Super 73 Bike Comparison
We take a closer look at the Super 73 bike for sale by Lithium Cycles to see just how it stands up to our Billy ebike.
First of all, let’s give credit where it’s due. The guys at Lithium Cycles have taken the amazingly iconic design of a 1970s Honda mini bike and created a sleek, modern day electric version that could be legally classified as an electric bicycle - the Super 73 bike. Their ability to market their product led to kickstarter success, and since then have gone on to create other models within their range. The frame, handlebar-fork and seat from the original Super 73 bike appears to have been directly inspired by the 1970s mini bike, as seen below.
The Lithium Cycles team have been incredible at networking and marketing the Super 73, giving away many bikes to celebrities and social media influencers to gain some great exposure for their electric bike.
ORIGINAL SUPER 73 VS BILLY EBIKE VS SUPER 73-S1
We put our Original Billy e-bike head to head with both the Original Super 73 (2018) and Super73-S1 from Lithium Cycles to see how each bike stacks up.
|
MODEL |
SUPER 73 |
BILLY |
SUPER73-S1 |
|
PRICE |
$3,200 |
$2,490 |
$2,200 |
|
WEIGHT |
80 lbs |
54 lbs |
70 lbs |
|
LENGTH |
62.5” |
68” |
65” |
|
SEAT HEIGHT |
30” |
32”- 38.5” |
32” |
|
MOTOR |
1000W |
500W |
500W |
|
THROTTLE |
Thumb |
Twist Grip |
Thumb |
|
DRIVE |
Standard Chain |
Carbon Belt |
Standard Chain |
|
SPEED |
27 mph |
20 mph |
20 mph |
|
BATTERY |
14.5ah |
14ah |
14.5ah |
|
RANGE |
30 miles |
41 miles |
40 miles |
|
LIGHTS |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
TIRES |
Kenda |
Vee Tires |
Kenda |
|
SUSPENSION |
No |
Yes |
No |
SUPER 73
Not only is the Original Super 73 the most expensive, it is also the heaviest. It does, however, make up for it with a powerful motor and 7mph faster speed than the other two. It’s heavier dimensions and more powerful motor mean that even though the battery is slightly larger than the Billy ebike, it has 33% less range than Billy or the Super73-S1. It is also the shortest of the three ebikes, and with a seat height of 30”, can feel a little cramped, especially for riders over 6’.
BILLY
The lightest of the three (32% lighter than Super 73 and 22% lighter than Super73-S1), Billy also sits in the middle price-wise ($710 less than the Original Super 73 and $290 more than the S1). It is a fraction longer than the other two, and with an adjustable seat height, can be tweaked to suit riders from 5’2” to 6’6” comfortably. The moto style twist grip throttle sets the Billy ride apart from the other two, with scooter style thumb throttles. The Gates carbon belt drive is quieter and maintenance free compared to standard chains that can rust and attract dirt. Billy also comes with premium tires and suspension front and back.
SUPER 73-S1
The most affordable of the three, the S1 by Lithium Cycles comes with a similar (to Billy) 500W rear hub motor and a similarly higher riding range, compared to the Original Super 73. Its dimensions are a little larger than the Original Super73, but can still feel a little cramped for taller riders. The 32” seat height is much more suited to riders at the 5.5” end of the spectrum. The S1 also comes with a headlight and a rear brake light.
THE VERDICT
Whereas the Lithium Cycles are based on a mini bike geometry and riding experience, the Billy ebike is designed with both a moto style riding experience or BMX (seat down, stand up position) – the choice is yours. It all depends on the ride you’re looking for. Both can give you an electric moto experience, but with Billy you have the option to adjust the seat for optimum comfort as well as pedalling efficiency, giving you ultimately, better range. The ultra wide bars and twist throttle experience of Billy also means it feels more like a motorcycle, versus the scooter/moped experience of a thumb throttle.
As a package, Billy is lighter, more adjustable, and with front and rear suspension, simply allows you to go more places - more comfortably - than the Super 73 or S1.
Sure, neither Billy nor Original Super 73 come with lights, but in our experience, riders prefer the pure no-frills approach to ebike design, especially if it means the bike is lighter and there are fewer parts that can fail. We’ve also found that like shoes, serious riders tend to already own a set that they absolutely love, and that lighting preference is completely subjective. Either way, the ability to have a clean bike free of unnecessary add-ons outweighs (in this case) the mild convenience of a permanently fixed headlight and taillight.
Billy further distinguishes itself from the two with its Gates Carbon Belt Drive, which can only be found on bikes two or three times the price.
The Original Super 73 and Super73-S1 are certainly popular electric bikes, but for a little more than the S1 and a lot less than the Original Lithium Cycles ebike, you’re getting higher quality components and an experience that truly redefines Fun.
