Tokyo (SCCIJ) – The Swiss start-up “United City Bikes” has collected over 3.5 million US dollars with a crowdfunding campaign for its ultra-light foldable e-bike named “The One”. The Zurich-based young enterprise originally aimed for only 50,000 US dollars to finance its product. This target was reached within a few minutes. The platform Indiegogo called the campaign the “world’s most successful for an e-mobility product”.
Big crowdfunding success for the Swiss start-up “United City Bikes” with this ultra-light e-bike (© United City Bikes).
Minimum weight
United City Bikes called its product the “now more than ever the best alternative to public transport during the Corona crisis” because it would avoid close contact with other people. The space-saving design of the smart e-bike aims at travel and outdoor enthusiasts, campers, boat and yacht owners, and aviation fans with a weight of only 12.5 kg.
The bike in its US version is equipped with a unique EC-motor, which enables rides of up to 52 km with only one charge due to an excellent energy conversion rate of 95%. The EU version of the e-bike has a top speed of 25 km/h with an exclusive auxiliary engine operation. For rapid braking, the e-bike is equipped with disc brakes.
Fast folding
As the world’s first e-bike made of a high-end magnesium alloy, the frame combines state-of-the-art design and material technology to have a width of just 25 cm when folded (25 × 64 × 76.5 cm). This unique selling point is made possible by a patented magnetic device, through which the two wheels of the e-bike lie seamlessly against each other. This design reduces the folding and unfolding time to 10 seconds.
The slim appearance results from the full integration of the gearbox and battery into the frame and seat post. The patented frame construction weighs 35% less than other premium aluminum frames on the market, the start-up says, but could still take a maximum load capacity of 120 kg. Also, the custom-built, 250W high-speed hub motor weighs 65% of a conventional motor, at only 2 kg.
Pre-orders fulfilled
The bike with more than 20 patents was developed together with a production facility in China. The unexpectedly high demand for this product caused logistical problems, aggravated by the effects of lockdowns against the pandemic. But by the end of April, 95% of pre-orders were finally fulfilled.
“It’s been a rocky road getting here. Success got to us and for a long time we had great difficulty in coping with the enormous logistical effort,” said Dirk Kochhan, founder and CEO of United City Bikes. “In addition to the reliable delivery of all pre-orders, the collected capital enables us to work on the development of further innovative and affordable city bikes and e-mobility solutions”.
The foldable e-bike can still be pre-ordered on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo until June 30, 2020 at a special price starting at about 900 Euro plus delivery costs, customs charges, and taxes depending on the destination country. The expected sales price from July 2020 will be about 2,000 euros.
Text: Martin Fritz for SCCIJ
