Photo: BMW
It's not uncommon these days for carmakers, even the ones of the premium variety, to venture into the world of bicycles. After all, there's money to be made there as well, so why not take the chance?
We've seen this expansion into uncharted territory several times before, and the trend doesn't seem to be stopping. The latest company to do is German BMW, which this week announced a partnership with bike maker 3T to create a new range of bicycles. Called Exploro, the family comprises three models meant for different uses, and their corresponding versions in electric guise.
You have them all listed below, but before we go into the details for each of them I'll tell you all bikes, regardless of type, are built around a full carbon fiber frame. All six offer a two-tone paint finish and have the cable run through the frame, to make them more visually appealing.
Six sizes are available across the range, and all come with stuff SRAM 12-speed gearing, hydraulic brakes from the same producer, and Mahle rear-wheel hub motors for the electric variants of the bikes.
For everyday use, the BMW Exploro Urban is what BMW is offering, a bike mounted on 27.5-inch wheels. They are spun under the power of a pedal, but it does have an electric variant that relies on a 350 Wh battery and the Mahle hub motor for the same task.
If you want to venture outside city limits, the best choice could be the BMW Exploro Road. It's a vehicle riding on 28-inch carbon fiber wheels wrapped in Panaracer GravelKing Slick tubeless-ready tires. The electric variant for this bike relies on a 250 Wh battery pack.
Last but not least comes the BMW Exploro Gravel. Its name says it all, really, as it's meant for use in more demanding, asphalt-free conditions. It moves over uneven terrain thanks to 27.5-inch aluminum wheels wearing Pirelli Cinturato Gravel tires. The electric version packs a 350 Wh battery in such a way that it's almost indistinguishable from its foot-powered sibling.
BMW says all three bikes and their electric variants are already on sale at specialist retailers, and by the looks of it available for delivery as soon as you order them.
You'll also find these bikes online, but over at 3T, not BMW (that's how all carmakers do this business).
The list of prices for the American market for all six bikes can be found below. As a side note, the European market gets these new rides for the exact same prices, only expressed in Euros.
You have them all listed below, but before we go into the details for each of them I'll tell you all bikes, regardless of type, are built around a full carbon fiber frame. All six offer a two-tone paint finish and have the cable run through the frame, to make them more visually appealing.
Six sizes are available across the range, and all come with stuff SRAM 12-speed gearing, hydraulic brakes from the same producer, and Mahle rear-wheel hub motors for the electric variants of the bikes.
For everyday use, the BMW Exploro Urban is what BMW is offering, a bike mounted on 27.5-inch wheels. They are spun under the power of a pedal, but it does have an electric variant that relies on a 350 Wh battery and the Mahle hub motor for the same task.
If you want to venture outside city limits, the best choice could be the BMW Exploro Road. It's a vehicle riding on 28-inch carbon fiber wheels wrapped in Panaracer GravelKing Slick tubeless-ready tires. The electric variant for this bike relies on a 250 Wh battery pack.
Last but not least comes the BMW Exploro Gravel. Its name says it all, really, as it's meant for use in more demanding, asphalt-free conditions. It moves over uneven terrain thanks to 27.5-inch aluminum wheels wearing Pirelli Cinturato Gravel tires. The electric version packs a 350 Wh battery in such a way that it's almost indistinguishable from its foot-powered sibling.
BMW says all three bikes and their electric variants are already on sale at specialist retailers, and by the looks of it available for delivery as soon as you order them.
You'll also find these bikes online, but over at 3T, not BMW (that's how all carmakers do this business).
The list of prices for the American market for all six bikes can be found below. As a side note, the European market gets these new rides for the exact same prices, only expressed in Euros.
- BMW Exploro Gravel – $4,999
- BMW Exploro Gravel electric – $7,999
- BMW Exploro Road – $5,999
- BMW Exploro Road electric – $8,999
- BMW Exploro Urban – $4,999
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