If you commute to New York City for work, you understand what it takes to find a top-notch commuter e-bike that’s easy to carry from the subway to your office. Our JackRabbit OG2 review highlights how this bike stands out from other electric bikes because it’s classified as a micro e-bike, thanks to its compact size. This model follows the original JackRabbit OG, which came out over two years ago.
Honestly, you might have never considered using an e-bike for your commute before. Most of them are bulky and heavy, making them a hassle to transport. But the JackRabbit OG2 changes the game with its lightweight design and thrilling ride, weighing in at just 25 pounds.
After riding the JackRabbit OG2 through NYC traffic for a few weeks, you’ll find it’s definitely in the running for one of the best electric bikes around!
JackRabbit OG2 Review
Specifications
- Motor: 300W Rear Hub Motor
- Torque: 85 Nm
- Top Speed: 20 mph
- Battery: 36V 4.2Ah (152Wh)
- Charging Time: 3 hours
- Range: 12 miles
- Power Levels: 3 (LOW, MID & HIGH)
- Throttle: Thumb-Activated Variable Speed Control
- Sensor: Torque Sensor
- Classification: Class 2
- Lights: Optional (Standard Front and Rear Lights Via Light Plug Ports)
- Display: Multi-Function Backlit Speedometer
- Brake Type: Mechanical Rear Disc Brakes
- Tire Size: 20″ x 1.95” & 20″ x 2.5″
- Suspension: None
- Pedals: No
- Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy
- Frame Design: High-Step
- Bike Weight: 25 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 275 lbs
- Rider Height: 4’9″ – 6’2″
- Color: Black, White, Yellow, Blue
- Price: $1,249.99
Pros
- It folds up nicely, making storage a breeze.
- It’s super easy to carry around because it feels so lightweight.
- it’s fun to ride.
- You’ll love the zippy acceleration for such a small bike.
Cons
- The range is only 12 miles.
- It doesn’t come with built-in lights.
- Also Read: Electric Bike and Scooter Safety
Design
When you first see the JackRabbit OG2 in action, you might be surprised by just how tiny it is. Seriously, who would think a mini e-bike like this could actually be good for biking? But honestly, there’s a lot to love about its design, especially if you’re looking for something to use for your daily commute in the city.
First off, the JackRabbit OG2 weighs only 25 pounds, which makes it super easy for you to carry up and down subway stairs. You’ll also love how the handlebars twist and the pedals fold up, allowing the whole bike to be stored flat. It’s great that you can lean it against a wall or lay it flat in your car’s trunk, but it would be even better if it could fold in half like some other folding bikes.
While the handlebars stay fixed, you can adjust the seat height to get a better feel for handling. It might take you a little time to get used to maneuvering this micro-sized bike, but don’t let its small stature fool you—the Monocoque 6061-T6 aluminum alloy frame is sturdy enough to support up to 275 pounds.
The controls are conveniently located on the right handlebar, featuring three different power levels and a handle brake that works with the mechanical rear disc caliper and 160 mm rotor. You might find yourself sticking with Level 3 for maximum power and acceleration, especially if you’re confident with other e-bikes and scooters. There’s also a little bike chime on the left handlebar, but you might wish it was an electronic siren instead.
The battery is tucked away in the middle of the frame and can be removed for charging separately. This is super handy if you don’t want to haul the entire bike inside. Just pop out the battery and charge it with the included charger.
Your only real complaint about the OG2 design might be that it doesn’t come with any lights. Sure, there are reflectors, but having integrated lights would be great for nighttime riding. As it stands, those are optional accessories.
Battery Life and Range
Switching from an electric bike with a range of over 20 miles to the JackRabbit OG2 means compromising on its more modest 10+ mile range. For instance, if your one-way commute from Penn Station to the office is just under a mile, you’ll find that after three days of commuting, the battery indicator will likely sit at 3 out of 5 bars.
This performance aligns with the company’s battery life rating, but heavy users should plan to recharge the battery daily to ensure uninterrupted rides.
The good news is that when you do need to charge the battery at work, it only takes about 3 hours. While the range might be lacking, you can make it work by recharging frequently or investing in a spare battery for $199. If you want to extend your range even further, there’s also the $400 rangebuster battery that adds an impressive 24+ miles.
For your daily commute, the JackRabbit OG2’s battery life and range should suffice. However, if you’re a power user, you’ll definitely want to consider picking up some spare batteries to keep up with your needs.
Performance
You probably have high standards when it comes to performance, especially if you’re used to the intense acceleration and 25 mph top speed. While the JackRabbit OG2 has a less powerful 300-watt rear hub brushless motor, you might be surprised at how well it delivers decent acceleration—even with you on it while carrying a heavy backpack. You can still reach the OG2’s top speed of 20 mph in under 10 seconds from a complete stop.
As you get used to handling the OG2, you might notice a brief adjustment period. You really have to extend your arms and remember that it doesn’t require any pedaling at all. It may feel a bit like riding a Kawasaki motorcycle as you lean slightly forward while moving it around.
For a commuter electric bike, the JackRabbit OG2 offers a fun ride with excellent acceleration for its size and top speed. However, you may find that it struggles a bit on steeper inclines. It still chugs along at a reduced speed, but it doesn’t help that you’re typically carrying a hefty backpack.
When you first take the JackRabbit OG2 on the train and subway, you might be skeptical about whether it can replace your other ebike. But its incredibly lightweight feel, compact size, and fun ride have all the qualities you want in a commuter e-bike. It’s not perfect, but it definitely gets the job done!
Competition
There aren’t many direct competitors to the JackRabbit OG2. For a similar price, you could choose electric folding bikes like the Lectric XP 3.0, which technically offers a faster ride and more range. However, it’s quite heavy at 64 pounds, especially when you compare it to the OG2’s lightweight 25-pound design. That’s a significant difference, making it hard for other electric bikes to match the OG2’s portability.
Both the Brompton Electric C Line Explore and Volt Lite come close in weight, but they’ll cost you over $3,000 each.
Price and Availability
You might think that the JackRabbit OG2’s compact design would make it more affordable than most e-bikes, but that’s not the case. In fact, some people might be surprised to learn that it costs $1,249—just as much as a good full-sized electric bike from reputable brands. While it’s definitely on the pricier side, it comes with features that justify the cost.
You can only buy the JackRabbit OG2 directly from JackRabbit’s website, where you’ll find four color options: black, white, yellow, or blue. I would choose yellow because it will helps me stand out—especially since its small size already gets attention!
Final Words
Riding the JackRabbit OG2 is definitely a unique experience. Imagine yourself navigating through New York City traffic during rush hour on this tiny bike. It’s impressive how well the OG2 keeps up with top commuter bikes. It’s small, compact, easy to carry upstairs, and offers such a thrilling ride that it justifies its price tag.
You might get some curious looks while riding it, but trust me, people will be envious when they see you zipping down the road! The combination of its size and performance makes the JackRabbit OG2 a standout choice for anyone looking for a fun and practical commuting solution.