Is this the future of the speed pedelec? The Specter 1, a brand new high-speed e-bike developed in the Belgium city of Ghent.
The future of the speed pedelec?
Who follows the manufacturers that build speed pedelecs is seeing firm frames that can hold the forces that are released on the bike. The Specter 1 has a different approach, a carbon fibre frame. That carbon frame makes this speed pedelec very lightweight 19,8 Kg. An unofficial weighing shows 31.6 Kg for the Stromer ST3. Carbon fibre is not new in the cycling industry. Startup Superstrata show us 3D printed Unibody Carbon Fiber Bicycle, but that bicycle is designed for urban and sports use. Road bikes are also known for their lightweight and strength but the use of power and torque are very different. A carbon fibre lightweight frame for a speed pedelec is quite unique.
And not only is the weight a unique selling point for the Specter 1 but also its design has an interesting approach. Since the beginning of 2022 Specter has shown the world the first pictures of their futuristic speed pedelec. Meanwhile, Specter Bike is teasing us with photos and a video about their bicycle.
Unfortunately, it isn’t clear how this lightweight speed pedelec rides and behaves? A lightweight bicycle sounds attractive, but sometimes a bit of weight can help with a comfortable ride.
As you probably know Carbon fibre is a very powerful material. Not only light but also strong. On the other hand, it is a material that is also stiff. Because it’s unclear how the Specter 1 speed pedelec rides, we need to guess how the handling will be?
Specter 1 speed pedelec of the future
Looking to the website of the manufacturer we discovered that the Specter 1 speed pedelec has a mid motor with 700W and 110 Nm. It is unclear who made the motor for the speed pedelec. The 740 Wh removable battery has a capacity of between 50 and 120 km on a single charge. A dual battery option is available. Gates made the belt for the Specter 1 and enviolo the stepless gear hub with automatiq interface therefore shifting is no longer necessary.
TRP HD Hydraulic discs for the 180mm front and back 29-inch wheels.
During the launch, Specter will sell the speed pedelec via their website. But what about maintenance? The manufacturer states that the Specter 1 is a low maintenance speed pedelec but when maintenance is needed Specter will come on-site or future premium resellers will take care of it.
Speed pedelec connectivity
The future of the speed pedelecs is not only design or material usage but also connectivity. The Specter 1 is the first smart e-bike running on the Google Android platform. With a 4G and Bluetooth build-in an Android and/or iOS app is also a part of the connectivity. Turn-by-turn navigation, trip data and even the weather on a waterproof HD screen are positioned on the handlebar. But there also will be iOS connectivity available via Bluetooth.
Price and availability Specter 1 speed pedelec
The manufacturer thinks to deliver the first models of the Specter 1 speed pedelec in July 2022. Starting price is 9950 euros. If you like to learn more, please visit their website.
