Samebike RS-A01 vs Samebike XD26
On the numbers that decide this pair, the Samebike RS-A01 is 134 Wh more battery than the Samebike XD26. 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
| Spec | Samebike RS-A01 | Samebike XD26 |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated range | 44 km | 35 km |
| Battery | 614 Wh | 480 Wh |
| Weight | 27.2 kg | 24.9 kg |
| Motor torque | 40 Nm | 40 Nm |
| Top speed | 40 km/h | 32 km/h |
| Price | $1,199 | $1,099 |
| 5-year cost | $1,622 | $1,548 |
Where each one wins
- Samebike RS-A01 is 134 Wh more battery.
- Samebike RS-A01 is 9 km further on range.
- Samebike RS-A01 is 8 km/h faster.
- Samebike XD26 is 2.3 kg lighter.
The Samebike RS-A01 leads on 3 of these, the Samebike XD26 on 1. Neither sweeps it, so the choice comes down to which of those you actually use.
Who each one is for
Samebike RS-A01
Suits you if you want:
- rated to 136 kg of rider and luggage together
- about 44 km estimated, which covers a 22 km each-way commute
What it asks in return:
- 40 Nm of torque, so long climbs will ask for your legs
Samebike XD26
Suits you if you want:
- rated to 100 kg of rider and luggage together
- about 35 km estimated, which covers a 17 km each-way commute
What it asks in return:
- 40 Nm of torque, so long climbs will ask for your legs
Each line above is read straight from the specification: torque, weight, payload, battery and our range estimate. Nothing here is a preference, and neither bike is being recommended over the other.
What each one costs to own
Over 5 years the two land within 5% of each other, which is inside the error on any of these inputs. Cost is not the deciding factor here.
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 XD26, about 25,600 km. Ride less than that and the replacement never enters the sum.
| Over five years | Samebike RS-A01 | Samebike XD26 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $1,199 | $1,099 |
| Charging | $68 | $68 |
| Servicing | $648 | $648 |
| Battery replacement | ||
| Resale value | $-293 | $-268 |
| Total | $1,622 | $1,548 |
Run these numbers on your own mileage
Which one to buy
- Pick the Samebike RS-A01 if you ride to the edge of the battery and dislike planning around it.
- Pick the Samebike RS-A01 if you would rather charge less often than carry less weight.
- Pick the Samebike XD26 if you carry the bike up steps, onto a train, or into a flat.
- Pick the Samebike RS-A01 if your commute has fast stretches where the assist cutting out matters.
Verdict
On the measured axes the Samebike RS-A01 is the better buy, and the Samebike XD26 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.
Tell me when either of these gets cheaper
One email when a price moves on a bike you are watching. Nothing else.