Segway Xyber Review

The Segway Xyber is a monster that stretches the definition of an “e-bike” to its absolute limit. Tipping the scales at 138 pounds and rolling on massive 5-inch tires, it draws stares and skeptical questions wherever it goes: “Is that actually a bike?” The reaction is understandable, but after living with the machine, we found it fills a vital gap in the transportation ecosystem. It delivers all the utility of a vintage moped or scooter without the bureaucratic drag—and cost—of registration and insurance. If you are looking for a rapid, convenient electric vehicle that is easy to park and easier on your wallet, the Xyber is a formidable offering from a company that defines modern micro-mobility.

Ride

We have reviewed plenty of moped-style e-bikes that blur the lines, but the Xyber is arguably the furthest departure from a traditional bicycle we have ever tested. For the sake of this review, however, we are classifying it as a bike. Shipped as a Class 2 model, our test unit arrived with a single battery configuration—a setup that throttles not just range, but also peak torque and acceleration. The stubby 125mm crank arms feel like vestigial appendages; while they technically connect to a functioning single-speed drivetrain, your human input is negligible. Spinning the pedals doesn't propel the bike so much as signal the motor via a cadence sensor and electronic relay. Ultimately, the pedals exist less for propulsion and more to help you feel a little less guilty when cruising down the bike path.

The ride quality on the Xyber is nothing short of sublime. Between the massive 5-inch tires, full front and rear suspension, and that long, plush bench seat, the bike simply floats over imperfections in the road. The ergonomics are surprisingly dialed, too. High-rise handlebars put you in an upright, commanding position with excellent visibility and virtually no weight on your wrists. The only reminder that you are technically on a bicycle is the staggered stance of your feet on the pedals—a sensation that feels slightly alien on a frame this substantial. That said, if you do choose to pedal, the experience is better than expected. A combination of torque and cadence sensors—plus a built-in gyroscope that detects inclines—ensures the power delivery is smooth and intuitive, even if the low saddle height and inviting twist throttle constantly tempt you to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Given the bike's weight, single-speed gearing, and relaxed seating position, you wouldn't expect your legs to contribute much to the Xyber's velocity. And you'd be right—but the sensation is unique. On most moped-style e-bikes, the motor feels like it is simply assisting your mechanical effort. On the Xyber, however, the experience is almost surreal. It feels less like you are pushing a chain and more like your input is being electronically multiplied and instantly relayed to the motor. You feel curiously disconnected from the drivetrain's mechanical resistance, yet the response is immediate. It is, without a doubt, the most refined motor integration we have ever experienced in this category.

The Xyber is undeniably a heavyweight, tipping the scales at 139 pounds in its standard configuration. Add the second battery, and that figure climbs to a substantial 159 pounds. There is a distinct upside to this mass: the bike feels incredibly planted. It shrugs off pavement cracks and rough roads with indifference, remaining rock-steady at speed without a hint of wobble or sensitivity to crosswinds. The downside, naturally, is maneuverability; popping the front wheel over a curb requires serious effort. Furthermore, should you run out of power, pedaling this beast unassisted is a Herculean task you won't want to attempt for long.

Suspension duties are handled by 110mm of travel up front and 100mm in the rear. This combination does an excellent job of swallowing road noise and keeping the chassis composed, even when ploughing through significant potholes.

With high speed comes the absolute necessity for stopping power, and Segway doesn't disappoint. The Xyber is equipped with a serious braking package: a massive 220mm rotor with a four-piston caliper up front, paired with a 180mm rotor and dual-piston caliper in the rear.

At low speeds, this system can feel almost too effective. The initial bite is sharp—bordering on grabby—and riders unfamiliar with this level of power often found themselves unintentionally diving into the front fork travel with even a light squeeze. While the motorcycle-style levers accommodate four fingers, the hydraulic pressure is so high that you never actually need that much leverage. This lack of low-speed modulation stands as our only performance critique. However, at higher speeds, that aggressive character translates into pure confidence, bringing the 159-pound chassis to a halt with authority.

The Xyber rolls on custom 20 x 5-inch tires developed by Segway, and on the pavement, they are stellar. A continuous center tread ensures the ride remains remarkably smooth and silent, while the grippy compound inspires confidence even when leaning deep into corners.

Off-road, however, their limitations become apparent. While the massive volume dampens shock effectively, the inverted tread pattern struggles to find traction on soft dirt or loose surfaces. We encountered moments on steep trails where the motor had plenty of grunt to keep going, but the tires simply spun out—a frustrating scenario, especially since pushing a 160-pound bike uphill is not a viable backup plan.

The Xyber comes prepared for the urban jungle with a lighting package that is a bit of a mixed bag. Up front, the headlight is a standout, featuring a 1300-lumen high beam that effectively illuminates the road ahead.

