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

One of many issues that I like concerning the electrical bicycle trade is that there’s a lot room for innovation and inventive design. And the JackRabbit 2.0 may be probably the greatest 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 doubt that it’s going to attract seems to be wherever it goes.

The JackRabbit 2.0 was designed to include the perfect benefits of each electrical scooters and electrical bicycles. I’m undecided it managed to snag the aesthetics of both, however a minimum of its odd design does serve a objective.

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

In comparison with most scooters, the JackRabbit 2.0 sports activities giant 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 really pushes a peak 336W from the 158 Wh battery comprised of 21700 cells. That’s not face-melting pace or energy by any stretch of the creativeness, however is best than most electric scooters or bikes in this price range.

The corporate claims that testing exhibits the battery is sweet for between 9 to 18 miles (14.5 to 29 km) of vary, with a median of round 12 miles (20 km). So this clearly isn’t a protracted vary commuter. Fairly, the JackRabbit is designed for utility and brief journeys. Its light-weight and compact design make it simple to carry 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 journey, whereas the entrance wheel rocks a narrower tire to scale back weight. The wheelbase is dramatically shortened, which leads to a turning radius of simply 33 inches (84 cm) – slim sufficient to drag 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 evolve 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 really appears to supply some respectable options. I spy a disc brake, a folding handlebar/foot pegs that makes the bike simply 7″ (18 cm) extensive 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 all the time, we advise warning with any crowdfunding marketing campaign since you’re 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 wager than a model new startup.

When it comes to the car, that is undoubtedly a motorbike (or scooter?) for somebody that doesn’t get all bent out of practice about what different folks 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 possibly can stick this factor up towards a wall and take up solely 7″ of area – that’s fairly superior for the slim areas that many people stay and work in.

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

I do marvel how properly it handles at excessive speeds on account of that brief wheelbase, however the riders within the movies appear to be doing simply nice (see beneath).

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

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