If you’ve been waiting your whole life to be able to bike on water, your wait is just about over as pre-sales have begun for the New Zealand-built Manta5 hydrofoiling e-bike.
Unveiled last year, that Manta5 uses an aircraft-grade aluminum frame with carbon fiber hydrofoils and propeller. At 48 lb., this e-bike is light enough to carry on your shoulder. With a 6 ft. 7 in. rear hydrofoil, luckily the bike comes apart for travel, but once bolted back together, it floats in the water.
To start off, riders must raise themselves out of the water onto the hydrofoil before the bike become easier. While it’s possible to do manually, it’s less taxing with 400 watts of pedal assistance. The e-bike can cruise between 6.8-8.7 mph and a single charge will give the e-bike a full hour’s worth of power.
For use in both fresh and salt water, the Manata5 is expected to ship in early 2019.
