Bicycles

Folding electric fat bike promises "moar" features

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Moar e-bikes include 500- or 750-watt electric drives, full suspension and 4-in fat tires
The Moar's battery is stored in the prominent cargo rack jutting off the back
The Moar e-bike features a simple hinged folding mechanism
Moar uses a right-side folding mechanism that puts the rear derailleur between the two wheels for better protection
At around 70 lb, it's not light, but the Moar is at least compact when folded
Moar offers three different models to try and meet the needs of many different e-bikers
Moar e-bikes include 500- or 750-watt electric drives, full suspension and 4-in fat tires
Santa Monica-based Moar Bikes has launched its e-bike line on Indiegogo
The Moar Rapt and 24/7 come with headlights
Moar e-bikes
Bikes are getting too many built-in adjectives: folding, electric, fat and full-suspension all fit here
All of Moar's bikes include a taillight
The battery pack stores in the cargo rack and can be removed for charging
The "Angel Eye" lighting halo design helps make the cyclist more visible at night
Moar e-bikes
Moar e-bikes
The backlit LCD offers control and information
Moar's bikes come with 7, 8 or 9 speeds
Moar e-bikes include 500- or 750-watt electric drives, full suspension and 4-in fat tires
View gallery - 18 images

One look at the all-new Moar e-bike and you can tell this isn't your average pedelec. The bike greets the eye with fat tires, thickly sheathed wires and a battery compartment that shoots off the back of the seat post to double as a cargo rack. Looking more closely, its feature set includes full suspension, a 750-W electric drive and a powerful lighting system. This e-bike just packs "moar" than average, pardon the pun.

We've come to expect electric bikes in every shape and size imaginable, but we weren't expecting an on/off-road, full-suspension electric folder with 26-in wheels, fat tires and a 750-watt powertrain. But that's exactly what the Moar e-bike, which is currently the subject of a crowdfunding campaign, promises – a powerful, rugged two-wheeler built for everyone from trail-riding weekend warriors to daily city commuters.

When the non-electric fat bike first began its popularity rise from endurance competition workhorse to trendy piece of kit parked in front of every microbrewery around, it seemed to run almost exclusively without suspension – maybe something about big, spongy tires not needing to be sprung, or perhaps it was more that suspension makers weren't building components for the fat market.

But over the past three years or so, notable manufacturers like Surly and Trek have started rolling out big-tired bikes with front and rear suspension, providing an option for those that want a little extra spring. As those full suspension fat bikes were gaining a little traction, electric bike companies like Bad and Rad started introducing (unsuspended) folding, electric fat bikes. In short, the fat tire trend has been finding its way into all shapes and forms of bike ... or maybe it's been all shapes, forms and components wrapping their way around those wide, bloated tires.

Moar has gone a step farther than the others in packing a fatty with the kitchen sink, combining all those different aspects into a single bike, then tacking on an impressive collection of tech and components. The company's electrified full-suspension fat-tire folder features a heat-treated 6061 aluminum frame that folds in half via a hinge at the top tube. The distinctive welded rear cargo rack shoots upward to double as an easy-access compartment for the removable 48-V lithium-ion battery. Folding pedals further shrink the bike's footprint during storage and transport.

The Moar e-bike features a simple hinged folding mechanism

Moar has developed three models around its folding frame, relying on two powertrain options: a 750-watt-rated mid-drive motor and a 500-watt-rated rear hub motor. Whichever motor you choose, a torque sensor or cadence sensor and motor controller regulate output to maintain the desired level of pedal-assist according to five rider-selectable modes. There's also a thumb throttle for direct motor output.

Moar has electronically capped top speed at 20 mph (32 km/h) to meet regulations, but it says that the owner can easily unlock the fuller top speeds of 28 mph (45 km/h) for the 750-watt mid-motor and 25 mph (40 km/h) for the 500-watt rear hub motor. The battery has enough power for between 30 and 85 miles (48 and 137 km) of range, depending upon model/motor, pedal-assist mode selected and other factors.

Another interesting feature on the Moar bike is its integrated lighting system, which includes a 1,000-lumen LED dual-headlight system, LED taillight, turn signals and brake lights. The headlights include an "Angel Eye" surround that illuminates the road directly in front of the bike to make the rider more visible while the LED projectors throw light farther ahead, up to 30 feet (9.1 m).

The "Angel Eye" lighting halo design helps make the cyclist more visible at night

Other features of interest include a backlit LCD on the handlebars, USB gadget charging, a horn, internally routed wiring and heavy sleeving where the wires are outside the frame, disc brakes, and Kenda 26 x 4-in fat tires.

All those features don't come without some weight, and the Moar e-bike definitely won't be competing with the BestiaNera Sport or Maxwell EP0 for the title of lightest e-bike. With the battery in place, it sends the scale racing to around 70 lb (32 kg).

Moar is currently at the prototype stage and trying to raise development funding on Indiegogo, where it's offering all three of its electric bike models. The nine-speed performance flagship Rapt, featuring the 750-watt mid-drive with a 17-Ah/815-Wh Samsung li-ion battery for up to 85 miles (137 km) of range, slots in at a US$1,999. The eight-speed 24/7 ($1,199) and seven-speed Sun & Fun ($999) models both rely on the 500-watt rear motor with smaller batteries and range figures. Some of the other features vary by model, as well.

Moar e-bikes

The campaign page linked below has a thorough rundown of Moar's overarching design and all the features and individual models, so if you want more of the ins and outs, it's worth a read.

Source: Indiegogo

View gallery - 18 images
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8 comments
tacheonabike
The lines between a bike and a scooter are gone , this is not road legal in uk so would incurr extra costs , but finally a real alternative to the car for many comuters
Stradric
The fork (or stem depending how you look at it) is clearly mounted backwards in that one image (in the sand, shot from low).
SaysMe
👍much needed!
Augure
Arg, still waiting for the right foldable electric bike to travel with. This one while nice, is still to big to carry around, and not really city-friendly, rather it's more of cross.
DaveWesely
Finally! A bike with integrated headlight, taillight and turn signals. None of the silly "I've got to be able to take it off otherwise it will get stolen" quick release dribble. These guys have thought of everything without an outrageous price tag.
LarryWolf
Bad seat design--you can't lower it for shorter riders. It's already at the bottom and too high for most women. No thanks. BAD design!
PAV
This bike got my motor running!
Daishi
The price seems too good to be true. The $1,000 version has a 500 watt motor, a 48v 10AH battery, full suspension, onboard electronics, and disk brakes. Similar bikes that aren't foldable with fewer features are often like $1,600 or more. This feels like a bit of a moonshot.