Ride Review Newsletter for February 9, 2023

This post was originally published in the weekly Ride Review Newsletter. For more consumer-driven dispatches, highlighting the best news, opinions, and reviews about electric scooters, bikes, boards, and buggies, subscribe here.

‍

Hi there - A bit of housekeeping before we get going…

• 📣 The speaker portal for Micromobility Europe (Amsterdam, June 8-9) is now open. Learn more about the different stages, content tracks, and how to apply here.
• 🐣 Early-ish Bird tickets (80% off General Admission) to Micromobility Europe are on sale for 1 more week. Grab yours asap.
• 🏆 Congrats once more to all the amazing winners and finalists in the Rider’s Choice Awards. It’s time to celebrate your incredible achievement. Download a badge here to embed on your website and let the world know how you ranked in your category.

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by… Mavenoid

Mavenoid is the scalable support solution for micromobility companies, used by VOI, Superpedestrian, and many others. With self-service and live support in one, you’re always ready to help your customers—from setup, to troubleshooting, to end-ride and refund requests.

Sign up now to claim your winter micromobility discount.

What You Need to Know Today

Ever dreamed of shredding fresh mountain powder on a bike? The torquey, tilty Moonbike snowmobile is about as close as it gets.

Think you’ve got it bad when your battery dies halfway home from work? This Japanese backpacker is traveling 1,865 miles across Australia, south to north, on an analog kickscooter.

Honda is trying to appeal to Gen Z’ers in China by putting out eBike versions of some of its most iconic mopeds and motorbikes, including the Super Cub, Dax, and very appropriately, the Zoomer.

U.K.-based Zinc has a new tiny folding two-wheeler that combines the practicality and ease of a scooter (throttle-based acceleration, approachable $600 price tag) with the comfort and stability of a bike (upright seating position, 14-inch wheels).

Movs, a Swedish bike subscription service, is out with two new stylish commuter models.

Land Moto, an Ohio-based electric motorcycle maker, has put a more rugged spin on its signature cafe-racer with the District Scrambler.

Los Angeles’s XOTO teased a video of its new three-wheeled scooter that showcases its patented self-stabilizing technology.

Giant is updating the Explorer E+ commuter bike with two larger battery options, 625Wh or 800Wh, for extra range.

A Japanese startup that makes a $555,000 hover bike may have flown too close to the sun after its stock crashed 59% post-SPAC.

The next best thing to a hover bike would be this theme park in China, where intrepid visitors can ride a bike that is suspended on ropes off a cliff 1,000 feet in the air.

Hop Electric Mobility debuted a new motorcycle in India that proves sustainability can be fast (top speed of 55 mph), fun (smart display and app), and functional (battery charges from 0-80% in 4 hours)

Magicycle’s new mountain bike is its most premium yet. The $2,699 Magicycle Deer packs fat tires, full suspension, and a powerful 750W motor capable of hitting 28 mph in a hefty 92.3lb body.

This DIY kit allows you to recreate one of the tiniest microcars ever built, the 1960s-era Peel P50, with your choice of gas or electric motor.

Blaupunkt, a 99-year-old German electronics brand that is probably best known for its car stereos, is entering the U.S. electric mobility game with a Class 1 folding bike.

The launch of the S2 Del Mar, the second outing from Harley Davidson’s EV imprint LiveWire, is being pushed until the second half of 2023 due to production delays. When the $16,999 Del Mar does arrive, LiveWire hopes it will create inroads with younger, urban customers who were impressed by the stellar performance of LiveWire One but unable to afford the selling price ($22,700).

PS Thank you to everyone who tuned into our new web series, Ride On! Tune in every week as we recap and discuss the most important news in the world of small EVs. We’re giving away prizes to insightful commenters, so please leave feedback and share with your friends.

Guides

3️⃣ The Best Electric Trikes for Extra Stability and Comfort: The boom of eBikes has redefined mobility for many, but not all riders are able to or comfortable with riding a two-wheeler. Fortunately, a whole new crop of electric trikes offers extra stability and power assistance for older riders or people with limited physical capabilities.

⛑ Great Kids’ Helmets with MIPS in 2023: As parents, we all want the best for our children, especially when it comes to their safety. That’s why we've put together a list of great kids’ helmets with MIPS technology, so you can have peace of mind while your child is out exploring on their bike.

📣 The Best eBike Horns and Bells: Make your presence on the road unmistakable to drivers—and avoid any mishaps that might otherwise occur—with these high-volume horns and bells for electric bikes.

Reviews

The Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance is among the best values if you’re looking for a high-quality, mid-drive, multi-purpose electric bike on the market without breaking the bank. While other electric bikes within the same price range may offer e-MTB functionality, the Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance boasts the Bosch Performance Line Cruise – one of the better motors for electric bikes.

The Fiido Q1 is a non-intimidating and ergonomic ride with a familiar feel. Add to this excellent build quality, grippy tires, a decently powerful motor, advanced disk brakes, and innovative features like charging and short-circuit protection, and you have the recipe for a perfect vehicle for day-to-day use.

With its powerful and reliable 650W motor, the Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 is the perfect choice for riders who need a scooter with plenty of power on tap. Its streamlined design makes it easy to maneuver, even in more congested settings, while still delivering impressive speed and acceleration.

‍

Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram | Blog | Podcast

‍