Bicycles

Wave eBike peddles affordability and speed

Wave eBike peddles affordability and speed
The Wave eBike is claimed to cost half that of electric bikes of comparable performance
The Wave eBike is claimed to cost half that of electric bikes of comparable performance
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The Wave eBike comes in a choice of colors
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The Wave eBike comes in a choice of colors
Wave eBike inforgraphic
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Wave eBike inforgraphic
The Wave eBike is based on a beach bike frame
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The Wave eBike is based on a beach bike frame
The Wave eBike is claimed to cost half that of electric bikes of comparable performance
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The Wave eBike is claimed to cost half that of electric bikes of comparable performance
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If you don't live in some place flat like the Netherlands and you're of a certain age, electric bicycles seem like a pretty good idea. Unfortunately, they also tend to be rather expensive, but the creators of the Wave eBike are looking to buck the trend. Billed as "the world's most affordable electric bike ever," it is claimed to provide long range and high speed at half the price of comparable models.

The focus of an Indiegogo campaign, the Wave is based on a steel beach cruiser frame weighing about 50 lbs (23 kg) without the battery. A single speeder, it's equipped with all-purpose tires that the makers say can handle sand, grass, dirt, or pavement.

Driving the Wave is its 750-watt hub motor powered by a removable 48-volt, 12 Ah battery that is claimed can be charged in five or six hours with the standard charger, though this can be halved with a proprietary fast charger.

The Wave eBike comes in a choice of colors
The Wave eBike comes in a choice of colors

The Wave is advertised as reaching up to 30 mph (48 km/h) with pedal assist and 28 mph (45 km/h) on full electric. However, it's most efficient at 20 mph (32 km/h), which the makers say is 4 mph (6.4 km/h) more than comparable bikes. In terms of range, it can travel up to 26 mi (42 km) on full electric, but with pedal assist it can reach over 52 mi (83 km).

The bike will be available in a choice of colors and, if the Indiegogo campaign brings in enough funding, the maker's say that they will provide optional and free upgrades. Production is slated to begin this month with shipping in June if all goes to plan. It is set to retail for US$999, but early bird crowdfunding backers can still stake a claim for one at $549.

The video below introduces the Wave eBike.

Source: Indiegogo

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9 comments
9 comments
Keith Reeder
Why does it have to look like THAT?
Why can't they produce something that looks like a BIKE, not a hipster fashion accessory?
Douglas Bennett Rogers
This would be good for getting around North Kansas City, which is a lot like The Netherlands, in that it is flat and has a dike. To escape Northtown, you need to cover a quarter mile of 15% grade. Then it is 50 ft. up and down per block for miles. This bike would still make 7 mph. but it might overheat. A trike with very low gear would be better, as it wouldn't fall over at low speed.
Johhnyglasnack
Just saw the Indiegogo Campaign, blown away that these guys already raised over half a million dollars! This is finally an Electric bike I can afford as everything I have been seeing is well over a thousand dollars with lower specs to boot! Definitely going to look into buying this electric bike, cheers!
Tom Lee Mullins
I like the traditional look of it.
Walt Stawicki
not sure how 'fashonable" it looks. but 50 pounds means they have a clunker. Thats neither good nor bad. most e bike do go the bleeding edge with weight reduction, and thus miss the market! Nowhere can I find an indication of the battery type. i see samsung 48V, 12 amp at $550 ebay, so I doubt this is employed at a profit. does Samsung make a cheaper insides? can they give much bike with this, plus the hub?
Daishi
This is actually pretty reasonably priced if they succeed.
unklmurray
It doesn't seem 2 B available yet!!
JonDaniels
Think twice before ordering a Wave bike. I paid for mine over a year ago and not only do I not have bike but wave customer service is ignoring all my emails, form submissions and posts on their social media. also a lot of people who are getting bikes are reporting problems.
BJB
I bought one and it's a piece of junk. I had to spend an extra, I think close to 200 dollars just to make it rideable and my bike mechanic told me the frame was made so poorly that it wouldn't support the kickstand that it came with. CRAP!