The moped-style electric bike market continues to grow, and now Heybike is throwing its hat further into the ring with the launch of its new Saturn e-bike. And the company is coming out swinging with specs that jump right off the page and a price tag that will make you say, “wait, whaaat?” The new Heybike Saturn leans heavily into the increasingly popular retro-moped aesthetic that has become one of the hottest trends in the US e-bike market over the last several years. Featuring a long bench seat, fat tires, full suspension, and motorcycle-inspired styling, the Saturn looks designed to appeal to the same younger riders and urban commuters who have flocked to bikes like Super73, Ride1Up Revv1, Juiced Scrambler, and others. Underneath the styling, the Saturn packs fairly serious performance specs. The bike uses a 1,000W rear hub motor rated for up to 1,800W peak output, paired with a 52V electrical system and producing up to 95 Nm of torque. Like many modern moped-style e-bikes, the Saturn is marketed as a Class 3 e-bike with a 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed out of the box. However, Heybike says riders can unlock higher speeds of up to 40 mph (64 km/h) for off-road or private property use. Advertisement - scroll for more content That increasingly common “unlockable” approach has become somewhat controversial in the industry, especially as more cities and states crack down on high-speed electric bikes and electric motorcycles being ridden illegally on streets and bike paths. But it’s also become a major selling point among younger buyers looking for more performance-oriented rides. While it will definitely raise interest among the higher-performance crowd, that unlocked speed removes its suitability to operate as a street-legal electric bicycle in many states, and in some states such as California, the mere ability to be unlocked for higher speeds disqualifies its use as a street-legal e-bike, even when operated within legal limits. Battery options are another major focus for the Saturn. Riders can choose either a single 957 Wh battery setup or a dual-battery configuration that nearly doubles capacity to 1,913.6Wh. Heybike claims ranges of 30-50 miles (48-80 km) for the single battery version and up to 90 miles (145 km) with the dual battery setup, though real-world results will naturally vary depending on speed, terrain, rider weight, and throttle usage. The bike rides on 20×4″ Chaoyang fat tires and includes full suspension with a 140 mm hydraulic front fork and rear spring suspension, though neither suspension components appear to be very high end. Hydraulic disc brakes, fenders, a rear rack, and side mirrors all come standard. Heybike also says the Saturn carries UL 2849 certification, meaning the full electrical system has been tested to established safety standards. The high-performance specs are even more surprising when considering the price tag, starting at just $999 for the single battery version. That undercuts nearly every other high-speed electric moped-style bike on the market, some significantly, and calls into question just what design considerations were necessary to reduce the price so sharply. Additionally, road-going mopeds intended for such high speeds generally undergo extended accelerated load testing to confirm the ruggedness of major components such as the frame, and it is unclear to what extent these types of “off-road intended” mopeds undergo such testing or certification. Moped-style e-bikes like the Saturn have exploded in popularity in the US largely because they blur the line between bicycles and lightweight motorcycles. Many riders are drawn to the relaxed seating position, motorcycle-inspired styling, and higher speeds compared to traditional commuter e-bikes. The ability of many of these e-bikes to carry two riders is also seen as an increasingly popular selling point, especially among teens who use the bikes as a social tool for group rides. At the same time, the category has also attracted increased scrutiny as some high-powered models push beyond typical e-bike performance levels. With unlocked 40 mph (64 mph) capability and nearly 2 kWh of optional battery capacity, the Saturn appears positioned squarely at the higher-performance end of that growing market segment. Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.
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