Electrek.co

JackRabbit review: This odd-looking 20 mph ‘micro electric bike’ is just funny enough to work great

by Micah Toll

The JackRabbit is unique in a number of ways, from its electric bike-shaped design to its stubby proportions and even its surprisingly lightweight build.

Now on a second version and thus technically known as the JackRabbit 2.0, this bright and eye-catching little electric scooter surprised me with just how much fun (and how effective) it is to use.

JackRabbit 2.0 Tech Specs Motor: 300W geared rear hub motor Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) Range: 20 km (12 mi) Battery: 158 Wh Max load: 109 kg (240 lb.) Bike weight: 10.5 kg (23 lb.)

JackRabbit 2.0 Tech Specs (cont'd) Brakes: Rear mechanical disc brake Tires: 20″ x 1.95″ front, 20″ x 2.5″ rear Price: $1,199 Extras: Thumb throttle, semi-foldable handlebars, foldout foot pegs, bell, LED dot battery meter, optional fenders, and rear basket

Everywhere I go on the JackRabbit, the smiles invariably follow me. They come from curious onlookers as I whizz by, and half the time they come from me too as I’m reminded of how funny this thing must look under me.

In back is a 300W continuous-rated hub motor that gets me up to speed quite quickly for its small size. That’s sufficient for flat land cruising and can get the job done on small hills, though I wouldn’t hold out hope for climbing any major hills.

The disc brake is only on the rear wheel, and that seems like a sensible decision. With such a short wheelbase, front-wheel braking could be a recipe for disaster in an over-the-handlebars kind of way.