The Jackrabbit is content to be a specialised product and is very distinct from many of the top electric bikes. Because of this, it does have specific restrictions that only apply to particular kinds of riders. To find out if Jackrabbit meets your demands, continue reading our review.
The pedals are missing. A crucial component of virtually every bike on the market is notably absent from the Jackrabbit electric bike. The Jackrabbit e-bike has foot pegs in place of pedals so you can rest your feet while you operate the motor only with the throttle.
JackRabbit stands out in a world when other e-bikes are attempting to fit in. In fact, it’s so distinctive that you’ll either adore it or at the very least find it intriguing. It is intended for people looking for a scooter rather than an electric road bike because it is a pedal-free e-bike. The JackRabbit is approximately as portable as a scooter but can handle more than just paved sidewalk. This all goes to say that the JackRabbit bike is an intriguing idea, but don’t be fooled by its peculiar appearance.
| MOTOR | 300 Watt rear hub brushless electric motor |
| BATTERY | Li-Ion 36V 4.2Ah 151.2Wh |
| POWER | Single on/off button operated on throttle |
| THROTTLE | Thumb-activated variable speed control |
| BATTERY LEVEL | 3 LED power level on throttle |
| BATTERY ACCESS | Removable, secured via barrel-key lock under frame |
| CHARGER | 71W 10-240V, US plug, 1.7 A 41V output |
| CHARGE TIME | ~2 hours |
| CHARGING | Charge through frame or remove battery to charge |
| DIMENSIONS | Ride Mode: 48” long x 21” wide x 39” high | Folded: 45” x 7” x 30” |
| WATER RESISTANCE | IPX4 resistant to rain and water splashes. Non submersible |
| FRAME | Monocoque 6061-T6 aluminum alloy |
| SEATPOST | 7” adjustable range, replaceable |
| REAR TIRE | 20” x 2.5” all-terrain tire |
| FRONT TIRE | 20” x 1.95” all-terrain tire |
| TIRE TUBE | Standard 20” x 1.5-2.5” inner tube |
| MIN TURN RADIUS | 33” (84 cm) - capable of 180 degree turns in narrow hallways |
| MAX INCLINE | 12% grade - or steeper with human-powered kick-stride assist with throttle |
| BRAKE | Mechanical rear disc caliper with 180 mm rotor |
| HEIGHTS SUPPORTED | 4’10” to 6’2” |
| WEIGHT SUPPORTED | Up to 240 pounds (109 kg) |
Jackrabbit: Design
Let’s go back a bit first. Although the JackRabbit is an electronic bike, some jurisdictions classify it as a scooter. It is comically/helpfully little due in part to its size, which is 48 x 21 × 39 inches. It operates solely on the throttle, much like a little electric motorcycle, and has no pedals, chains, or gears. It’s also rather lightweight at 24 lbs. or 11 kg.
There is nothing else like this little bike on the market. Additionally, it might not even be a bicycle by technical standards. You rest your feet on the folding footrests and let the motor do the work as there are no pedals.
The 20-inch wheels and aluminum frame of the Jackrabbit provide for mobility. Compared to the front tire’s 1.95-inch width, the rear tyre is 2.5 inches wider. There is no front brake; the rear wheel has a mechanical disc brake.
If you live in an apartment building where using a small elevator to get a full-size bike downstairs is a chore, the JackRabbit is an absolute treat. Seriously, to get the door open, I have to stand a regular bike on end and cross my fingers that no one is waiting downstairs. I can actually enter and exit the elevator by riding in the JackRabbit if I want to.
Through a quick-release mechanism on the stem, the handlebar can be folded. When transporting or storing the bike, you can secure the handlebars out of the way with a plastic clip. Additionally, a quick-release lever is used to modify the seatpost.
The bike is 48 inches long and 29 inches tall when it is in the “riding” position. That’s incredibly little, especially considering the promised rider accommodations from Jackrabbit, which state that this bike is suitable for riders up to 6’2″.
It takes some getting acclimated to the centre of gravity when using the JackRabbit for the first time. The ride can feel a touch energising, in the most perilous sense of the word, once you reach higher speeds. However, it won’t take long for you to feel at home and begin to consider which roadway barriers you can attempt to bunny hop off of or over.
