This Breton electric bike uses “upcycling”: what that means

By using old reconditioned frames, Goëland is launching its first “upcycled” electric bikes, assembled locally and using European components.

To buy an electric bike that is more environmentally friendly, various choices are available to you: reconditioned, or even recycled. But now another alternative is emerging, the upcycled VAE (upcycling in English), which the Goëland brand used.

From an old Dutchman to a modern Breton

Behind this name hides a company based in Baden, in Morbihan. This Breton electric bike is based on old steel frames from the Netherlands. These frames were disassembled, reassembled and repainted directly in the in-house workshop. And rather than making simple mechanical bikes, Goëland adapts them by installing electric kits.

The Goëland Intrépide model, equipped with an open frame with a luggage rack, uses the Virvolt central motor with 80 Nm torque manufactured in Flins (Yvelines). The second model, named Impertinent (closed frame), incorporates a German engine, the Pendix eDrive with 65 Nm of torque, with a bonus application. Both are equipped with a chain transmission and single speed, and integrate a gourd-shaped battery on the frame. Their respective capacities are 360 ​​and 330 Wh, offering 60 to 72 km of maximum autonomy.

Gull, the beak in local components

Another evolution of the original mechanical bikes: the brakes, which here are disc at the front and drum at the rear. Standard equipment also includes mudguards, a kickstand, lighting and a wheel lock. The two Goëland electric bikes also add 28-inch French wheels. They are based on Vélox rims manufactured a few kilometers away or Mach 1s produced in Marclopt (Loire).

The company’s ecological philosophy extends to the tires, Schwalbe The Green Marathon in this case. The Teutonic supplier here evokes a composition “80% recycled or renewable materials”.

To begin production, Goëland is launching its offer on the Ulule platform. You can order one of the Intrepid or Impertinent electric bikes, in two sizes, at prices of 2,790 euros and 2,990 euros. Delivery is planned for June for the first examples, while the brand plans to take back the bike in the event of end of life or development, always in order to “upcycle”. The circle will be closed!