E-Bike News: Cube’s New Longtail, Rad Power UL Certification & Lots More!
Sep 14, 2023
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You might assume that UL safety certification (and most critically UL 2271 for lithium batteries) was something that was limited to the highest quality e-bikes being that (as our recent article explains), it is a voluntary standard. However, Rad Power Bikes – probably the biggest e-bike company in the US aiming at the ‘value’ end of the market – has now said it will roll out not just the UL2271 standard for all its batteries but also UL2849 that certifies the electrical safety of the whole electric drive system. This has to be good news for e-bike safety, as where Rad Power goes many others follow. New York City’s move to ban the sale of non-UL rated e-bikes may well have played a part and it will be interesting to see if any other jurisdictions follow their lead. With Rad Power on board, buying an affordable UL-certified e-bike just became a whole lot easier.
In this week’s e-bike news:
- Cube Longtail – a high quality, highly capable e-cargo bike
- Greenworks move from powertools to e-bikes
- Rad Power Bikes to introduce UL certification across entire range
- Freeway offering Stromer subscription in the Bay Area
- Ride1Up Roadster V2 gets a throttle
- UK-compliant CYC Photon conversion kit now on sale
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Cube go Longtail
German manufacturer Cube is known for offering high quality e-bikes (they use only Bosch mid-drives on their e-bikes) but at very competitive prices.
They had just announced their Longtail Hybrid model which incorporates an extra-long rear rack with optional accessories also available for transporting children, luggage or cargo. Cube says you can transport, “up to two children, a 40 x 60cm Eurobox or generously sized panniers on the sturdy luggage carrier with suspension technology.” Total load rating is 200kg / 440lbs.
It’s a one size fits all frame and Cube have incorporated an adjustable Speelifter stem and telescopic seatpost. Also in line with making it easily rideable by as many people as possible it has a low step over height.
It features a very powerful Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive and a 750Wh battery. There are two variants based on different gearing – the Longtail Hybrid gets stepless Enviolo gearing whilst the Longtail Hybrid Sport has ten derailleur gears. Weights for the respective models are quoted as 78lbs / 35.4kg and 74.7lbs / 33.9kg. UK prices are £3,999 and £3,499 respectively but with no word on US availability or prices as yet.
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Greenworks Announces New E-bikes and New Light Electric Vehicles
Insideevs reports on a new range of light electric vehicles from North Carolina-based powertool specialist Greenworks.
There are details of several new e-bikes – due out 2024 – in amongst a press release that also outlines a ‘Two-Seat Electric Stealth Series Go-Kart’, a ‘ Electric Stealth Series Mini-bike’, an Electric Utility Task Vehicle and an e-scooter.
EBR readers may well be more interested in the Greenworks 80-Volt 20-inch Fat Tire Utility Electric Bike that comes with full-suspension, a brushless rear hub motor (top speed 20mph), 320Wh battery pack and 7-peed derailleur gear.
Insideevs adds ‘Greenworks also introduced two additional electric bicycles, one with a fat tire adventure design and the other tailored for commuters. These bikes share the characteristic of having front suspension, and their specifications closely align with the full suspension fat tire utility e-bike.’
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Rad Power Announces UL Compliance for Entire Range
Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) informs us that ‘Rad Power Bikes announced Tuesday that all of its e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries will meet UL certification going forward.’
According to Rad Power Bikes, in the future all of the company’s e-bikes will be compliant with UL 2849 and all of the company’s lithium-ion batteries will be compliant with UL 2271. Electric Bike Report has recently looked at the distinction between these two standards in detail.
BRAIN quotes a Rad Power Bikes spokesperson as saying the announcement “formalizes UL compliance of both standards across Rad’s current and future fleet via a UL-approved third-party lab…..As an industry leader with a community of over 600,000 riders, Rad is proud to move the industry forward by supporting more robust regulations and guidelines like UL that prioritize rider safety.”
It’s also good to see progress is being made with dealing with the potential problem of end-of-life e-bike batteries, with BRAIN also reporting ‘The industry’s e-bike battery recycling program has collected and recycled more than 43,000 pounds of batteries since the program began in November 2021.
Led by Call2Recycle and endorsed by PeopleForBikes, the program has more than 1,900 retailers participating after completing training to become a certified collection sites. Fifty-four e-bike manufacturers fund the program.
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Friiway Offer Stromer E-bike Subscription in Bay Area
Friiway are to offer ‘premium e-bike subscriptions around California’s San Francisco Bay Area’ via their partnership with speed pedelec pioneer, Switzerland’s Stromer.
Founded in 2023, Friiway claims it is ‘the first service in the U.S. to offer subscriptions of premium e-bikes, like Stromer’s ST2 Pinion, and do this through partnerships with local retailers.’
The bikes are available on a month-to-month basis without the committing upfront cost of
purchase. Moreover, insurance and maintenance are built in. Every Friiway bike is covered
for theft and damage, and if you need repairs or a tune up, your local Friiway retailer will
take care of it. To future proof your experience, you can apply 15 percent of subscription to a
bike purchase at your local Friiway retailer.
Friiway has partnered with The New Wheel as the brick-and-mortar customer service hub.
The New Wheel is an award-winning retailer serving the Bay Area e-bike community for
over ten years, with three locations: San Francisco, Oakland, and Marin.
On offer will be the remarkable Stromer ST2 Pinion, with a 6-speed gearbox from Pinion, Gates Carbon Belt Drive, and individually adjustable stem. Freeway are also offering the premium quality Riese & Muller Multitinker. The bikes are priced from $229 and $259 per month respectively.
Ride1Up Roadster V2 Gets a Throttle
Gizmchina reports how one of Ride1Up’s best value models now has the option of a throttle:
‘Originally priced at $1,095 and known for its stripped-down, commuter-friendly design, the Roadster V2 now has a Gravel Edition with added features, pegging it at $1,345. While that’s a few hundred dollars more than its base version, the Gravel Edition still qualifies as one of the most affordable Gates-driven e-bikes on the market. The addition of the thumb throttle ups the convenience for urban commuters, allowing them to navigate city streets with ease.’
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CYC Photon Conversion Kit now has UK-compliant Version
The UK’s ebiketips reports on the lightweight yet powerful mid-drive Photon conversion kit from Hong Kong’s CYC;
‘Whilst the initial version was clearly aimed at the US market (with a 750W motor rating) the company have just made a 250W, 15.5mph, UK-legal version available through Electric Bike Conversions.‘
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