In a world the place each new e-bike launch appears to be greater and extra highly effective than the final, there’s a sure consolation to feeling one thing good and small between your legs once more. I’m speaking, after all, concerning the JackRabbit OG2 micro e-bike. It’s the most recent replace to JackRabbit’s unique (actually OG) tiny format electrical two-wheeler, and by God, it’s higher than ever!
Greater than a lot of the fashions I evaluation, that is completely one you’ll want to see being ridden. Photos of the bike merely don’t do it justice, particularly since this mannequin has considerably unusual proportions in comparison with most different e-bikes in the marketplace.
To see it in motion, take a look at my video evaluation under. Then preserve studying afterward!
JackRabbit OG2 Video Overview
JackRabbit OG2 Tech Specs
- Motor: 300W geared rear hub motor
- High velocity: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Vary: 16+ km (10+ mi) per battery (can carry additional batteries in little or no house)
- Battery: 151 Wh battery, plus the choice to interchange with 360Wh RangeBuster batteries
- Max load: 125 kg (275 lb)
- Bike weight: 11.3 kg (25 lb)
- Brakes: Rear mechanical disc brake
- Wheels: 20″ entrance and rear
- Value: $1,249
- Extras: Thumb throttle, rotatable handlebars, foldout foot pegs, bell, LED dot show, kickstand, optionally available fenders and different equipment
What makes the JackRabbit OG2 particular?
That is an extremely particular e-bike due to how distinctive it’s – there merely isn’t something fairly prefer it in the marketplace. The truth is, its so distinctive that different corporations have tried – and failed – to tear off the superior design.
And that design is mainly an excellent stubby bike-like setup, but with a definite lack of pedals.
With out worrying about pesky issues like pedals, the JackRabbit can merely be a lot shorter and extra compact. That quick wheelbase is complemented by the slender design, particularly contemplating the particular handlebar mechanism that may spin 90 levels to create an excellent flat bike that slips behind a sofa or beneath a mattress.
Regardless of its smaller dimension, although, the JackRabbit OG2 nonetheless rides extra like a bicycle than a scooter. Most individuals desire the seated format of e-bikes since they provide a extra steady feeling and bigger wheels for higher security. Certain, standing scooter lovers exist. However by and huge, the widespread sentiment is, “Why stand when you possibly can sit?”
That’s precisely what the JackRabbit OG2 provides riders. And on the identical time, it makes a lot of main enhancements over the unique JackRabbit OG. The body is extra bike-like, virtually BMX in its design, making a extra inflexible construction that may assist extra weight. The foot pegs are improved, the show is extra detailed, and the tires are higher fitted to city riders.
Your complete bike can be UL-compliant, together with its battery. The truth is, the battery is likely one of the coolest elements of the JackRabbit OG2. It’s a mere 151 Wh, which is just under the utmost 160 Wh restrict of many US airways for carry-on batteries – although you should still want advance permission from the airline. Combining that carry-on battery capacity with the particular journey bag that’s constructed particularly for the JackRabbit OG2, this is likely one of the solely e-bikes you possibly can truly fly to your vacation spot with. It’s additionally turn out to be common with boat homeowners, personal pilots, and RV drivers who all prize the comfort of a small however peppy little e-bike for touring round their vacation spot.
However what about efficiency?
The efficiency of the JackRabbit OG2 is what I’d name, “good, however not exhilarating.”
This simply isn’t a rocket of a micro e-bike, which you in all probability guessed by the 300W motor. On flat floor it’s completely acceptable, however it’s not going to climb a hill shortly. For heavy riders, it’s additionally going to have slower acceleration.
That being stated, it will get my 165 kilos of meat and backpack as much as 20 mph (32 km/h) shortly sufficient, and I’m not likely left wanting an excessive amount of extra. Certain, excessive energy sounds good, however I do know that small battery would drain shortly in the event that they let me rip this factor like a rented mule.
That brings me to vary. The ten miles (16 km) of vary is pretty correct, although should you’re climbing hills or only a heavy particular person, you possibly can simply end up arising a couple of miles quick. It is a small battery, actually and figuratively. So it’s important to know that getting into.
Nonetheless, the small dimension of the battery is a plus when you think about how straightforward it’s to stay a second battery in your pocket. It will disappear in a cargo shorts pocket, and would simply get misplaced within the backside of a backpack. That’s how small these batteries are. We’re speaking energy software battery-sized batteries. So carrying a second one isn’t actually a giant deal. And should you solely need to fear a couple of single battery, there’s after all the RangeBuster battery that gives 24 miles of vary, which is greater than most individuals will ever want on a small e-bike like this.
The truth is, should you bounce on the Black Friday deal that’s presently stay on the time of this evaluation, you possibly can even get a free RangeBuster battery together with your order. That’s a fairly superior deal!
What’s the takeaway?
At $1,249, this isn’t the most cost effective solution to get right into a small e-bike. However it’s in all probability the smallest solution to get right into a small e-bike. And for some, that’s crucial factor. Portability is vital for a lot of riders, and it merely doesn’t get any extra moveable than a JackRabbit.
There are actually lots of of e-bike fashions on the market to select from, and so I’m glad that we’ve got choices like this on the smaller finish of the spectrum. For many who need extra energy or extra cargo house, there are different choices. Don’t select this one. You wouldn’t seize a pocket umbrella for storm rains.
There are completely different instruments for various jobs. But when your job is getting round an city space with a cushty, compact little e-bike, then it is a nice choice. And the truth that it’s enjoyable and neat-looking is just shoveling cherries on prime!
