Photo: Husqvarna
A few days ago Austrian bike maker KTM pulled the wraps off a new series of electric balance bikes. It's as if the company kickstarted an invasion of such two-wheeled vehicles, with several other bike makers following suit. The most recent to do so: the Austrians from Husqvarna.
Whereas KTM makes its balance bikes on its own, Husqvarna struck a deal with a giant of the electric balance bike industry, STACYC. The product the two are releasing together is called EE 1.20, and by all intents and purposes it's a tool meant to birth the next generation of riders.
Destined for kids aged between 10 and 12 years old, the bike is supposed to "make the transition to full-blown motocross machines easier for all junior age groups." Like all other two-wheelers of its kind, the EE 1.20 needs the rider to learn how to push, balance, and coast before starting to use the electric drivetrain powering the machine.
We're talking about a system centered around a 36 V motor, which unleashes its power as per inputs received by means of a twist throttle located on the 19 mm handlebar. A 6 Ah battery allows for a runtime of up to 60 minutes, and needs about three hours of charging to get back to full capacity.
The system allows the rider to select one of three riding options (read top speed), with the one currently selected displayed alongside the battery level on a small screen. The Low/Training mode gives it a top speed of 16 kph (10 mph), Med/Standard tops at 24 kph (15 mph), and the High/Advanced is good for 32 kph (20 mph). That's basically the same top speed as the most potent KTM balance bike, but super-fast from kids' perspective nonetheless.
The EE 1.20 is built around an aluminum frame, and stops courtesy of hydraulic brakes. The connection to the ground is made by means of 20-inch wheels wrapped in pneumatic tires. The entire package tips the scales at just 15 kg (33 pounds), complete with the battery pack.
Husqvarna launched the new balance bike as a means to fill in the gap between the EE 1.12/EE 1.16, which are already in the bike maker's offering, and the EE 3/EE 5 electric mini cycles. It can carry on its back kids that weigh as much as 52 kg (115 pounds), and the seat height sits at a little over 58 cm (23 inches) above the ground.
To make the bike as appealing as possible, Husqvarna also offers an apparel collection, including helmets and shirts. The bike is already available for order, but pricing was not disclosed: for that important bit of info you'll have to get in touch with your local dealer.
Destined for kids aged between 10 and 12 years old, the bike is supposed to "make the transition to full-blown motocross machines easier for all junior age groups." Like all other two-wheelers of its kind, the EE 1.20 needs the rider to learn how to push, balance, and coast before starting to use the electric drivetrain powering the machine.
We're talking about a system centered around a 36 V motor, which unleashes its power as per inputs received by means of a twist throttle located on the 19 mm handlebar. A 6 Ah battery allows for a runtime of up to 60 minutes, and needs about three hours of charging to get back to full capacity.
The system allows the rider to select one of three riding options (read top speed), with the one currently selected displayed alongside the battery level on a small screen. The Low/Training mode gives it a top speed of 16 kph (10 mph), Med/Standard tops at 24 kph (15 mph), and the High/Advanced is good for 32 kph (20 mph). That's basically the same top speed as the most potent KTM balance bike, but super-fast from kids' perspective nonetheless.
The EE 1.20 is built around an aluminum frame, and stops courtesy of hydraulic brakes. The connection to the ground is made by means of 20-inch wheels wrapped in pneumatic tires. The entire package tips the scales at just 15 kg (33 pounds), complete with the battery pack.
Husqvarna launched the new balance bike as a means to fill in the gap between the EE 1.12/EE 1.16, which are already in the bike maker's offering, and the EE 3/EE 5 electric mini cycles. It can carry on its back kids that weigh as much as 52 kg (115 pounds), and the seat height sits at a little over 58 cm (23 inches) above the ground.
To make the bike as appealing as possible, Husqvarna also offers an apparel collection, including helmets and shirts. The bike is already available for order, but pricing was not disclosed: for that important bit of info you'll have to get in touch with your local dealer.
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