We acquired to experience a pre-production mannequin of a hanging new e-bike/e-moped, the Owlet One, with a number of energy in a small package deal.
We first met Owlet at Electrify Expo in Lengthy Seaside, CA, the place we solely had a pair minutes on its bike. However because the firm is headquartered close by in Los Angeles, they emailed us asking if we’d like an extended take a look at experience, and delivered a motorbike to us for to spend a number of hours on this time.
Simply to set the stage for this experience: Owlet is a brand new model, making ready to ship its first bike. So to begin off, we rode a prototype, not the completed model. This implies it could include completely different options, and we’re not fully positive when it should ship, both.
The very first thing to note concerning the Owlet One is its design, which definitely stands out instantly. The bike is made from aviation-grade aluminum, although remains to be fairly hefty, tipping the scales at 84 lbs (however it felt even heavier in our palms).
On high of Owlet’s hanging design, the bike can also be considerably of a novel form and measurement. Regardless of providing a format that appears much like an e-bike at first look, it rides extra like a small moped. This really places its 84lb weight into a special perspective – somewhat than being heavy for a motorbike, it may be considered mild for a moped.
However pictures can’t encapsulate every thing concerning the design of the Owlet, as a result of it has one completely distinctive function: an adjustable wheelbase.
This may be carried out by one particular person in below a minute, although requires a socket wrench and a small quantity of elbow grease.
In apply, I discovered that the adjustable wheelbase most likely received’t come up a lot for driving functions. The longest wheelbase (or near it) was probably the most comfy and steady to me, and shorter wheelbases have been a bit extra of a novelty, particularly on this highly effective bike which might get somewhat squirrelly on the shorter settings.
One other problem is that it adjustments the angle of the kickstand, which implies you possibly can’t actually use the kickstand exterior of a slim wheelbase vary. The ultimate bike will supposedly have a special kickstand design, however this may seemingly be a difficulty no matter the way it’s redesigned.
Nevertheless it was good for making the bike sufficiently small to suit into locations you won’t usually have the ability to match a moped-style bike. Between its slim handlebars and shrunk all the way down to its smallest 44-inch-long setting, it match into the again of each a Tesla Mannequin Y and an Audi A3 wagon (each with seats down), however not fairly right into a Mannequin 3 – which I’ve match a number of normal-sized bikes into the again of, although with the entrance wheel eliminated. Although its hefty weight does imply it may be awkward to carry the bike in there within the first place.
And it’s acquired extra energy than you’d anticipate out of most e-bikes too. With a 750W motor (3000W peak), there’s loads of rise up and go, and many to maintain you going at the same time as you attain nearer to its 30mph high pace. This high pace might be lowered by way of the bike’s pc, to suit your native rules.
Talking of rules, the bike is formally categorized as a motorized scooter, somewhat than an precise e-bike, because it doesn’t have pedals. It’s in an analogous class to electrical kick scooters, so it’s essential have any class of driver’s license to experience it, although it may be used both on or off public roads (however test your space’s rules for sidewalk use, helmet necessities, and so forth).
The throttle we examined was a thumb throttle, although we’d have most popular a twist throttle. The thumb throttle is simply too twitchy, and on a motorbike with such peaky acceleration, it might get jumpy. This was very true with shorter wheelbase settings. Owlet says there will likely be an choice for a twist throttle when the bike ships, however we’d additionally wish to see the software program average acceleration on the very low finish even with the thumb throttle.
And the bike is totally throttle-driven – there are not any pedals, solely pegs. Owlet plans to supply an choice for pegs connected to the entrance to permit a special, extra laid-back seating place.
I examined the bike with a number of equipment I had laying round, however due to the Owlet’s distinctive design, not all of them would match (the handlebar cupholder seen in a few of my pictures doesn’t include the bike, for instance, which has no bottle cage mount). You’ll most likely desire a backpack in case you’re planning to hold issues on this bike, somewhat than saddlebags or the like.
Owlet says the bike’s 1500Wh battery (made with 2170-format cells) can take you round 40-60 miles, and comes with a 350W charger for a ~5 hour cost. Based mostly on our take a look at experience, we expect this vary is cheap or even perhaps conservative – however I’m additionally a fairly light-weight rider at 155lbs, and all the time keep in mind that e-bike ranges differ broadly relying on terrain and rider.
The seat has a really cool look to it and is comfy to sit down on, partially as a consequence of built-in seat suspension. The entrance fork additionally has 3.5 inches of suspension journey. I’d have appreciated for each suspensions to be somewhat looser, however that’s once more seemingly as a consequence of my comparatively mild weight.
All of this comes with a caveat: we rode a prototype right here, not a closing bike. So the bike was lacking some closing options, some options weren’t working (just like the headlight), and so forth. Owlet says that particularly the LCD and foot stands will likely be modified, however we think about different tweaks are attainable (we hope one of many LCD adjustments makes it simpler to learn with polarized sun shades – it was a bit powerful, which is true of many, however not all, bike pc screens).
Owlet additionally has plans for a future bike, the Owlet 2, which is extra solidly within the moped class, with a much less wild design and better vary and high pace. Owlet shared an early prototype reality sheet with us, however given the One is already a little bit of a methods out from supply, don’t maintain your breath for the two but.
Briefly, the Owlet is a enjoyable, quirky experience with a really design-forward ethos. If you happen to’re searching for a motorbike that doesn’t seem like every other, it may very well be value trying into. Although it’s undoubtedly on the unorthodox aspect and it’s important to be keen to simply accept its eccentricities when in comparison with extra standard two-wheeled units.
The corporate is taking $50 refundable deposits for its bike, which it has stated it desires to ship round March – however it additionally says that it’s ready for a minimal batch amount of preorders first, and that shipments would take 3-6 months after that, so we think about March may very well be optimistic. If you wish to get in line, you possibly can reserve one right here.
The bike will value $3,995, although early reservers can get it for $2,995, together with an engraved serial quantity and a 1 yr guarantee/service package deal. Owlet desires to have service places round LA and presumably one in New York, to start with. It’s going to distribute the bikes by transport them on to clients.
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