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The Super 73 Makes Mini Electric Bikes... Sexy?

'Tis the season for puttering loudly anywhere you damn please

By Kat Bauman - June 27, 2016

in Bikes | Cars

Maybe it's because I just watched Fury Road for the 12th time and wish I were a desert warrior, maybe it's because summer is FINALLY here in Portland, and maybe it's because this design was a long time coming, but I want to huck around on one of these weird little bikes and you should too.

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Lithium Cycles is currently kickstarting their mini e-bike the Super 73, and with just a few days to go they've already destroyed their goal by a juicy 1256%. It might look like a retro (or retrofuturist) ride from the disco days, but inside it's decidedly modern and outside seems fun as hell.

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To start, it features a 1000 watt battery and Bafang motor with a 20 mile range before pedal-assist, which stretches battery life farther. The top speed is around 25-30 mph, which is impressive, but I'm reassured knowing you can set a top speed in the bar-mounted control unit for your own comfort/local legality. You can also adjust how much assistance you'd like your pedaling to contribute and other helpful customizations.

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The thick 20 x 4.25-inch tires can carry you over all types of terrain and get up to a bunch of dumb tricks. And in addition to the fun element, they're a lot more comfortable than most traditional bike options, even in the Stingray department.

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The size and speed cap mean you wouldn't need a license to ride one, but at 65 pounds you could still lug it into your buddies truck if you partied to hard on the boardwalk.

You get disc breaks and a built in rear light. The lithium-ion battery is lockable and removable, and lives under the fat moto-ish seat without detracting from the aggressively '70s profile. Add a sweet paint job, a bottle holder, a bottle opener, and you've got yourself a party mobile for one.

Because of course it does

The video and lifestyle photography is pretty over the top in hip yellow lighting, but that's nothing new. Overall this post-scooter/pre-motorcycle vibe is a great one and I'm excited to see more designs in it, because I for one still don't want a motorcycle and I don't care how stylish the Italians are, mopeds are still dorky. Try jumping a dune on a Vespa and let me know how it turns out.

The earlybird pricing is $1,799 with an expected retail of $2,999. The Super 73 campaign runs through July 27, 2016.

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Giorgio Santero

8 years ago

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Cool, but the square frame design is not the smartest structure to choose. And "industrial design" should be something more related to form-funcion balance in my opinion.

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Ed Jones

8 years ago

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like many scooters, still not designed for people taller than 5'5. riding a small bike like that and my knees are banging on the handlebars with the slightest turn.

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Max Chan

8 years ago

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the simple design is the best, but control panel seems not accompany to the hardcore feel...

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Scott Watrous

8 years ago

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This seems a bit ridiculous considering you can get a gas powered minibike with a tuned up 6hp engine all told for about $4-500.

I guess emissions from cheap 212cc engines are just the worst thing humanity has done.

BRB putting fat tires and a treadmill motor on my Motovox...

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