Möbius: The Bamboo Electric Bike at a Unbeatable Price

The Möbius bamboo electric bike arrives in a non-connected version, with a launch price below 2,000 euros for the 2022 back-to-school season.

The world of cycling is far from finished surprising us. The electric bike sector continues to offer more concepts, ranges, prices, types, and materials that are increasingly diverse. A trend since a few years, bamboo is making a comeback as a preferred solution for many brands, including Möbius.

What are the advantages of a bamboo bike?

French company founded by Imane Lallali Benberim, Möbius has taken the gamble of integrating wood into its bikes. Why? For its founder, despite a lower environmental footprint than cars, the cycling industry “still relies on extraction methods and pays little, if any, attention to reducing its impact or managing end-of-life.”

Hence bamboo, forming the bike’s frame. The advantage is that it’s a renewable, lightweight, flexible material (and thus absorbs vibrations) and more resistant than steel. But that’s not all; the company aims to “recycle the entire bike at the end of its life.” Möbius remains modest and transparent, noting that the wood comes from Asia (it can also come from Africa in other brands), as do the electronic components.

As for other components, they come from Europe, such as Schwalbe tires with “green compound” made from recycled renewable materials. For example, the seat and grips use grape leather from Italy. The frame combines bamboo with aluminum and carbon. The design and assembly are done in France. Möbius confirms its intention to “work towards relocalizing manufacturing that is too far away” in the medium term.

The price of the Möbius bamboo bike below €2,000

Initially, the connected version of the Möbius Paris was priced at €1,998 in 2021. It gradually increased to €2,498 and later to €2,590. For the 2022 back-to-school season, the electric bike now offers a non-connected version (no geolocation or app), but the screen remains. At launch, the French manufacturer applies a €200 discount. Instead of €2,080, the Möbius now starts at €1,880, or as low as €1,580 with the €300 state purchase aid.

On the technical side, the Möbius features a 40 Nm electric hub motor at the rear. Limited torque, but the bike focuses on being lightweight, with a 2 kg battery mounted on the seat tube, with a capacity of 300 Wh. According to the brand, this battery would provide between 50 and 70 km of range on the lowest power setting. In partnership with Corepile, it can be recycled.

Good news: no chain or derailleur, the Möbius prefers a flexible Gates belt. Finally, its total weight is only 17.5 kg, very light for an electric bike.

Note that the Möbius bamboo bike also exists in a muscle-powered “Strasbourg” version. Very similar, it features a 7-speed Enviolo hub, WTB tires, and weighs 12 kg. Its price is €1,590.

Also read: Review of Decathlon Elops 920 E Connect: our opinion on the electric bike