Bicycles

Off-road specialist Stealth suits up for the commuter e-bike party

Off-road specialist Stealth suits up for the commuter e-bike party
The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km (93 mi) range
The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km (93 mi) range
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Stealth says the P-7 should be in stores in the middle of the year
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Stealth says the P-7 should be in stores in the middle of the year 
The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
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The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
The P-7 is Stealth's first foray into the commuter e-bike landscape
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The P-7 is Stealth's first foray into the commuter e-bike landscape
The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
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The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km range (93 mi) range
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The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km range (93 mi) range
The P-7 is Stealth's first foray into the commuter e-bike landscape
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The P-7 is Stealth's first foray into the commuter e-bike landscape
The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km (93 mi) range
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The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km (93 mi) range
The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels
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The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels
The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
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The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km range (93 mi) range
10/16
The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km range (93 mi) range
The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels
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The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels
The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
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The P-7 has a 250 W hub motor in the rear wheel
The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km (93 mi) range
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The Stealth P-7 e-bike promises a monster 150 km (93 mi) range
The P-7 is Stealth's first foray into the commuter e-bike landscape
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The P-7 is Stealth's first foray into the commuter e-bike landscape
The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels
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The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels
The Stealth bikes that we have tested have given us a hell of a ride
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The Stealth bikes that we have tested have given us a hell of a ride
View gallery - 16 images

In the past, Australian e-bike builder Stealth has shown little concern for things like power restrictions on electric vehicles. After all, its brawny dirtbikes are made to be unleashed on remote forest trails where raw power and agility come to the fore. That changes with today's launch of the P-7, Stealth's first foray into the commuter e-bike landscape that also carries a friendlier price tag to appeal to the masses.

The Stealth bikes that we have tested previously have given us a hell of a ride, with a 5,200-W in-hub motor driving them to speeds of around the 80 km/h (50 mph). These machines aren't your typical e-bikes, but the build quality and thrilling experience has surely prompted a few Stealth jockeys to ponder when or if the company would offer up a street-legal option.

The move to the street is going to mean a huge cut on power, there's simply no way around it. Legally speaking, Stealth's other e-bikes are classed as motorbikes in Australia (and much of the world). To move into legal e-bike territory, the power output can be no greater that 250 W. So that's what the pedal-assist P-7 carries, by way of hub motor in the rear wheel.

The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels
The Stealth P-7 e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels

These strict laws leave little room for creativity on the power front, but there are other areas where e-bike makers can stand out from the crowd, including how far they can travel. Stealth has come to the party with a lithium-ion battery pack promising a monster 150 km (93 mi) range, the sort of longevity that could make a once-a-week plug-in enough to keep you running to the office and back.

The bike features 27.5-in wheels with dual suspension and a seven-speed derailleur with twist-grip shifter on the handlebars. There is also a display built into the frame so riders can keep tabs on battery levels. The whole thing weighs 29 kg (64 lb), which is on the heavier side for an e-bike, but that huge range doesn't come for free.

Stealth says the P-7 should be in stores in the middle of the year and will retail for AU$7,300 (US$5,500). Ahead of the launch, however, it has today started a Kickstarter campaign where early pledges will land you one the bikes for AU$5,300 (US$4,000) if all goes to plan. The campaign is slated to run until mid April.

Source: Stealth

View gallery - 16 images
3 comments
3 comments
DavidJehlicka
Huge disappointment.... for 5000$ Stealth should be a leader in fast e-bikes. I had Haibike with mid/drive for 3800$ explain that.
chase
Strong bikes out of China produced an commuter 15 years ago that has a range of 93 miles per charge. Carbon composite tri-spoke wheels. Rear trunk. Fuel gauge. In line Head and tail lights key activated. Rear wheel key lock. 250w internal hub. China designed and produced. All for $1,500 US. I owned one. Little heavy by today's standards, but a great bike. Definitely stood out from the crowd. I believe they still make it. Given the China population commuting via bicycle by comparison to other countries.... And it was built to last. $5k and acting like 93 mile distance per charge is something that new in this write up.. You need to do your homework. Save your money, get a Strong e-bike or the like. Cheers...
ljaques
Way to go, Stealth! Now if you could just pare $4500 off that price... Come off it. $5.5k for a 250w assisted _bicycle_? With the combo of a 250W hub motor kit + a new bicycle + a 36v 20Ah (6.5xLiPo battery totaling under $700 and a couple hours of a DIYer's (or bike shop mechanic's) time, why aren't you even -trying- to compete here for the same market? Is it greed/brand name, the regenerative braking, or both, which octuples the price?