I could gripe about how “futuristic” in headlines is a synonym for “angular design motif”. Or how it’s now somehow acceptable to make an announcement with a few publicity photos and only partial specs.

But I actually want to focus on those pedals on the larger bike. This trope of add-pedals-so-its-technically-an-ebike is growing old, and while it’s true that enforcement is less likely to stop anyone if they can see some ostensible pedals, is this really a selling point?

Let’s say that larger bike ends up having a spec sheet that, uh, overqualifies as an e-bike, and thus can only be advertised for off-highway use. Is there really so substantial a client base that’s just itching for an e-moto that comes stock with thinly-veiled legal cover, such that they’d pass on this bike for that reason alone?

And practical speaking, it’s unlikely those pedals will ever be used anyway. Motorbike saddles tend to make pedaling a very chaffing experience. /endrant