Detroit Bikes’ latest affordable commuter builds on the success of their $400 aluminum Sparrow, by putting a motor on it – enter the E-Sparrow. While the original pedal version was dubbed ‘the perfect city bike’, this new all aluminum e-bike packs in even more value with a rear hub motor, frame mounted battery & disc brakes…
Detroit Bikes E-Sparrow super affordable city commuter e-bike
Based on the lightweight aluminum frame and fork of the original crowdfunded Sparrow launched last year, this new E-Sparrow gets an e-bike powertrain and disc brake update to boost its usability. (This is a teaser shot of one of the early working prototypes that put the new powertrain on the existing rim-brake Sparrow.) That powertrain consists of a 250W Bafang rear hub motor and 280Wh Samsung 36V lithium battery, for pedal assist range of 40km/24mi (and apparently also trigger throttle control.)
The alloy frame & unicrown fork get eyelets for fenders, IS brake tabs to mount Tektro mechanical brakes, room for large volume road tires like the 700x28mm WTB Thickslicks shown, and even looks to feature internal cable routing through the front triangle. These framesets are not among those manufactured entirely in the US, but Detroit does assemble the E-Sparrow in the US and builds their wheels in-house, before shipping out to consumers 95% pre-assembled.
E-Sparrow – Pre-order pricing & availability
The new Detroit Bikes E-Sparrow is available now for pre-order with a 50% deposit of $450 in four frames sizes based on the Ben Serotta-designed Sparrow geometry (S-XL). The remaining half of the $899 pre-tax price will need to be paid when the e-bike ships in September 2020, with free US delivery.
“It was about time we got into the e-bike space” says Detroit Bikes founder Zakary Pashak. “As beautiful a system as a human-powered bicycle is, the accessibility and fun of e-bikes gives them the opportunity to truly change the face of urban transportation. To hit the e-bike market with a solid, fun as heck bike for $899 is going to give Detroit Bikes a competitive edge in this forefront of new urban mobility.”
