Bicycles

Cake tunes its high-torque e-bike for the tarmac with the street-legal Kalk&

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The original Kalk’s geometry borrowed heavily from Enduro and downhill bikes, and the Kalk& does the same
Cake
The original Kalk’s geometry borrowed heavily from Enduro and downhill bikes, and the Kalk& does the same
Cake
Cake is also showing off the new Kalk& at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Colorado this week
Technical details on the new Kalk& are scarce at this point
The original Kalk’s geometry borrowed heavily from Enduro and downhill bikes, and the Kalk& does the same
More details on the Kalk& will become available when sales commence in March 2019
The Kalk& will have a top speed in excess of 100 km/h (62 mph)
Cake is also showing off the new Kalk& at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Colorado this week
Cake is also showing off the new Kalk& at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Colorado this week
Technical details on the new Kalk& are scarce at this point
The original Kalk’s geometry borrowed heavily from Enduro and downhill bikes, and the Kalk& does the same
More details on the Kalk& will become available when sales commence in March 2019
The Kalk& is Cake's first street-legal bike
Cake is also showing off the new Kalk& at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Colorado this week
Cake is also showing off the new Kalk& at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Colorado this week
Technical details on the new Kalk& are scarce at this point
More details on the Kalk& will become available when sales commence in March 2019
The Kalk& will have a top speed in excess of 100 km/h (62 mph)
The Kalk& is Cake's first street-legal bike
Cake is also showing off the new Kalk& at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Colorado this week
The Kalk& will have a top speed in excess of 100 km/h (62 mph)
Technical details on the neew Kalk& are scarce at this point
Technical details on the new Kalk& are scarce at this point
More details on the Kalk& will become available when sales commence in March 2019
View gallery - 23 images

Bike builder Cake made a statement that was both loud and quiet when debuting its first model last year, unveiling an all-electric dirt bike packing a monstrous 15-kW motor within its frame. The Swedish startup is now turning its attention to tarmac with a modified version dubbed the Kalk&, which is still built to venture off-road but will be the company's first street-legal bike for the US and EU when it launches in the coming months.

Cake's first bike was a high-powered off-roader built to tackle mud and dirt at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h). While technically a motorcycle, the original Kalk's geometry borrowed heavily from Enduro and downhill bikes, as did its suspension, components and handling.

That doesn't appear to have changed a great deal in the street-legal version, at least aesthetically, but Cake says its rolling chassis, components and drive train have been re-engineered from scratch for optimal performance. Performance-wise, that means its gearing has been tweaked and it will reach higher speeds to suit highway riding, in excess of 100 km/h (62 mph).

Technical details are very scarce beyond that, with more info on specs, pricing and availability to become available when sales commence in March 2019. It does, however, promise the new model will bridge the gap nicely for those looking to let loose in the countryside and then venture into the office on the same vehicle.

"Explore and commute, trail and street, clean and silent," says Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO of Cake. "The benefits of the dual usability, combining sustainable and efficient commuting with backcountry exploration, are endless. Bringing a high performance, electric off-road bike to the market, and making it street legal, is an important step for us at Cake, inspiring people towards zero emission, combining responsibility and excitement. It's the perfect commuter tool, while serving its users with thrill and fun, during weekends and vacations."

Cake is also showing off the new model at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Colorado this week.

Source: Cake

View gallery - 23 images
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4 comments
Tommo
Given the design freedom electric bikes give when compared to ICE models, why are the majority of them so Fugly? This model is no exception.
Mzungu_Mkubwa
@Tommo, totally agree! So, they slapped some D-S tires and lights on their dirt bike and this makes the news? Notice to electric bike builders: wake me when you decide to come up with some true design innovation, plz. (Of course should someone decide to release an electric tilting all weather recumbent commuter I'd be more than awake!)
ljaques
Exactly, Tommo. This has the ugly stepchild look. Good specs, but just gawdawful to look at. I hope those lovely little turn signals are both flexible and cheap to replace. The headlight looks great, and I like the MX background. But I think a smaller motor and greater range would do nicely for many of us looking for an entry cycle. Their other bike costs $13kUSD, so I'd definitely go with a Zero FX with the extra battery -and- fast charger, instead. Dumb pricing, guys. Combined with the looks (or lack thereof) and slow-charging only, you =certainly= won't be selling as many as you could have.
EZ
Why not just make a motor/battery cover or case that resembles that of an ICE? Until we get used to looking at the ugly reality, why not make a housing that resembles a traditional ICE bike?