Photo: Kickstarter.com
Phantom E Vision may not be THE pedelec to rewrite history and become a milestone in electric mobility, but it certainly is one of the bikes that can steal our hearts. This pedelec boasts the '20s and '30s styling and has multiple design cues that hark back to that era, but there are certain areas that need improvement.
The first things to draw attention are the vintage-styled frame that replicates the look of old-school fuel tanks and the springer fork with its huge retro, chromed headlight. These elements alone would probably be enough to make some fellows reach for the checkbook, but there is more to the Phantom E Vision than meets the eye, making it worth your money.
Undoubtedly, the Phantom E Vision is a bicycle designed for those with a penchant for retro looks, and our guess is that its creators have gotten quite close to the vintage vibe. The tall, ample handlebars are also a cool herald of retro looks, while the beefy tires and generous mudguards enhance the looks of yore.
Another area that needs a bit of attention is the seat, which is not exactly as vintage as the makers of the Phantom E Vision want us to believe it is. A simpler, thinner springer design would have worked miracles, plus it would have also matched the cool front suspension.
Finally, if you ask us, we'd have moved the battery pack in the upper section of the frame, for a cleaner look, even if this move would have raised a bit the center of gravity. As it is now, it doesn't quite hurt the looks of the Phantom E Vision, but it may seem a bit unnatural.
As for the specs, the Phantom E Vision comes with a mid-mount 500-Watt motor, with 5 assistance modes and a Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub transmission. The battery is a Samsung 48V 11.6 amp unit, that can be recharged in 3 hours.
In normal assist conditions and a speed of around 20 mph (32 km/h), the battery would provide as much as 50 miles (80 km) of fun while using the motor alone would yield half that range.
The pedelec comes in several colors and the early bird Phantom E Vision price on Kickstarter is $2,100 (€1,921).
Undoubtedly, the Phantom E Vision is a bicycle designed for those with a penchant for retro looks, and our guess is that its creators have gotten quite close to the vintage vibe. The tall, ample handlebars are also a cool herald of retro looks, while the beefy tires and generous mudguards enhance the looks of yore.
The Phantom E Vision could look even better if certain things were different
While we like the Phantom E Vision quite a lot, this pedelec misses the bullseye in certain areas. One of the things that clash with the retro looks of the bike is the LCD dash. The Chinese motor manufacturer Bafang must have other displays with more "mellow" looks. This one couldn't be any further from the vibe of the Phantom E Vision, and it's a pity the creators chose it.Another area that needs a bit of attention is the seat, which is not exactly as vintage as the makers of the Phantom E Vision want us to believe it is. A simpler, thinner springer design would have worked miracles, plus it would have also matched the cool front suspension.
Finally, if you ask us, we'd have moved the battery pack in the upper section of the frame, for a cleaner look, even if this move would have raised a bit the center of gravity. As it is now, it doesn't quite hurt the looks of the Phantom E Vision, but it may seem a bit unnatural.
As for the specs, the Phantom E Vision comes with a mid-mount 500-Watt motor, with 5 assistance modes and a Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub transmission. The battery is a Samsung 48V 11.6 amp unit, that can be recharged in 3 hours.
In normal assist conditions and a speed of around 20 mph (32 km/h), the battery would provide as much as 50 miles (80 km) of fun while using the motor alone would yield half that range.
The pedelec comes in several colors and the early bird Phantom E Vision price on Kickstarter is $2,100 (€1,921).
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