This isn’t exactly an e-bike. And it’s not an electric scooter either. It’s described as a microbike, so we’ll stick with that. The original JackRabbit electric microbike has now been upgraded for its second generation.
We first encountered the JackRabbit electric microbike in 2018, when its inventor, former trainer Tom Piszkin, launched a funding campaign on Kickstarter.
At the time, the front wheel was smaller than the rear, its overall length was 4ft, its battery pack integrated into the chassis could travel around 13 miles, and its top speed was 18mph. As it had footrests and no pedals, it was not an e-bike in the strictest sense, nor was it a sit-down e-scooter – hence the electric microbike moniker.
In 2020, the 2.0 version arrived, featuring a slightly larger chassis with 20-inch wheels front and rear, but a chunkier tire in the rear. The designer still managed to keep the length the same as before, and the weight increased by only 3 lb compared to the original, reaching 23 lb (10.4 kg). Top speed increased to 20 mph.
Rabbit
Last year, a larger, heavier version was revealed – the XG – and V2.0 looks set to evolve into the JackRabbit OG. Now, the company has improved that original ride with a number of upgrades for the release of the OG2.
The most notable design change is the addition of a curved downtube to the now-reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy frame. A new patent-pending body is said to make it faster to fold things into tight storage spaces; the company also says the new JackRabbit is FAA-compliant, so you won’t need to rent transportation once you reach your destination by air. The footrests have also been upgraded to a “comfortable Mega Metal” flavor made of forged aluminum.
The OG2 features a 300W rear hub motor for “sweatless” thumb throttle speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h), and it now comes with three power levels thanks to the addition of a new low-speed indoor mode. A 151.2Wh UL-compliant battery pack is reportedly good for over 10 miles (16+ km) of range, and can be removed for charging indoors or hot-swapping with an optional spare when out and about. An all-new digital display with battery-saving auto-shutdown is included for riding essentials.
Rabbit
The electric microbike rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires — 1.95 inches up front and 2.5 inches in the rear — and stopping power is provided by a single mechanical disc brake at the rear. It's slightly heavier than its predecessor at 25 lb (11.3 kg), which is still a lightweight ride-to-ride carry, and users can now park it thanks to an “extra stable” kickstand.
The JackRabbit OG2 has all the makings of a super fun ride, as you can see in the video below, and is currently on sale for $1,249.99 USD. Optional add-ons like a rear basket and suspension seatpost are also available.
Brand new JACKRABBIT OG2
Product page: JackRabbit OG2