This fancy Scandinavian electric bike just launched in the US for $109… per month

 This fancy Scandinavian electric bike just launched in the US for $109… per month

The Swedish mobility business Vässla has built a solid reputation over the years for its electric scooters and mopeds, but last year it entered the e-bike market with the introduction of the highly regarded Vässla Pedal. With a combination of direct purchase and subscription options, the business has now introduced that strategy to the US.

A brand-new US $2,690 Scandinavian e-bike may be ordered directly from the manufacturer by visiting the company's website, pressing a few buttons, and waving your payment card. This is the case with the Vässla Pedal.

But what's perhaps even more intriguing is that the business has also embraced a subscription model. You may ride around on your own Vässla Pedal for as little as $109 per month.

Read more; Skylark Electric Bike

The only city where the subscription is offered is New York City, where Vässla established its US headquarters, but founder and CEO Rickard Bröms believes that it is the ideal place to begin:

Anyone who doesn't identify as a New Yorker and is interested in a Scandinavian e-bike can still enjoy purchasing a Vässla Pedal the traditional manner.With no exposed connections or controls and a single frame tube in place of the typical front triangle, the bike's design is both simple and eye-catching.

A Gates carbon belt drive system replaces the gears in a rear hub motor with a 250W nominal and 45 Nm of torque. Although extremely steep locations won't benefit from the single-speed operation, comparatively flat towns should have no problems. The electric aid nevertheless makes it quite simple to climb little hills.

The Vässla Pedal's highest speed in the EU was 25 km/h (15 mph), but it has been increased in the US version to the Class 1 e-bike limit of 20 mph (32 km/h).

The bike's unisex frame and 24′′ wheels were designed to be as universally accessible as possible, and its small weight of only 42 lb (19 kg) makes it easy to move around or take up stairs into an apartment. And if you're concerned that someone would try to steal such a fancy-looking bike, the bike has an integrated GPS tracker that will constantly monitor its location.

Designer Christian Zanzotti claims that "with the Pedal, we have created a new type of electric bicycle." The objective was to design a cutting-edge masterpiece that was more inclusive than any bike already on the market and had a high degree of performance. The Pedal, an incredible product of which I am immensely proud, symbolises the new urban period.

With pedal assistance, the 5-pound (2.3 kg) replaceable battery of the Vässla Pedal provides a range of up to 62 miles (100 km), while higher power levels will reduce this range.

A torque sensor is built inside the bike to improve the pedalling experience. Hydraulic disc brakes provide a solution that requires little maintenance and has excellent stopping power.

The fact that integrated LED lights and accompanying fenders are both standard features will please commuters.

Just the tyres and the brake pads need to be maintained due to the lack of gears, mechanical brakes, or a chain. That can include completing maintenance simply once or twice a year, depending on how frequently you ride. Though even that is handled for you if you choose the subscription model.

Electrek’s Take

Although I already know that opinions would vary, I enjoy the bike. Those who are aware of what goes into European-designed e-bikes will recognise their value. These bikes have higher-quality parts and an emphasis on everyday usability. Americans who, for some reason, believe that an e-bike's pricing should be entirely based on the power of its motor will be dissatisfied.

However, this appears to be a high-quality, practically maintenance-free electric bike for serious commuters. And that subscription-based business model is really alluring. Rarely can you purchase an electric bike of this calibre for little more than a Benjamin per month. Of course, you have to reside in New York City to take advantage of that perk, but it doesn't appear that Vässla will be able to swiftly saturate that sizable market.