A sleek and removable electric fitness bike, the Sharp Milano is pleasant to ride and connected, but its price, which is too high in relation to the services, casts a cold spell. Here’s our take.
A bit like Acer with its Ebii, Sharp wants to renew its image by inserting itself into the world of urban mobility. After its first electric scooters, the Japanese firm is now trying its luck in electric bikes. Unveiled last fall, the Sharp Milano (or BK-RS08EB) is the first in a family currently under construction.
Typically fitness for large sizes, it is now on the verge of its launch in Europe. This first Milano model was in Paris for an afternoon discovery. Obviously, Frandroid did not fail to approach him and take charge. So here are our first impressions.
A sharp fitness electric bike
For an entry into the world of cycling, the Sharp Milano plays the electric bike card which is confused with a mechanical bike. The more than a century-old brand – created in 1917 – wants to rejuvenate its clientele, because it considers itself unknown to those under 40.
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
A sportsman at heart, the VAE features a classic closed frame, in a single size M. The constraint is that you must be at least 1.70 m tall to ride it, and not exceed 1.90 m . For us (1.84 m), this is suitable, but this fitness already excludes a certain audience. It’s a shame.
It nevertheless remains rather beautiful and refined in its full matte black variant, while a gray livery exists. It almost looks like a muscle bike, since the battery is neatly hidden in the downtube. However, it has a small capacity: 252 Wh (7 Ah). Sébastien Bowe, Sharp France account manager, tells us 80 km of autonomy, which seems optimistic even with the weakest assistance mode. Recharging takes place via a 2 A charger, i.e. a full charge in 3 to 4 hours according to the manual.
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Let us point out here that the Sharp Milano copy does not present certain elements included with the purchase. The bike will, for example, have mudguards, Promax 20 lux front lighting, a rear light and a bell.
A removable frame, what for?
Keen observers will be able to notice some stylistic particularities: its frame has in fact six fixing points. Because the electric bike can be dismantled, which supposedly offers easier transport in certain situations: train travel, car trunk, storage in a garage in winter, etc.
Consulting the user manual, disassembly of the Sharp Milano seems to resemble an Ikea furniture type adventure. The process takes 18 steps with several cables to dismantle, and it is only at the end that the frame can truly be dismantled. We didn’t have the chance to experiment with this, but the visual below makes it easier to see the whole process.
First rides on the Sharp Milano
We were curious to do a few kilometers on this electric bike. The Sharp Milano is pure fitness, with several features such as the thin 28-inch wheels combined with 28 mm wide Kenda Kwest tires. It’s very thin: be careful of the ruts or holes that are common on Parisian roads. On the cobblestones, the Japanese VAE is a little uncomfortable, without this being prohibitive. The forward position helps with good weight distribution and therefore vibration filtration.
The French marketing director even evokes a spirit fixie, confirmed by the straight and short handlebars which provide precise handling, as well as the Gates CDN carbon belt. A single-speed electric bike, the Milano is therefore simple and turnkey in its operation. It is also equipped with a Chinese Unitek G250R rear engine.
Black point: the rotation sensor
The big disappointment is that it delivers its 40 Nm of torque through a cadence (or rotation) sensor. This breaks with the sporting dimension, because you really don’t give of yourself while pedaling. We thus note a delay between the first pedal stroke and the triggering (one small second) of the assistance.
Then, 25 km/h is quickly reached, and you can also easily cross 30 km/h with the strength of your legs. The weight being around 19 kg and due to the limit of the belt, it is however impossible to reach 35 km/h on the flat course tested.
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
It was also complicated to judge the hydraulic disc brakes, Tektro in this case (160 mm disc, two pistons): they were not very aggressive during our handling, because they were probably still not broken in. However, we trust them, given our various experiences on other electric bikes equipped with the same brakes.
A beautiful screen, and an application
The great asset of the Sharp Milano is its screen. It seems that parent company Foxconn – via its subsidiary Voltaira – has something to do with it. On the unique, very modern display, the speed is highlighted with a battery percentage gauge and the assistance level. There are 5 of these, each having a color.
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: M. Lauraux for Frandroid
The brand adds additional driving information – average speed, maximum, mileage – to be scrolled with the handlebar control. This one couldn’t be simpler, with “+” and “-” buttons to vary the modes, and two other small side buttons (information and ignition).
The Sharp Life application, not tested but consulted by us, adds a few functions such as engine locking and trip statistics. The manufacturer also wants to allow you to order each component to be replaced, from the bicycle retailer of your choice.
A launch at the end of spring?
The electric bike is Japanese on paper, but has Chinese roots. Behind, we are talking about Foxconn which bought the brand in 2016, and which probably used its industrial network. We can also confirm this to you: it is indeed produced in China, but assembled in Europe, precisely in Bulgaria.
At the time of writing, availability remains unclear. Sharp is still working on the distribution network, looking for bicycle dealers who can take care of after-sales service, rather than Fnac-Darty or Boulanger. The warranty is two years for the frame, fork, motor and its controller, 12 months for the rest of the components and 6 months for the tires.
An indecent price
The price is the most disturbing element. Already the Sharp Milano revealed a price of 2,499 euros in 2023, the 2,800 to 3,000 euros now announced are scary. This is much superior to other equivalent fitness bikes such as Momentum Voya E+, or Decathlon Speed 900E.
Above all, where the problem lies is that the American brand sells the clone of the “City Vanture”… as for it, which sells for 999 dollars! The pill goes poorly, and the market being very competitive, sales risk being anecdotal. However, Sharp’s strategy is clear, reveals Kai Thielen: that of offering an entire family of electric bikes. The marketing director specifies that the next model will be the Grenoble, a semi-rigid electric mountain bike, followed by an open-frame urban bike.