Energy and vary, however in a small measurement!

When it involves electrical bikes, the JackRabbit OG2 Pro barely qualifies as one – and that’s sort of the purpose. With no pedals, a seat barely increased than your hip, and a wheelbase shorter than some skateboards, that is much less a standard e-bike and extra a bite-sized private transporter that appears like a cross between a folding bike and an electrical scooter.

But after using it round for the previous few months, I can confidently say: it’s an absolute blast. It’s extra highly effective than it seems to be, it’s simpler to move than you’d count on, and it’s merely extra enjoyable than you’ll be able to think about. It’s the small-format whip that I want had existed years in the past.

After its unveiling earlier this 12 months and rapidly discovering favor within the eyes of Jackrabbit’s surprisingly giant fanbase (affectionately self-referred to as “Jacko’s”), that is one experience you’ll need to give a re-examination.

Check out my video overview for a quick and enjoyable take a look at what it’s like to truly experience this small powerhouse. Then hold studying for my full ideas on this enjoyable runabout!

Advertisement – scroll for extra content material

Tiny body, enormous grin issue

The OG2 Pro takes the quirky attraction of the unique JackRabbit fashions and pushes it additional. It’s sufficiently small to slot in a closet or the trunk of a sedan, but highly effective sufficient to make brief city journeys legitimately enjoyable. The 500-watt rear hub motor and 36-volt battery don’t sound overly highly effective on paper, however on such a light-weight body (simply 32 kilos!), the torque hits immediately. It jumps off the road sooner than most 750-watt fat-tire bikes I’ve examined. The brief wheelbase additionally signifies that if you wish to be aggressive with the throttle, you’ll be able to actually really feel the factor desirous to buck. It’s not going to throw you off or wheelie (except you need to), but it surely does provide you with a way that it’s not as timid because it seems to be.

The prime velocity is proscribed to about 20 mph or 32 km/h (except you unlock the 24 mph Off-Road Mode, which requires being 18 years of age or older and signing a waiver on JackRabbit’s web site). But even inventory, the 20 mph velocity feels sooner if you’re this low to the bottom. It cruises effortlessly by way of neighborhoods, parking heaps, and bike lanes, and feels very agile whereas doing it.

The dealing with is nimble, the turning radius is absurdly tight, and it simply appears like a bizarre hybrid of a motorcycle and a scooter. I do know it’s a seated affair, however the truth that you’ll be able to simply put your ft down and rise up at any level makes it really feel as free as a kickscooter the place you don’t have to fret about pedals getting in the best way when transitioning from using and strolling or navigating round bizarre obstacles on foot.

Basically, it feels enjoyable and agile, and it merely places an enormous smile in your face due to how distinctive it feels.

Surprisingly sensible for its measurement

Despite its toy-like look, the OG2 Pro is surprisingly succesful for day by day use. The detachable RangeBuster battery provides you 24 miles (38 km) of vary – not precisely cross-country materials, however greater than sufficient for errands, brief commutes, or campus hops. And for the reason that batteries are bodily fairly small, it’s straightforward to simply chuck a spare one in your backpack – or perhaps a fanny pack, for those who’re so inclined.

I discovered myself utilizing it continually for brief journeys – bagel runs, grocery pickups, or cruising the seashore paths. You can choose it up with one hand to hold it inside or stash it behind a sofa due to the sideways folding handlebars and folding foot pegs. That makes it lower than 7″ huge (17 cm). Unlike folding bikes that also take up actual area, the JackRabbit OG2 Pro simply sort of disappears if you’re not utilizing it. That makes it excellent for RV house owners, condominium dwellers, or anybody with restricted storage.

And sure, it truly is moveable. With the handlebars folded flat and the foot pegs tucked in, you’ll be able to carry it proper up towards your physique and it feels surprisingly good – not such as you’re carrying a clumsy folding e-bike that is still fairly distant out of your physique, making it really feel bulkier. I’ve taken the JackRabbit OG2 Pro on elevators, tossed it in a automotive trunk, and even loaded it’s larger brother (the JackRabbit XG Pro) onto a kayak.

What it’s finest at: Fun and freedom

At its core, the JackRabbit OG2 Pro is a pure enjoyable machine. There’s one thing liberating about not needing to pedal, shift gears, or handle settings. You twist the throttle and go – like a carefree summer season toy, however for adults. It’s straightforward for freshmen to experience, but it doesn’t really feel dumbed down.

That simplicity is strictly why it’s so addictive. I discovered myself grabbing it over my “real” e-bikes extra usually than anticipated. It’s the one I’d take once I simply need one thing small and simple to experience round and smile, not take into consideration vary, cadence sensors, or pedal help modes.

It’s simply straightforward. “Easy” is maybe the very best phrase to explain it. It’s straightforward to make use of. It’s straightforward to hold. It’s straightforward to retailer. It provides you actual, bike-like, steady transportation, however in a 30-ish lb package deal.

The downsides

Of course, the OG2 Pro isn’t excellent. The lack of pedals means it’s not preferrred for those who ever run out of battery – although the light-weight body makes it straightforward sufficient to push. And it is best to by no means actually run out of battery as a result of… simply cost the factor if you’re completed with it. If you’re going greater than 20 miles then this isn’t the experience for you, anyway. Just cost the battery and also you’ll by no means have vary anxiousness.

The brief wheelbase and lack of suspension make it twitchier and bumpier on tough pavement, so this isn’t a motorcycle you’ll need to bomb down gravel paths or soar curbs with.

And lastly, at $1,649, it’s not precisely low-cost for such a small package deal. In truth, it’s downright dear. You’re paying for intelligent engineering and comfort fairly than uncooked energy or vary – and in equity, there’s not a lot else prefer it available on the market. But for those who’re a kind of annoying individuals who solely take a look at watts per greenback, then this isn’t for you. Instead, you can purchase a hair dryer. At round $50 for a 1,500W blow dryer, you simply can’t beat that watt-per-dollar deal.

Final ideas

The JackRabbit OG2 Pro won’t completely substitute your most important e-bike, particularly if train is a part of your purpose. But it might simply turn out to be your favourite one for those who’re simply in search of a handy and enjoyable strategy to get round. It’s that uncommon product that nails the “grab-and-go” way of life – sufficiently small to stay indoors, gentle sufficient to hold wherever, and enjoyable sufficient to make each brief journey an journey.

It’s not the quickest, probably the most comfy, or probably the most succesful e-bike on the market. But it’s probably the most joyful. And in a market filled with outsized fat-tire behemoths that actually weigh 3x as a lot, this tiny electrical oddball is a refreshing reminder that generally much less actually is extra.