The Pro uses a 750W hub motor with a thumb throttle, while the Ultra uses a mid-drive motor with a torque sensor and no throttle, plus a dropper seatpost and GPS anti-theft tracking that the Pro doesn’t have.
VanPowers GrandTeton E-Bike Review
Written by: Tom Fortune | August 26, 2026 | Time to read 5 min
A 750W hub motor on one version, a 130Nm mid-drive motor on the other. VanPowers built two distinctly different fat-tire e-Bikes and gave them the same name.
More about the Author: Tom Fortune
Tom is a Brit living in the French Alps. When he's not creating written and video content for various brands, he's either pedalling or snowboarding around his local mountains. E-Bikes have unlocked the potential for Tom to explore Alpine terrain and get away from the crowded bike parks. He is only too keen to share his knowledge and experience with other riders.
The GrandTeton is VanPowers’ fat tire, all-terrain e-Bike, built for riders who want to take an electric bike somewhere a regular commuter e-Bike wouldn’t cope. It’s built for snow, sand, loose gravel, and steep dirt climbs, and comes in two versions: Pro and Ultra.
The Pro version has a hub motor with a throttle, while the Ultra has a mid-drive motor, a dropper seatpost, and a smart anti-theft system. They both have the same fat tires and the same battery capacity, but they give you different riding experiences.
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VanPowers GrandTeton Specs
| Spec | GrandTeton Pro | GrandTeton Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 750W rear hub, 900W peak, 85Nm | Ananda M100 mid-drive, 500W, 760W peak, 130Nm |
| Throttle | Thumb throttle, 3 power levels | None, torque sensor only |
| Battery | 705.6Wh, removable, UL 2271 | 705.6Wh, removable, UL 2271 |
| Brakes | Tektro 2-piston hydraulic, 203mm | Tektro 4-piston hydraulic, 203mm |
| Suspension fork | Air suspension, lockout | Air suspension, lockout |
| Seatpost | Standard | 150mm dropper |
| Smart features | None | GPS tracking, auto-unlock, SOS crash detection |
| Tires | CST, 26x4-inch fat tires | CST, 26x4-inch fat tires |
| Frame | 6061 aluminum alloy | 6061 aluminum alloy |
Pro vs Ultra: What Really Changes
The Pro is the more accessible option. Its 750W hub motor puts out 85Nm of torque, and the thumb throttle means you can get moving without pedaling at all, up to 20mph on throttle alone, with the option to unlock 28mph for off-road use.
The Ultra drops the hub motor and throttle entirely in favor of a mid-drive motor and a torque sensor, which changes the whole character of the ride. It also adds a 150mm dropper seatpost, useful on technical descents, and a TBOX smart module that handles GPS tracking, auto-unlock, and crash detection with an SOS alert. At VanPowers' own listed prices, the Ultra is about $600 more than the Pro, so that jump in capability comes with a matching jump in cost.
How It Rides
Both versions have the same 26x4-inch CST fat tires, which provide grip and comfort in a way a standard 2-inch tire on most electric bikes never could. The air suspension fork contributes to this, but it also has a lockout that makes climbs and riding on flat roads more efficient.
The Pro’s hub motor and throttle make it the easiest bike to get on and go. You can use the throttle to get moving and then pedal when you feel like it. The Ultra doesn’t have a throttle, but the mid-drive motor and torque sensor give you a more connected, natural-feeling ride than a bike with a hub-mounted motor. You’ll notice this most of all on technical climbs where a hub motor can feel disconnected from what your legs are doing.
Braking is confidence-inspiring on both, though the Ultra’s 4-piston brakes give you more control on long descents, due to more surface contact, better heat dissipation, and less fade when you’re riding the brakes down a long hill.
Motor and Battery
The Pro has a 750W hub motor that peaks at 900W and delivers 85Nm of torque, which is plenty for a fat tire bike this size, and the thumb throttle gives you three power levels for quick bursts without pedaling. The Ultra’s Ananda M100 mid-drive motor gives you 130Nm of torque from a 500W motor that peaks at 760W. It is tuned for climbing and technical terrain.
Both bikes share the same 705.6Wh lithium-ion battery, which is also a removable battery for charging off the bike. VanPowers claims up to 93 miles of range, which is an optimistic best-case figure rather than something you should plan a route around.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- The Pro’s 28mph unlocked mode is intended for off-road use, and riding at that speed on public roads may not comply with local Class 2 e-Bike regulations depending on where you live. It’s worth checking your state’s rules before assuming it’s fine everywhere.
- At 400 lbs total capacity and with 120 lbs of rear rack support, the GrandTeton is built to haul cargo, but that extra weight can make it affect handling and range.
Who Should Buy the VanPowers UrbanCross?
- Riders who want an easy, throttle-equipped fat-tire e-Bike for casual off-road exploring should consider the Pro as it’s simpler and cheaper.
- Riders who want a more capable, natural-feeling climb and don’t mind losing the throttle should go for the Ultra. This is especially the case if the dropper seatpost and anti-theft tracking are features you think are valuable.
- Anyone planning to haul cargo regularly should factor in the bike’s total weight capacity and rack support before loading it, since both are generous but not limitless.
Alternatives Worth Considering
The VanPowers UrbanCross doesn’t have the GrandTeton’s fat tires and off-road ability. It’s a gravel bike ideal for your regular routes involving pavement and light gravel, rather than proper off-road terrain.
Find a VanPowers GrandTeton on Upway
Fat tire e-Bikes take on terrain that puts serious strain on the motor, battery, and suspension, so a used GrandTeton is worth having thoroughly checked instead of judged on looks alone. Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point inspection covering exactly that.
Browse the selection of used electric bikes or check the sale collection to compare current options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the GrandTeton Pro and Ultra?
Does the VanPowers GrandTeton have a throttle?
The Pro does, with three power levels up to 20mph, unlockable to 28mph for off-road use. The Ultra has no throttle and depends entirely on pedal assist through its torque sensor.
How far can the GrandTeton go on a single charge?
VanPowers claims up to 93 miles, though everyday range will run lower depending on terrain, rider weight, and assist level, most of all given the rolling resistance of fat tires.
Key Takeaways
- The GrandTeton Pro and Ultra share a battery, frame, and fat tires, but run distinctly different motors, a hub motor with throttle on the Pro versus a mid-drive with torque sensor on the Ultra.
- The Ultra adds a dropper seatpost and GPS-based anti-theft tracking that the Pro doesn’t include, reflecting its higher price point.
- VanPowers’ claimed 93-mile range and 28mph unlockable top speed, so it’s worth checking local regulations before riding unlocked speeds on public roads.
