What It’s Like Riding the ANYCOM DB1 Electric Dirt Bike
September 26, 2025
The ANYCOM DB1 is one of those bikes that sits in a weird (but kind of fun) middle ground: it’s not quite a tiny pit bike, and it’s not a full-size electric dirt bike either. After getting it set up and putting it through my usual mix of street pulls, off-road messing around, and a couple steep hill attempts, I came away thinking it has a lot of personality—plus a couple design decisions you’ll want to understand before buying.
It’s also one of the more unique-looking minis I’ve been around lately. The frame and plastics give it a purpose-built vibe, and the 17-inch knobbies immediately change how it feels compared to the smaller 14/12 setups a lot of mini e-dirt bikes use.
Setup and first look
Right away, the DB1 feels substantial. I couldn’t find an official weight listed when I was looking, but in hand it feels heavy enough that you’ll want a realistic plan for storage and transport. If you’re thinking apartment stairs… I wouldn’t.
The cockpit is straightforward: riser bars (nice amount of rise for comfort), a left-mounted color display for ride data, and the mode button living on the throttle instead of the display. It’s a full twist throttle, and the bike uses a key ignition.
One detail I actually like is the “park to ride” behavior. Out of the gate, it’s in park mode, and you need to squeeze a brake to enable riding modes. It’s a small thing, but it helps the bike feel a little more intentional when you’re hopping on and off.
Lighting is built in (headlight and tail light), and the tail light brightens under braking.
Battery access: not a quick-swap situation
The charging port is easy enough to get to, but removing the battery is not what I’d call convenient.
It’s not a quick-release setup—getting the battery out means dealing with plastics and a bracket, then sliding it out and unplugging it. It took a while during setup, and it’s the kind of process that makes you think twice about bringing the battery inside every ride (especially when it’s cold out and you’re trying to do the “treat lithium right in winter” routine).
If you have a garage/shed where the whole bike can live in reasonable temps, you’ll be happier.
Controls, modes, and the tune
You get three riding modes. Mode 1 is immediately responsive, and that’s honestly one of the DB1’s best traits: the bike feels awake the moment you roll on.
Mode 2 brings a stronger hit off the line, but once you get rolling and push toward the top end, the bike feels like it’s being held back by the controller tune. The acceleration flattens in a way that feels more like a limit than a lack of effort.
Mode 3 is the fullest experience, but it’s still more “smooth ramp” than “hang on.” It doesn’t try to rip your arms off. It just builds speed confidently until that same sense of limitation returns.
I also noticed something a little odd in the throttle behavior after wide-open runs—when I’d roll off after pinning it, the bike could feel a bit like it was “downshifting” or doing something unexpected in the transition. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s noticeable.
Street speed feel: quick enough, but not traffic-proof
On my street pulls, I saw it get up to around 20 mph relatively quickly, and on downhill stretches I saw the low-to-mid 30s with a brief glance at about 34 mph.
The bigger takeaway isn’t the number—it’s the vibe. The DB1 feels fine for neighborhood ripping and short connectors, but it’s not something I’d rely on to comfortably flow with faster traffic. Depending on where you live, it may not be street legal anyway, so I’d treat “street” as occasional rather than primary.
One more practical note: if you plan to ride mostly pavement, I’d consider swapping tires. The stock knobbies are great off-road, but they’re going to wear fast on the street.
Off-road riding: this is where it makes sense
Take the DB1 onto grass and uneven terrain and it immediately feels more at home.
The suspension is one of the stronger parts of the package. The fork feels solid, and the rear monoshock (with preload adjustment) does its job keeping things composed. I ran it around on slick, wet grass and it stayed predictable as long as I respected traction.
Hill climbs were interesting: it’s geared in a way that helps it crawl up steep grades, but you can hear and feel the motor bog when things get steep. It’s not a “blast up the hill” bike—it’s more “it’ll make it, just not quickly.”
Brakes: better than I expected
The moto-style hydraulic brakes are a highlight. They feel strong and confidence-inspiring for the speed and size of the bike, especially when you start mixing in loose surfaces and quick speed checks.
Ergonomics and a couple real-world nitpicks
Fit-wise, it lands in that “in-between” category. With my roughly 30-inch inseam, I could kind of flat foot it, and the stance felt natural.
But I did run into one repeated annoyance: peg/foot placement. With my feet on the pegs, I found myself occasionally rubbing near the primary belt area and also near the chain guard zone. The guards are there (which is good), but you can tell your foot is closer than ideal. It’s something you can adapt to, but it’s worth knowing.
The optional pedal kit: cool idea, but it’s a commitment
The DB1 includes a pedal kit, and it’s not just decorative—there’s a sensor setup in the kit that suggests it’s intended to actually function.
That said, I wouldn’t treat it like a quick “swap pegs to pedals for the weekend” option. From what I saw, it’s a more involved install with multiple parts and hardware. Personally, I also have a hard time imagining this bike feeling natural as a pedal-forward experience—it rides like a small electric dirt bike first.
Still, it’s a unique bonus if you have a specific use case in mind.
Mod potential
The DB1 feels like a platform that could be modded. Between the layout, the drivetrain design, and the overall sturdiness, it seems like the kind of bike where handlebars, suspension tweaks, and drivetrain changes are on the table for people who like to tinker.
I do wish tuning access was more obvious. If this bike could be easily smoothed out and adjusted at the controller level, it would level up the riding experience—especially for low-speed modulation and stunt-style riding.
What We Like
Responsive throttle and solid punch off the line
Suspension feels comfortable and capable for rougher ground
Brakes feel genuinely strong and confidence-inspiring
17-inch wheels give it a more stable, “in-between” ride feel
Included pedal kit is a unique option (even if it’s not for everyone)
Things To Consider
Battery removal isn’t quick or convenient if you plan to bring it inside often
Top-end feels limited by the tune, especially once you’re moving
Peg area can feel tight; my foot occasionally rubbed near the guards
Knobby tires will wear quickly if you ride mostly pavement
It feels heavy enough that storage/transport should be planned out
Final Thoughts
The ANYCOM DB1 is a fun, rugged mini-ish electric dirt bike that makes the most sense off-road. It’s comfortable, has surprisingly good brakes, and the 17-inch wheel setup gives it a different flavor than the smaller pit-style e-bikes.
If you want something to rip around dirt, grass, and light trails—and you’re okay with a conservative top end and a battery that isn’t designed for easy removal—it’s worth considering. If you’re an experienced rider hunting for higher-speed performance or you need a truly practical street solution, it may feel a bit limited unless you’re planning to modify.
Links
ANYCOM DB1 (use promo code R200 for a discount): https://anycombike.com/?ref=RUNPLAYBACK
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/