The JackRabbit OG was the primary electrical micro-bike to realize a mass following within the US, racking up a neighborhood of over 30,000 riders – or “Jackos” as they name themselves. Now the bike is getting a sequence of upgrades within the launch of its second-generation mannequin: the JackRabbit OG2.
Sure, the JackRabbit isn’t technically an electrical bicycle within the conventional sense, largely as a result of it eschews bicycle pedals in favor of foot pegs.
Strictly talking, that places it into the seated scooter class. Nevertheless it’s usually referred to within the trade as an electrical micro-bike attributable to using key bicycle elements such because the wheels, seat, and handlebar, all of which assist give it a largely bicycle-like driving sensation.
JackRabbit is just not the one micro e-bike on the market, however it’s the one one to develop vital model loyalty, largely due to its hyper-dedicated neighborhood of Jackos which have sprung up across the quirky journey.
Seemingly second solely to the e-bike model SUPER73 in terms of a zealous and exceedingly fervent fanbase, JackRabbit has been embraced by riders who land on the intersection of the Venn diagram between riders looking for the lightest, most handy bike-like micromobility journey and folk who merely don’t care an excessive amount of what others consider how they give the impression of being.
That’s as a result of the JackRabbit admittedly seems to be a bit humorous to journey due in no small half to its stubby wheelbase and diminutive stature. However whereas the JackRabbit OG was nearly as small and minimalist as may very well be, the OG2 provides a bit extra within the function division with out sacrificing a lot further poundage.
The most important design tenants stayed the identical between the OG and the brand new OG2: a set of 20″ bicycle wheels paired with a bicycle saddle, quick-release handlebars, fold-down foot pegs, a single rear disc brake, and an airline-friendly quick-release battery that’s UL-compliant. There’s even an airline journey bag—one which I beforehand used to take a JackRabbit OG by way of round a half dozen airports and fly all over the world.
The little runabout nonetheless reaches 20 mph (32 km/h) and achieves 10 miles (16 km) of vary per battery similar to the unique, with battery swaps permitting for additional vary saved within the rider’s pocket. However that’s the place the similarities finish.
The newly launched OG2 now comes with an upgraded body that includes a better 275-lb weight capability, new strengthened foot pegs, a quick-release thumb screw for battery swaps/removing, an progressive new handlebar that turns 90 levels for flat storage in opposition to a wall or below a mattress, and extra attachment factors for accent mounting.
On the electronics facet, there are new hardwired LED mild ports, a brand new digital show that features a extra exact battery meter, and internally-routed wires/cables.
One of many bike’s most progressive options are the UL-compliant swappable battery packs, roughly the scale of energy software batteries. These are nonetheless ahead and backward-compatible throughout all of JackRabbit’s fashions, together with its even larger JackRabbit XG.
Regardless of the brand new options, the JackRabbit OG nonetheless retains issues trim. All the journey weighs simply 25 lb (11.3 kg), coming in at lower than the load of many electrical kickscooters, but with a considerably extra secure journey than a usually small-wheeled kickscooter.
Priced at US $1,249, the JackRabbit OG is already in inventory and delivery now.
Electrek’s Take
I’ll simply come out and say it: I’m a JackRabbit fan. Sure, it’s bizarre and quirky and foolish and all the opposite adjectives. Nevertheless it additionally works. There simply aren’t many 20 mph electrical bikes (or bike-like rides) that weigh a mere 25 lb and might slip below a dorm room mattress or behind a sofa in a tiny condo, or which have UL-compliant batteries which might be sufficiently small for airways to allow you to fly with them. There are a variety of benefits right here.
And if I’m being frank, the considerably comical look is a function to me, not a bug. Life is brief. Be bizarre, stand out.
Nevertheless it’s additionally truthful to say that watt for watt, this isn’t the punchiest technique to spend $1,250. You’re forking over a little bit of a premium to get these options you don’t discover elsewhere. However within the broader market of e-bikes that usually value a number of thousand {dollars}, it’s nonetheless pretty affordable for the precise area of interest it’s centered on. This isn’t the bike for velocity demons and adrenaline junkies – it’s the one for faculty college students and anybody who prioritizes efficiency over bulk.
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