SONDORS Returns? Shimano’s new autoshift system, an e-cargo conversion product | TWR Ep 34

After filing for bankruptcy in 2023 and entering receivership, SONDORS’ founder, Storm Sondors, purchased the company back. Now, the well-known e-bike and e-motorcycle brand is offering a new e-bike called the Meta AT for preorder through an Indiegogo campaign.

SONDORS became a household name after expanding into big-box stores such as Costco. Despite having reach and iconic branding, the company’s closure followed a series of questionable business decisions.

In addition to absorbing costs from Costco’s nearly limitless return policy, it developed a track record of releasing products that did not meet their advertised specifications and performance, and it ultimately failed to fulfill all orders of its last model, called the Metacycle.

Still, the company gained a dedicated fan base among the power-hungry e-motorcycle crowd (think Sur Ron, Talaria, etc.). The brand’s new release, with a 4000W (peak) motor and a top speed of 50 mph, should also satisfy adrenaline junkies.

The bike, which can be preordered for $2,299, includes a 2500 Wh battery and an estimated range of up to 60 miles. It also features a full suspension and knobby dirt bike tires. A street kit, including mirrors and lights, can also be purchased to equip the Meta AT for riding on-road.

SONDORS’ founder made a bold statement regarding the new bike, saying, “I created this category. Before SONDORS, there was no mass market for electric bikes – now there is. I’ve shipped hundreds of thousands of units. I’ve built the factories, the tooling, the supply chains. This isn’t a side hustle or a new idea. This is what I do. And the Meta AT is the best machine I’ve ever built. You can question the industry. You can question the hype. But don’t question whether I deliver. I always have.”

Our Take:
The brand clearly had a strong following, though the circumstances surrounding its closure surely left a bad taste in the mouths of some of its customers.

Considering that hundreds of backers were left out in the cold without their orders when the company closed, we hope the brand will take the appropriate steps to rectify that situation before committing to a new product line.

Additionally, electric motorcycles like the Meta AT have caused confusion for legislators. If the brand can deliver good products to its customers while existing in a category separate from e-bikes, we’re all for it. But considering the company’s history, there could be some red flags for both the industry and SONDORS’ backers.

Shimano’s new Q’Auto automatic shifting system, which is designed to work with its CUES drivetrain, is built around a rear wheel hub that includes a dynamo, a self-charging lithium-ion capacitor, and a trio of sensors (speed, cadence, and gradient sensors). The capacitor can hold a charge for up to one year!

For those not familiar with the CUES line, it was designed to replace four of Shimano’s previous entry-level drivetrain tiers, including the Altus, Acera, Alivio, and Deore models.

The Q’Auto system utilizes over 6,500 algorithms to make shifting decisions, responding to how you pedal, your speed, and whether you’re pedaling on a hill. It’s intended for “urban, trekking, and gravel” analog bikes, but its compatibility with battery-powered Di2 shifters may allow it to find other applications.

Riders can use manual shifters to override the automatic gear selection, and when doing so, the Q’Auto is purported to learn from these inputs to adapt its automatic shifting to your style and behaviors.

Additionally, it is compatible with Shimano’s E-TUBE app, where users can switch between automatic and manual shifting modes and fine-tune the system’s functionality.

Our Take:
Considering that the vast majority of the e-bikes we’ve reviewed have been equipped with drivetrain models replaced by the CUES line, there is significant potential for us to see the Q’Auto system paired with e-bikes (specifically those with mid-drives).

We’re intrigued by everything this system has to offer, and we’re perhaps most curious to see how its learning algorithms translate to real-world performance. We look forward to testing the Q’Auto in the future!

British startup Micro Mobility Labs is set to debut the Convoy electric cargo trailer at this month’s Eurobike show.

The trailer, which houses a battery, a 250W motor, and a single wheel, attaches to any bike’s rear axle with no tools required. It uses a fork-mounted sensor to detect changes in direction and a motorized self-steering system to stay in line with the bike’s rear wheel when riding.

When triggered by a torque sensor mounted to the bike’s crankset, the Convoy’s motor can provide pedal assistance up to 256 km/h (16 mph). Micro Mobility Labs has not yet shared the trailer’s battery capacity, but the company advertises a range of up to 30 km (19 miles).

We’re also not certain about its weight capacity, but it offers side storage compartments and an integrated cargo rack that can be equipped with panniers and up to two child seats. It can also be pushed separately like a stroller, with or without motor assistance, and like a Tern e-bike, can be stored upright to reduce its footprint. The Convoy is also compatible with a mobile app for ride data monitoring and the adjustment of power levels.

Micro Mobility Labs is accepting pre-orders with a €100 (about $114 at the time of writing) deposit, though the Convoy’s final cost will be €2,200 (around $2500).

Our Take:This is a unique product with plenty of appeal for the European market, though we think it may find a fan base in parts of the US as well (we’re not yet certain if the company will ship to the States). The fact that it can attach to any bike and be used separately from a bike makes it highly practical and utilitarian.