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Last Updated on: 31st March 2025, 12:43 pm
With all the attention on four-wheeled electric vehicles, e-bikes might be getting short-changed. They are much more affordable and take up far less space. They also don’t require the installation of EV chargers in the home, which makes them easier to purchase and use immediately because there is less inconvenience and a smaller learning curve.
A person who does not want to buy an electric car, SUV, or pickup truck or cannot afford to do so can still get an e-bike for short trips. Grocery stores, pharmacies, meetups at a cafe or restaurant, health appointments, church, school, gym, community center, movie theater — traveling to these typical destinations in a suburb or small town can be feasible with an e-bike, weather permitting. An owner and operator of a fossil fuel burner can still enjoy and benefit from having electrified transportation with an e-bike.
The last e-bike I rode had an appealing design, seemed quite solid, and the battery lasted for weeks without any additional charging. It was a great e-bike. There was one aspect that wasn’t very functional for me personally; it weighed slightly over 80 pounds.
Recently, I became aware of the EIDOLON, a bespoke e-bike weighing only 9.9 kilograms, or 21 pounds. This is exactly the weight of an e-bike I could handle because there are several flights of stairs to haul it up where I live, and no storage at ground level. If you noticed the word bespoke and learned how light it is, you might have guessed the EIDOLON is not priced in the average e-bike range, because it’s not an average e-bike. The price is €12,600 euros not including VAT and shipping.
Ponomarets Bikes answered some questions about the EIDOLON for CleanTechnica.
What aspects of the bespoke e-bike can be customized?
Frameset color and the color of our proprietary CNC parts — brakes and stem.
A certain level of cockpit and drivetrain component customization is also possible depending on the request. The EIDOLON metal plate on the chainstay can also be customized with the owner’s name.
What is the battery capacity and chemistry?
Internal battery: 236 Wh, lithium-ion.
Optional range extender: 171 Wh, lithium-ion.
What is the range?
Up to 100 km (62 miles) on the internal battery.
Up to 60 km (37 miles) additional with the optional range extender.
How long does it take to charge?
Internal battery: approximately 2 hours to 80% under standard conditions, full charge in up to 3.5 hours. Range extender: around 1 hour to 80%, under 2 hours for a full charge.
Does the e-bike come with a charger?
Yes, a charger is included.
What is the top speed?
25 km/h (15.5 mph) in the EU, 20 mph in the US.
What is the optimal cruising speed?
Typically 18–23 km/h (11–14 mph), depending on terrain and rider input.
What is the warranty?
2-year warranty.
How did you make such a light e-bike?
Thanks to a full carbon frame and German know-how, carefully optimized components, and the lightweight Mahle X20 drive system.
Does it have regenerative braking?
No.
Does it have multiple gears?
Yes, it features a 1×12-speed drivetrain.
What size are the wheels?
700c.
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