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Be Marlon Brando-Cool with the W-Class Pedelec Cruiser

There is something about pedelecs that makes them look natural when designed to hark back to the vintage bikes and motorcycles. If you're not convinced about this, take a look at the Ariel Rider W-Class.
Ariel Rider W-Class 18 photos
Photo: Ariel Rider
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Seen from afar, the Ariel Rider W-Class may deceive you into believing you're dealing with an authentic retro machine from the WWII-era, but once you get close, only the vintage vibe will remain. The W-Class is loaded with lots of modern technologies and provides all the convenience any pedelec brags about these days.

The Ariel Rider W-Class is available in two versions, with 250W and 500W motors, and minimal differences between them. Of course, the smaller model achieves a slower top speed, which has been limited to 25 km/h (15.5 mph). The batteries of both versions have Samsung cells, and the smaller one is a 36V 11 Ah model, whereas the larger one is a 48V model. The top speed of the 500w W-Class is 45 km/h (30 mph).

Hydroformed aluminum frames that look simply stunning

The frames are hydroformed from aluminum 6061 and painted to perfection, and they boast the same vibe as the motorbikes of yore. In fact, the Onal brothers who make them wanted these pedelecs to look like Marlon Brando's Wild One ride.

Carefully-trimmed leather accents complement the retro headlight and the springer fork, while the old-school tires enhance this look. However, these are about all there is retro about the bike.

The transmission is a Shimano Altus 7-speed unit, with Avid BB7 disc brakes providing stopping power. Also, these bikes have a power on demand system (POD) that analyzes the ride conditions, measures how much force you are applying to the pedals and makes the necessary adjustments for the electric assistance.

The seats are handcrafted in Japan from Australian genuine leather that will break in and take the rider's body shape in a few months. The grips are also covered in leather, and the taillight on the rear fender also serves as a brake light.

Ariel Rider claims that the max range for these bikes is 80 km (~50 miles). Aside the stylish looks, the W-Class pedelecs also come with an attractive price. The 250W version is $2,100 (€1,920), while the 500W model is a $2,550 (€2,335) affair, in beige, black, or red.
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 Download: Ariel Rider W-Class (PDF)

 

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