Frandroid was able to have fun a few hundred meters with the new Angell electric bikes – the Rapide Core and Rapide+ – as part of the Vélo In Paris festival. What is most striking is the progress made between the first generation and this range of VAEs.
Angell Mobility exhibited its brand new Rapide Core and Rapide+ electric bikes during the Vélo In Paris festival, located at Parc Floral from April 27 to 29, 2024. In addition to presenting them to you in detail in a dedicated article, Frandroid was able to take them in hand for a few laps to give you our first impressions.
Let us first remember that the Rapide Core and Rapide+ constitute the new spearheads of the Rapide range. They have also benefited from numerous industrial adjustments, based on the Angell Mini E-Bike 1. The objective: to strengthen the reliability of the VAE, both in terms of the battery and the electronics as a whole.
A real before and after
But what interests us most are the sensations behind the handlebars of this pair. Let us point out, however, that between the very first generation of Angell which had difficulty convincing us, and the launch of the Rapide Core and Rapide+, Frandroid hadn’t touched an Angell bike once again.
This handling allows you to realize all the work done by the French brand. And believe us: there were some. In fact, the before and after is real. Where the first Angell had us spinning quickly once we reached 25 km/h, this generation opens up the field of possibilities and allows us to climb to 30, even 35 km/h without blinking, thanks to a much better gear ratio.
The strength of the Angell is in fact their ability to make you forget that the engine turns off above 25 km/h. On a large majority of electric bikes, the on-off effect is often too palpable, with, in addition, resistance to pedaling depending on the model. There is none of that here.
The Angell Rapide Core and Rapide+ claim a respective weight of 16 to 16.5 kg for the first, and 17 to 17.5 kg for the second. This controlled weight contributes to the idea that it is possible to exceed 30 km/h without insurmountable effort. I even had fun riding without any electrical assistance: it’s not mission impossible.
A balance found
“The Rapide range has reached maturity», told us the CEO of Angell Mobility, John Mollanger. This is felt: a balance seems to have been found in the bike, both in terms of its electrical behavior – powerful and dynamic, but without rushing you – as well as in its agility and the sensations it provides.
For its part, the Rapide+ makes you adopt a more engaged position than the Rapide Core, with which your body is a bit further back. The first named also adopts 27.5-inch Mach1 wheels, “which are more rigid, a bit less comfortable, but which contribute to the dynamics of the bike», explains John Mollanger.
It’s difficult to form a clear and definitive opinion after the few hundred meters traveled during the festival. A more in-depth test will have to be carried out, both to check the reliability of the bike and to carry out a complete autonomy cycle in order to assess its range of action.
The strength of the Rapide Core is its price: 2240 euros, with all the security functions provided as standard. Integrated screen, GPS, anti-theft alarm, geolocation or even a fall alert device: this range of systems, at this price, is rare to underline it. And knows what a formidable tool GPS trackers are for finding a stolen bike.
Other new Angell and Mini to come
The Rapide Core nevertheless skips the Angell Back insurance, but also some urban accessories that are nevertheless essential: kickstand, mudguards or even chain guard. All these beautiful people can be found on the Angell Rapide+ at a price of 2740 euros. More generally, the chain is still a bit of a blemish in our eyes: instead, a belt would really be more relevant at this price (less maintenance, quiet, durability).
Their availability will take place on May 15, for deliveries in June. As for the future of the brand, expect other products designed in collaboration with Mini, but also products designed from scratch, we were told. Our little finger tells us that the end of 2024 will potentially be lively at Angell Mobility.