Bicycles

Mando Footloose IM e-bike is cheaper and less foldy than its big brother

Mando Footloose IM e-bike is cheaper and less foldy than its big brother
Unlike the original Footloose, Mando's Footloose IM doesn't fold – but in some ways, that's a good thing (Image: Mando)
Unlike the original Footloose, Mando's Footloose IM doesn't fold – but in some ways, that's a good thing (Image: Mando)
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The Mando Footloose IM's detachable HMI module (Image: Mando)
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The Mando Footloose IM's detachable HMI module (Image: Mando)
The Mando Footloose IM's battety can be removed for recharging (Image: Mando)
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The Mando Footloose IM's battety can be removed for recharging (Image: Mando)
The Mando Footloose IM has an alternator in its crank, which delivers pedaling power to the bike's battery (Image: Mando)
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The Mando Footloose IM has an alternator in its crank, which delivers pedaling power to the bike's battery (Image: Mando)
Riders of the Mando Footloose IM can choose between different levels of electric pedaling assistance, varying from none to throttle-only (Image: Mando)
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Riders of the Mando Footloose IM can choose between different levels of electric pedaling assistance, varying from none to throttle-only (Image: Mando)
The Mando Footloose IM features a polished aluminum alloy frame with a protective plastic coating (Image: Mando)
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The Mando Footloose IM features a polished aluminum alloy frame with a protective plastic coating (Image: Mando)
Unlike the original Footloose, Mando's Footloose IM doesn't fold – but in some ways, that's a good thing (Image: Mando)
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Unlike the original Footloose, Mando's Footloose IM doesn't fold – but in some ways, that's a good thing (Image: Mando)
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Within an increasingly crowded electric bicycle marketplace, it takes a special something for an individual e-bike to stand out. The Mando Footloose does so, however, in that it has neither a chain nor a belt drive – plus, it folds. Mando has now announced a more affordable non-folding version of the bike, known as the Footloose IM.

First teased in prototype form at Eurobike 2013, the IM utilizes the same unique drivetrain as the original Footloose. Instead of being transmitted along a chain, the rider's pedaling power is used to charge the bike's 36-volt, 8.2-Ah lithium-ion battery via an alternator in the crank. That battery in turn powers the 250-watt rear hub motor.

While the loss of the ability to fold might seem like a detriment, it does mean that the IM is sleeker, lighter and shorter (the latter of which might or might not be a good thing) than its older sibling. With pricing starting at €2,690 (about US$3,050), it's also cheaper than the €3,999 Footloose.

The Mando Footloose IM features a polished aluminum alloy frame with a protective plastic coating (Image: Mando)
The Mando Footloose IM features a polished aluminum alloy frame with a protective plastic coating (Image: Mando)

Some of its other features include the ability to remove the battery for charging; a polished aluminum alloy frame with a protective plastic coating; built-in rear flashers; and a removable HMI (human-machine interface) bar-mounted LCD control unit. Along with displaying information such as speed and battery charge level, that HMI also allows users to choose between different levels of electric pedaling assistance, varying from none to throttle-only – as an added bonus, the bike won't work when that unit is removed.

Depending on how much assistance riders use, the IM can reportedly cover up to 60 km (37 miles) on one charge of its battery. It has a maximum speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph), and tips the scales at a little over 21 kg (47 lb).

The Mando Footloose IM is available now (in a choice of five colors) in the UK, France, the Netherlands and Germany. It should be headed to the US later this summer.

Source: Mando Footloose

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6 comments
6 comments
charizzardd
Please please please some one offer an electric assist bike for 1000 or less. Everyone of these bikes becomes obscure and just another e-bike that is pretty. No average person knows a name brand for e-bikes, they are just too niche because of their cost and as a result every single one of these bikes is just crowding the niche more and more.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
Doesn't seem to have regenerative braking, which it really needs. You can still generate on the downhill but the brakes will be overloaded.
icykel
Joshua repricing you could check out EVELO/transparent pricing. The problem with ever pushing prices lower means someone in the chain goes hungry. I would be interested to find more in regards the efficiency of the alternator drive and as Douglas says, regenerative braking could be a great addition here.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is a nice design. The price does not seem excessive.
unklmurray
Here in America there are numerous Ebikes for under $1,000. Sonders,is one ,I think the ''Rad Wide bike is right in that area'',My E-Marten is found at Sears for $875.00,and if you pick it up in the store there is no shipping!!,Extra batteries can be bought at, Amazon.com for $250-275 ea-Free shipping......They are out there you just have to ask around!!..........LOL :-)
gizmowiz
Way too expensive. Why pay this much when there are more cheaper alternatives that are more powerful and have more range.