Jean Foudre: this electric cargo bike is French, fully repairable and powerful

The Bordeaux brand Jean Fourche presented the very first electric bike in its history, the Jean Foudre. His particuliarity ? Its motor and battery come from French manufacturers and are fully repairable.

Source: Jean Fourche

Putting durability and repairability at the heart of his project: this is Jean Fourche’s ambition with his very first electric cargo bike, just recently introduced. Responding to the name of Jean Foudre, this model is the result of an industrial partnership with Gouach on one side and Virvolt on the other.

The first named provides a battery… repairable. “A battery without glue, without wires, without soldering, completely removable and repairable in less than 10 minutes”, explains Jean Fourche’s press release.

Repairable as possible

With a capacity of 430 Wh, this accumulator is assembled in Haillan (33), “from second-life cells from self-service fleet batteries”. In short, a refurbished battery which therefore corresponds perfectly to the philosophy of the manufacturer. Note that a theoretical range of 80 km is announced by the brand.

Virvolt intervenes on the motorization of the cycle. Its engine is “repairable with a simple set of Allen key and all 92 parts that compose it are available individually”, it is written. Placed at the level of the pedals, it provides a generous torque of 80 Nm, necessary for starting and picking up on the handlebars of a cargo.

Source: Jean Fourche

This system is associated with a torque sensor. As a reminder, this type of sensor allows you to receive electrical assistance proportional to the force you put into the pedals. This provides a dynamic, responsive and natural ride.

At the rear, the wheel incorporates a hub with integrated gears – seven speeds in total – signed Shimano (the Nexus 7). This equipment makes it possible in particular to change gears even when stationary, but also to never derail. In addition, the case provides very good protection against rain, dust and shocks.

Less than 25 kg on the scale

The three levels of assistance on offer are complemented by a Walk mode, which can come in very handy if you’re pushing your bike on foot while it’s loaded with cargo. With a load capacity of 170 kg, the Jean Foudre can accommodate food shopping for example, but also passengers in the back.

Its front rack can support a load of 15 kg, against 35 kg on the rear rack, which is compatible with a baby carrier. Transporting adults does not seem to be possible. Where this cycle impresses is in terms of its weight: 23 kg, which is very light for a longtail-type cargo e-bike.

Source: Jean Fourche

Its length of 172 cm is slightly below its competitors: 195 cm for the Gaya Cargo, 186 cm for the Tern GSD S10 LR, 195 cm for the O2feel Equo Cargo Power 7.1 or 185 cm for the Mustache Lundi 20 .

Only one black point taints its technical sheet: the brakes, Shimano Alivio v-brakes. It would have been better to integrate hydraulic disc brakes, considered more efficient and more aggressive. Above all, an electric cargo bike is intended to transport people: safety is therefore a central element.

A modest price for a longtail

This choice has the merit of pulling the price of the bike down: 2290 euros in total, or even 2190 euros for the first 50 buyers. This is one of the most affordable fares on the market in the longtail segment. Only the Gaya Cargo manages to stand up to it with its 2500 euros, when the Decathlon Longtail R500Elec climbs to 2800 euros.

Deliveries of the Jean Foudre are scheduled for April 2023.

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