iGo Outland Sawback RS Review, 2024

Our Range Test is designed to evaluate motor and battery efficiency and determine the distance most users could expect to travel on a single charge. Using the process described in the graphic above, we tested the iGo Outland Sawback RS in both Boost and Eco modes, where we covered distances of 40 miles and 80.3 miles, respectively.

While the Sawback RS is intended to be used primarily in more demanding off-road environments which will require additional battery power, we followed our standard test procedure of riding on paved shared-use paths. As such, this allows us to compare results with the hundreds of other e-bikes we’ve tested, but the results we measured are likely to be greater than if the test had been conducted on dirt trails. That is to say, your results may vary.

Regardless, we greatly exceeded iGo’s advertised range of up to 45 miles! Comparatively speaking, the Sawback’s low-PAS (Eco Mode) results were relatively average, but still impressive. Its high-PAS (Boost Mode) results are some of the best we’ve seen at the time of writing, and exceeded our expectations based on the specs of its motor and battery.

As explained in our guide to e-bike batteries, we divided the watt-hours (Wh) of the Sawback RS’ battery by the nominal wattage output of its motor (720/500) to get an estimate of maximum time in Boost mode: 1 hour and 26 minutes. This can be multiplied by the speed we measured in our Speed Test to estimate distance: 28.8 miles. This translates to 63% more time than estimated, and 39% more distance than expected!

These differences are likely due to the efficiency of the Sawback’s motor and tires. Mid-drive motors gain the benefit of increased efficiency by splitting their work with the rider; they add to the force the rider applies to the pedals. Furthermore, the use of a torque sensor means that motor output is not constant; the motor only draws maximum power when needed. Additionally, the Sawback’s Maxxis Ardent tires are designed for high rolling speed, meaning that they offer less resistance.

While the Sawback RS’ range is likely to vary depending on the difficulty of its environment, the intensity of its rider’s pedaling, and other factors, we were highly impressed by the bike’s capabilities.

We measured a time and speed of 1 minute and 28 seconds at an average of 12.3 miles per hour using the Sawback’s throttle. It is relatively unusual for an electric mountain bike to be equipped with a throttle, so we must expand the “filters” we use for comparison purposes; when compared with all other e-bikes we have tested that also came equipped with throttles, the Sawback demonstrated what is currently the fastest time we have measured! We found the throttle to be somewhat punchy, with fast engagement and acceleration. This lined up well with our expectations based on the motor’s maximum output of 130 Nm of torque.

When pedaling in Boost mode, our time and speed slowed down slightly in relation to our throttle portion. We finished the climb after 1 minute and 40 seconds at 10.8 miles per hour. Comparatively speaking, this lines up well with many similar eMTBs we have tested; aside from a few overachievers that weighed quite a bit less, most results deviated by only a few seconds and tenths of a mile-per-hour.

On rocky dirt trails, we appreciated the climbing power of its higher PAS settings, but we found the gearing range to be somewhat limiting. The 9-speed Shimano Alivio drivetrain is an entry-level component that can be found on similarly-priced eMTBs, but with just 36 teeth on the largest cog on the cassette, attempting extremely steep climbs would have been difficult. In most cases, the Sawback’s motor helped to offset its gearing limitations, but we would have appreciated greater flexibility from an 11-speed Deore or SLX groupset with larger cogs.

That said, we were highly satisfied with the Sawback’s performance in our formal test; the bike both met and exceeded our expectations based on its weight and motor power.

Like many of the e-bikes we have tested previously, the Outland Sawback RS is equipped with Tektro E350 hydraulic disc brakes. This system uses 2-piston calipers paired with 180 mm rotors on both wheels. After three tests of these brakes using the process described above, we calculated an average stopping distance for the Sawback of 25’-3”.

The standard practices of our test do not completely reflect real-world use – particularly with mountain bikes, where braking often occurs with the rider out of the saddle – but it allows us to quantify braking performance. With that in mind, we have observed slower-than-average braking from all of the iGo e-bikes we have tested, and the Sawback was no exception. When compared to all of the eMTBs we tested previously, its results were over 3.5 feet beyond the current average for the category. At the time of writing, that is 21’-8”.

On a good note, we were generally pleased with the brakes’ performance when riding on both singletrack and doubletrack. The Tektro system responded quickly and provided good modulation. We might recommend upgrading to a 4-piston system if the trails you ride regularly are on the more technical end of the spectrum, but the Sawback’s brakes felt appropriate for an entry-level eMTB.

Overall, we wouldn’t mind seeing better performance in our test, but in real-use conditions, the Sawback RS did well.

In terms of fit, the Sawback’s single-size frame occupies a middle ground between medium and large-size frames from established MTB brands offering multiple frame sizes. iGo claims that the Sawback RS can accommodate riders from 5’-3” up to 6’-2”, but for proper fit in relation to the bike’s geometry, we’d like to see an expanded line of frame sizes. Our reviewers are mostly in the 5’-10” to 6’-0” range, and while we felt generally comfortable on the Sawback, it did feel slightly more compact in relation to other eMTBs.

With this geometry and the bike’s 27.5”x2.4” Maxxis Ardent tires, the Sawback was appropriately nimble and handled well when cornering. We were impressed with the puncture-resistance of the Ardent tires; we’re based in the desert of Southwestern Utah where many sharp and pointy plants keep our mechanic well-practiced at replacing tubes. Despite encountering small spikes and thorns, the Ardents held up well with no flats.

Our points of critique are few. First, we’d like to see an expanded line of frame sizes to provide a proper fit for more riders. Additionally, while we think many users will likely make upgrades as the Sawback’s components naturally incur wear, we suggest that iGo offer the option for a higher-tier drivetrain at purchase.

Keeping in mind that the Outland Sawback RS is an entry-level eMTB, we were impressed with its specs, its power, and its performance. We had a blast testing the bike on less-demanding singletrack and doubletrack, though we found that it could handle short, technical sections effectively.

For those curious about the Sawback or the other rugged e-bikes in iGo’s Outland series, the affiliate link above will lead you to the brand’s website. Please be sure to use this link if you make a purchase, as it helps to support our efforts!

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the iGo Outland Sawback RS.