Antic Mini eBike Review: Wheelie Assist That Feels More Like Balance Mode (and I’m Into It)
February 18, 2026
Future Motion’s Antic is one of those rides you can’t really understand by looking at a spec list. On paper, it’s a compact electric mini bike with a clean, minimalist layout. In real life, it rides like a mini bike that’s been infused with Onewheel brain power—especially once you turn on Onewheel Mode.
I bought this one, set it up myself, dialed in the app settings the way I like to ride, and then spent time doing everything from parking-lot carving to puddle-soaked commuting paths and even some questionable off-road. Here’s the real takeaway: Antic is wildly fun, but you need to want its specific kind of fun.
The vibe: simple mini bike looks, modern behavior
The first thing I noticed is how stripped-back the bike feels. No big display, no clutter, just the essentials. It has that classic mini bike silhouette, but the way it behaves (especially in Onewheel Mode) is the opposite of old-school.
The compact size is a big part of the appeal. It’s the kind of ride I can see myself tossing in a vehicle for meetups or quick sessions without turning the whole day into a logistics plan. It’s not weightless, but it sits in that “portable enough to be realistic” zone for a small garage or city lifestyle.
Setup and first tweaks
Assembly was straightforward: bars, pegs, basic hardware, and you’re basically there. The cockpit ergonomics were easy to get comfortable with. I like having some rise in the handlebars, and I immediately angled the brake lever to where my hand naturally wants it.
Two things jumped out right away once I started looking the bike over:
1) The charging port is exposed.
There’s no cover included, which matters a lot if you ride in wet conditions. In my world (Michigan slush, puddles, melt season), that’s not a small detail.
2) The bike basically begs for fenders.
The tires are wide and love to throw water straight up at you. My first wet ride confirmed what I suspected within seconds: without fenders, you’re going to wear the ride.
App setup: where Antic becomes your Antic
The app is a big part of the experience. I used it to set the bike up around how I actually prefer to ride:
I turned throttle-off regen down to zero because I like a free-coast feel. With stronger throttle-off regen, the bike slows the moment you roll off the throttle, and that sensation felt too abrupt for my taste.
I adjusted lever braking strength. The interesting part here is how the braking philosophy feels different than a normal mini bike. You’ve got a hydraulic front brake, while the rear is regenerative braking through the motor.
I dialed the Onewheel Mode wheelie angle to something that felt natural for my body. This matters a lot—too high and it started to feel harder to manage side-to-side balance.
There’s also a safety behavior I ended up appreciating: the throttle disengages if you haven’t touched it in a bit, and you re-enable it with the button. It’s one more step, but it’s also one more barrier against accidental whiskey throttle moments.
Riding it normally (Onewheel Mode off)
In regular riding, Antic feels clean and simple.
Throttle response is smooth, and the power delivery is manageable. It doesn’t feel like a bike that’s trying to rip your arms off at low speed. Instead, it builds in a way that makes it easy to ride casually—and then, when you let it spin up, it really starts to move.
The wide tires take a little recalibration. Steering feels different than a typical skinny-tire e-bike. You have to respect the geometry and the contact patch, especially when you start turning tighter or changing direction quickly.
Braking is the “learn it before you send it” part.
Because you’ve got front hydraulic braking paired with rear regen behavior, the bike can feel like it wants to pitch forward if you’re not smooth. I had to recalibrate how I tap and squeeze—especially when I was experimenting with stronger brake settings.
Speed test impressions
I ran a GPS-style speed test and saw around 37 mph on my run.
Would I personally want to ride this at that speed all the time? No. Not because it can’t do it—but because small wheels and a compact chassis feel intense once you’re above 30 mph, especially without rear suspension. For quick bursts, it’s a thrill. For cruising, I enjoyed it more at sane speeds.
Onewheel Mode: wheelie assist… but not a “real wheelie”
This is the whole point of the Antic.
Once Onewheel Mode is on and you get it locked into its balance point, it becomes a lean-based riding experience that feels closer to a seated Onewheel vibe than a traditional wheelie. It’s not teaching you how to manual a bike in the classic sense. Instead, it teaches (and demands) side-to-side balance.
And that’s the part I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did.
When I found the sweet spot, the sensation was almost meditative—like you’re floating. You can ride it slow (think walking/jogging speeds) and still keep it controlled, which makes it feel way less intimidating than trying to learn real wheelies at higher speed.
The learning curve isn’t about bravery as much as it’s about feel.
Lean changes the behavior.
Side-to-side stability matters.
The faster you go, the smoother it tends to feel.
It’s also easy to bail out of.
Between the way the bike responds and how quickly you can bring it down, it felt like something I could session for a long time without feeling like I was gambling.
Off-road: possible, but my body complained
I did some off-road in wet conditions, including a hill climb.
It made it up, but I wouldn’t call it comfortable. The lack of rear suspension becomes very real the moment the ground gets choppy. On pavement and smooth paths, the hardtail vibe is fine. Off-road, especially in rough or wet terrain, it’s more of a “yes you can” than a “you’ll want to.”
Who I think Antic is for
This is the rare e-ride that feels like its own category.
I can see Antic working for:
Riders who want something compact and different for quick fun sessions
People curious about balance-based riding but who want a seat and handlebars
Anyone who wants to wheelie around without the usual fear factor (and without pretending it’s the same as a real wheelie)
The more I rode it, the more I felt like it could be “for everyone” in the sense that it’s approachable, playful, and not overly complicated. But you have to want the Onewheel Mode experience, because that’s the magic trick.
What We Like
Onewheel Mode is genuinely fun and feels like its own riding style
Once dialed in, the balance point can feel smooth, almost zen
App customization helps you tailor the ride feel (regen, braking, wheelie angle)
Compact form factor makes it feel practical for quick rides and transport
Things To Consider
No rear suspension makes rough terrain and off-road riding legitimately harsh
The front hydraulic + rear regen braking combo takes practice and can feel abrupt if you’re not smooth
Fenders feel close to mandatory if you ride anywhere wet
Charging port being uncovered from the factory is a frustrating detail if you ride in messy weather
A kickstand and small “daily-use” items being add-ons will annoy some buyers
Final Thoughts
Antic isn’t a normal mini bike with a gimmick. It’s a balance-focused ride that happens to look like a mini bike.
If you go into it expecting it to teach you true wheelie technique, you’ll probably walk away unimpressed. But if you treat it like a new kind of EV toy—something you can session, dial in, and ride in a totally different way—it’s an easy ride to love.
I’m keeping it in my collection because it does something nothing else in my garage does. I just want fenders on it yesterday.
Links
Antic: https://anticbikes.com/
Bell Super 3R MIPS Bike Helmet: https://amzn.to/3TJ1vTR
Fox Racing Bike Gloves: https://amzn.to/40P5SyQ
Fox Racing Hip Bag: https://amzn.to/3xmW4mT
Hafny Handlebar Bike Mirror: https://amzn.to/3FVubmN
Veeape Electric Air Pump: https://amzn.to/3LPLTf9
Denlix Military Sling Bag: https://amzn.to/3LTKN2c
Lamicall Bike Phone Mount: https://amzn.to/3LXmD6O
Onvian Wireless Bike Alarm: https://amzn.to/42KUgyE
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/