JackRabbit OG2 review: I survived New York City traffic in this micro ebike

The JackRabbit OG2 might look and feel odd riding at first, but I haven't had this much fun riding an electric bike in New York City traffic in a long time. The JackRabbit OG2 is a fun micro ebike that's easy to carry around, while still delivering ample acceleration and speed to get me to my destination.

I commute to New York City for work, so I know what it takes to be a worthy commuter ebike that I can easily carry around from the subway all the way to the office. The JackRabbit OG2 is unlike any other electric bike I’ve come across because it’s not your ordinary size. Instead, it’s classified as a micro ebike due to its shrunken size over traditional bicycles. It comes after the JackRabbit OG, which was released more than 2 years ago.

Frankly, I’ve never thought about using an ebike for my commute in the past — mainly because they’re usually bulky and heavy, making them impractical to lug around. With the JackRabbit OG2, however, this micro ebike makes a compelling argument with its compact size, exhilarating ride, and unbelievable 25-pound weight.

After riding a JackRabbit OG2 through New York City traffic for a few weeks, it's definitely in the conversation for the best electric bikes around.

JackRabbit OG2 review: Specifications

JackRabbit OG2 review: Price and availability

You’d think that the JackRabbit OG2's pint-sized design would make it cheaper than most ebikes, but that doesn’t turn out to be the case. In fact, I think some people may be discouraged when they find out that the OG2 costs $1,249 — just as much as a decent full-sized electric bike from reputable brands in the space. Yes it’s pricey, but it has merits that back up its cost.

The only place where you can buy a JackRabbit OG2 is directly through JackRabbit’s site, with a total of 4 colors to choose from: black, white, yellow, or blue. I ended up getting one in yellow, which is one way of getting attention — as if its small stature wasn’t enough.

Much like most specialty ebikes, the JackRabbit OG2 can only be purchased directly from JackRabbit’s website. Thankfully free 2-day shipping is included with the purchase.

JackRabbit OG2 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

When I first saw the JackRabbit OG2 in action, I was surprised by its obnoxiously small size. Like really, what adult thinks a miniaturized sized ebike like this would be any good for biking? Well, to be fair, there’s a lot I love about the design — especially for something I’d want to use with my daily commute in the city.

First and foremost, the JackRabbit OG2’s 25-pound weight makes it much easier to carry up and down subway stairs. I also like how the handle bars can be twisted and the pedals folded up so that the entire bike can be stored flat. While it’s great that I can lean it against a wall, or even lay it flat in my car’s trunk, the only thing better would be the ability to fold in half much like other folding bikes.

While the handlebars remain fixed in place, the seat’s height can be adjusted to better give you a feel for its handling. Due to its micro size, it took me a little bit to get adjusted in how to best maneuver it. Don’t let its size fool you either, because the Monocoque 6061-T6 aluminum alloy frame is sturdy enough to support a maximum weight of 275 pounds.

The JackRabbit OG2’s controls are positioned on the right handle bar, with three different level settings to choose from — along with a handle brake to control the mechanical rear disc caliper with 160 mm rotor. I mainly stuck with Level 3 to give me the most power and acceleration because of my confidence using other ebikes and escooters. Meanwhile, there’s one of those dinky bike chimes on the left handlebar, which I wish were an electronic siren.

And lastly, the 151.2Wh battery is stowed away in the middle of the bike’s frame, which can be removed and charged separately from the bike. This is helpful if you don’t want to bring the JackRabbit OG2 inside to charge, so you just remove the battery and charge it separately with the included charger and adapter.

My only complaint about the OG2 design is that the bike doesn't come with any lights whatsoever. There are reflectors, but it would be nice to have integrated lights of any kind for night time riding. Instead, they're optional accessories.

JackRabbit OG2 review: Performance

I have high standards when it comes to performance, given that I’m used to the intense acceleration and 25 mph top speed of my Fluid Freeride Mosquito. While the JackRabbit OG2 has a less powerful 300 watt rear hub brushless electric motor, I’m actually more surprised that it’s able to deliver decent acceleration with me on it while wearing a heavy backpack. I’m still able to reach the OG2's top speed of 20 mph in under 10 seconds from a complete stop.

As I’ve hinted at already, there’s a brief adjustment period at the beginning when I was trying to get acquainted with the OG2's handling. You really have to extend your arms and remember that it doesn’t require any pedaling at all. I sort of feel like I’m riding a Kawasaki motorcycle due to how I lean just slightly forward while moving it around.

For a commuter electric bike, the JackRabbit OG2 offers a fun ride with excellent acceleration for the bike's size and a top speed. However, the performance struggles on steeper inclines. The bike still chugs along at a reduced speed, but it doesn’t help that I’m typically carrying a huge payload with my backpack.

When I first brought the JackRabbit OG2 on the train and subway, I was skeptical that it would replace my Mosquito. However, its absurdly light weight feel, small size, and fun ride has all the ingredients I want in a commuter ebike to get me. It’s not perfect, but it’s enough.

JackRabbit OG2 review: Battery life and range

Due to its size and weight, the biggest compromise I had to make from switching from my Fluid Freeride Mosquito, which has a range of over 20 miles, is dealing with the JackRabbit OG2’s much lower 10+ mile range. My one-way commute from Penn Station to the office is a smidge under a mile, so after three days of commuting, the battery indicator was at 3 out 5 bars. That’s well in line with the company’s battery life rating, but power users will need to probably recharge the battery daily.

Thankfully, the one time I had to charge the battery while I was at work took about 3 hours. While the range is sorely lacking, you can supplement it by either recharging the battery frequently — or ponying up the money for a spare battery at $199 a piece or the $400 rangebuster battery that adds 24+ miles of range.

For what I do with my commute, the JackRabbit OG2’s battery life and range suffices. However, power users will definitely want to invest in spare batteries to keep up with them.

JackRabbit OG2 review: Competition

There are actually few direct competitors to the JackRabbit OG2. For the price, you can get similarly priced electric folding bikes for commuting like the Lectric XP 3.0, which technically is faster and offers more range — but it’s still incredibly heavy at 64 pounds. That’s a huge difference against the OG2’s 25-pound weight, so there are few electric bikes that can match it.

In fact, both the Brompton Electric C Line Explore and Volt Lite come close to matching its weight, but these folding electric bikes cost well over $3,000.

JackRabbit OG2 review: Verdict

Believe me when I say that biking the JackRabbit OG2 is a strange experience. When you see a fully grown adult biking through New York City traffic during rush hour, sliding in and out of the traffic, it proves that the OG2 can keep up with the very best commuter bikes. It’s small, compact, easy enough to carry up stairs, and has a thrilling enough ride to warrant its cost. You might get some strange looks riding it, but they’ll be jealous when they see it fly on the road.