Future Motion’s Antic Electric Mini Bike: 70s Pit Bike Vibes, Onewheel Brain.

What happens when the Onewheel crew decides they want more than one wheel? You get Antic – a 1970s-style electric minibike with modern sensors, a hub motor, and a party trick Future Motion calls wheelie mode. It’s the first product from Antic Bikes, a new Future Motion spin-off brand focused on “unbelievably fun” small electric bikes, not just pure commuting tools. Antic Bikes+1

If you’ve ever looked at a Onewheel and thought “that looks fun but also terrifying,” Antic is basically the same playful energy, just with handlebars and a second contact patch. It’s an e-mini-bike built to drift, wheelie, and mess around on – and it very intentionally leans into that retro minibike/pit bike nostalgia.

Who’s Behind Antic? (And Why That Matters).

Antic comes from Future Motion, the Santa Cruz company behind Onewheel – the self-balancing electric skateboard that kicked off a whole category of “asphalt surfboard” style PEVs back in 2014. Wikipedia+1 Their boards are built in the USA, and the company has spent a decade dialling in motion control, sensors, and balance algorithms to make one-wheel riding feel like snowboarding on pavement. Onewheel // Future Motion+1

That heritage is both a strength and a conversation starter. On the one hand, Future Motion knows a lot about real-time balance control, hub motors, and durability. On the other hand, Onewheel has gone through serious scrutiny and recalls after reports of crashes, injuries, and several deaths, which eventually led to a recall of roughly 300,000 boards in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Clark, Perdue & List Co, LPA+3U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission+3Onewheel Recall+3

Antic is not a one-wheeled board, and it’s a brand-new platform, but anyone looking at the bike should be aware of that history. It’s part of the story – good and bad – of how Future Motion arrived here.

Antic at a Glance: Key Specs.

From Antic’s launch info and early coverage, here’s the quick spec hit list: Antic Bikes+4Antic Bikes+4Engadget+4

• Type: Electric minibike/e-bike with fat “go-kart-style” tyres

• Top speed: Up to 35 mph (56 km/h)

• Range options:

  • Base Antic: ~12–28 miles (shorter range, lower price)

  • Antic Long Range: ~22–50 miles

  • Antic Long Range+: Same listed range (~22–50 miles) + performance treaded tires

• Drive: Hub motor in the rear wheel with electronic control derived from Onewheel tech

• Price at launch (USD):

  • Base Antic: $2,100 (intro deal, regular $2,500)

  • Long Range: $2,700

  • Long Range+: $2,900

• Availability: Pre-orders open now, with shipping starting around January (first in, first out)

It’s very clearly positioned as a premium “fun machine” rather than a budget commuter.

Wheelie Mode: Gimmick or Game-Changer?

The headline feature is wheelie mode – Antic can literally hold you in a wheelie using self-balancing tech. Future Motion is taking what they’ve learned from stabilizing a single wheel and applying it to keeping the front tyre in the air as long as you dare. Early coverage describes it as a minibike capable of “all-day wheelies,” using internal sensors and control software to keep the balance point. New Atlas+1

On a normal minibike, riding a controlled, long wheelie is a skill that takes real practice (and a few loop-out scares). With Antic, the idea is that you lean back, the system catches you, and it helps keep the balance for you. It’s part circus trick, part product statement: this bike exists to make messing around feel magical.

Is it necessary? Absolutely not. Is it very on-brand for Future Motion? Completely.

70s Minibike Meets 2020s Tech.

Visually, Antic is a love letter to small 70s minibikes – long padded seat, upright bars, and a low, simple frame that looks like it should be parked next to a vintage Bonanza or Taco minibike ad. Antic Bikes+2Recalls and Safety Alerts+2

But under the nostalgia, it’s modern:

• Hub motor tucked cleanly into the rear wheel (no chain drive mess). Antic Bikes+1

• Fat, low-pressure tyres that feel more like go-kart or mini-moto rubber than skinny bicycle tyres. New Atlas+2Electrek+2

• Electronic control tuned for torque, wheelies, and playful acceleration rather than strictly “class 2 commuter” behaviour.

