Just a few years ago, "weird" and "heavy" were two adjectives that were nearly unavoidable when discussing e-bikes. Things have started to rapidly change over the past few years, with a number of companies stepping up and offering lighter, less conspicuous electric bikes. The M2S All-Go is the latest in this growing field, its carbon frame offering both distinct looks and a light ride weight.
There are still plenty of weird electric bikes out there, if that's your thing, but there are also some options for those that want an e-bike that looks, feels and carries more like a traditional bike. In the course of about a year, we've seen the 36-lb (16.3-kg) Propella, 26.5-lb (12 kg) Freygeist Classic, 21.6-lb (9.8 kg) BestiaNera Sport and 25-lb (11-kg) Maxwell EPO, all of which have the good looks to complement those modest weights. If we roll the calendar back a few more months, we even saw Pininfarina, the design house that makes Ferraris look like Ferraris, putting its pen to work designing a more aesthetic e-bike of its own.
The new All-Go from North Carolina's M2S fits comfortably in that category of "clean, stylish design with manageable weight," coming in at a listed 33 lb (15 kg). A full carbon fiber frame is integral in keeping that weight in check, making the bike easier to pedal when the battery runs out and easier to shoulder when you have to carry it.
The All-Go features a 500-watt (peak power) mid-mounted, pedal-assist electric drive that provides power up to speeds of 28 mph (45 km/h). The removable, lockable 8.7Ah lithium-ion battery in the down tube is good for up to 30 miles (48 km) of pedal-assist cycling. It takes about four hours to charge. M2S is considering upgrading that battery as a stretch goal of its Indiegogo campaign.
Should electric boost not be needed or desired, the rider can always switch off the motor completely and rely solely on pedaling the 27-speed Shimano Alivio drivetrain. Stopping power comes from mechanical disc brakes, and a stem-integrated display provides readings of speed, watts, trip distance, battery power and more.
In terms of styling, we like the overall shape and flow of the bike, but the top tube looks a tad thin and meager hovering over the stout, battery-securing down tube. The size ratio seems a little too extreme, and we think it'd look better with a slightly thicker top tube. Other than that, it's a sharp-looking bike that pops in gray and orange.
Electric bikes are often framed as tools for the city-dwelling commuting hordes, but M2S has a few different demographics in mind, including city-dwelling commuting hordes. The most interesting customer that it's aiming to reach is the fully-loaded adventure cyclist.
While the 30-mile electric range is a bit slim for full-blown touring expeditions (and an electric powertrain just adds unnecessary weight if you're planning on pedaling most of the way), M2S sees its bike being used for things like wheeling climbing gear to a local crag or rolling a cooler and gear to the beach. For that purpose, it offers an "adventure package" that includes a bike trailer, waterproof bag and spare battery pack.
M2S has developed a prototype and put in some 500 miles (805 km) of test riding on it. It's now trying to crowdfund the money it needs to scale up production. It's offering the All-Go at Indiegogo pledge levels of US$2,000+ and spare batteries at $250. The adventure package, which includes the bike itself, the cargo trailer and the other accessories mentioned earlier, comes in at the $3,000 level. If things move along as M2S hopes, deliveries will begin in September.
The video below offers a closer look.
