It's Not Barbie's E-Bike, but Could Be: Greg LeMond's $5,500 Dutch Is Carbon Fiber Magic

Those of us that have heard of Gregory LeMond know of his contributions to the cycling world, winning the Tour de France three times, among others. Well, after showing the world he means business, LeMond went on to create his own versions of an optimized two-wheeler and is even keeping up with modern trends. You've already spotted the Prolog on our website before; it's now the Dutch's turn.

Now, if you've ever been over to Europe, specifically Holland, you know darn well why the Dutch is called as such. From the handlebar to the step-through frame to the fenders and cargo racks, all of these bicycle screens are European. But this is LeMond we're talking about, so things are on a whole different level.

For example, each Dutch is crafted out of nothing other than good old carbon fiber. Moreover, the whole thing is one piece, or a monocoque, using some of the best carbon fiber on the market, aerospace stuff. The result is a frame with no welds that's light and as strong as can be. But my favorite aspect is the way tubes blend into one another; smooth, fine, and cleaner than pure O2. Did you happen to notice how the lights are also integrated into the frame?

All this integration is with purpose too. Not only does this bike look clean, but by minimizing weight, LeMond has been able to craft a two-wheeler that only weighs 27 lbs (12 kg)! Wait, isn't this an e-bike? It sure is, and that's the beauty of things. Suppose you're wondering how light that really is; your average e-bike is typically between 50 lbs (22.5 kg) and 66 lbs (30 kg), so nearly half your typical machine. This also means a higher price tag, which I'll get to shortly.

Carbon fiber aside, this is an e-bike, so we need to explore a bit about the electric kick behind your travels. If you've peeked at the images in the gallery, you will have noticed a rear hub motor mounted to the Dutch. Why a rear hub motor on a bike that's clearly premium? Well, it's a way to reduce weight.

As for the manufacturer behind this little 250 W powerhouse, none other than Germany's Mahle supplied LeMond with an M1 motor. Overall, this little gem produces 40 Nm (29.5 ft-lb) of torque, and for getting around town, it should be more than enough. Once coupled with a Shimano CS M7000 cassette with an 11-40T range, you're set to carry groceries in utter style.

But where's the battery? Like most other e-bikes with a battery pack that's integrated into the frame, the Dutch, too, hides a Panasonic battery pack into the down tube. It's not exactly clear how much range you'll be able to get out of this thing. I've tested a Mahle setup before with the same battery wattage. I averaged around 40 mi (65 km) over the course of three weeks. But, this was without any cargo.

Speaking of cargo, most of the images in the gallery showcase the Dutch as not having any cargo racks, but one image does. However, I'd take things a bit further and find a way to mount a rack over the front wheel too. Considering there are a couple of water bottle mounts integrated into one of the tubes, you could easily find some after-market cargo carriers. Oh, a range extender can also be thrown on, and this is the place to do so.

This brings me to my next and final point regarding the Dutch. As I explored the manufacturer's website, I noticed something strange about the Dutch; it can be spotted out in the woods, leaning against a tree. This means that LeMond wants you to know that this puppy can handle more than just tarmac. Don't just take my word for it; the Panaracer Gravelking Slick tires with 70x38c dimensions should tell you all you need to know.

For a moment, I want you to picture yourself on a Dutch cruising around town. I understand that this bike isn't for everyone, but that pink color option might be just the thing you need with the whole Barbie craze going on. Not into pink? How about that matt concrete look? Oh, you like white, do you?

Come to think of it, once folks see what you're riding and you tell them how much you paid, they'll probably question your lifestyle choices. Why? Well, with the most basic setup, the Dutch cruises in with a starting rate of $5,500 (€5,000 at current exchange rates), minus $5, like that even matters anymore. Take a moment to take in all that I've talked about, and go from there.