It’s yellow (well, mine is) and it’s happy like a Labrador. Unlike your pet dog, you can basically take it with you everywhere you go, even an airplane. It’s one of the world’s smallest ebikes, and yes, you can fly with it, you can stash it in the passenger seat of your car, or you can hide in the bushes so no one steals it.
It might look kind of like a kid’s toy, but make no mistake, the Jackrabbit OG2 is for full-grown adults anywhere from 4’9″ to 6’2″. The OG2 is an upgrade of the beloved Jackrabbit OG, which still sells for $999. The second version features a 300W motor and a fully UL certified, 36V 4.2 amp hour battery for speeds of up to 20 mph. And it has a speedometer.
Its small size is clearly the OG2’s biggest advantage – the tiny ebike only weighs around 25 pounds. It’s roughly 47 inches long and 34 inches tall. The bike has a fold flat design, which means the footpegs fold, the handlebars fold, everything easily folds down so you can slide it in your backseat or hall closet.
You also notice that the Jackrabbit OG2 lacks pedals or any kind of drivetrain. That’s because it’s not actually a “bike” in the traditional sense. It’s more like a scooter-bike hybrid, with large, stable 20-inch wheels. (Jackrabbit calls it a “micro ebike.”)
Run out of battery and you can’t ride it home, but you can fit it into the trunk of whatever rideshare shows up to take you home. All that portability comes at a cost, but for Jackrabbit riders (or “Jackos,” as we’re called, I guess) it’s worth it.
Jackrabbit OG2 Specs
Range | 10+ mi |
Top Speed | 20 mph throttle |
Sensor | Cadence Sensor |
Battery | 36V 4.2Ah |
Motor | 300W hub motor w/65Nw torque |
Charge Time | 3 Hours |
Power Levels | Low, Medium & High |
Water Resistance | IPX4 |
Brakes | Mechanical rear disc w/ 160mm rotor |
Tire Size | 20″ |
Weight Limit | 275 lbs |
Height Limits | 4’9″ to 6’2″ |
Add. Feat. | Front and rear light charging ports |
Differences Between OG and OG2
One of the key differences between the OG2 and the original OG is the frame. There is a new support beam designed to add a bit more structural rigidity to the original design.
And the frame itself is angled a bit more, so the handlebars are raised, the seat is lower, and the riding position is a bit more comfortable.
Another key difference is the size of the pegs. If you look at the original OG, the pegs are much skinnier, much smaller. The new, upgraded pegs are far larger and, therefore, far more comfortable on your feet.
The OG2 also features a brand-new speedometer/display that comes with an auto on/off feature. You get a total of three riding modes on the Jackrabbit OG2. Mode one will get you to about nine miles per hour, mode two goes to around 15, and mode three, for the brave, of course, will get you to the 20 miles per hour top speed.
Finally, the OG2 has a fold-flat design for easier packing when traveling and it has ports for powering optional front and rear lights.
Speed + Power + Battery Life
The Jackrabbit OG2 easily hits its claimed top speed of 20 mph. It’s definitely not the fastest accelerating bike I’ve ever ridden for Rider Guide, but it gets you there.
Tackling inclines is not exactly the Jackrabbit OG2’s strength. As you can see in my video review, I get up a test hill at roughly just above walking speed and that’s on a full battery.
To be fair, this particular hill is pretty tough for most e-bikes, especially for something like this with a small motor and battery. This is not a bike with a lot of power or torque, and its speed is maxed at 20 mph to reserve power for range.
As far as range goes, I ended up getting about 8.3 miles, which is not bad considering my ride had lots of full throttle and a lot of uphill. The smart rider will carry a couple extra battery packs with them. The battery only weighs a little under two pounds and you can easily fit a couple of them in a backpack.
Each spare battery does cost an extra $200 a pop. Or, if you have an extra $400, you can buy Jackrabbit’s Range Buster Kit, which is supposed to give you an added 25 miles of range. This battery is not rated for air travel, but the regular-sized batteries are approved by the FAA for flight.
Ride Quality
The riding position and overall comfort on the bike is pretty good. It feels nowhere near as cramped as I thought it would be, and I’m almost six foot.
I would say as someone who’s 5’10”, 5’11”, that I’m very, very comfortable on this bike. You just have to get the seat height correct and you’re golden.
Is the ride quality great? No, but it could definitely be improved if you air down the tires a bit. Mine were filled to the brim. And the 20″ wheels give this ride a lot more stability than an electric scooter.
Who is this for?
Who is the ideal customer for the Jackrabbit OG2? If it’s power you’re looking for, something competent uphill, this is not the bike for you. But if you’re buying this for the fun factor and portabity, it really can go anywhere.
This is also an ebike that anyone can ride, from kids to adults, so if you’re looking for an ultra-portable ebike for the whole family, one with a swappable battery you can take on a plane, this is it.
Ultimately, the biggest sacrifices you’re making with the Jackrabbit are power and range. While the range is pretty impressive for a battery this size, it’s not impressive compared to the competition.
At the end of the day, the Jackrabbit OG2 is supposed to be fun, light, easy to throw around, and something everybody can ride. And it’s all those things. It comes in three other colors, but I like yellow the best.