Simplicity is best, we hear. But if simplicity has to work with the desire to offer maximum functionality out of the same product, some outside-the-box thinking is necessary.
Enter the LEMMO One e-bike, a hybrid e-bike that claims to take the unfamiliar route to innovation to be the "most e-volved e-bike" in the world. Their words, not ours.
LEMMO One is an award-winning e-bike you probably never heard of before, especially if you're outside the Netherlands, Germany, and France, the only countries where it ships. LEMMO represents a novel take on the standard e-bike, which earned it the Best of the Best distinction in the bike category at the 2023 Red Dot Design Awards.
The real winner, though, is the rider because this bike promises a "best of both worlds"-kind of functionality. Who wouldn't like that, right?
Photo: LEMMO Future
LEMMO One is a hybrid, both a traditional bicycle you ride by pedaling and a motor-assisted machine. Whereas some of today's lighter e-bikes can be ridden manually without an issue, most can't without considerable effort. They're heavy because of the larger frame and the integrated components, specifically the battery and the motor. You can still enjoy them without assistance, but it will be a workout as well.
The LEMMO One claims to be the first e-bike that offers dual functionality on purpose. It's halfway between a traditional bicycle, an e-bike conversion kit, and a standard e-bike, but it comes in a very sleek and elegant package that's bound to strike a chord with minimalism lovers. It is, according to maker LEMMO Future, the perfect, all-terrain machine you can make the most of, whichever way you need.
The LEMMO One presents itself as a traditional bike because all the wiring runs through the frame to keep the sleek aesthetic. In the frame triangle hangs something that looks like a slim and quite elegant bike bag, but that's actually the heart of the LEMMO, called Smartpac.
Photo: LEMMO Future
Smartpac houses the battery, controller, and connectivity capabilities and communicates with a display integrated into the upper tube. Strap it on, and you get a 250W e-bike with 40Nm of torque and estimated range of 100 km (62 miles) per-charge, depending on your riding mode and riding conditions. Again, unlike other e-bikes, it would take an expert or a highly keen eye to tell the LEMMO as one.
The motor is the patented Dual Mode Clutch Hub, which LEMMO promises is smooth, quiet, and powerful for the daily needs of the city-dweller.
If you run out of juice or simply feel like going old-school for the daily ride, you remove the Smartpac, turn the knob on the motor from E (electric) to M (manual), and you will be able to ride with zero resistance. The LEMMO sits on large wheels and is quite lightweight, so you might find yourself riding in M mode more often than you'd expect.
Photo: LEMMO Future
Further expanding on the idea of multi-functionality, the Smartpac can double as charging station for your devices when you're on the road. As such, the bike is marketed as ideal for today's digital creators because they can head out to their favorite cafe, plug their laptop into the Smartpac, and get to work. A full charge of the Smartpac is 3.5 hours.
The LEMMO One weighs 15 kg (33 lbs) as a traditional bicycle, but it gains 3 kg (6.6 lbs) with the Smartpac attached. Even with the recent boom of e-bikes, which birthed lighter machines as technology advanced, the LEMMO One is worth considering. It's not the lightest e-bike in the world, but it's light enough to be appealing to the urban commuter who might have to climb stairs, go on public transport, or otherwise manhandle it.
On the safety side, all security features are integrated into the Smartpac. You get motor hub e-lock, and Smartpac e-lock, as well as a GPS function so you can locate the bike in case thieves are still able to roll off with it.
The LEMMO One is offered in two variants, with a chaindrive or a belt drive for even more convenience, ease of use, and easy maintenance. The latter option is the more expensive one, of course. Three sizes are available, step-through, L, and XL, and two color options, but the Smartpac is offered as an optional, which should speak to the bike's functionality as a traditional one.
Photo: LEMMO Future
The idea that anyone would want to buy a fully rigged bike, including motor, and not get the battery and the controller might seem strange, but there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for it. The LEMMO One is also designed to be more sustainable than other e-bikes, including throughout its lifecycle.
The frame, which is made from recycled aluminum, is guaranteed for 10 to 15 years with regular use, whereas the lifecycle of the Smartpac is 3 to 5 years. Technology is also upgraded every five years, so riders can upgrade the Smartpac only, not the entire bike. The same goes for repairs and maintenance, which can be carried out without taking the machine out of circulation and without incurring unnecessary expenses.
The LEMMO One retails for €1,090 ($1,215 at the current exchange rate) for the chaindrive version and €1,290 ($1,450) for the single-speed belt drive option. It seems like it's selling for peanuts, but these prices don't include €900 ($1,000) for the Smartpac, which brings the final price in alignment with other upper-mid-entry e-bikes.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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