Urban Transport

Modern e-bike looks like a blast – from the past

Modern e-bike looks like a blast – from the past
The Super 73 is designed for both on- and off-road use
The Super 73 is designed for both on- and off-road use
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While the 65-lb (29.5-kg) Super 73 technically is an electric bicycle, its frame design, seat and rugged 20 x 4.25-inch tires certainly look more motorbike-like
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While the 65-lb (29.5-kg) Super 73 technically is an electric bicycle, its frame design, seat and rugged 20 x 4.25-inch tires certainly look more motorbike-like
Using the Super 73's built-in bottle opener
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Using the Super 73's built-in bottle opener
The Super 73 is designed for both on- and off-road use
3/5
The Super 73 is designed for both on- and off-road use
The Super 73's lockable/removable underseat-mounted lithium-ion battery will reportedly get you about 20 miles (32 km) in throttle-only mode
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The Super 73's lockable/removable underseat-mounted lithium-ion battery will reportedly get you about 20 miles (32 km) in throttle-only mode
The Super 73 has a top speed of up to 30 mph (48 km/h), which may raise a few eyebrows with the authorities in most regions
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The Super 73 has a top speed of up to 30 mph (48 km/h), which may raise a few eyebrows with the authorities in most regions
View gallery - 5 images

Back in the 70s, many a young lad owned a motorized minibike – and for all those who did, there were probably about 10 others who wished they did. Well, now they've got their chance to buy a more practical version of one. California-based Lithium Cycles' Super 73 is a 1,000-watt e-bike, designed to evoke the days of bell-bottom jeans and Charlie's Angels.

While the 65-lb (29.5-kg) Super 73 technically is an electric bicycle, its frame design, seat and rugged 20 x 4.25-inch tires certainly look more motorbike-like. Its Bafang motor is likewise in the middle, as it would be on a minibike.

The lockable/removable underseat-mounted lithium-ion battery will reportedly get you about 20 miles (32 km) in throttle-only mode – you can go farther if you pedal. A full recharge takes 3.5 hours.

While the 65-lb (29.5-kg) Super 73 technically is an electric bicycle, its frame design, seat and rugged 20 x 4.25-inch tires certainly look more motorbike-like
While the 65-lb (29.5-kg) Super 73 technically is an electric bicycle, its frame design, seat and rugged 20 x 4.25-inch tires certainly look more motorbike-like

The bike has a top speed of up to 30 mph (48 km/h), which may raise a few eyebrows with the authorities in most regions. That said, a bar-mounted LCD control unit does allow users to set a street-legal maximum speed limit, plus it lets them determine how much assistance the motor provides when pedalling. Of course, that unit also displays data such as speed, distance travelled and battery charge level.

Other features include disc brakes, a tail light built into the battery (a headlight is an optional extra), a USB port for phone-charging, plus a cup holder and bottle opener.

Should you be interested in picking up a Super 73 of your own, it's currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of US$1,799 will presently get you one, assuming everything is successful. The planned retail price is $2,999.

Source: Kickstarter

View gallery - 5 images
18 comments
18 comments
SteveMcVanderslootski
I'd hate to get my pant leg caught in that chain.
DonaldBlack
I'd like to buy it "stripped". i.e. w/o the motor & battery. I'd put in my own 49cc (or bigger) gasser.
HuePack
Except little motorized bikes of yesteyears we slight more affordable versus entry level 250 cc crutch rockets. Gosh, I can get Ninja 250 brand new for $3K. I understand the whole argument on not having to get licensed and being able to ride pedestrian path. But still doubt many kids today can easily shell out $3K for this "dream machine".
RickHerda
Save yourself $1,800 and just buy a 2 stroke 80cc conversion kit for $150 for a used beach cruiser bicycle you can find online for $50. And just charge for phone before you go anywhere.
BruceChoate
They really need to review Federal ebike laws, and in California the laws recently changed and this bike doesn't meet specification under the new regulations. If they plan on trying to sell this in an EU country, good luck, the motor won't pass customs, they have a 250w limit. Technically in that configuration, it is considered a moped.
Mzungu_Mkubwa
@SteveMcVanderslootski, not to mention going through any kind of puddle will ruin your hipster skinny jeans and faux leather tassler in a jiffy.
With all that empty space in the middle, perhaps add some more battery, or storage, or I dunno, anything of a practical nature... or would that not be PC?
Paul Anthony
I'm sold on the Nostalgia but not on the price on my gosh that is ridiculous
Stradric
Looks really uncomfortable actually. Pedaling on that bike is surely bad for your knees.
jerryd
Nice except the price is 3x what it should be. I built my first ev minibike in 75 using a Ford starter motor, a battery and a selenoid which had one speed, faster than hell. One had to lean way forward and push off before hitting oh crap button of it would run out from under you. if you held on you'd end up on your back with it on top of you upside down. It was a blast and has no problems commuting to work with it until the cops got upset as not tagged. So you can buy these bike framr, parts cheap online and get a dead end scooter for the motor, controller, charger and buy new bigger u size batteries and put it all together for under $500.
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