Italian motorbike giant Ducati has spread its net into the world of assisted pedal power, launching the Ducati Futa, its first e-road bike.
The brand best known for its superbikes of the motor variety has been experimenting in the e-bike market already, launching a range of e-mountain bikes made in collaboration with e-bike specialist Thok. This partnership has now spanned to a carbon fibre ‘high performance’ e-road bike.
The bike will use a rear hub-based FSA System HM 1.0 motor system, weighs a claimed 12.2kg and features, most excitingly, a full FSA K-Force WE groupset.
The aforementioned motor system provides 250W of assistance and 42Nm of torque, with the battery integrated into the bike’s down tube. The motor system provides five levels of assistance controlled by a Garmin head unit on the handlebars. It can also be monitored from the FSA companion app.
Unlike other units, the motor does not fully disengage when not in use but Ducati claims ‘an almost imperceptible resistance when exceeding 25kmh’. In total, the system weighs 3.98kg of the 12.2kg total.
The weight is also helped by Ducati’s use of a carbon fibre monocoque frame with what it calls a ‘sport endurance geometry’. Ducati has dropped seatstays for comfort and profiled the down tube, head tube and forks in an attempt to create a more aerodynamic shape.
Component choice for the Futa is interesting.
The regular build comes with a full FSA K-Force WE wireless groupset, which is as rare as hen’s teeth, using 160mm disc rotors to help counteract the bike’s heavier weight.
The build is finished with a set of gravel-specific Vision AGX30 carbon wheels and 35mm Pirelli Cinturato Velo tyres, opening up the possibilities of taking this bike off-road.
As well as the regular Futa, there will also be a Futa Limited Edition. Just 50 of these will be made and they will feature a Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupset and carbon Vision finishing kit. Additionally, the limited edition model comes specced with a 250Wh range extender and a Garmin Edge Explorer GPS bike computer.
Both options will come in the red and black colours synonymous with Ducati and will go on sale soon, although prices are yet to be released.