Detroit Bike introduces its first e-bike, the $900 E-Sparrow

[e-boy]

Detroit Bike introduces its first e-bike, the $900 E-Sparrow

DETROIT (BRAIN) — Detroit Bikes is releasing a new e-bike called the E-Sparrow, a $900 commuter based on its popular Sparrow model. The company's first e-bike, the E-Sparrow features a 36V/250W Bafang rear hub motor.

www.bicycleretailer.com

 

[e-boy]

I think that's a tough sell especially when Rad Power just introduced the Rad Mission for $999.

This bike comes with 250W motor, 36V, 280Wh battery.

Rad Mission comes with 500W motor, 48V, 504Wh battery.

“... We've sold everything we have." said Zakary Pashak, the founder and owner of Detroit Bikes.

 

[Dewey]

I think that's a tough sell especially when Rad Power just introduced the Rad Mission for $999.

This bike comes with 250W motor, 36V, 280Wh battery.

Rad Mission comes with 500W motor, 48V, 504Wh battery.

The RadMission weighs nearly 48lb, the Detroit Sparrow pedal bike model on which the e-sparrow is based weighs just 22lb, adding a small 36v battery and 250w hub motor should keep this single speed under 35lb.

 

[rich c]

I can’t see, is that a single speed? Why do these companies think you don’t need to shift while commuting? I don’t commute, but I do want to haul ass across an intersection

 

[harryS]

My wife learned to drive, as did I, on a three speed column shift car, but when she discovered automatic transmissions, she never looked back, except once. We were in the Poconos in my 5 speed mazda when I got some weird dizzy spells, and she had to drive to the hotel on hilly two lane roads. Not happy. That sets up my comment.

My wife rides her bikes in whatever gear they were left in. She will not use the shifter unless I happened to ride her bike and left it in a low gear. I believe she would be quite happy with a one speed.

 

[FlatSix911]

“... We've sold everything we have." said Zakary Pashak, the founder and owner of Detroit Bikes.

Given the current environment, you can sell almost anything with 2 wheels.

 

[Alex M]

Given the current environment, you can sell almost anything with 2 wheels.

I was about to say this too.
Many buyers don't do any research, they didn't even before the epidemic - no time, or can't understand the details. Many are unaware of RAD bikes, they just saw this Detroit and clicked "order".

I don't think that the analogy with a manual transmission car is a good one - car still has 5 speeds. If bike with a shifter is too complicated, you might want to consider an IGH - this would be an equivalent of auto transmission in a car. Very few people deliberately choose to buy a single speed ebike when they are well informed and have a choice.

 

[Dewey]

If bike with a shifter is too complicated, you might want to consider an IGH - this would be an equivalent of auto transmission in a car.

There are a small number of true automatic gear shifting systems for ebikes: Enviolo (stepless automatic for CVP IGH), and Shimano (Di2 for derailleur). Also some automatic pedal assist power/cadence correcting systems: Auto-mode on the Giant SyncDrive Life motor.

 

[MechaNut]

Honestly with the pedal assistance on an e-bike, unless you live in an area with lots of hills, a single speed is plenty. The only time I bother shifting my e-bikes is to go over a hill. Single speed e-bikes are perfect urban commuters for most cities I'd imagine.

 

[rich c]

Honestly with the pedal assistance on an e-bike, unless you live in an area with lots of hills, a single speed is plenty. The only time I bother shifting my e-bikes is to go over a hill. Single speed e-bikes are perfect urban commuters for most cities I'd imagine.

I had a single speed, I hated it. I was always out of the saddle to get going and maintain speed up hills.

 

[Alex M]

Single speed with 250W motor gravitates towards flatt-er terrain and light-er riders.
Also, commuters often want a fast acceleration on intersections.
Could've been a cheap leisure bike for flatter areas like Florida, though it is not clear how wide the tires are - I would want at least 2.3" for this.

 

[Ken M]

I can’t see, is that a single speed? Why do these companies think you don’t need to shift while commuting? I don’t commute, but I do want to haul ass across an intersection

I think with the right amount of power you don't need gears because optimizing the human input becomes less important. The simplicity of a single speed ebike is compelling from a reliability aspect as well. Don't always drink the marketing koolaid that gears are needed to be a great ebike for urban mobility.