The rear, however, leaves something to be desired. The stylized “X-shaped” taillight incorporates a functional brake light, but its small footprint and moderate brightness don't quite match the bike's imposing physical presence. Perhaps most surprising for a vehicle this substantial is the complete absence of turn signals—a gap in the spec sheet that is further compounded by the lack of any plug-and-play aftermarket solution.

The Xyber is fitted with quiet polypropylene fenders on both ends. The rear unit features a two-piece design; removing the tail section instantly transforms the bike's silhouette, giving it a distinct cafe racer vibe. Curiously, this rear section includes a license plate bracket—a confusing addition given that the Xyber generally cannot be legally registered as a road vehicle.

For signaling, the bike wisely includes both a mechanical bell and an electronic horn. The bell offers a polite nudge for pedestrians on multi-use paths, helping to soften the bike's aggressive image, while the horn packs enough punch to alert distracted drivers inside closed vehicles. Storage is cleverly integrated via a negative space in the upper frame. Segway offers two proprietary bags designed to fill this void, providing the perfect stash spot for a lock, snacks, or an extra layer without cluttering the bike's lines.

Range

When it comes to range, the Segway Xyber isn't just best-in-class; it is in a league entirely of its own. With the dual-battery configuration installed—providing a massive 2880Wh of capacity—we put the bike in its most aggressive “Race” mode and relied purely on the throttle. Even with a 180-pound rider doing zero pedaling, the Xyber covered an astounding 81.5 miles while climbing over 5,000 feet of elevation.

Running on a single battery, the performance is still impressive, albeit different. We managed 44.3 miles on the same course. While the bike loses some torque and acceleration snap in this configuration, shedding 27 pounds of battery weight likely contributed to the surprisingly high efficiency per watt-hour. Power delivery from the 48V system is relentless. The bike surges to its top speed of 35 mph without a hint of struggle or voltage sag. In fact, the limit feels entirely artificial; the motor clearly has more to give, but the software steps in to cap the fun. Ultimately, this stands as, far and away, the longest-range e-bike we have ever tested.

Segway claims a range of 56 miles with a single battery and 112 miles with the dual setup—estimates that likely assume flat terrain and conservative power settings. Our real-world testing confirms that these aren't just optimistic marketing numbers; the bike is every bit as capable as advertised. In fact, had we restricted our testing to Eco mode on level ground, Segway's official projections might actually prove to be an underestimation.

Power

Out of the box, the Xyber ships as a compliant Class 2 e-bike, capping its throttle-assisted speed at 20 mph. However, unlike typical electric bikes where performance is static, the Xyber's output scales dramatically depending on its power configuration.

Running on a single battery, the motor delivers a stout 99 Nm of torque at the wheel. But slot in a second battery, and the machine transforms: torque jumps to 145 Nm, and peak power hits a staggering 5,230 watts. To put that figure in perspective, that is nearly 7 horsepower—roughly three times the power of the next strongest bike we have ever tested.

We performed several field assessments to gauge the bike's real-world power, and the results were universally impressive. The acceleration, in particular, is praiseworthy. From a standstill, the Xyber rockets to 20 mph in just 2.8 seconds. For urban riders, this is more than just a fun statistic—it's a safety feature. When the traffic light turns green, you clear the intersection long before most cars can react. To put that in perspective, the average e-bike we test takes closer to 10 seconds to hit the same speed.

We subjected the Xyber to our standardized hill-climb test—a punishing 9% grade where we record the bike's maximum speed and its speed at the steepest point. In all our years of testing hundreds of e-bikes, those two numbers have never been identical; gravity always takes its toll eventually. The Xyber, however, broke that streak. It hit 20 mph and held that speed with absolute authority throughout the climb. There was no whine, no struggle, and no deceleration—it simply motored over the ridge as if the hill didn't exist.

With the speed limit unlocked to its 35 mph maximum, the Xyber hits its stride with incredible stability. The raw power required to flatten steep grades and snap through acceleration is always on tap, making the bike feel deceptively effortless.

Riders can toggle between Eco, Sport, and Race modes, which primarily adjust the throttle's urgency. Within those modes, you can also fine-tune the pedal assist levels—though even at the lowest setting, you're essentially “pretend pedaling.” Because the drivetrain feels so electronically mediated, your leg movements don't feel like they are mechanically driving the wheel; instead, it feels like you're operating a high-tech interface that tells a motor what to do. Our testers noted that while this “disconnected” sensation is unique compared to other e-bikes, it isn't a flaw. The integration is so seamless that you simply stop worrying about the mechanics and enjoy the ride.

Interface

The interface is where you truly interact with Xyber's high-tech DNA. It's more than just a screen; it's a full ecosystem that includes the display, a multi-function scroll wheel, the battery system, and the Segway Mobility app. The hardware hints at its true nature: a full-grip twist throttle on the right suggests this machine was built for speed rather than exercise. On the left, a tactile scroll wheel allows you to cycle through menus to view navigation, manage incoming calls, or skip tracks on your playlist. Since the bike lacks built-in speakers, these media features require a Bluetooth connection to a speaker or headphones—though we'd always suggest keeping your ears open to the road while riding.

