Puckipuppy Beagle 2 ST E-Bike Review: A Good Pup!
An e-bike that offers solid performance and features at a budget-friendly price.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
When we reviewed the Puckipuppy Boxer ST e-bike last year, we found it offered a comfortable ride and excellent range, although we did think it was a bit on the heavy side. Fast forward a few months, and we’re back with a look at the new Puckipuppy Beagle 2 ST, which, like its predecessor, is comfortable and fun to ride. And thanks to a few design compromises, it is a bit lighter and more affordable, too, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Assembly and Components
As with most direct-to-consumer e-bike brands, Puckipuppy ships the Beagle 2 ST to buyers in a partially assembled state. After removing the bike from its box, you’ll need to install the front tire, attach and adjust the handlebars and digital display, attach the pedals, connect the headlight, and tighten up the rear cargo tray and fender. All of that took about 40-45 minutes to complete using a set of tools (a few wrenches of the standard and Allen variety) included in the box. The owner’s manual includes instructions for putting everything together, which were very easy to follow. Essentially, you can take the bike out of the box, put it together, and be ready for your first ride in under an hour, even if you’ve never put a bike together before.
The bike itself has a step-through frame that makes getting on and off comfortable and easy. As a long-time cyclist, I had to fight years of muscle memory that wanted me to throw a leg over the bike as I mounted up. But once I reconfigured my thinking, I soon found it much easier to step through the frame and hop up on the seat. Most riders will appreciate this approach, and once again, it is a way of making the bike much more accessible.
The Puckipuppy Beagle 2 ST is equipped with a 750W (960W peak) motor and a 48V 15Ah battery that gives it a range of up to 60 miles and a top speed of 28 MPH. The system offers five levels of pedal assist, so riders can dial in exactly how much or how little they want to work. A thumb throttle removes the need to peddle altogether and is handy for making faster starts from a standstill, but is capped at a top speed of 20 MPH.
Other equipment includes hydraulic disc brakes, a seven-speed Shimano gear system, an 110mm adjustable front suspension, and a plush leather seat. Most of these components are best described as “adequate” but are par for the course for this type of e-bike and at this price point. In fact, many of the models we review use some of the same parts, even those made by different manufacturers.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Real World Performance
As noted above, Puckipuppy says the Beagle 2 ST has a range of up to 60 miles. That said, anyone who has ever ridden an e-bike will tell you that most range estimates are usually very optimistic, as a number of factors can impact real-world performance. For example, the weight of the rider, level of pedal assist used, and the type of terrain can all play a role in exactly how far you can ride on a single charge.
During our testing of the Beagle 2 ST, we were able to cover roughly 50 miles between charges using a mix of level 1 and level 2 pedal assist. Keep in mind, I’m a bigger rider (6’ 2”, 215 lbs) and the terrain included some rolling hills, but no long, sustained climbs. Liberal uses of the thumb throttle will eat into battery life, too, but we used it sparingly on our test rides.
Out on the road, the Puckipuppy Beagle 2 ST offers a smooth and comfortable ride. The front suspension and comfy seat helped in that department, but the large tires also played a significant role. Those tires allow the bike to roll over a number of obstacles and take on a variety of terrains, including sand and gravel. But they are also a little ponderous and require some extra effort to get rolling, which is where the throttle often comes in handy.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Some e-bikes are relatively easy to pedal, even without the electric motor engaged. That isn’t the case with the Beagle 2 ST, in part because of those big tires, but also because it weighs 66 lbs. That’s a pretty typical weight for this type of bike and at this price point, but it is worth noting nonetheless. Engaging level 1 pedal assist made it easy to cruise along on flat surfaces at a decent speed, but level 2 was much smoother and faster, particularly on inclines and small hills. Of course, that will burn through the battery much faster, so riders will have to find a middle ground that works for them.
Levels 3, 4, and 5 make things even easier yet, and allow riders to go at a faster pace. But battery life is used up at an increasingly quick pace, so we recommend only using those levels when you’re in a hurry and traveling a short distance or faced with a steeper, more difficult climb.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Other Features
Unlike the Boxer St we reviewed last year, the Beagle 2 ST does not have a second suspension mounted on the frame. In theory, that should give the former bike a more comfortable ride, smoothing out bumps on the road. In practice, we didn’t really miss that extra piece of hardware, which did help reduce the weight of the newer bike. It also made the step-through frame more accessible, too, allowing riders to get on and off a bit more smoothly.
Both Puckipuppy bikes share the same bright, colorful LCD digital display, which shows current speed, battery life, pedal assist level, distance ridden, and other metrics. The screen offers an easy-to-understand graphical representation of the current charge level and how riding in the different modes impacts range. The display is also easy to read in bright sunlight or while wearing sunglasses, which is not something we can say about all of the competition.
As previously noted, the bike’s more traditional components are average at best, but they more than get the job done. The hydraulic brakes are especially noteworthy, however, as they are nicely responsive, keeping the rider safe and in control at all times. The Beagle 2 ST’s front headlight is also very nice, offering excellent illumination should you find yourself riding after dark. We also appreciate the includes cargo rack, which is always handy when running errands or commuting to a destination.
Photo Credit: Puckipuppy
Excellent Value and Build Quality
All-in-all, the Puckipuppy Beagle 2 ST offers good value for its price. We’ve referenced that price point several times throughout this article, noting that the bike falls into a specific price category that often defines its feature set and components. In this case, the Beagle 2 ST sells for $1,999—although it is on sale at press time for $1,199. Its MSRP is competitive against the competition, but its sale price is an outstanding bargain.
The Beagle 2 ST comes in four different colors—white, black, blue, or pink. It is available now from the Puckipuppy website and usually ships out within a few days. For more information on this excellent value-priced e-bike, click here.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. An avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
