BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Saigo has launched the "world’s first" sport utility bike (SUB), a completely new category for e-bikes, on Indiegogo.
The bike is designed to be tough enough to be used off-road and, by combining a city-bike frame with the ruggedness of fat-bikes, the company has said it offers users a more comfortable all-round experience than a mountain bike.
Ray Chow, co-founder of Saigo, said: “We noticed a lifestyle trend – work and life are blending.
“We created the Saigo SUB line to bring the spirit of SUVs to cycling: convenient for everyday use, but rugged enough for play.
“We have combined state of the art technology with the latest features to create a stylish electric bicycle for off roading or commuting to work.”
The bike weighs 77lbs including 26×4 inch tyres, has eight-speed Shimano gears and a 500W electric motor.
The motor is built to be durable and efficient, yet silent with a full charging time of five hours.
The in-built 48V10.4Ah battery gives riders a maximum range of 25 miles, but the Torque Sensor System (TSS) feature releases additional power while pedalling to increase the maximum mileage by 30 per cent.
Other features include USB connectivity to charge mobile devices, an integrated locking system and the OLED screen to keep riders up to date on cycling data.
There is also an option to add 3.7mph assistance when pushing the bike.
The bike is equipped with an automated lighting system for road safety at night, including both front and rear light sensors, which incorporate a laser flashing light shining on both sides of the bike, to indicate a safe distance to ride.
It also has a turning signal, a set of two high quality hydraulic disc brakes and a comfortable suspension saddle.
Compatible with dedicated iOS and Android apps, users can monitor their riding mileage, real-time power, and battery health with the Saigo Soul app.
It allows the rider to modify the parameters of their SUB including soft start level, torque working mode and throttle reaction time.
An upgraded GPRS battery allows riders to remotely monitor the location of their bike and easily find it, even when stolen.
The Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign kicks off today with a target of $25,000 (just over £19,000) to put the e-bike into mass production.
