Right here’s one thing I didn’t count on to see right this moment. Walmart has an fascinating electrical moped on sale for a gorgeous $779. The one downside is that it comes with the handlebars apparently put in backwards.

The Colorway e-bike is a thriller wrapped in a riddle. It comes with both a 750W or 250W rear hub motor, relying which line of the spec sheet you learn. The bike claims a 20 mph (32 km/h) prime velocity, although it’s a bit worrying that Walmart admits proper there on the spec sheet that it could possibly solely hit 20 mph when the battery is absolutely charged.

Then it’s received a 48V 15Ah battery for 720 Wh of capability. That’s really pretty spectacular, and is barely bigger than the business common, imagine it or not. And for those who’re within the temper for believing, Walmart says it’s going to go so far as 20-40 miles (32-64 km) on a single cost of that battery.

The electrical moped rides on 20″x4″ tires, encompasses a 7-speed Shimano shifter and even contains full-suspension, although neither the entrance fork or rear shock appear to be excessive finish suspension.

For now we’ll ignore the odd alternative of title “Colorway”, which is a bit like naming a brand new automobile “Paint job”.

However the true kicker on this $1,299 e-bike that’s at the moment marked right down to $779 is that the handlebars are put in backwards.

Sure, that’s proper. Take a look at the stem (the half that clamps the handlebars to the bike). It’s reversed, pointing again in the direction of the saddle as a substitute of forwards like regular.

To be truthful, there’s an argument to be made that it isn’t “unsuitable”, per se. A reversed stem is a doable solution to arrange a motorcycle, it’s simply nearly by no means completed outdoors of some area of interest circumstances. For further small riders that aren’t giant sufficient to deal with a much bigger bike, it places the bars shut sufficient to succeed in with their quick arms. Some individuals additionally reverse the stem when utilizing the bike for stunts.

The configuration is exceedingly uncommon although and on this case is nearly definitely a mistake.

The setup is typically known as “tiller steering”, since as a substitute of the stem letting the handlebars lead the bike, it’s reversed like a ship tiller. Which means the rider is form of pulling the bars backward and forward in the identical movement as controlling the tiller on a ship.

The most important downsides of the setup are that it creates a cramped cockpit and might result in jerkier steering, particularly for somebody who isn’t used to the setup.

On this case, it’s doable that the bike was supposed for use this manner. However primarily based on the extremely price range value and the truth that it’s being offered at Walmart, I’d wager that it’s equally doable that somebody merely put in the handlebars unsuitable earlier than the bike was despatched for its product photoshoot. Lending credence to that principle is the truth that a few of the driving photographs present the handlebars put in appropriately, like within the picture beneath.

For people who wish to reinstall the handlebars the proper (or not less than conventional) manner, it’s doable however not precisely easy.

There’s extra to it than simply loosening the stem bolts and spinning the handlebar again round. You’ll additionally have to take away the brake levers, shifter, show and every other equipment on the handlebars just like the bells and reflector. Then they’ll have to be reinstalled appropriately. It’s not one thing that anybody armed with a 5mm hex wrench and a Phillips head screwdriver can’t deal with, but it surely’s not a two minute job, both.

In fact the bike would in all probability work tremendous the best way it’s, so long as you could possibly get used to the considerably odd prospect of getting your handlebars on backwards. However hey, you do you, Walmart!

Learn extra: These are the most effective electrical bikes for each price range