In 2018, we launched one of our most iconic and popular handbikes to date: the Batec Scrambler electric handbike.
Pau Bach, inventor and founder of Batec mobility, explained that the idea of creating a more powerful and robust Batec handbike had always been on the table. Both he and many Batec employees are motorbike fans, so the idea of creating a Batec handbike similar to a scrambler bike from the 60s came about naturally thanks to the similarities in what they were looking for.
But… What is a scrambler?
Motorbike lovers will surely already know. Scrambler bikes, originating in the UK, are a 60s icon that came from the need to combine a road bike with an off-road bike. The two types were “scrambled” together in a new bike.
Its origins date back to the 1960s, when young people would organise illegal races on improvised circuits from one end of the city to the other on all types of terrain, not just asphalt. Users started to transform their everyday motorbikes into off-roaders, specially for these types of events. These changes included adding wider handlebars, installing studded tyres, raising the mudguards and simplifying the motorbike to make it lighter for illegal competitions.
Although the original versions were adapted production bikes, motorbike manufacturers began to respond to demands by creating their own hybrid models for both off-road and asphalt. Models like the Triumph TR6 at the end of the 50s and the Ducati Scrambler of the 60s are true scrambler icons. Spanish manufacturers like Bultaco also joined the scrambler craze.
This style of bike has always remained popular, and today scrambler bikes are more in fashion than ever, not just for their all-terrain features, but for their characteristic look. Many manufacturers have aimed to recover the vintage essence of this famous 60s model, and Batec couldn’t resist doing the same.
We have always had a proposal for a more powerful and robust Batec handbike up our sleeve. With the increase in popularity of scrambler bikes, the idea of creating a Batec Scrambler came naturally, as so many Batec employees are huge motorbike fans. We just needed to choose the colour and develop the right equipment. The first prototype allowed us to check that the idea would work, and that it would handle as expected.
Pau Bach – inventor of Batec handbikes.
Characteristics of the original Batec Scrambler handbike
With this idea in mind, the R&D team got to work on developing the right equipment and bringing this dream handbike to life. Always with a commitment to safety and comfort of our users, who have long asked for a model to fit their all-terrain experiences.
It was originally made in an exclusive olive green matte, in keeping with that 60s look, with 5 key features that would help it cover more difficult terrains:
- Ultra-wide 19” wheel. This wider, taller tyre improved braking on slippery ground, improved traction and aided driving over irregular surfaces.
- Double 1400 lumen light: the new double headlight increased visibility at night in unlit areas, improving safety.
- A 1200 W motor and an exclusive 678 Wh – 48 V battery: These provided the Batec Scrambler handbike with the power and autonomy necessary for off-road driving.
- Stand frame with suspension. Developing this stand frame was the biggest challenge in creating this handbike. With a hidden mechanism in the tubes of the stand frame and independent mechanisms for each foot, this suspension system helps avoid obstacles and, along with the increase in power provided by the 48 V battery, helps you reach areas that were previously inaccessible.
Without forgetting that speed is key for bike lovers, it was designed to reach a top speed of 30 km/h, just like the Batec Rapid handbike, which to date has been the most popular model for users seeking all-terrain experiences. The Batec Scrambler handbike also incorporated a reverse gear, all-in-one LDC screen and a horn, inheriting the new technology from the Batec Mini handbike which would come as standard across the new generation of Batec handbikes.
The Batec Scrambler 2 handbike: evolution of the original model
In 2021, we saw the launch of the Batec Scrambler 2 handbike, the improved version of this already successful handbike. Its improvements allowed this iconic model to give our most daring riders a greater sense of security and adventure.
The main and most important updates of the Batec Scrambler 2 handbike are its innovative electronics, that optimise motor performance, provide maximum power at any speed and on all terrains, and maintains high speeds even on steep inclines.
It has a more powerful 1440 W motor that, together with the exclusive 748 Wh battery, is able to reach a top speed of 30 km/h and climb slopes without effecting the speed.
The Batec Scrambler 2 handbike is even safer thanks to its new Galfer 203 mm brake disc in anodised red, and a new, more powerful double headlight. It also includes an anti-slip feature that allows you to accelerate without worrying about the wheel slipping and gives you extra hold to help you resume driving on climbs even more smoothly and safely. Especially useful on unstable terrain, on steep slopes or in the rain.
As for its aesthetics, the olive green has been replaced by a more elegant graphite grey that matches the other models in the electrical range. It also has a new double headlight with retro-inspired yellow lens and 2000 lumens of power. The battery has been designed with padded protective stickers in a matte black finish, made from the same material as the motorcycle tank protection stickers. All of this gives it that scrambler look: biker and off-roader.
Lastly, it has a storage pouch to carry tools, documents, smartphones or any other small items comfortably and accessibly.
