JackRabbit 2.0 e-bike is hilarious-looking but may be crazy enough to work

One of many issues that I really like concerning the electrical bicycle trade is that there’s a lot room for innovation and artistic design. And the JackRabbit 2.0 could be top-of-the-line examples of out-of-the-box e-bike design I’ve seen in a very long time. And boy, does it give me a chuckle too!

Referred to by the corporate as a “mini e-bike”, the JackRabbit 2.0 lacks practical pedals and as an alternative opts for folding foot pegs, thus making it technically extra of a seated electrical scooter.

No matter you need to name it, there’s little question that it’s going to attract seems wherever it goes.

The JackRabbit 2.0 was designed to include the most effective benefits of each electrical scooters and electrical bicycles. I’m undecided it managed to snag the aesthetics of both, however no less than its odd design does serve a function.

After a profitable Kickstarter introduced the JackRabbit 1.0 to life two years in the past, the company is again with a lot of design enhancements.

In comparison with most scooters, the JackRabbit 2.0 sports activities massive 20″ wheels. But in comparison with most e-bikes, it additionally sports activities an ultralight weight of simply 23 lb (10.4 kg).

The JackRabbit 2.0 encompasses a 300W continuous-rated hub motor that may propel the bike as much as 20 mph (32 km/h). The bike truly pushes a peak 336W from the 158 Wh battery comprised of 21700 cells. That’s not face-melting velocity or energy by any stretch of the creativeness, however is healthier than most electric scooters or bikes in this price range.

The corporate claims that testing reveals the battery is nice for between 9 to 18 miles (14.5 to 29 km) of vary, with a mean of round 12 miles (20 km). So this clearly isn’t a protracted vary commuter. Moderately, the JackRabbit is designed for utility and quick journeys. Its light-weight and compact design make it straightforward to raise and stowaway like a scooter.

A part of the comical look comes from a mismatch of proportions. The rear wheel sports activities a fats tire for a greater trip, whereas the entrance wheel rocks a narrower tire to cut back weight. The wheelbase is dramatically shortened, which ends up in a turning radius of simply 33 inches (84 cm) – slim sufficient to tug a U-ey in a hallway.

The humorous little bike is claimed to suit rider heights from 4’10” to six’3″ (147 to 191 cm), and as much as 240 lb (109 kg) of rider weight. The body has additionally been structurally examined to adapt to ISO 4210 Half 6: vertical body fatigue; 100,000 cycles at 1000N load (simply over 100 kg or 220 lb).

And regardless of the jarring look, the JackRabbit 2.0 truly appears to supply some respectable options. I spy a disc brake, a folding handlebar/foot pegs that makes the bike simply 7″ (18 cm) large when folded, USB charger and a lockable/detachable battery hidden within the body.

The JackRabbit 2.0 carries an MSRP of $999. However because of the present Kickstarter crowdfunding marketing campaign, pre-orders are going for a 50% discount at just $499. The corporate expects supply to happen in December of this 12 months.

Electrek’s Take

As at all times, we advise warning with any crowdfunding marketing campaign since you might be primarily backing a mission and never straight shopping for a product.

On this case, the corporate has run a profitable marketing campaign earlier than and so is probably going a safer guess than a model new startup.

When it comes to the automobile, that is positively a motorcycle (or scooter?) for somebody that doesn’t get all bent out of form about what different individuals take into consideration them. I’d say there’s a minimal stage of wholesome self-confidence required to scoot round on this factor.

Whereas it does look foolish although, I can see the utility. These folding handlebars and foot pegs imply you may stick this factor up towards a wall and take up solely 7″ of house – that’s fairly superior for the slim areas that many people dwell and work in.

And for that pre-order value of $499, this looks like a fantastic deal for a 20 mph (32 km/h) bike/scooter-thing that may simply hit commuter-level speeds.

I do marvel how nicely it handles at excessive speeds as a result of that quick wheelbase, however the riders within the movies appear to be doing simply high-quality (see beneath).

I’m wanting ahead to testing the JackRabbit 2.0 out in some unspecified time in the future earlier than I can provide it any form of actual suggestion. Within the meantime although, I applaud the workforce for the out-of-the-box considering and thank them for a superb chuckle – one thing we might most likely all use proper now.

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.