A unique and lightweight folding electric bike
The Dahon K-Feather is not the most powerful or versatile bike, but it stands out for its lightness and practicality for transport, while remaining very affordable.
Although Dahon does not enjoy the same recognition as Brompton, it is well known among cycling enthusiasts. Founded in the United States and now under Chinese control, Dahon has been offering folding bikes since the 80s and naturally turned to folding electric bikes. Its latest model, the K-Feather, stands out for its exceptional lightness.
A very lightweight folding electric bike, but with some compromises
The K-Feather is part of the 16-inch folding e-bikes, a size increasingly replaced by 20 inches. Its main advantage is its weight of only 12 kg. In comparison, the Brompton Electric P-Line weighs 15.9 kg and the Eovolt Morning 16.5 kg. Once folded, the Dahon K-Feather measures 73 x 63 x 40 cm, making it slightly more compact than the Eovolt (75 x 58 x 40 cm) but a bit more bulky than the Brompton (64 x 58 x 27 cm, without battery).
However, to achieve such a reduced weight, the Dahon K-Feather makes notable sacrifices. It does not have mudguards, thus exposing its wheels, and the aluminum frame integrates a small battery of only 125 Wh, well below its competitors.
An economical option?
With this small battery, the K-Feather offers a maximum range of 50 km in eco mode and about 20-25 km in maximum mode. Its 250 W rear motor, powered by a 24 V voltage, probably doesn’t provide spectacular acceleration (the torque is not specified). It is equipped with a single-speed transmission and pad brakes.
This folding electric bike is offered at a price below 1,200 euros. Gyro, the brand’s distributor in France, announced that the Dahon K-Feather would be available at the end of 2024 at a price of 1,199 €. With various purchase aids from the State or local authorities, this e-bike can cost less than 1,000 €, offering an interesting option for an ultralight folding electric bike.
