Head to head

SAMEBIKE RS-A01 vs SAMEBIKE RS-A08

On the numbers that decide this pair, the SAMEBIKE RS-A08 is 8 km further on range than the SAMEBIKE RS-A01. Everything else is below, including where it loses.

Range is our estimate under the reference ride, not the manufacturer's claim. Cost is over 5 years at 3,000 km a year, on the same formula the cost-of-ownership calculator runs. How we work this out

Range figures are MathBikes estimates under the reference ride. Prices are the current listed price.
SpecSAMEBIKE RS-A01SAMEBIKE RS-A08
Estimated range44 km52 km
Battery614 Wh720 Wh
Weight27.2 kg27.2 kg
Motor torque40 Nm40 Nm
Top speed40 km/h45 km/h
Price$1,199$1,599
5-year cost$1,622$1,926

Where each one wins

  • SAMEBIKE RS-A08 is 8 km further on range.
  • SAMEBIKE RS-A08 is 106 Wh more battery.
  • SAMEBIKE RS-A08 is 5 km/h faster.

The SAMEBIKE RS-A01 does not lead on a single measured axis here. That does not make it the wrong bike, but it does mean the SAMEBIKE RS-A08 is the one to justify not buying.

What each one costs to own

Over 5 years the SAMEBIKE RS-A01 costs about 281 EUR less to own, once purchase, charging, servicing, a battery replacement where one is due, and resale are all counted.

That figure moves mostly on the battery. The SAMEBIKE RS-A01 covers about 32,747 km before its pack is due for replacement; the SAMEBIKE RS-A08, about 38,400 km. Ride less than that and the replacement never enters the sum.

Run these numbers on your own mileage

Which one to buy

  • Pick the SAMEBIKE RS-A08 if you ride to the edge of the battery and dislike planning around it.
  • Pick the SAMEBIKE RS-A08 if you would rather charge less often than carry less weight.
  • Pick the SAMEBIKE RS-A08 if your commute has fast stretches where the assist cutting out matters.
  • Pick the SAMEBIKE RS-A01 if the five-year total is what you are optimising.

Verdict

On the measured axes the SAMEBIKE RS-A01 is the better buy, and the SAMEBIKE RS-A08 needs a reason of its own: a colour, a frame, a shop you trust, a price that moves. None of those are in our numbers, and all of them are legitimate.

Range here is an estimate under one reference ride, not a measurement. Yours will differ with terrain, weight, tyres and weather, which is what the range calculator is for.

Price drops

Tell me when either of these gets cheaper

One email when a price moves on a bike you are watching. Nothing else.