World-first hydrofoil bike expands to US

The world’s first hydrofoil e-bike company, designed and developed in New Zealand, is expanding to the US market from September.

Manta5 is set to bring the Hydrofoiler XE-1 to the US, allowing riders to plane across water surfaces.

Chief executive officer Greg Johnston says he’s excited to extend its market reach to the US and is expecting a successful launch.

“The US is a progressive market when it comes to outdoor sports and is active and enthusiastic about supporting the latest in industry innovations, as we’ve personally encountered through hundreds of distribution requests.”

Manta5 received global attention after a short video of the hydrofoil prototype went viral, with 300 million views on Facebook alone in late 2017. This resulted in the initial New Zealand pilot production selling out in just six months.

The Hydrofoiler XE-1 foils along the surface with a maximum speed of 22km/h and offers three levels of adjustable electric assist modes; training (low), cruise (medium) and performance (high).

Manta5 aims to move the bike from leisure to competitive sport, and one day be raced at the Olympics.

“We’re thrilled to offer even more riders the chance to experience cycling at its most innovative – a surreal and uninterrupted experience on water,” Johnston adds.

Key Specs:

• 60 minutes of riding time
• IP68 waterproof battery
• 460 Watt-electric motor
• Aircraft-grade aluminium frame and carbon fibre hydrofoils
• 29kg (including foils and battery)
• 22km/h (11 knots) maximum speed
• NZ$7490