It slots into that space between a pit bike, a Sur-Ron-style light electric moto, and a funky urban e-bike. Compared to a full-on e-moto, it’s smaller, simpler, and more approachable. Compared to a standard e-bike, it’s heavier on the fun and lighter on the spreadsheet practicality.

Battery Options, Range, and Real-World Use.

Future Motion is offering three Antic variants to hit different ranges and budget targets: Investors Hangout+1

• Antic (Base): 12–28 miles of range

• Antic Long Range: 22–50 miles

• Antic Long Range+: Same claimed range but upgraded, more aggressive performance tyres

Real-world range will depend heavily on rider weight, terrain, temperature, and, of course, how much time you spend in wheelie mode or ripping full throttle. But even the base model looks aimed more at after-work sessions, neighbourhood exploring, and short urban trips than all-day touring.

If you’re coming from the e-bike world where 40–60 miles of mixed-mode riding is becoming normal on mid-drive commuters, Antic’s range is decent but not mind-blowing. If you’re thinking “electric pit bike that I can throw in a hatchback and beat on all day at a parking lot session,” the LR and LR+ variants start to look more interesting.

What’s Missing (On Purpose?).

At launch, Antic is pretty minimalist. Based on the official listings and early impressions, you’re not getting: YouTube+3Antic Bikes+3Engadget+3

• No standard speedometer or display

• No built-in turn signals

• No app-based GPS tracking / auto-lock advertised yet

• No racks or integrated storage

• No big commuter-style fenders and lighting package (at least not as core to the pitch)

Some riders have already pointed out that a starting price over $2,000 feels steep without those commuter niceties. YouTube, but that’s kind of the point: Antic isn’t being sold as a “replace your car and do your groceries” machine. It’s being sold as a grin device – like a BMX, pit bike, or Onewheel you can ride sitting down.

If you want a pure transport appliance, there are plenty of utility e-bikes that will carry more, cost less, and come loaded with cargo racks and lights. If you want something that feels like a toy in the best way, Antic’s spec sheet makes more sense.

Safety, Recalls, and What Riders Should Keep in Mind.

You can’t talk about Future Motion without mentioning safety. Onewheel has been under the microscope after reports of riders being thrown from boards, serious injuries, and several fatalities, which led regulators and the company to initiate a large recall and offer repairs or refunds for affected models. Clark, Perdue & List Co, LPA+3U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission+3Onewheel Recall+3

Antic, to be clear, is a new product with two wheels and a totally different riding stance. There is no recall on Antic – it’s just launching. Still, anyone considering one should:

• Treat it like a mini-moto, not a bicycle toy

• Wear a full-face helmet and at least basic pads if you’re playing with wheelies

• Be realistic about the 35 mph top speed – that’s moped territory, not casual cruiser territory Engadget+1

• Keep an eye on future firmware updates, support policies, and right-to-repair options as the platform matures

Future Motion’s track record with Onewheel shows both how far they can push fun and how important it is for them to get safety, transparency, and support right on a new platform like Antic.

Who Is the Antic For?

A few riders who might click instantly with Antic:

• Onewheel fans who want something more familiar and stable but still playful and weird

• Mini-bike / pit-bike kids at heart who grew up staring at 70s minibike catalogue ads

• Urban riders who already have a “serious” commuter and want a second toy just for sessions and skatepark-adjacent spots

• Content creators and stunt-curious riders who love the idea of a bike that can literally help them hold endless wheelies

Who it’s probably not for:

• Riders looking for a cargo haulier, grocery getter, or child-seat bike

• People on a tight budget who need cheap, reliable transport

• Folks who are already uncomfortable with Future Motion’s safety and recall history

Final Thoughts.

The Future Motion Antic isn’t trying to be the most practical e-bike on the block – and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. It’s a retro-styled electric #minibike with a serious amount of engineering hiding behind its simple silhouette: #hubmotor punch, a 35 mph top speed, sensor-driven wheelie mode, and range options that cover everything from short shreds to longer Saturday missions. Antic Bikes+4Antic Bikes+4Engadget+4

If #FutureMotion can pair that fun factor with solid safety, clear communication, and long-term support, #Antic could carve out a loyal niche in the “just for fun” end of the light #EV spectrum – somewhere between #BMX, #pitbike, and futuristic toy. If nothing else, it proves one thing: the #Onewheel team was never going to stop at just one wheel.