I have no problem with e-bikes, let me make that clear from the get go. I think that if you’e got a bad long-term injury, if your older and infirm, if you just want to go further on the fitness you’ve got with a little more turbo in your charge, great, by all means, knock yourself out.

And they’re great as cargo bikes too, helping to cut pollution in cities and towns.

But every once in a while you see something and wonder exactly what kind E the designer was on when he thought it up, and indeed you wonder next how it actually came to be built.

Which brings us to the Dolas Defender 250…

First off, aesthetically this thing is challenged.

Secondly, it weighs 68kg according to Dolas (one site I checked said it was actually 78kg). That’s more than my 125cc scooter, and that’s a pain to lift once its fallen over. Yet there are some positive stats:

180km range, 250kg load capacity, a triple suspension system.

But still, it’s hardly your easily maneouverable e-bike about town is it? Fully loaded, that makes 318kg. Maybe it needs two wheels at the front side by side, or at the back maybe? I’m not an engineer, and maybe this ‘bike’ makes perfect sense, but it doesn’t look like it makes sense, and that will be a big sticking point for potential buyers.

Everything is controlled via a centrally mounted colour cockpit display unit, and the bike also has a smart suspension system that monitors road conditions and riding style in real time, which is claimed to improve stability and comfort.

But as they say in Oz, for me this is a “yeah… nah” kind of feeling…

Pretty cool video tho:

The bike is made in Germany and costs €4,650 (about $5,000) plus shipping. Head to the Dolas website to order yours now!