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Faraday Bicycles Kickstarts its First Step-Though Electric Bike

  • Ron 

Faraday Bicycles, which revolutionized the electric bike market with its stylish and award-winning Faraday Porteur, has announced a Kickstarter campaign for it newest line: the Cortland.

The sister line to Faraday’s flagship model, the Cortland’s step-through style was designed to bring a new level of comfort and ease of riding to Faraday’s widely lauded eBike platform. Like the Porteur, the Cortland line will be available in two models: the Cortland and the Cortland S.

Faraday Cortland S Side Hero_zpsc1ubbny9

The Kickstarter campaign, which launches today at www.kickstarter.com/ projects/faradaybikes/faraday- cortland, will run through February 29 with a $100,000 goal. This is Faraday’s second Kickstarter campaign: the brand got its start in 2012 with a successful Kickstarter for the Porteur.

“Four years ago, the Kickstarter community helped us build our flagship model. Now there are over 700 Faraday Porteurs on the road, and we’re ready to deliver the next chapter in the Faraday story – the step-through model that so many have been asking for,” said Adam Vollmer, Founder and CEO of Faraday Bicycles. “We’ve spent years perfecting a frame that delivers the same smooth, comfortable and fun ride as our Porteur, along with an updated electrical system that allows us to stay true to the Faraday spirit of giving riders a boost without making it feel artificial. Now we’re looking for help to bring the Cortland to life so we can get even more people out of their cars and on to bikes.”

Faraday_Cortland_Lifestyle3_zpsgwi8tlpe

Added Vollmer, “A step-through model – which in the United States is usually known as a ‘ladies’ model – will help us reach even more women. Faraday already has a resonated with women: generally, about 15 percent of electric bike owners are women, but with the Faraday Porteur, that number is closer to 30 percent. With the Cortland, we expect to expand that reach even further.”

The Cortland Kickstarter features numerous rewards at multiple levels:

  • Early-bird buyers can get either a Cortland or Cortland S for $800 off the retail price ($2999 and $1999 respectively). 20 of each model will be available at this price.
  • At the $3399 and $2399 levels, backers can save $400 off the Cortland and Cortland S, plus be among the first to own these new models.
  • With the Faraday/Timbuk2 City Adventure Pack, backers can get everything they need to explore their city in style on the Cortland S, including a Faraday front rack, Timbuk2 Femme Collection messenger bag, Spurcycle Bell, Faraday Leather Lock holder and ABUS lock – an over $3200 value for $2499.
  • The Cortland is Faraday’s most kid-friendly bike yet, and with the Parent Pack, backers will receive the bike plus everything you need transport your little one(s) in effortless style, including a Faraday rear rack, Nutcase kids helmet, and Yepp Maxi Child Seat – a $4000 value for $3499.
  • Other rewards include an auxiliary battery pack, which enables existing Faraday riders to double their range with an external battery pack for the first time, and GPS tracker with controller upgrade, which adds an extra layer of security to Faraday’s bikes.

The Cortland Line: Step-Through Ease Meets Power and Style

The Cortland line builds on the award-winning design of the Faraday Porteur, with a few key additions: a higher capacity battery and more efficient motor. The main design difference is the removal of Faraday’s iconic top tubes, making the bike easier to mount. This is especially valuable for parents looking to add a child seat on Faraday’s Yepp-seat compatible rear rack. Everything else that Faraday is known for – the style, power and bike-like-feel – is also featured in the Cortland line.

Cortland

Like Faraday’s original, the Cortland packs plenty of power into an elegant package, with a durable steel frame, 250W front-hub motor, 290Wh Lithium ion battery, custom bamboo fenders, top-of-the-line 8-speed Shimano Alfine hub, Gates Carbon Belt Drive, steam-bent bamboo fenders and leather grips. It also features a new color: Stingray Blue – inspired by the timeless blues of the 1960s Corvettes.

Sizes: S (51cm), M (55cm)
Weight: 39 lbs.
Colors: Classic White, Stingray Blue
MSRP: $3799
Available: July 2016

Cortland S

The Cortland S offers everything the Cortland does, but with an 8-speed derailleur and chain drive to reduce the price and weight. It also features steel fenders, Duracork™ grips and mechanical disc brakes.

Sizes: S (51cm), M (55cm)
Weight: 39 lbs.
Colors: Classic White, Slate Grey
MSRP: $2799
Available: July 2016

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