quite difficult to charge the DUOTTS S26, so I recommend constantly monitoring the remaining battery.

This DUOTTS powerhouse does not have a torque sensor. Levels of "assistance mode" are set from 1 to 5, which means that the bike itself will detect that the pedals are pressed and then activate the motors until it reaches the programmed speed: level 1 up to 10km/h, level 2 up to 20km/h. etc. It is true that pedaling when the speed is over 30 km/h. becomes a bit pointless as it simply lacks higher gears.

As for the drivetrain, the DUOTTS S26 is equipped with cheap Shimano components. Here you will find only 7 rails that can be useful depending on the situation. In addition, after taking the bike out of the box, the gears were not very well adjusted, it was necessary to take extra time to adjust it yourself.

Braking on such a heavy electric bike also has its own peculiarities. Basically, you just have to get used to it. The hydraulic brakes with the "DUOTTS" inscription work quite smoothly, I didn't have any problems during the testing period. I'm glad that the manufacturers didn't think to save money and install cheaper mechanical brakes.

DUOTTS APP's

It's great that more and more manufacturers are integrating bluetooth into electric bikes so that information can be synchronized. This makes it more convenient and intelligent to know the distance (mileage) covered by the bike, to have access to certain settings, to receive software updates, etc. Although the DUOTTS app is quite primitive, everything works smoothly. The menu and control are clear, there were no crashes or bugs.

What did we like?

The DUOTTS S26 electric bike is equipped with a wide range of accessories. Basically, there is no need to invest in any additional accessories. In the box you will find mudguards, a sturdy trunk and a phone holder. There is an integrated rear light on the trunk frame, and a fairly bright headlight at the front, which is useful in the darker hours of the day.

Two 750W motors each provide quite fun acceleration. Goes up medium and steeper hills quite easily. The speed is also sufficient. Wide tires may not be a very practical choice for urban conditions, but they provide additional stability. And passers-by hear when you're coming, you don't even need to use the horn.

Controlling the bike's settings is simple and conveniently accessible with your left hand. Here you will find the activation button, the "assistance mode" levels, which can be adjusted with the "+" and "-" buttons. Next to it, there are several more buttons - for turning on / off the lights, the "Single / Dual Motor" button and the horn button. The screen is bright enough and the information presented on it is displayed clearly.

What we didn't like?

The biggest disadvantage, in my opinion, is that there is no way to see accurate information about the remaining battery. There is a battery icon on the screen, which is segmented into 5 parts. Accordingly, division 1 represents about 20% batteries. The same is displayed when the bicycle is connected to the DUOTTS APP via bluetooth (100% / 80% / 60%, etc.)

When driving with "assistance mode", a good 3 seconds pass from the moment you start pedaling to the time the motors are activated. Such lag is not very pleasant, especially if you have stopped on a hill and do not get the assistance of the motors immediately. Also, motor assistance is based on primitive operation and depending on the selected level, the bike tries to reach the programmed speed. It would be nice if the S26 came with a more advanced torque sensor.

This DUOTTS bike is massive: both in its dimensions and its weight. It is very important to assess whether you will have a conveniently accessible place where you can safely leave your bike. I really don't think that you will want to drag a 40 kg weight up the stairs every time to some third or fourth floor. If you have a place to store your bicycle, but there is no electrical outlet, you can simply remove the battery and charge it at home/office.

DUOTTS S26 vs F26

In fact, both models are very similar in their parameters. Both have 2*750W motors, 20Ah Samsung battery, 26*4.0" inch wheels. Visually, DUOTTS F26 is more beautiful to me because of the battery integrated into the frame, it looks cleaner and more modern. Meanwhile, the DUOTTS S26 provides a slightly more pleasant and softer ride thanks to the shock absorber integrated in the rear.

Verdict

I feel stable and safe on the DUOTTS S26 electric bike, as if I were riding a jeep. Although it weighs almost 40kg, two powerful motors ensure fun acceleration and enough power to climb steeper hills. It is not a compact, foldable model, so it is very important to consider whether you will have a place to store it comfortably.

This is the second DUOTTS model tested by the NiuxTech team and we have to admit that this bike really has its charm. Overall, the quality and driving experience are solid. Yes, certain components could be of a higher class, there are places for further improvement, but considering the price/parameters ratio, DUOTTS S26 is definitely worth your attention.