Sushi Tabi: Munich e-bike start-up tries its hand at trekking bikes

The Munich-based e-bike start-up Sushi has unveiled a new model with which it intends to explore the trekking bike market. The Tabi has derailleur gears, gravel tires – and a permanently installed battery.

The Tabi follows on from the Maki and the California Roll 3.0. One of the differences between the new model and the previous models is the Microshift 9-speed derailleur, which the previous models lacked. Thanks to the gears and the thicker tires with slightly more tread, the new 20 kg model is also suitable for rougher terrain. With the Tabi, Sushi wants to try out another category beyond the city bike with a removable battery –, but initially only one batch will be produced as a test balloon.

Tabi comes in four sizes

Sushi is offering the Tabi as a step-through model in frame sizes S and M as well as a diamond frame in sizes S to XL. In both versions, the manufacturer has integrated a 360 Wh battery (36 V) from Greenway into the down tube of the aluminum frame. The battery should provide a range of up to 90 km – recharging takes up to five hours, according to the manufacturer.

According to Sushi founder Andy Weinziel, the permanently installed battery appeals to a different target group than the Maki and California Roll models. He wrote to us that he didn't believe in it himself, but that there are customers who prefer it because the down tube can be more compact than with a removable battery.

Bafang motor with torque sensor

The H600 motor with 250 watts and torque sensor on the Tabi comes from Bafang and is integrated into the rear wheel hub. The torque sensor measures how hard the rider is pedaling and dynamically adjusts the motor assistance to the pedaling force. At 40 NM, the motor is not too powerful, but according to Sushi it should also provide support for inclines of up to 13 degrees.

The Tabi does not have a smartphone connection, but the bike is operated via an LCD display (Bafang DP C11), which can be used to set the five support levels and view the speed and battery status. The built-in light can also be switched on and off via the display.

The Tabi is now available for pre-order in the colors rock grey and sandstone and costs 1699 Euro in the pre-order phase (instead of 1899 Euro), the trekking e-bike will be delivered from October. Delivery is scheduled for the end of October. Like the manufacturer's other current e-bikes, the Tabi is also manufactured in Europe.

(afl)