For an electric bike, that's quite a statement: established brand manufacturers offer bikes for 999 euros. Not yet an e-bike. But that was precisely the declared goal of the makers around Sushi Managing Director Andreas Weinzierl and co-founder Joko Winterscheidt: the Sushi Bike Maki M1 is to be the first affordable and stylish e-bike. be under 15 kilos.
In addition to the Maki M1 and M2 (colour variant), the Munich-based start-up also offers the Maki+ and California Roll+ models, which - somewhat more lavishly equipped - cost €1,199 each - or soon will. This is because Sushi Bike is increasing the prices for these two e-bikes due to the current situation on the bike market with supply bottlenecks and multiplied container prices. With a customer-friendly lead time, the price will rise by 100 euros or Swiss francs. (More on this in the Interview below.)
You can't deny that all Sushi Bikes have a minimalist, urban style. But what concessions does this require in view of the favourable price? We did the sushi bike test with the Maki M1.
Mudguards, pannier rack and kickstand are superfluous in this style concept and the bike is lighter without them. A simple aluminium frame and the slim steel fork also save costs. You won't find quick-release skewers on the hubs, nor a fixed lighting system. The mechanical disc brakes fulfil their purpose, but are less sensitive than hydraulically actuated models.
The Maki M1 is lightweight, the battery is suitable for urban use
The pressure to economise is particularly evident in the drive and workmanship. The rear hub motor can only be rudimentarily controlled via the cadence. Depending on the support level, it pushes with constant power as soon as the pedals turn. Most of the cables are routed on the outside of the frame and some are only attached with cable ties. Because the Sushi Maki M1 is relatively light and the motor is less powerful, the small 125 watt-hour battery should be sufficient for city rides - according to Sushi Bikes, it has a range of 40 kilometres.
The Maki M1 scored highly in the sushi bike test with its riding characteristics. The lightweight e-bike is safe and stable to ride, the bike follows the pull on the very narrow handlebars willingly and promptly. The Maki M1 is a simple but inexpensive yet safe e-bike. This sushi bike does not have gears, and the gear ratio of the single gear is relatively long. Thanks to the motor assistance, however, it requires little leg power to start off and accelerate from a slow speed.
The hard facts about the Sushi Bike Maki M1:
- Price: 999 Euro
- Frame / fork: aluminium / steel
- Weight: 15.5 kilogrammes
- Brakes: Tektro, Disc mechanical
- Gears: single speed, 46 / 18 teeth
- Motor / battery: 200 W / 125 Wh
- Tyres: 28-622
5 questions for Andy Weinzierl, founder and CEO of Sushi Bikes
MY BIKE: Price increase from 15 June - what exactly is the reason: delivery problems, raw material prices, etc.?
ANDY WEINZIERL: The classics: supply chain and raw material prices. But also all operating costs, if we think about the economic situation and inflation. Actually, we should have raised prices a long time ago, as containers have cost five times as much for over a year now. I always hoped that the situation would ease, but unfortunately the opposite is the case and costs are rising in more and more areas. So we were left with no choice. But we're only increasing them minimally and not even covering the exact additional costs.
How are you generally coping with the current situation on the (bike) market?
We hardly know any different. Our first batch rolled off the production line at the end of 2019. The situation has been tense since mid-2020. Perhaps this tough school has taught us to always remain creative and approach things with resilience. We always find a solution, even if I personally would like to do without these extra hurdles.
You are only increasing the prices for the + models. So your unique selling point with the Maki M1 / M2 "e-bike under 1,000 euros" remains cemented?
The + models have already cost €1,199 since their launch and replaced the first generation of SUSHI BIKES. Demand has continued unabated since the launch and it seems that the added features, i.e. longer range, LCD display and thicker tyres, are exactly what customers want. USP (Editor's note: Unique Selling Proposition) from Sushi Bikes is not 999 euros, but an affordable e-bike with the perfect equipment for the city.
Do you have any other plans for the next few years? A gravel bike or an urban cargo bike?
Our +models have got off to a fantastic start. This shows us that we have obviously eliminated the doubts that still existed with the first models. Our customers are giving us a lot of honest feedback and great ideas, and this intensive dialogue is very important to us. Of course, we have a few plans in mind, but we don't yet know exactly if and when an update will come and what it will look like.
What other plans do you have for the future in terms of sustainability?
The Sushi Bikes team is so driven by its own purpose that every decision is made with sustainability in mind. We are currently revising every single piece of packaging, designing the office accordingly, moving the supply chain further and further towards Europe and reviewing the overall footprint. Since this year, we have also been involved in the Fair Cobalt Alliance as the world's first e-bike manufacturer and are helping to improve working conditions in cobalt extraction. When we think about lithium and the like, we realise that the industry still has a lot to do. As far as I'm concerned, we're happy to remain a pioneer here as long as other brands follow suit.
More info at sushi-bikes.com
