"No Fat Tires Wanted!" Qu-Et's Unfair Advantage Is Gearing Up for Urban E-Bike Domination

Folks, when it comes to e-bikes, I'll admit, it's hard to find the right one, especially when we consider that most of the monstrosities out there are only considered bicycles because they have pedals; they're downright mopeds. Well, in the spirit of finding an e-bike that still holds onto the bicycle side of things, I've come across the Unfair Advantage (UA), a little up-and-coming project on Indiegogo.

I've decided to bring it to light not only because of the price this bike is starting at - $1,500 (€1,400 at current exchange rates) - but because it comes across as presenting the right blend between human and electric power. To understand what I mean, let's dive a bit deeper and see how Qu-et plans on taking over the e-bike industry. From what I see, they've got the stuff to make it big!

For example, I've tested bicycles ranging from $1,200 up to $6,000, and what I've discovered may surprise you: often, the $1,500 piece of hardware was favored over the more expensive machines. Why? Simply because of the cycling experience offered. Most cyclists are looking for an extra push when hitting some big hills and fast flats, and that doesn't take a whole lot of gear or power to accomplish, nor cash.

So, to give us an experience we're used to, but with a kick, Qu-et builds the UA around an aluminum frame with a stiff front fork. In total, just 13.9 kg (31 lbs) is the total weight of this bugger, nearly 5 kg (11 lbs) less than the Vanpowers City Vanture, and I thought that was light for an e-bike. This weight reduction is also achieved by minimizing the amount of extras on the UA.

By the looks of the frame, only roads are the place for this bike, which is perfect for an urban rager. Considering that the tires are 40c, the fact that this bike is to be confined to urban settings becomes even more obvious. It's not clear who the tire manufacturer may be, but you can expect some lower-end rubbers for sure. Luckily, this component doesn't cost a whole lot to change, and for $35, you can throw on a solid road tire from Continental, and it's even e-bike specific, so check your options. Judging by the version we see in the image gallery, Continental it is!

Now, it's important to note that the UA is sporting a rear-mounted hub motor with no more than 40 Nm (29.5 lb-ft) of torque and pushing out 250 W. While it's not a whole lot of power to climb 15-20% hills, it's enough to keep you moving in under those conditions, but you'll feel it for sure. The City Vanture I mentioned also sports this much power, and I can keep a steady pace uphill, so no worries here. As for speed, expect the UA to match local laws and regulations in your area.

But where's the battery that's powering this little motor? If you guessed that it's mounted into the down tube, you're right. Here, Qu-et adds a 7 Ah running under 36 V and is able to squeeze out a maximum of 60 km (37 mi) of range. This is an optimized number, and the real world has often shown me a drop of at least 30% while riding any e-bike. Expect the same here, which, for me, is still enough for around two round trips to work and back. If you do need more mileage than this, the UA can be equipped with a range extender with 180 Wh of juice.

Finally, I'm surprised and happy to find that the drivetrain is handled by none other than Gates. Here, a CDC setup brings countless benefits: an insane amount of miles before any servicing is needed, up to 30,000 km (18,641 mi), clean and greaseless, and if you like single-speed bicycles, you'll grow to love this drivetrain if you don't already. Get past 27 kph (17 mph), turn off your motor, and leave a comment with your top speed. Mine was 47.3 kph (29.3 mph) on a sprint, with no motor from start to finish.

The rest of the UA is finished off with internal cable routing, three levels of assist, a torque sensor, an LCD display, and integrated lights. Best of all, Qu-et has done the research and throws in a pair of hydraulic disk brakes to handle stopping power. In my opinion, hydraulic brakes are essential on an e-bike, and UA did this one right!

In my opinion and from what I can see so far, this Latvian crew (Qu-et) seems to really want to get most of us on an e-bike. To do so, they're presenting a machine that seems to be up to par with what cyclists want, the real ones: no fat tires wanted! Personally, I can't wait until this project completes its funding, grab myself a test ride, and go from there.