ReBake Abler: The Hard Work Behind Keeping Things Simple
At first glance, ReBake's new Abler looks like a pretty straightforward electric workhorse. Whether you're hauling tools, carrying the groceries or even taking the dog along for the ride, it's designed to get on with the job. But there's considerably more thought behind it than you might expect.
We spent time with Karl Ytterborn at EICMA and got a closer look at the Abler. There's a hint of the old Cake design language in its stripped-back shape, but the clever stuff is in the details. ReBake has clearly given plenty of thought to what riders need from a work bike, without loading it up with things they don't.
For the full Abler spec sheet, head to BCB Bike Compare.
A Cargo Bike With Its Head Screwed On
The best place to start is Abler's cargo plate.
A work bike needs to carry stuff. Sounds simple enough, but things can get complicated quickly. Different loads mean different racks, brackets and mounting points, and before long you're buying another accessory just to fit the one you've already bought.
ReBake has gone for one plate that fits both the front and rear cargo areas, attaching directly to the frame with rubberised U-clamps. No welding, custom brackets or messing about. From there, you can bolt on a box, add a larger platform, fit L-track rails or use adapters for existing systems such as AVS. Looking at the mounting arrangement, we reckon you could even attach the plate to the side of the frame if you really wanted to. The idea is to give owners plenty of freedom to set the bike up for whatever they're carrying.
It's a simple idea, but a good one. You're not tied to a growing range of proprietary accessories or left trying to work out how to attach something that wasn't designed for the bike. One plate, plenty of options.
Then there's the stuff ReBake hasn't bothered with. Karl and his team have left out connectivity altogether. No app, no connected services, no NFC start chip and no digital extras just for the sake of having them. If it doesn't make the bike more useful, why bother?
That doesn't mean they've taken shortcuts. Making something this straightforward to use takes a lot of thought and engineering. The hard work is in the design, not in making life harder for whoever rides it.
The model range follows much the same approach. The Abler45 and Abler80 use the same frame, battery system and cargo platform, but offer different levels of performance. The Abler45 is an EU moped, topping out at 45 km/h (28 mph), while the Abler80 is an A1 light motorcycle capable of more than 80 km/h (50 mph). Two versions for different jobs, not two completely different bikes.
Karl says the Abler is deliberately over-engineered, with a 42 mm (1.65 inch) frame and components more like those you'd find on heavier, faster motorcycles. The idea is to give it the strength to take daily punishment, rather than build everything to the bare minimum.
There's two removable 2 kWh LFP batteries, each weighing 17 kg, which can be charged on or off the bike. The Abler45 comes with one, leaving room for a second battery or extra storage, while the Abler80 gets two. There's also the option of carrying a spare and swapping batteries out in the field instead of stopping to recharge. That's a big plus when the bike needs to keep moving.
The BCB Take
There's plenty here that makes sense to us. A work bike should be able to carry what you need, take a some abuse and get on with the job. You shouldn't need a workshop full of tools just to make it useful. And being able to swap batteries in the field could be a real advantage for anyone putting in long hours.
Of course, we'll have to see how the Abler holds up when it's been loaded up and worked hard for months. But ReBake seems to have got the fundamentals right. And sometimes that's a lot harder than throwing another screen, app or gadget at a motorcycle.
Ride safe, folks.
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