The first time I noticed a JackRabbit, I couldn’t assist however snigger. For somebody that comes from the e-bike world, the proportions are just so humorous trying. But the extra I’ve considered it, the extra this humorous little “micro e-bike” looks like it may clear up loads of issues for city commuters.
The San Diego-based mobility firm refers to its JackRabbit as a micro e-bike, although I’m certain that my most pedantic readers will be fast to level out that it’s extra precisely described as a scooter because it lacks useful pedals.
But just like motorcyclists check with their “bikes”, so too do the JackRabbit creators. And no matter what you name it, there’s some attention-grabbing functionality packed into this pint-sized electrical two-wheeler.
On the bike facet of issues, the JackRabbit options 20″ bike wheels with a wider tire on the rear to make up for its lack of suspension. There’s a inflexible bike fork up entrance and a single disc brake on the rear. A bicycle seat and handlebars add to the bike credentials, however then the fold up foot pegs put us again in scooter territory.
There’s a small 158 Wh detachable battery in the high of the body and a (barely bigger) 300W geared hub motor in the rear wheel. With a push of the thumb throttle on the handlebars, the JackRabbit will get as much as 20 mph (32 km/h), and carries a claimed vary of 12 miles (20 km).
That’s not a very massive vary in comparison with most e-bikes lately, however somewhat is extra par for the course in comparison with scooters. Considering this is very a lot meant as an city commuter, 12 miles looks like a pleasant steadiness for adequate vary whereas sustaining a low weight.
And at just 24 lb (10.9 kg), it’s tremendous light-weight. The JackRabbit additionally folds to a width of just 7 inches, that means you may raise it simply to carrying into an house or dorm room, then fold it all the way down to relaxation towards a wall or beneath a dorm. “Folding” won’t be the greatest phrase, since regardless of the pegs truly folding up, the handlebars pop off and clip inline towards the body. Either means you slice it, the JackRabbit undoubtedly tucks down into a skinny little kind issue when not in use.
That’s the complete thought, which got here to co-founder Tom Piszkin at some point when watching his college students present up late. As a coach at UCSD, he noticed his athletes usually struggling to navigate campus successfully. Parking was almost not possible to search out, bikes had been usually getting stolen, and skateboards/scooters had been solely good for clean, manicured paths. He wished to design a greater answer that was small and light-weight so it may be introduced inside a classroom or dorm room to stop it being stolen outdoors, but nonetheless had the steady and speedy journey of a bicycle. With a little bit of ingenuity, the frankenstein creation he got here up with mixed facets of bikes and scooters into the JackRabbit.
Today’s model is truly the JackRabbit 2.0, which is the new and improved model that adopted a profitable crowdfunding marketing campaign on Kickstarter. Over 100 backers pledged funds to assist the JackRabbit workforce convey the new design to life, and now the new and improved model is in inventory and delivery throughout the US. It’s priced at $1,199, and add-on equipment akin to a rear rack, spare battery and a fender set are additionally out there.
While it actually has limitations akin to the quick vary from a small battery, the firm says that it performs nice at the job it is designed for: quick city journeys. Most e-bikes have for much longer ranges than 12 miles, however most e-bikes are additionally designed for a mix of leisure cruising in addition to city transportation. The JackRabbit is purely designed to get riders from level A to level B, after which largely disappear towards a wall when not in use. That’s additionally helped it grow to be fashionable with RV house owners, boaters and others who require a light-weight, small kind issue transportation choice when away from their principal journey. The battery is even sufficiently small to make it one among the solely “e-bikes” you may fly with, since the battery capability is beneath the 160 Wh restrict imposed by TSA and plenty of airways.
![JackRabbit is the hilarious yet surprisingly effective 'micro electric bike' that could revolutionize your commute](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/Copy-of-Jackrabbit_10-2021_Finals-35.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000)
I had the likelihood to speak to JackRabbit’s CEO Jason Kenagy about the humorous little micro e-bike, and he helped shed some extra gentle on the design.
In response to my first response, which was an involuntary chuckle, he took it in stride:
“A new form factor will always raise a few eyebrows at first. Remember when scooters came out? People laughed at the idea and thought they looked dorky. But today, you can’t walk down a block in most cities without seeing a row of them. They’re now completely accepted by the mainstream.”
That’s completely true. Not solely are electrical scooters in all places in cities round the world, however they symbolize a multi-billion greenback trade. Heck, particular person scooter-sharing corporations have achieved billion greenback valuations by themselves.
It’s about greater than just acceptance although. As Jason continued, it’s about being efficient:
“But in all seriousness, the best part about the small size of a JackRabbit is its convenience. Our e-bike is only 24 lbs, so you can easily throw one into your car or carry it up stairs. And because a JackRabbit can fold down to 7 inches wide, it can easily tuck inside a closet or a small space. However, our “fun-size” doesn’t sacrifice efficiency or high quality. Our e-bikes pack a punch with a high pace of 20 mph and are constructed with solely top-notch supplies, made to final.”
Electrek’s Take
I’ll admit that I laughed at the idea at first. But after a extra important look and talking with Jason, I agree there’s actual benefit right here.
Obviously this isn’t the e-bike you select for a protracted Sunday cruise or to get in a exercise. But for light-weight, easy city navigation, this seems to be just about perfect. And for those who actually wished to go additional, just snag a spare battery for $199 and also you’re all set to double your vary. The spare battery even has a bit holster so you may retailer it beneath your seat. If you’re particularly fast and dexterous, you would possibly even be capable of swap it in with out coming to a cease.
![JackRabbit is the hilarious yet surprisingly effective 'micro electric bike' that could revolutionize your commute](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/battery_bag-underseat_1280x900.jpeg?quality=82&strip=all)
![JackRabbit is the hilarious yet surprisingly effective 'micro electric bike' that could revolutionize your commute](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/JR_extended-range-battery_1280x900.jpeg?quality=82&strip=all)
Often once I write about standard electrical scooters, particularly ones that hit larger speeds of 20 mph or extra, commenters will point out how harmful the small wheels look. Hitting a pot gap with 8″ scooter wheels at 20 mph is a recipe for catastrophe, sending the rider over the handlebars and hurtling to the floor. But 20″ bike wheels can cowl most obstacles you’d look forward to finding in an city jungle. And the quick wheelbase of this factor seems to be so nimble that you may in all probability toss out a handful of change after which weave by way of every coin like a slalom.
I additionally like that it is available in a brilliant yellow shade choice. Those in-your-face colours are laborious to drag off for most any car, e-bikes included (it takes a uncommon breed of particular person to drives a brilliant yellow automobile). But one thing as wild and fun-looking as the JackRabbit appears to rock it completely.
As our readers already know, Electrek has developed a fame as a frontrunner in e-bike and e-scooter critiques. So you higher consider that I’m going to return again quickly with an in-depth overview of this superior little bugger. Until then, let’s hear what you consider the JackRabbit in the feedback part beneath!
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