Why the Super73 Z1 Is So Much Fun (And Who It’s Actually For)
May 29, 2020
Working from home had me craving a simple way to get out of the house without turning every outing into a whole “car thing.” I wanted something affordable to run quick errands, something my wife and daughter would feel comfortable hopping on, and—most importantly—something that would help me decompress after a long day.
That’s where the Super73 Z1 landed for me. After riding it around town, I get why it’s one of the most popular bikes in the Super73 lineup.
The vibe: just pure fun
The Z1 is fun, plain and simple.
It’s hard to point at one single feature and say “that’s it.” The magic is how everything comes together: the minimalist frame, the fat tires, the moped-ish stance, and the way it encourages you to take the long way home—even if you’re just going to grab something downtown.
It also has that rare “what is that?” factor. Is it an e-bike? A fat bike? A moped? It kind of lives between categories, and that’s a big part of the appeal.
Assembly: basically plug-and-play
Getting it ready to ride was refreshingly easy.
Assembly was as simple as installing the fork, putting on the pedals, and charging the battery. I’ve dealt with other e-bike kits that require more intuition (and more bike-maintenance confidence). The Z1 felt about as plug-and-play as it gets.
Brakes and controls: simple, effective
The Tektro disc brakes worked really well for me, even with the bike’s weight (around 56 pounds).
The cockpit is minimalist: the display and throttle setup keeps it simple with just three indicator lights. If you’re the type who wants pages of stats and app integration, this isn’t that. But if you want “turn it on and ride,” it nails the brief.
Design and portability: looks good, fits life
In person, the styling really lands. The glossy black frame looks clean, and the teal seat pops in a way that’s more striking than photos usually capture.
One underrated win: size. I could lift it in and out of a midsize SUV, and carrying it up a few flights of stairs felt realistic. That’s a big deal if you live in an apartment or you don’t have a garage.
Range in real life: enough for how I actually ride
Range is rated around 20 miles.
In my own riding, I was able to do at least a 10-mile downtown-and-back trip. For how I use this bike—quick missions, neighborhood rides, and blowing off steam—that’s plenty.
And honestly, if I’m going somewhere more than ~20 miles away, I’m probably driving anyway. So range didn’t become a stress point for my lifestyle.
The big compromise: the seat + battery combo
This is the elephant in the room.
The seat-and-battery integration looks clever and clean, and I genuinely like it aesthetically. It doesn’t scream “giant battery mounted to a frame,” and the bike looks cohesive because of it.
But functionally, I really wish the battery was designed to be easily removable.
Technically it can be removed with a few screws, but it’s not a quick-release, grab-and-go experience. I wanted to charge the battery indoors without having to bring the whole bike inside.
My workaround
The first thing I did was remove the screws and make it more “removable” for my use case. I added industrial Velcro to keep the battery/seat combo sitting tight against the frame so I wasn’t worried about it bouncing around.
It’s not the most elegant solution, but it let me charge indoors without permanently altering the bike.
Performance: surprising pull, especially off the line
The Z1 surprised me.
I’m not a big guy (about 130 pounds), but the torque still felt stronger than I expected. The 500W rear hub motor had more pull than another DIY mid-drive e-bike I’ve ridden, which caught me off guard in a good way.
Tires and terrain: rolls over a lot… but you’ll feel it
Those big 20x4 tires make the Z1 feel confident on rougher streets. I could transition from asphalt to grass or dirt and back again without babying it.
That said, there’s no suspension. The fat tires absorb a lot, but not all of it. On Midwest streets (and honestly plenty of cities), you’ll still feel the terrain—so it rewards riders who pay attention to the surface ahead.
The “beginner bike” reputation is overblown
I’ve heard the Z1 get labeled as a “beginner bike” or “only for girls,” and I think that’s ridiculous.
What the Z1 really is: a bike that hits a sweet spot between what people can realistically afford and what they’ll actually use.
At a little over $1K, it’s the kind of purchase that can make sense if it replaces short car trips, parking costs, or just helps you live a more active local-life routine.
I also don’t look at e-bikes like “investments.” Like cars, they depreciate. The value depends on the lifestyle of the owner—how often you ride and whether it genuinely improves your day-to-day.
Upgrades and community: room to grow
If I decide to upgrade in the future, I like knowing there are mounting points and a healthy aftermarket. Plus, Super73 has a big culture around it. If you want a bike with style, power, and a large following, the Z1 is easy to understand.
What We Like
The ride feel is ridiculously fun and encourages spontaneous cruising
Very easy assembly (fork, pedals, charge and go)
Tektro disc brakes feel solid and confident
Minimalist controls keep it simple
Unique design that doesn’t look like a typical e-bike
Manageable size for apartments, stairs, and loading into a midsize SUV
Fat tires handle mixed surfaces well (asphalt, grass, dirt)
Surprising torque from the rear hub motor
Things To Consider
Battery/seat combo isn’t designed as a quick, convenient removable battery
No suspension—fat tires help, but you’ll still feel bumps
Minimal display info (great for simplicity, not great if you want detailed ride data)
Range is around 20 miles—enough for many people, but not for long-haul days
Final Thoughts
The Super73 Z1 makes a strong case as a lifestyle e-bike: fun, stylish, simple, and surprisingly capable in everyday riding.
If you want a practical commuter replacement for very long distances, or you need an easy pop-out battery with zero tinkering, you’ll want to think carefully. But if your goal is local errands, short commutes, and a bike you’ll actually look forward to riding after work, the Z1 is a solid buy—especially if you’re comfortable with a little DIY to make charging more convenient.
Links
Super73 discount promo: https://www.talkable.com/x/fqj0WT
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/