Frey Bike unveils 31 mph 1,500W full suspension commuter e-bike and dual battery EMTB

Frey Bike unveiled two high-power and high-speed electrical bicycles in the present day, pushing the envelope for top finish e-bikes with surprisingly modest costs.

The disclosing came about at Frey Bike’s headquarters in Jinhua, China.

And as normal, Electrek was in attendance to convey you the newest.

The 2 e-bikes unveiled in the present day embrace the EX and CC fashions, that are a high-end electrical mountain bike and electrical cross-country or commuter bike. The EX mannequin is designed for aggressive path using and mountaineering, whereas the CC mannequin has a extra relaxed, upright geometry in addition to low standover peak, each of which make it higher fitted to metropolis and hybrid using.

Each e-bikes function full suspension utilizing prime of the road RockShox suspension parts. The EX mannequin provides as much as 180 mm (7 inches) of suspension journey within the entrance and 160 mm (6.3 inches) within the rear, whereas the CC mannequin provides as much as 150 mm (6 inches) of suspension journey within the entrance and rear.

The pair of latest e-bikes share the excessive energy Bafang M620 mid-drive motor, which is extra generally often known as the Bafang Ultra motor. This motor is commonly rated at 1,000W steady, however places out nearer to 1,500W to 1,600W of peak energy. It additionally churns out 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque, which is just huge. That’s round 2-3x the torque of most Bosch, Brose, or Shimano mid-drive motors. And in contrast to practically each different mid-drive motor, these Bafang Extremely motors include a hand throttle along with the usual pedal help.

Frey Bike formally quotes the highest velocity of the 2 bikes as 50 km/h (31 mph), with an possibility for limiting the velocity and energy ranges to authorized ranges for varied jurisdictions. As if that wasn’t quick sufficient, I used to be informed by a number of homeowners of Frey electrical bicycles within the viewers that this motor put in on the corporate’s in style AM1000 electrical bike exceeds the claimed 50 km/h (31 mph) prime velocity.

Each fashions embrace a high-capacity built-in battery, with a 48V and 672 Wh battery hidden within the body of the EX mannequin and a bigger 48V and 816 Wh within the CC mannequin. The EX mannequin additionally provides the choice of a second 672 Wh battery added to the body in a downtube-mounted pack.

Each fashions include hydraulic disc brakes. The CC mannequin consists of Tektro Dorado brakes, whereas the EX mannequin options even higher-end Magura brakes.

Frey Bike has numerous patents on the brand new fashions, principally centering across the suspension linkage. The EX mannequin joins numerous high-end mountain bikes produced by Frey Bike, together with the corporate’s greatest vendor: The 1 kW AM1000 full-suspension electric mountain bike.

The CC mannequin, alternatively, is the model’s first commuter-style e-bike. In response to Frey Bike, the corporate determined to construct a commuter bike after discovering that a big proportion of its buyer base was shopping for its high-powered 1,000W electrical mountain bikes to make use of virtually purely for road use.

Each fashions needs to be out there to buy within the subsequent two to a few months. Frey Bike didn’t unveil the ultimate pricing but, however mentioned that the CC mannequin needs to be equal to the present AM1000 mannequin pricing. That bike at the moment begins at round $2,300 earlier than transport, with choices for even greater spec parts, resembling DNM inverted forks, rising the value considerably.

Electrek’s Take

I’ve to say that these two bikes are fairly unimaginable, and I can attest to that as somebody who test-rode each of them earlier in the present day on the manufacturing facility ground after the disclosing.

Whereas many (maybe even most) electrical bicycles in China are pretty low-end, mass produced e-bikes, Frey Bike is kind of completely different. The corporate solely produces round 1,000 to 1,500 e-bikes per 12 months, however builds them at extremely prime quality requirements and with top-end parts that I’ve by no means seen earlier than on Chinese language e-bikes.

These full suspension e-bikes actually rival $6,000-$8,000 Haikbikes and different high-end European electrical mountain bikes. You’ll discover the identical bike parts on each bikes, and the frames are simply nearly as good. The one distinction is you’re shopping for direct to client from a Chinese language firm as a substitute of paying European costs. Positive, the price of labor is greater in Europe, however you may’t deny that you simply’re partially paying for the model identify (to not point out the Bosch brand name as properly).

I met the individuals within the manufacturing facility whereas I used to be testing the bike and manufacturing course of, they usually love what they do. I like the product they construct — and it reveals.

I’m significantly within the CC mannequin, although I journey totally on the road, so I’m a bit biased.

I’ve hardly ever seen full suspension metropolis bikes, a lot much less with this degree of high-end RockShox suspension and customized linkage. Add within the ridiculously highly effective Bafang Extremely motor, the hand throttle and the surprisingly inexpensive worth and also you’ve acquired an actual winner in your palms.

So what’s the catch? Just about the truth that Frey doesn’t have a big seller community, which all however necessitates its direct-to-consumer strategy. The corporate has a Swiss distributor that additionally providers Germany and Austria, however the overwhelming majority of the corporate’s gross sales come from its Alibaba marketplace page. Whereas which may make some clients uncomfortable, the corporate is delivering round 1,500 bikes per 12 months and has a big base of fiercely loyal clients, in order that they have to be doing one thing proper. And the truth that you will get a $6-$8k degree electrical mountain bike for lower than half of that worth is fairly superior, in the event you ask me.

I’ll be testing out each bikes extra extensively over the following few days, so I’ll be reporting again with full evaluations of every.

Till then, I need to hear what you assume. Let me know your opinion on the bikes within the feedback part beneath.

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.