Insufficient battery power is indicated by three LEDs. I discovered this when the JackRabbit abruptly lost most of its power while still having one sparkling LED on the handlebar-mounted throttle about a mile from my house. The three-LED power indicator is obviously not detailed enough to let you know you’re actually in the danger zone, so I pressed my thumb down in vain just to continue moving at a crawl because I had been having so much fun that I had depleted the battery.
Jackrabbit: Motor and Driving
With a top speed of 20 mph, a 300W motor, and a 150Wh battery, it has a range of 12 miles and costs $1,200 brand new. It also comes in a variety of four stylish colours.
On flat ground, the Jackrabbit’s motor accelerates fairly swiftly. But slopes do cause it to slog along. Although Jackrabbit claims that its bike can tackle slopes up to a 12 percent grade, it is very hard to start from a complete stop on such a hill.
I had to go on a few rides before I could adjust to the Jackrabbit’s unusual handling characteristics. And at top speeds, it would be far too simple to get into trouble. But it’s not a big deal if you get a feel for how the Jackrabbit handles. However, I wouldn’t advise turning quickly or riding without hands. We advise you to wear one of the top bike helmets (as with all motorcycles).
Jackrabbit advises a “kicking” start, similar to what you would do with a skateboard or scooter, to combat it. Even then, though, severe gradients quickly overwhelm the motor. If the Jackrabbit had pedals, this would be less of a problem, but if the road rises too sharply, you might end up walking.
Jackrabbit: Battery and Range
The batteries are thankfully detachable, and they are small enough that you could certainly tuck a spare into a backpack. However, for $200 per, that’s a decent investment to just reduce some anxiety. It’s also a little annoying because, while being almost identical, the battery from the older JackRabbit won’t work on the newer version.
According to Jackrabbit, the battery is a 36V, 4.2 Ah, 151.2 Wh Li-Ion. It can be taken apart using a key, but the Jackrabbit’s battery can also be charged without being moved.
It’s more important to have thorough information than it is the actual range. The majority of scooters will either display a higher quality graphical indicator or a numerical percentage of battery life left. Therefore, for me, it’s more about not having the knowledge I required to see that I was about to deplete the figurative tank.
Jackrabbit promotes the 12-mile range of their bike. This is typically significantly less than other e-bikes, but since there are no pedals and you are entirely dependent on the throttle, the limited range is expected.
My riding suggests that the 12-mile range claimed is accurate. Therefore, short journeys are where the Jackrabbit shines. Planning your charging schedule in this way can be the greatest option. In my tests, the battery took roughly two hours to fully charge, as stated by Jackrabbit.
Jackrabbit: Conclusions
Although it’s a lot of fun to ride, the Jackrabbit is most effective on brief excursions. Additionally, it is quite small, which is ideal for fitting in the car trunk but not so great if you are a tall rider. You probably won’t appreciate the Jackrabbit’s small stature if you’re taller than six feet.
Regenerative braking is one little change that might be helpful in this situation. The JackRabbit doesn’t currently have it, but with only one rear brake, it seems like something that might be simple to add and allow for a little power savings, especially given that most inner-city commutes need a significant amount of stop-starting anyhow.
No matter how you use the Jackrabbit, be sure to pay attention to its distinct handling qualities. Before tearing about at high speeds, you’ll want to spend some time getting acquainted to the bike because any handlebar input goes directly to the front wheel.
However, this is a welcome alternative if you don’t want or need a full-size bike and you find scooters unpleasant or unwieldy. The JackRabbit truly does make a decent, if specific, argument for itself when you take into account the fact that you can also travel over terrain that scooters can’t. It’s just an added bonus that it’s a tonne of fun.
Jackrabbit: Price and Where to buy cheaper?
The Jackrabbit retails for $1,200 and may be ordered via the Jackrabbit website. The bicycle will be sent to you without any assembly necessary. In actuality, all you need to do is use the quick-release mechanism to secure the handlebars.
Tiny electric bikes with pedals are much more prevalent. The RadMini 4 Electric Folding Bike, for instance, is made by Rad Power Bikes and costs $1,500. Additionally, Brompton produces a variety of electric folding bikes, while Aventon just unveiled their $1,800 Sinch Step-Through Foldable Bike.
