Propella introduces a lighter, more agile e-bike to attract more traditional cyclists

Seattle-based Propella has just launched an Indiegogo campaign to help crowdfund its second-generation e-bike, dubbed the 2.0. This time out, the company is looking to improve on the overall experience by making the bike lighter while delivering a ride that is much closer to what you would expect from a traditional model in terms of smoothness and handling. To achieve that, the 2.0 offers a more streamlined frame, higher-quality components, and a smaller battery when compared to the first-generation Propella.

In its efforts to slim down the 2.0, Propella managed to cut 8 percent off of its total weight. Some of that reduction came as a result of using a battery that is 15 percent lighter, while switching to upgraded alloy components contributed to the effort as well. The company also stayed true to its approach to a more minimalist design, and as a result, the bike weighs just 34 pounds. That’s still considerably more than a traditional road bike, which often tip the scales at less than 20 pounds, but it is a lot less than most other e-bikes, which routinely weigh 50 pounds or more.

In terms of performance, the 2.0 can achieve pedal-assisted speeds of up to 20 mph over a distance of 15 to 40 miles. The bike features a 36-volt, 6.8 amp-hour removable battery that can be recharged in as little as 2.5 hours, limiting downtime between charges. It ships from the factory with front and rear disc breaks and a single-speed gear ratio. A seven-speed option is available as a $150 upgrade.

Propella is hoping to raise $60,000 through its crowdfunding effort to get the 2.0 into production. At the moment, it is about 75 percent of the way toward that goal. If successful, the new e-bike should go on sale in September with an estimated MSRP of about $1,500 for the single-speed model, and $1650 for the seven-speed version. Both models can be reserved now for $999 and $1149, respectively.