Dec 26, 2018, 12:17pm EST |
The Story Behind CAKE And The Electric Off-Road Kalk Motorbike
Nargess BanksSenior Contributor
I cover cars, design, and innovation - and where they intersect.
The electric CAKE Kalk is capable of extreme off-roading
The post-gasoline age has kindled a group of pioneers fueled by love and idealism. Not always from the traditional automotive route, these creators are thinking outside the box, offering vehicles that are clean without compromising on design, performance or individuality. One such brand is the Swedish company CAKE. Its zero-emission Kalk motorcycle is capable of high-performance off-roading. The idea is to have fun, get all muddy riding these custom-built bikes out in the wild, without polluting nature with the noise typical of such extreme bikes.
The design emphasizes Kalk's character to be simple, clean, silent, friendly, fun
Every component of the Kalk has been custom-built to be as light and efficient as possible. It comes with three ride modes, designed specifically for ease of use. An industrial 15kW mid-motor powered by a 51.8 volt, 50Ah battery runs the bike for competitive torque and range. The suspension is developed for hi-performance at minimum weight, whilst the tires are designed to minimize wear and footprint. I speak with CAKE founder and CEO, Stefan Ytterborn, to learn more.
LEGO has been an inspiration in the conceptual design
Nargess Banks: How would you describe the company ethos?
Stefan Ytterborn: CAKE's mission is to inspire people to speed towards a zero-emission society by combining excitement with responsibility. Our intention is to establish a new category of light, quiet and clean electric motorbikes. We would like to optimize performance in conjunction with the prerequisites of the electric drivetrain - new making, kinematics, materials, construction and typology.
NB: This is the first model in a series of planned sustainable bikes. What should we expect from the upcoming family?
SY: Each bike will address a different user scenario, originating from different off-road habitats to match specific user-needs. The models will be offered as a pure off-roader as well as urban siblings - a combo between casual off-road use and commuting.
The Kalk doesn't create noise pollution when off-roading in the countryside
NB: The Kalk is a highly-accomplished product, offering high-performance, extreme functionality as well as ease-of-use. Can you describe the thinking?
SY: It enhances the benefits of electric. At 150 pounds, it is super light and very quiet for minimum disturbance to other road users. There are no fumes so no pollution. It is easy to ride as there are no gears, no clutching and also exponential learning curve with different riding modes. It is a rational product for it needs minimum maintenance. And it is inclusive - anyone can ride the Kalk, no matter their gender or age.
The bikes have been designed for ease-of-use
NB: The design looks clean and clear as well as friendly, which seems at odds with its masculine off-roading functionality. Was this intentional?
SY: The ambition has been to emphasize its character - simple, clean, silent, friendly, fun, contemporary and crisp – the opposite of the existing motorcycling culture which tends to be loud, noisy, macho and aggressive.
NB: The design principle, you say, is a bit like the Danish classic toy LEGO.
SY: LEGO has been an inspiration. Aside from the fact that an electric drivetrain means fewer moving parts, the project has been about taking a similar approach. The number of parts are less than half compared to a traditional off-road motorbike and the need for service and tinkering is drastically reduced. If a motor, a battery or a controller malfunctions, we can simply change that part with a new one in less than half an hour. The rest of the bike is serviced like a bicycle.
CAKE bikes offer a combination of off-road use and city commuting
NB: You say every component is custom-built. Can you explain the challenges of achieving this?
SY: There were no off-the-shelf components that we could use to be true to the ambition of establishing uncompromising performance, be light and with new kinematics supporting the different characters of the electric drivetrain. The existing material were either bicycle stuff and too weak, or for motorbikes and too heavy. Everything from the axles to hubs, rims, tires, stems handlebars and rotor discs have been developed and engineered from scratch to support the final product.
NB: How is the Kalk different to other electric bikes on the market?
SY: With electric bikes, especially off-roaders, there are currently two clear paths. Those evolving from the traditional motorcycling side, swapping the combustion drivetrain with an electric one yet keeping the same functions, measurements, geometry and weight. Then there are the small-scale garage builders who tend to be great at welding, engineering and exploring. We are inspired by them, starting from scratch - designing and engineering what we believe is a new category by producing the bikes industrially.
"It is the beauty of contributing to a sustainable future, providing the excitement of fun and... [+] exploration," Stefan Ytterborn, CAKE founder
NB: How we move is increasingly fluid with many of us choosing to mix our transport between private car, shared transport schemes or riding options. How do you see CAKE's future in this scenario?
SY: The lion part of CAKE bikes will eventually be used as commuter vessels. Our take is to vouch for quality and performance, providing road-legal products to support commuting needs, doubling up as excursion tools in the countryside for weekends and vacations. Just like Jeeps and Land Rovers.
NB: What excites you about electric mobility?
SY: It is the beauty of contributing to a sustainable future, together with providing the excitement of fun and exploration.
Read about other pioneers of the post-petrol age in a new book The Current.
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Nargess Banks
I explore the links between design, innovation and consumer culture. For some twenty years my writing has featured in international media including Forbes Lifestyle and W
I explore the links between design, innovation and consumer culture. For some twenty years my writing has featured in international media including Forbes Lifestyle and Wallpaper*. I author lifestyle books, run Design Talks and act as a forecaster and brand consultant at Spinach Branding.