Yearly, it looks like there’s a brand new headline concerning the world’s lightest electrical bike. Annually, engineers handle to shave a number of extra grams off of an exotically designed body constructed with much more unique supplies. And annually, the repeatedly decrease weight is balanced by repeatedly increased costs – typically exorbitantly excessive. However now Dahon has bucked that development, providing us an extremely light-weight electrical bike at a worth that standard e-bike riders can afford. Meet the Dahon Ok-Feather.
To place issues in perspective, among the earlier lightest electrical bicycles have included the 11.8 kg (26 lb) LeMond Prolog at US $4,500, the 11.75 kg (12.59 lb) Trek Domane+ SLR at US $8,999, and the ten kg (22 lb) Hummingbird Flax folding e-bike at US $6,050.
So with that in thoughts, please permit me to introduce you to the brand new Dahon Ok-Feather. This can be a 12 kg (26.5 kg) folding electrical bike priced at an extremely affordable US $1,199 in North America or €1,499 in Europe.
Positive, it’s not absolutely the lightest folding e-bike we’ve ever seen, nevertheless it’s 90% of the best way there and at 1 / 4 of the worth. Plus, it comes from Dahon, which is likely one of the most revered names within the folding bike world and is basically credited with paving the best way for the booming folding bike trade we see right now. For the reason that Eighties, Dahon’s modern designs have been imitated around the globe, but the folding bike maker has continued to innovate and keep a number of steps forward of competing manufacturers.
The Ok-feather achieves its additional low weight via the mix of a novel body design using Dahon’s patented body designs, together with the corporate’s DELTECH expertise and “tremendous down tube,” which assist enhance rigidity and robustness whereas lowering weight.
{The electrical} system on the Ok-Feather can be a featherweight, retaining the e-bike largely within the last-mile class. Whereas the battery claims a most vary of as much as 24.8 miles (40 km), real-world using and hilly terrain might scale back that vary. Nonetheless, intelligent designs like a system that mechanically shuts off the additional motor energy when detecting a downhill section assist to eke out extra vary from the small 24V and 5Ah battery.
The ultra-lightweight 250W hub motor additionally gives simply 32 Nm of torque, which means the help is extra of a useful push than a strong shove. However with the inclusion of a torque sensor for the pedal help, that push comes on rapidly and reliably, making the bike really feel extra like a standard analog bike being pedaled by somebody with additional sturdy legs.
With 16″ dual-wall rims and 14g spokes, this isn’t the heavy fats tire folding e-bikes we’re used to in North America, and the capability displays that. The Ok-Feather is rated to help riders weighing as much as 105 kg (231 lb), although the extremely adjustable seating place can help a spread of rider heights from 145 to 190.5 cm (4’9″ to six’3″).
Coming in six colorways, the Dahon Ok-feather folding e-bike is now out there within the US and has launched for pre-order in Europe, with shipments there anticipated in September.
I had a little bit of a preview of the Ok-feather on my final journey to China once I was in a position to go to Dahon’s headquarters and take a look at trip the bike.
I nonetheless can’t consider how gentle it felt, each beneath me and whereas folding it up and carrying it round. Be looking out for that full expertise from my journey, coming quickly.
Electrek’s Take
The Ok-Feather represents a compelling milestone not only for Dahon, however for all the folding e-bike market. By delivering a really light-weight, compact, and absolutely electrical folder at an impressively reasonably priced worth level, Dahon has made minimalist e-mobility extra accessible than ever.
It’s not only a bike for die-hard light-weight e-bike connoisseurs; it’s a real-world resolution for commuters, vacationers, and house dwellers who need the liberty of electrical help with out the majority or the sticker shock. If the purpose is to get extra individuals on two wheels, the Ok-Feather would possibly simply be one of the vital essential steps ahead but.
Coming in at lower than half the load of most folding e-bikes, and nonetheless a fraction of most lighter-duty folders, the Ok-Feather’s modest efficiency makes it an excellent city trip for individuals who favor compact measurement and light-weight weight. In reality, I believe it could be good for my mother-in-law, who wants an e-bike to get to and from the prepare she takes to work, but in addition wants it to be gentle sufficient to hold as much as her second-story house. Hmmm, maybe I ought to have her do a assessment for us…
