Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race test: Inexpensive & light - carbon E-Fully with TQ motor
Chris Schleker
· 29.11.2023
6690 euros, under 18 kilos - for a carbon E-Fully with a TQ motor, the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race is affordable and quite light. It is clear that the red pencil had to be applied to the equipment: Suntour suspension elements are significantly cheaper than Fox or Rockshox. The Magura MT30 brakes are also lower on the price scale. That doesn't necessarily mean anything - all parts performed well during the test. Exception: the tyres. The Vittoria Syerra tyres have a rather hard rubber compound that becomes even tougher in the cold. The grip is weak. Oh, and the short dropper post was a nuisance. More on that later.
The facts about the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race
- Engine: TQ HPR50
- Rechargeable battery: 360 W (removable)
- Frame: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 140 mm / 140 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Price: 6690 Euro
- Weight: 17.9 kilos (size L, measured in the EMTB lab, without pedals)
- Permissible total weight: 120 kg
- Reach altitude¹: 878 (+73)hm / 9.9 km/h
As a light e-MTB, the DC 1.4 Rampage Race scores points above all with its stylish carbon frame with Flexpivot rear triangle, its low weight and lively acceleration. The minimal-assist bike is ready for fast e-bike tours. There is space for two water bottles in the main frame. Unfortunately, the seat angle is quite slack and the rear suspension kinematics have a very progressive ratio. The short-travel Suntour shock quickly starts to sweat and delivers a rather firm and insensitive performance. With the only gentle TQ thrust, the slippery tyres, the short rear end and the rather high front end, this is not a climbing-friendly setup. The battery is removable, albeit with some effort.
Motor and battery of the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race
The TQ HPR50 is the quietest motor on the market - up and down. It only hums quietly under load and does not rattle. On the other hand, it doesn't provide much thrust, so the rider has to pedal hard when things get steeper. It also draws a lot of juice from the 360 Wh battery. Those who want to pedal a lot themselves will be happy here. Changing the battery is awkward - but possible.
In our standardised range test, the Fantic climbed 878 metres in altitude at an average speed of 9.9 km/h, plus 73 metres in altitude in throttled emergency mode with low battery capacity. Compared to light e-MTBs with the powerful Fazua Ride 60 (430 Wh), the TQ bike falls significantly behind. In an identical scenario, Fazua bikes climb an average of just under 1300 metres in altitude at an average speed of just under 12 km/h. The comparison with a Bosch Performance CX with Powertube 750 is of course even more drastic: just under 2000 metres in altitude at around 14 km/h. Nevertheless, even with the Fantic, long tours are possible if you reduce the motor power and pedal hard yourself. But if you want to be lazily pushed up the mountain, you're definitely in the wrong place!
The geometry of the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race
The geometry of the Fantic is quite a wild mix. The rear triangle is very short, the seat angle very slack. When the saddle is extended further, you sit on the bike with a heavy rear end and pedal from behind. In addition, the reach is short and the front is rather high. This means that the Fantic is not exactly recommended as a mountain goat. The high front end is supported by a riser stem with a pre-moulded spacer underneath. Turning the setup around for more pressure on the handlebars unfortunately doesn't work.
The equipment of the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race
- Fork / shock: Suntour Axon 34 Factory / Edge Plus
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle, 12-speed
- Brakes: Magura MT 30, 180/180 mm
- Wheels: Mavic Crossmax SL S
- Tyres: Vittoria Syerra Graphene DC, 29 x 2.4"
- Special features: Telescopic support with only 120 mm stroke; space for 2 water bottles
How the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race rides
Visually, the Fantic makes a grand entrance: banging colours, organic shapes. The bike has a high-quality look. Even though the riding position is rather upright due to the high front, the Fantic feels very much like a CC fully. This is because the rear suspension is very firm and feels like it offers much less travel than the specified 140 millimetres. A stark contrast to the comfortable KTM Macina Scarp SXwhich we were able to test together with the Rampage. The difference in the motors is also clear: compared to the Bosch SX, the TQ motor seems very tame. It always assists rather gently and naturally. On steep gradients, the rider has to work much harder.
Because the seat angle is so slack and the tyre is so low on traction, the Fantic reaches its limits early on uphill. Less fit riders might also struggle with the tight gearing. Downhill, the short dropper post with only 120 millimetres of travel and the uncomfortable rear end are annoying and quickly make the descent unsafe. The bike works well on flowing terrain. If you plan your tours on gravel and are travelling slowly off-road, you will be happy with the Fantic. On flat sections, the good propulsion is impressive. However, if you want more difficult terrain, you will quickly reach the limit with the Fantic DC1.4 Rampage Race. The tyres can also only generate a little grip and therefore riding safety.
EMTB evaluation of the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race
Strengths
- Quite favourable price, but very light
- TQ motor: very quiet, provides natural support and does not rattle
- 2 water bottle holders
Weaknesses
- Moderate climbing ability
- Engine rather weak even in the most powerful mode
- Hard rubber compound: the tyre provides poor traction
EMTB test rating: 7.9 - good³
The EMTB conclusion
For a carbon E-Fully with a TQ motor, the Fantic is reasonably priced and quite light. As a tourer for not too demanding laps, the setup is suitable. The bike is weak on steep climbs and the rear end is too firm on rough descents. Quiet and with lively acceleration. - Christian Schleker, Editor EMTB
Duel: Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race vs. KTM Machina Scarp SX Prime
In addition to the Fantic DC 1.4 Rampage Race, the KTM Machina Scarp SX Prime a second new challenger in the niche of lightweight speedsters for (very) fast trail laps. Together, they are taking on the very expensive specialist Scott Lumen and Red Deer R.X275 Competition. For comparison: Both bikes, KTM and Fantic, together cost less than the top-of-the-range Lumen model from Scott.
¹ The reach height was determined during standardised test rides on an asphalt climb with a gradient of 12.2 percent. Highest support level, 150 watts pedalling power of the rider, rider weight including equipment 89 kg. The altitude metres in clearly reduced emergency mode are shown in brackets. The average speed refers to the journey with full assistance.
² Determined on the test benches in the EMTB test laboratory, weight without pedals.
The rating reflects the subjective impression of the testers and the results of the reach measurement and laboratory tests. The EMTB judgement is independent of price. EMTB judgements: super (from 9.0), very good (from 8.0), good (from 7.0), satisfactory (from 6.0), with weaknesses (from 5.0), below insufficient.
