The JackRabbit OG was the primary electrical micro-bike to realize a mass following within the US, racking up a neighborhood of over 30,000 riders – or “Jackos” as they name themselves. Now the bike is getting a sequence of upgrades within the launch of its second-generation mannequin: the JackRabbit OG2.
Sure, the JackRabbit isn’t technically an electrical bicycle within the conventional sense, principally as a result of it eschews bicycle pedals in favor of foot pegs.
Strictly talking, that places it into the seated scooter class. But it surely’s usually referred to within the trade as an electrical micro-bike as a result of using key bicycle parts such because the wheels, seat, and handlebar, all of which assist give it a principally bicycle-like driving sensation.
JackRabbit is just not the one micro e-bike on the market, but it surely’s the one one to develop vital model loyalty, largely because of its hyper-dedicated neighborhood of Jackos which have sprung up across the quirky experience.
Doubtless second solely to the e-bike model SUPER73 in relation to a zealous and exceedingly fervent fanbase, JackRabbit has been embraced by riders who land on the intersection of the Venn diagram between riders searching for the lightest, most handy bike-like micromobility experience and people who merely don’t care an excessive amount of what others consider how they give the impression of being.
That’s as a result of the JackRabbit admittedly seems to be a bit humorous to experience due in no small half to its stubby wheelbase and diminutive stature. However whereas the JackRabbit OG was nearly as small and minimalist as may very well be, the OG2 provides a bit extra within the characteristic division with out sacrificing a lot further poundage.
The main design tenants stayed the identical between the OG and the brand new OG2: a set of 20″ bicycle wheels paired with a bicycle saddle, quick-release handlebars, fold-down foot pegs, a single rear disc brake, and an airline-friendly quick-release battery that’s UL-compliant. There’s even an airline journey bag—one which I beforehand used to take a JackRabbit OG by round a half dozen airports and fly world wide.
The little runabout nonetheless reaches 20 mph (32 km/h) and achieves 10 miles (16 km) of vary per battery identical to the unique, with battery swaps permitting for further vary saved within the rider’s pocket. However that’s the place the similarities finish.
The newly launched OG2 now comes with an upgraded body that includes a better 275-lb weight capability, new bolstered foot pegs, a quick-release thumb screw for battery swaps/removing, an modern new handlebar that turns 90 levels for flat storage in opposition to a wall or below a mattress, and extra attachment factors for accent mounting.
On the electronics facet, there are new hardwired LED gentle ports, a brand new digital show that features a extra exact battery meter, and internally-routed wires/cables.
One of many bike’s most modern options are the UL-compliant swappable battery packs, roughly the scale of energy device batteries. These are nonetheless ahead and backward-compatible throughout all of JackRabbit’s fashions, together with its even greater JackRabbit XG.
Regardless of the brand new options, the JackRabbit OG nonetheless retains issues trim. Your entire experience weighs simply 25 lb (11.3 kg), coming in at lower than the burden of many electrical kickscooters, but with a considerably extra secure experience than a usually small-wheeled kickscooter.
Priced at US $1,249, the JackRabbit OG is already in inventory and delivery now.
Electrek’s Take
I’ll simply come out and say it: I’m a JackRabbit fan. Sure, it’s bizarre and quirky and foolish and all the opposite adjectives. But it surely additionally works. There simply aren’t many 20 mph electrical bikes (or bike-like rides) that weigh a mere 25 lb and might slip below a dorm room mattress or behind a sofa in a tiny house, or which have UL-compliant batteries which are sufficiently small for airways to allow you to fly with them. There are a number of benefits right here.
And if I’m being frank, the considerably comical look is a characteristic to me, not a bug. Life is brief. Be bizarre, stand out.
But it surely’s additionally truthful to say that watt for watt, this isn’t the punchiest solution to spend $1,250. You’re forking over a little bit of a premium to get these options you don’t discover elsewhere. However within the broader market of e-bikes that usually value a number of thousand {dollars}, it’s nonetheless pretty cheap for the precise area of interest it’s targeted on. This isn’t the bike for velocity demons and adrenaline junkies – it’s the one for faculty college students and anybody who prioritizes efficiency over bulk.
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