Folding E-Bike Showdown 2024: Which One Is Worth Your Money?

Plus, NBA players' favorite e-bike.

August 01, 2024

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What You Need to Know Today

For the latest installment of our Best of 2024 series, we put some of the most popular folding e-bikes—including new models from Lectric, Aventon, Monday, Velotric, MOD Bikes, and more—through a series of rigorous (and sometimes ridiculous) challenges. Who will come out on top? The answer may surprise you… watch here.

Also - don’t miss our recent Best Affordable E-bike and Best Fat-Tire E-bike video competitions.

Vvolt’s updated Alpha II offers integrated front and rear lighting, a Gates carbon belt-driven rear drive hub, and 5 levels of assistance, making it a minimalist yet fully functional city bike.

Finally, there’s an e-bike designed to fit NBA-sized riders. The Bosch-powered eDirtySixer e-bike, which is becoming popular with pro basketball players such as Lebron James and Shaquille O’Neal, come with either 32” or 36” wheels and the frame is tuned to retain proper geometry for riders ranging from 5’10” - 7’4”.

Image Credit: DirtySixer

The Moeve Avian titanium e-bike features a weldless frame that uses mortise and tenon joinery, inspired by woodworking, with adhesives to create seamless joints mimicking carbon frames.

Is this the future of e-mobility? Samsung’s new solid-state battery promises 600-mile range after only 9 minutes charging.

The folding Owlet One flies the coop on traditional e-moto design with a distinctive ride that has an adjustable wheelbase that can convert from a relaxed chopper-like ride to a sporty performance feel. Additionally, its oversized frame conceals a hefty 1,500-Wh 56 V/30 Ah battery and 3.5” travel front forks.

Image Credit: Owlet

Leaked patent drawings reveal that Zero Motorcycles may be developing a mini-moto. In a departure from its current lineup of full-sized e-motos, the new project appears to be an electric competitor to the popular Honda Grom.

Filante Motors, in collaboration with Chinese-based engineering firm, Davinci, recently unveiled the Factory Torque 1/1 which currently claims to be the world’s most powerful e-motorcycle. This monster e-moto has 850Nm of torque that propels it from 0-100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds. The Factory Torque 1/1 will be available for pre-order in December for a whopping $109,000.

Heads up - Next week we’re hosting a in-depth webinar about how EV innovators—from global leaders like Porsche to pioneering startups like Pure Electric—are taking control of chaotic supply chains to bring exciting, new vehicles to market. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from technology and industry leaders about how they’re harmonizing designers, planners, and suppliers to harness growth. Register here.

The Easybike G16 blurs the lines between an e-scooter and an e-bike. This hybrid ride’s 16” front wheel, large platform, and MTB-grade front and rear suspension enable the rider to explore terrain previously unrideable on an e-scooter.

Kawasaki unveiled a hydrogen-powered Ninja H2 HySE engine that emits only a steam exhaust. This concept engine is a product of the Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine Technology (HySE) alliance, a collaboration of the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, to develop new sustainable mobility technologies.

Drawing from the classic design of the 1950s Fiat 500 Jolly, Castagna Milano converts the Fiat Topolino into a chic electric runabout, perfect for cruising along the seaside. This yacht-inspired topless customization will run you $26,740, or $37,450 for the extended rear version.

Image Credit: Castagna Milano

The city of Amsterdam is putting the brakes on Cowboy’s “Race” feature, which encourages riders to compete with other riders using the app. City officials claim the app promotes irresponsible behavior on city streets that are already burdened with an increasing number of cycling accidents.

Suitcase scooters spark safety alarms: Japan is cracking down on people riding battery-powered luggage on the street and in airports.

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