Coleen Jean Prouvé 1941-Inspired E-Bike
While electric bicycles have been making quite the wave lately, it’s important to understand that many are still in their infancy — as such, small intricacies such as battery life, travel range, quality of construction, and electronic capability tend to suffer. France’s Coleen has decided to push the intuitive technology forward with the introduction of their Jean Prouvé-inspired e-bike — a two-wheeled commuter that brings some much-needed quality of life upgrades to the electric bicycle market.
The Jean Prouvé was an innovative bike for its time — hitting the streets of France in 1941 as one of the first t-frame designs to sport a rear derailleur, giving bicycle commuters the option of separate gears. Coleen has decided to modernize the classic silhouette, introducing a design that’s practically similar to the original — but with an entirely new carbon fiber frame and over 75 specially designed peripherals, the company is looking to change the landscape for future e-bike manufacturers. While Prouvé’s original was designed solely for the working class of France during World War II, Coleen’s dramatic revision has daily commuters in mind, sporting a powerful 250-watt silent motor powered by a 529-watt-hour removable battery that can charge in under two and a half hours. And unlike other direct competitors, the Coleen can carry riders for more than 62 miles on a single charge — boasting one of the most comprehensive travel figures on the market. A leather saddle made by Voltaire and a transflective liquid-crystal display color screen integrated into the bike’s stem round out the groundbreaking bicycle, providing users with a way to track, understand, and evaluate their daily commutes.
