Fitness
Best Retro-Styled Electric Mopeds to Get Around Town in Style
E-bikes are fun, no doubt. You get the wind-in-the-hair freedom of a regular two-wheeler, but also the bonus of a drivetrain that’s beefed up by electrons. Steep hills and long commutes become an annoyance of days’ past once you saddle up on an e-bike. But most e-boosted machines on the market are a bit dull when it comes to styling. More thought has been put into range and power than panache. Enter retro electric mopeds.
These three electric mopeds exist at the intersection between run-of-the-mill e-bikes and de facto motorcycles, due to their dashing looks and daring performance. Harkening back to the cool, simple lines of two-stroke powered mopeds—which were noisy and polluting, but oh so fun!—the welcome and worthy evolutions of the motorized bicycle are now here and ready to ride, cleaner, quieter, and more powerful than ever.
1. SUPER73 S2
If Steve McQueen were forced to ride an e-bike, it would be this one. That reference might be lost on the hipster demo to which this seems aimed at but, nonetheless, everyone can appreciate the melding of next-gen tech with vintage looks.
This nexus is exemplified by the battery, which, instead of being tucked away on the lower frame, is shaped like a teardrop gas tank and proudly positioned between seat and handlebars. Fenders, fat tires, a long seat, and a full-size headlight further beef up the profile.
So how does it perform? With grin-producing gusto. At 73 pounds, the S2 is no nimble corner carver, but even when relying solely on the pedal-assist function, minimal leg pumping translates to power that conquers most cityscape inclines. Or press the thumb throttle to go total easy rider and let the rear-tire mounted hub motor do all the silent work of zooming around rush-hour-bound traffic.
Set to Class 1 mode, speed tops out at about 20 mph, which makes the S2 legal on most bike paths—and feels plenty fast. An app unlocks additional modes, including “unlimited,” which allows speeds to easily surpass 30 mph.
Such variables can greatly affect battery charge, of course; California-based Super73 claims a full-charge range of about 40 miles using only the throttle and 75 miles using minimal pedal-assist.
The smiles-per-hour reach even higher on electric mopeds such as this. The S2 turned plenty of heads and sparked several envious conversations. Indeed, while riding it may never make you as cool as McQueen, you could soon find yourself the leader of the local pack.
[$2,995; super73.com]
2. SWFT ZIP
If you live in a densely populated metro area, there’s a good chance you’ve already spotted this e-bike. That’s because it’s a go-to for delivery guys. Its props are many, including a 20-inch steel frame, a cushy seat, and fat tires paired with a heavy-duty front suspension that helps turn cobblestone streets and speed bumps into a fun challenge. The only other standard feature is a headlight and taillight, which means it costs about half of other, more tricked-out electric mopeds. It ain’t bad-looking, either. Despite the utilitarian, black-on-black design, the Zip exudes a retro, understated Night Hawk vibe.
The 500-watt motor’s top speed holds steady at 20 mph, which is fast enough for whizzing past irked 10-speedsters in the bike lane or weaving through stop-and-go traffic. The battery, which can be removed only with a key, ekes out 37 miles with intermittent pedaling. However, once the full-charge (four bars) on the LED control drop to two bars, max speed drops to around 14 mph.
The SWFT website recommends Zip for any rider taller than 5’5″, but it’s not ideal for dudes over 6’0″ because the seat can’t be adjusted upward to maximize efficient pedaling. That means a reliance on the throttle, which decreases range and the (imagined) sense of getting in a workout. The bike could also benefit from sideview mirrors, blinkers, and a horn. Such basics might not be needed when tooling around the ’burbs, but you become aware of their absence when trying to race the other working stiffs home.
[$1,399; rideswft.com]
3. Juiced Bikes HyperScrambler 2
Key ignition. Cruise control. Hydraulic disc brakes. A 2,000-lumen headlight. USB port. If some of its standard features make you suspect the HyperScrambler 2 is not what reasonable people would call a “bike,” wait till you ride it.
Boasting beefy torque and cadence pedal sensors, dual suspension, and super-sensitive throttle twist, the pride of the SoCal-based Juiced Bikes fleet provides the power and responsiveness to, as the company says, “make you feel bionic.” With a motor generating 2,000 watts of peak power and top speeds of 30-plus mph in “Race Track Mode,” this baby begs for bursts of speed—handy when accelerating off the line at congested traffic lights or running late for crosstown appointments.
The real seller is range. Instead of the usual single battery, the HS2 is equipped with a pair of high-capacity batteries that promise a charge life of 33- to 100-plus hours, depending on where you fall between aggressive and economy riding styles. “Aggressive” basically means cruising on throttle only, an easy habit given how simple it is to ride this bike the way you would a moped, albeit without the two-stroke racket. But the rewards of sustained pedal-assist become clear when you discover after a week of riding that it still doesn’t need a charge. Bye-bye, range anxiety.
The trade-off for that stamina is weight. Including those twin batteries, it comes out of the box at a beastly 119 pounds. This isn’t a bike for hauling up stairs or casually chucking in the back of an SUV, at least not without risking a groin pull. Demerits for being cumbersome aside, once on the road the HyperScrambler 2 excels on mad dashes through the urban chaos or on extended, stress-free rides in the countryside.
[$2,999; juiced-bikes.com]
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The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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