The 2.25-inch center-mounted color display is a high-brightness (1400-nit) screen that delivers data in a crisp, highly legible format. Each of the three ride modes—Eco, Sport, and Race—features a distinct color profile, making it easy to confirm your settings at a glance.

Customization is a key highlight here: within each of the three modes, you can independently adjust four levels of pedal assist, giving you 12 total variations to choose from. The current assist level is displayed clearly at the bottom of the screen, just below the battery's state of charge and a row of status icons for lights, Bluetooth connectivity, and Boost mode.

Boost mode is a standout feature for hill climbs or quick overtakes; when your battery has sufficient juice, it provides an extra surge of power for up to 30 seconds. To protect the motor and battery, the system then enters a brief cooldown period of a few minutes before the Boost function becomes available again.

Dropping the kickstand automatically puts the bike into Park mode, serving as the first step in its smart security sequence. From there, Segway's AirLock system takes over: it uses a Bluetooth link to your phone to serve as a digital key. As you walk away, the display and motor lock automatically; as you return, the bike detects your presence and readies itself for the ride.

If you happen to be without your phone, you aren't stranded—you can easily unlock the bike by entering a custom PIN directly on the display using the scroll wheel. Alternatively, you can toggle the locks remotely via a button in the Segway Mobility app.

The Segway Mobility app offers a staggering level of control, transforming your smartphone into the bike's primary command center. Within the app, you can fine-tune assist levels, cap the top speed, and calibrate the AirLock proximity settings. It even lets you set a master passcode to lock the display or issue “digital keys” to friends, granting them temporary access to ride without needing a physical handoff. Security is equally high-tech. If someone tampers with the bike, you can trigger a remote alarm through the app. Should it go missing, you can report it as lost, which fully bricks the bike's electronic functionality while providing real-time GPS tracking for retrieval.

The integration continues onto the handlebars, where you can view turn-by-turn navigation directly on the color screen or receive incoming call alerts. While you can answer calls and control your music using the handlebar scroll wheel, the Xyber notably lacks a built-in speaker. You'll need a Bluetooth speaker or a smart helmet to actually hear your tunes—a slight oddity for such a tech-forward machine, though one many riders will likely solve with their own aftermarket gear.

The Xyber's massive batteries are centrally mounted and remarkably easy to access. To keep downtime to a minimum, Segway includes a high-output 10-amp fast charger that can top off a battery in roughly 3.7 hours. While it is incredibly efficient, the charger itself is a heavy, brick-like unit—with thick cables and specialized directional plugs—that isn't exactly designed for portability. If you're running the dual-battery setup, you won't need to juggle two separate chargers. Segway includes a Y-shaped splitter cable that allows both packs to be replenished simultaneously, whether they are locked into the frame or removed for charging indoors.

Assembly

The Xyber is sold exclusively through Segway dealers, so unlike most of the bikes in our review, you don't have to open a crate and assemble it. Being sold through a dealer network means that you have a network of service providers, and you can test-ride the bike before purchasing it.

Should You Buy the Segway Xyber?

We genuinely loved our time on the Xyber, though its utility often depends on where you live. This is a polarizing machine; it is so far removed from a traditional bicycle that it almost seems designed to provoke “anti-e-bike” sentiment—the kind of vehicle that makes old-school purists shake their fists in disapproval. Before diving in, carefully analyze your specific needs and the ownership logistics. This bike is notoriously difficult to transport; even with a pickup truck, hoisting a 160-pound frame into the bed is a two-person challenge. We've also debated its place for younger riders. While “motorcycles are dangerous” is a common refrain, we would argue that the Xyber is a safer bet for a teenager than a cheap electric dirt bike that can be easily hacked for excessive speeds. Between the real-time GPS tracking and the ability to hard-cap the speed limit via the app, it's a compelling, high-tech alternative for a teen who doesn't have a license or wants to bypass the massive overhead of car ownership.

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?

This is where I'm tempted to list off names like Ducati and BMW, but oh yeah, this is a bike. The Xyber doesn't feel like it has any comparable comparisons, but there are many moped-style bikes on the market. Our test team enjoyed the sportiness and convenience of the Ride1Up Revv 1. It's available in three configurations and is a total bargain. It doesn't have the capability or refined ride quality of the Xyber, but that didn't limit its utility. Our favorite Revv 1 model was the full-suspension, which offers a comfortable ride and a more robust powertrain. The hardtail model is a great value but uses a smaller battery that limits its torque and range. The DRT model has an off-road vibe but lacks the power to back up its aggressive looks.