What's the Smart e-bike really like...

[flecc]

Nice to be able to read a "sensible" review!

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[anotherkiwi]

I'm not sure about the Ergon pedals, they are nice and big, for my size 11's, but tend to ground when cornering, reminiscent of a much loved Honda 400/4, but this could be because of the 26" wheels.

You will have to get used to Ergon pedals that is for sure. I think my ergotecs might be even bigger. It gets you back to good cornering habits - inside pedal up, outside pedal down which also helps with balance. But being able to wear jandals on your bike in the summer is priceless when you are a kiwi

 

[mike killay]

Jandals=Japanese sandals or Jesus Sandals.
Strange NZ term for flip flops.

 

[Alan Quay]

Jandals=Japanese sandals or Jesus Sandals.
Strange NZ term for flip flops.

I heard them called "Nike Air Jerusalems" the other day. Made me laugh.

 

[anotherkiwi]

It's a kiwi brand bro! Used to be printed on the top back in the day. I bet they have gone all snobby and only wear Havaianas now

 

[Leccy]

Was toying with the idea of getting one of these but the site shows they're not available anymore. What happened?

 

[Nealh]

Limited heavy bike not to well thought out using old heavy Bionix D/D hub technology and battery , also not selling to well, starting price was to high and servicing by main dealer only being expensive.
You could try PMing Smart boy as he may well be fed up with his bike by now !!

 

[flecc]

Was toying with the idea of getting one of these but the site shows they're not available anymore. What happened?

They're discontinued, Mercedes did the same with their last e-bike a decade ago. These bikes are only introduced for a while as a sales and publicity aid for their Mercedes and Smart cars.

Several other car makers have done the same with both unpowered bikes and e-bikes, sometimes including childrens bikes as well.

With three exceptions* they're never made by the car companies, they just get bike or motorbike companies to make them. The first Mercedes e-bike was made by EMC-Puch in Austria and the Smart e-bike by the German bike company Grace. Grace had a similar BionX powered e-bike under their own name, probably what the Smart model was adapted from.

* The three exceptions are Peugeot, Honda and Toyota, simply because they are also long established bicycle manufacturers.
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[Alan Quay]

They're discontinued, Mercedes did the same with their last e-bike a decade ago. These bikes are only introduced for a while as a sales and publicity aid for their Mercedes and Smart cars.

Several other car makers have done the same with both unpowered bikes and e-bikes, sometimes including childrens bikes as well.

With three exceptions* they're never made by the car companies, they just get bike or motorbike companies to make them. The first Mercedes e-bike was made by EMC-Puch in Austria and the Smart e-bike by the German bike company Grace. Grace had a similar BionX powered e-bike under their own name, probably what the Smart model was adapted from.

* The three exceptions are Peugeot, Honda and Toyota, simply because they are also long established bicycle manufacturers.
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All lies, you are all just jealous of me and my stunning, designer wife!