BMX-style cruiser bikes have always encouraged fun, playful rides, but recently, the category has exploded, morphing into what are simply called ‘wheelie bikes’. Thanks to urban rideouts and social clips of riders keeping that front wheel up, wheelie bikes have become part of their own subculture and GT Bicycles has just taken their capabilities up a notch by offering an electric pedal assist model! Today GT launches both the Street Performer and its motorized brother, the Power Performer.
A blend of BMX styling and urban riding functionality, these bikes could add a lot of fun to daily rides whether you’re commuting, cruising to a party, or leaving the car parked and running errands by bike instead.
These two bikes are actually the first new models from GT’s Life+Style range, which will offer versatile bicycles designed for everyday needs. The aluminum Performer frames come in one size only, which has a top tube length of 23.62” and a standover height of 31.06”.
Street Performer:
The Street Performer is a clever mix of BMX and MTB technology. Borrowing from the mountain bike world the bike rolls on big 29×2.5” Smoothie Session tires, which feature reflective sidewall details and Light Guard Flat Protection. It also has a 9 speed drivetrain, front and rear mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors, and even Floating Frame Stander Seat Stays that help absorb bumps. Both the Street and Power Performer frames can also accommodate carrier racks, and have water bottle mounts on the seat masts.
From the BMX side of things the bike gets a rigid alloy fork (with a reinforced steel steerer tube), a set of 4-piece Power Bars built with a narrower width for urban riding, a pair of pegs on the rear, flat pedals and an old-school top tube pad.
Other finishing touches include front and rear fenders to keep you clean, a kickstand, and a locking skewer on the front wheel for urban security.
The Street Performer sells for $1120, and comes in two frame color options (Gloss Black and Coral or Gloss Purple and Satin Black Fade). Both colorways include reflective silver details.
Power Performer:
The Power Performer is nearly an identical build to the Street version, except of course for the added motor and electronics. One small difference is the motorized bike doesn’t include a set of pegs (probably not ideal!).
The Power Performer’s 9 speed drivetrain is assisted by a Bafang hub driven motor, which will bring the bike up to 20mph in North America or 25kph in Europe. N.A. models get a 350w motor and European customers get a 250w version. The North American bikes do feature a throttle, so you can let the motor do all the work when desired.
The external down tube battery is a 36v/418Wh unit that locks to the frame, and is removable for easy charging (yes, the battery can also be charged on the bike). The Power Performer offers a 1.5w USB charging port to keep your mobile devices alive. Details on the display/control unit were scant, so hopefully GT’s website provides more info…
MSRP for the Power Performer is $2225, and it comes in two colorways (Gloss Military Green Camo and Peach, or Gloss Battleship Grey and Black). Recharge and barge!
