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Who is this for? Seems to serve a really really niche user base. If someone wants a electric drive in a bike, it’s not for exercise, they want it for commute.

Who is this for? Seems to serve a really really niche user base. If someone wants a electric drive in a bike, it’s not for exercise, they want it for commute. It starts at around 5k, wouldn’t they rather go for a scooter/Vespa at that price? They are more practical for chores. The only reason to want a bike is to carry into the apartment if they don’t want to be bothered with parking. So a super niche crowd?

jeffbee 6y ago
You cannot put a Vespa on the bike rack of a bus. You cannot carry a Vespa on a train. You cannot check a Vespa as luggage at the airport. An e-bike is categorically different than a scooter.
- NovemberWhiskey 6y ago
  In the US, I don't think it'd actually be legal to travel on an airline with a battery the size of the one in this bike - it appears to be a 250 Wh unit, and I understand the legal limit for lithium ion batteries is 160 Wh.
  - masklinn 6y ago
    > I understand the legal limit for lithium ion batteries is 160 Wh. For two batteries, with airline approval. According to the TSA, this can alternatively be a single battery up to 300Wh, again with airline approval.
madeofpalk 6y ago
I honestly don't think it's that expensive, comparitively. Electric bikes are around £2000-£3000 (though both the new Vanmoof and Cowboy are right at £2000), so this seems to be just priced a bit more premium for a presumably lighter and more premium bike. Sadly it lacks things like the insurace/bike theft protection that others have, which is a huge deal breaker. I do like the look of this bike, and if i was a bit more richer i would definitely one. Looks nicer than my Vanmoof. > wouldn’t they rather go for a scooter/Vespa at that price They're different things. You can ride a bike in places where you can't ride a Vespa.
- sorenbs 6y ago
  I tried both the previous gen and newest version of Vanmoof and Cowboy. I do not like the automatic gear shifting in Vanmoof one bit. The Cowboy is single-speed gear and the motor intelligently adjust the level of support so you don't feel the lack of gears. This gives a super smooth experience, and I honestly expect all electric bikes to transition to this setup over time.
  - madeofpalk 6y ago
    > I do not like the automatic gear shifting in Vanmoof one bit. unfortunately i agree with you. the electronic automatic gear shifting in the new vanmoof is a regression :(

jeffbee 6y ago

You cannot put a Vespa on the bike rack of a bus. You cannot carry a Vespa on a train. You cannot check a Vespa as luggage at the airport. An e-bike is categorically different than a scooter.

NovemberWhiskey 6y ago
In the US, I don't think it'd actually be legal to travel on an airline with a battery the size of the one in this bike - it appears to be a 250 Wh unit, and I understand the legal limit for lithium ion batteries is 160 Wh.
- masklinn 6y ago
  > I understand the legal limit for lithium ion batteries is 160 Wh. For two batteries, with airline approval. According to the TSA, this can alternatively be a single battery up to 300Wh, again with airline approval.

madeofpalk 6y ago

I honestly don't think it's that expensive, comparitively. Electric bikes are around £2000-£3000 (though both the new Vanmoof and Cowboy are right at £2000), so this seems to be just priced a bit more premium for a presumably lighter and more premium bike. Sadly it lacks things like the insurace/bike theft protection that others have, which is a huge deal breaker. I do like the look of this bike, and if i was a bit more richer i would definitely one. Looks nicer than my Vanmoof. > wouldn’t they rather go for a scooter/Vespa at that price They're different things. You can ride a bike in places where you can't ride a Vespa.

sorenbs 6y ago
I tried both the previous gen and newest version of Vanmoof and Cowboy. I do not like the automatic gear shifting in Vanmoof one bit. The Cowboy is single-speed gear and the motor intelligently adjust the level of support so you don't feel the lack of gears. This gives a super smooth experience, and I honestly expect all electric bikes to transition to this setup over time.
- madeofpalk 6y ago
  > I do not like the automatic gear shifting in Vanmoof one bit. unfortunately i agree with you. the electronic automatic gear shifting in the new vanmoof is a regression :(