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Bicycles

Mando announces "big"-wheeled version of its Footloose chainless e-bike

By Ben Coxworth
September 17, 2015
Mando announces "big"-wheeled version of its Footloose chainless e-bike
An advance model of Mando's more road-worthy version of the Footloose, on display in Las Vegas at Interbike 2015
An advance model of Mando's more road-worthy version of the Footloose, on display in Las Vegas at Interbike 2015
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An advance model of Mando's more road-worthy version of the Footloose, on display in Las Vegas at Interbike 2015
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An advance model of Mando's more road-worthy version of the Footloose, on display in Las Vegas at Interbike 2015
The new Mando Footloose will feature a carbon fibre fork and frame
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The new Mando Footloose will feature a carbon fibre fork and frame
Riders can view stats such as speed and battery charge level on a detachable 2.4-inch color LCD screen
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Riders can view stats such as speed and battery charge level on a detachable 2.4-inch color LCD screen
The new Mando Footloose will feature either a 250-watt (Europe) or 500-watt (US) motor
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The new Mando Footloose will feature either a 250-watt (Europe) or 500-watt (US) motor
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If you’re at all familiar with e-bikes, then you’ve probably at least heard of the Mando Footloose. Besides simply looking unique, it distinguishes itself by having neither a chain nor a belt drive. Until now, however, all the models featured relatively small 20-inch wheels – not the greatest thing for surviving potholes, or maintaining speed. That’s about to change, as Mando has unveiled its soon-to-be-released 26-inch-wheeled Footloose.

Like the existing models, the new Footloose uses the rider's pedalling power to charge the bike's battery via an alternator in the crank. That battery in turn powers the rear hub motor. Riders can choose between throttle-only and pedal-assist modes, while viewing stats such as speed and battery charge level on a detachable 2.4-inch color LCD screen.

The 26-inch bike features a removable 36-volt/13.5-Ah lithium-ion battery, powering either a 250-watt (Europe) or 500-watt (US) motor. Those motor choices take it to a top speed of 16 mph (25 km/h) or 20 mph (32 km/h), respectively. Both versions have a battery range of 31 miles (50 km) in throttle mode, or 56 miles (90 km) in pedal-assist.

Riders can view stats such as speed and battery charge level on a detachable 2.4-inch color LCD screen
Riders can view stats such as speed and battery charge level on a detachable 2.4-inch color LCD screen

Featuring a carbon fiber frame and fork, it tips the scales at 48.5 lb (22 kg). For comparison, the smaller-wheeled Footloose IM weighs 47.3 lb (21.5 kg) and offers very similar performance figures. Like the IM but unlike the original Footloose, the big-wheeled version does not fold.

The Mando rep we spoke to at Interbike 2015 told us that pricing for the new model has yet to be determined, but it should be available sometime next year.

Source: Mando Footloose

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BicyclesInterbike 2015
7 comments
Ben Coxworth
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

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7 comments
BriniaSona
Probably like 8k, all these e-bikes cost so much. I wish there was an affordable one.
Bob Flint
One glitch in the electronics, and your spinning to get no-where, unless you Flintstone style with your feet.
Drive by wire meets a bicycle, probably more like 10k+
Tom Benson
BriniaSona, point well taken, but this is a first to market, limited production item so yes its going to be expensive. Perhaps one day the chainless concept will get some traction and be sold as a mass market item, but even based on whats available across the bicycle industry: a quality frame is going to be at least $500 plus wheels $300. Add a motor $500 and a controller $200. Seats, pedals, handle bars and brakes $400. Battery ($400 +) - how far/fast do you want to go? I can't see how a quality e-bike will ever be on the market for under $2000 and at that price it would be a bargain.
ClauS
A lot of people seems to live on a parallel universe. 800$ for frames and wheels is huge, depending on what do you understand by quality. I can buy a mountain bike with hydraulic disk brakes and front suspension for less then 500$. At 15kg it's 33$/kg. I can also buy a small car with 4 seats, 4 wheels, air-conditioning, airbags, gasoline engine etc. for 8000$. At 1000kg it's 8$/kg, of course with a lot of cheap steel frame, but also with a lot of other high tech components. Still it's ridiculous to ask for four digit prices for bicycles. Of course electric bicycles should be more expensive, but mostly because of the batteries, which is also the reason for high price of electric cars. You can buy a high quality 2000W RC motor for around 200$ and an appropriate controller for 100$.
Bruce H. Anderson
Because it is chainless, getting started will require use of the motor. Since acceleration is the biggest load, that will affect battery life. It seems an inefficient use of energy, as opposed to getting under way with pedals and then letting the motor assist for cruising and climbing hills.
Rafe Husain
my build weighs 40lb goes 40 mph and has 40 mi range. The ultimate 1:1:1 in efficiency.
http://www.hybridandelectriccarnews.net/blog/2015/04/30/rafe-husain-40c3-q-ebike-transportation-innovator/
unklmurray
From all I can gather everyone I talk to seem to like this machine,Yes , it is expensive,I haven't seen one yet but,as soon as my driver gets a weekend free she will take me to the big city and seeing one of these is one of the sights,I plan to take in while I'm there. While I'm not a country bumpkin,I don't get out much,I have COPD and have been the hospital more than not for the last 5-6 years,My ''care giver '' isn't supposed to take me out for anything but the essentials, so we have to do things on her time, hopefully I can soon get my trike back up and running,then I won't have 2 rely on others to get me around,we don't have any public transit out here [ Seattle is only 40 miles away ] wonder how hard it would to modify a ''Mondo Footloose'' N2 a trike, my oxygen machine os rather bulky and if I fell over on a bike I might not be able to get up,....they are supposed to be getting me a ''Mobility Scooter'' but I don't think it would have a range of 150+miles!! It is about 25 miles to the bus then it would be an all day excursion if I could even find the bike shop that has the "Mondo '' in stock for a test ride, If they would even let me check it out!! probably just a ''Pipe Dream''........LOL :-)