California’s Vintage Electric is on a mission to inspire people and change how they think about e-bikes. Their latest model, the Cafe ($3,995), melds modern technology with a classic retro design.
The Cafe’s clean lines hearken back to the touring bikes of the 50’s yet incorporate modern quality materials like the Chromoly steel frame with speed optimized geometric design and full fender & rack mounts. The fork is a custom forged aluminum crown with a tapered steer tube and double-butted 15-degree sweep handlebars, while the stopping power is provided by Shimano hydraulic brakes both front and rear.
At the heart of this elegant machine is a 750-Watt direct drive sinewave and Vintage Electric’s signature removable battery with a 48V, 500Wh capacity. The triangular housing can be taken anywhere there is a standard electric outlet for a fast 2-hour full recharge. More than just eye-candy, the Cafe features a satisfying pedal assist range from 20-60 miles at a top speed of 28 mph.