E-bikes have conquered the cycle paths in Germany. Only one segment is still underdeveloped. Small, light and foldable bikes are rare and when they are, they are much more compact than the pedelecs that have grown up, but if you compare muscle-powered folding bikes, the e-models are very clumsy.
eye-catcher on the street
The start-up Wowcat wants to change that with the C1. It combines two variants of mini bikes that are already on the market. Stylish small bikes with carbon frames and foldable e-bikes such as the Fiido X. The C1 weighs 17.4 kilograms, which is still not a flyweight, but much more manageable than bikes weighing more than 20 kilograms. But the absolute coup is the early bird price of only 799 US dollars – the equivalent of around 750 euros.
The C1 has a clean, futuristic design and is produced in two colors. The eye is drawn to the colored top tube, while the vertical seat tube is anthracite and thus recedes visually. The entire e-technology is in the rear part of the wheel. The motor is in the rear wheel hub, the battery in the seat post. The wheel is divided in the middle with a flick of the wrist, and the handlebars can be folded down. The C1 is offered with two engines. In the EU, only the 250 watt motor may be operated, 350 watts are taboo.
The company states that the battery should be good for a range of 120 kilometers. If that is the case, then certainly only with a mini support. If the electric motor packs a punch, the end of the capacity should probably be reached at around 50 kilometers.
The wheels have the usual size of 20 inches for mini wheels. The tires are relatively wide at 2.3 inches, which should provide a certain level of suspension and smoothness. In view of the price, you shouldn’t expect top components. Braking is done with mechanical disc brakes, switched with the Shimano Tourney 7-speed rear derailleur.
The Wowcat C1 with a 250-watt motor is currently on sale on Indiegogo for $799, with shipping included in the United States. Customers from Germany must find out the shipping costs and bear them themselves. After the campaign, the price increases to $1699.
Is the price realistic?
$799 for a folding e-bike with a carbon frame is definitely a bargain. With such offers, the companies sound out the customer’s interests. They don’t deserve anything. The regular price of $1699 is still cheap, but absolutely within the range for an Asian-made e-bike with an appropriate motor. Such small e-bikes are already being offered in Germany at prices between 800 and 1800 euros. The control of the motors cannot be compared with those of the top dogs like Shimano, Brose or Bosch – but you don’t need these features for a small city runabout either. The same applies to mechanical disc brakes.
In addition to the price, the breathtaking design speaks for the C1. The look even outshines the chic Xiaomi Mi Smart Electric Folding Bike. At the regular price, the C1 in the EU would only be of interest to those in shock, or if it is delivered directly and free of charge without overseas transport, at 799 US dollars you can take the extra trouble. Shipping is scheduled to begin in February 2023.
For comparison: The cult brand Brompton also builds an e-folding bike: At 15.6 kg, the Electric P Line Urban is two kilograms lighter, it has far better components and a smart push mode when folded. But it also costs 4200 euros.
Source: wowcat