Marrs Cycles
Marrs Cycles are designed and built in the United States,
even while many other electric bikes are made overseas. The
frames are hand-crafted, as are the handlebars and front ends.
The Marrs company goal is building a line of electric bicycles
that will be considered the elite of their class, and in giving
riders the chance to own a bike inspired by motorcycle design.
Marrs Cycle Electric Bike |
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Electric bikes are experiencing a time of interesting new
designs, since Marrs' concern is now somewhat less about the
overall weight of each bike. Some almost seem like electric
motorcycles. The Marrs M-1 was inspired by Harley Davidson
motorcycles, and it may become the fastest electric bike available.
Of course, US regulations cap the speed at 20 mph or it won't
be an "electric bicycle".
M-1 Marrs Cycles are custom made with specifications that
vary from one bike to the next, since they are built to order.
The partner of the Marrs Cycles, Brad Fanshaw, used to run
a company that designed hot rods, and he had a voice in the
M-1 design. He partners with the founder Kacy Marrs on the
M-1 project.
Ebikes use battery packs of rechargeable lithium, powering
rear hub, three phase motors. An average size man could travel
as far as 20 miles without pedaling, before needing a recharge.
Even though the top speed is listed at 20 mph, Marrs confirms
that they have 30 mph prototypes.
Sweeeeet Ride!
There are other electric bikes with a cool look, and some
innovative, sleek designs. But Marrs' M-1 is different. It
has the heart of a hot rod and doesn't pretend to be compact
or proper. Some people who have seen the bike think it looks
more like a Harley than an ebike. You may have to pedal harder
due to the weight, but fans say you'll look sweeeeeet doing
it.
Almost all other electric bikes have lighter frames than
the M-1. No one has determined what an ebike has to look like,
and Marrs and Fanshaw approached the M-1 as one might approach
a hot rod or a custom bike. Each M-1 is strictly unique and
built to the customers' specifications, and Marrs is not afraid
to deliver.
The M-1 has a chromoly steel frame that weighs a hefty 140
pounds. The other components include bicycle, high-end motorbike
and custom-designed parts. You may well feel like going faster
than 20 mph on an M-1, but if it did, that would make it a
small motorcycle by the regulations, with new rules the builders
would have to follow.
eBikes for the Stars ...
It's not surprising that these hot bikes are garnering a
lot of attention, as well as famous buyers. One well-known
fan is Metallica's James Hetfield. The prices for the M-1
start at about $7,000. The high price tag is not just because
stars want them - it's due to the fact that they are custom-built.
There is a great deal of labor in each M-1, and the motorcycle
components are not cheap, either. No other company builds
an ebike that is almost in the class of a motorcycle, while
still keeping their product in the category of electric bicycles.
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