The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the two-wheel industry in terms of sales that until now had not been seen in any situation. Yes, two-wheeled vehicles – such as electric bicycles and electric scooters – have been proposed as a great alternative to public transport, as they are affordable means of transport. This situation has generated the birth of a large number of brands and models that seek to gain a foothold in the sector.
Among the most recent alternatives is Equal bike, created by the Finnish startup Urban Cycles Oy. The company’s objective has been to achieve a model that offers a premium design and qualities but at a price that is reasonable for many of the users who move mainly through large cities on a daily basis.
Equal bike is an elegant model, with clean lines and whose appearance may seem at first glance that we are dealing with a conventional and non-electric bicycle. Designed for city streets, the bike integrates a rear hub motor capable of generating a power of 250 W and a maximum torque of 40 Nm. Its appearance goes quite unnoticed, almost as much as the removable 225 Wh lithium-ion battery, hidden in the top tube. It includes a torque sensor in charge of adjusting the electrical force that is offered at each moment according to the effort detected by the cyclist.
The removable battery is secured inside the frame by an integrated locking mechanism. It provides a range of 50 km (a little over 30 miles) while the maximum electric speed is 25 km/h (15.5 mph). For a full recharge, the battery needs to be connected for 3.5 hours to the network.
The bike frame is made of gray aluminum alloy, and its design is kept to a minimum. In fact, this eminently minimalist design has led the manufacturer not to include a built-in or handlebar-mounted display to check the bike’s parameters. The iOS/Android mobile app can be used as a dashboard, showing things like the battery charge level, the distance traveled, or the average speed, among others.
Lightness has been one of the priorities when developing the Equal, and, thanks to this, a truly ambitious weight of 14.7 kg has been achieved. This not only reduces energy consumption but also makes things easier when we have to lift the bike.
The price of the Equal is only €1490, and preorders with a €100 deposit are already accepted, although the first deliveries will not take place until summer 2021.
“There are many brands that make or try to make premium e-bikes. You can also find cheap options, mostly flooded by rebranded ODM bikes. Both segments are highly saturated, but there’s a huge gap in between,” says Andriy Sytnyk, the company co-founder & CEO. “At Equal, we want to bring an elegant design and advanced tech to a modern-day commuter. Our bike looks beautiful, it rides like a dream, and comes fully equipped for safe urban trips. With a €1490 starting price, we want people to stop comparing the cost of a decent e-bike and a used car.“
