A Familiar Name Rides Back Into the Spotlight
Well, this is awkward. SONDORS, the brand once hailed as the “people’s e-bike company,” is making headlines again. The same company that delivered bargain e-bikes, ambitious promises, and one of the messiest bankruptcies in the electric two-wheeler world is… back.
And yes — Storm Sondors himself is leading the comeback tour. His new project? A fresh off-road electric motorbike called the Meta AT. The timing and name might feel like déjà vu, but the goal is clear: to rebuild both the brand and the trust it lost.
From Fat Tires to Bankruptcy: A Quick Recap
For those who missed the first few seasons of this electric drama, here’s a quick rewind.
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2015: SONDORS launches a $500 fat-tire e-bike via crowdfunding. It looked too good to be true — and sometimes was. Delivery delays and mixed quality followed, but bikes eventually reached customers.
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2021: The Metacycle, SONDORS’ first full electric motorcycle, promised to be revolutionary: affordable, stylish, and street-legal.
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2022–2023: Delays turned to cancellations. Some units shipped, but others didn’t. Around 500 customers reportedly never received their bikes. The company ran out of cash and filed for bankruptcy in 2023.
That seemed like the end. Until now.
Meet the SONDORS Meta AT
The Meta AT marks the company’s return — and this time, SONDORS is targeting the booming off-road EV market.
According to Storm Sondors, the Meta AT is “smaller, lighter, and more agile” than the Metacycle. It’s not street-legal out of the box but is designed for trail riders and weekend adventurers.
Key specs:
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Motor: 4 kW peak power (≈ 5.3 hp)
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Torque: 230 ft-lbs
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Top speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
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Battery: 2.5 kWh pack
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Range: Up to 60 miles (97 km)
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Charging: Standard wall-outlet compatible
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Price: $4,200 retail, or $2,299 for early pre-orders
It’s aimed squarely at rivals like Sur-Ron and Talaria, but at half the price. That’s tempting — especially for those who missed the Metacycle wave.
The Catch: Déjà Vu Pricing and Pre-Orders
If you’re experiencing flashbacks, you’re not alone.
SONDORS’ pre-order-first model is back, and customers are again being asked to pay months before production begins.
The company says it will offer a “Street Legal Kit” (with mirrors, lights, and signals), but there’s no guarantee it’ll meet licensing requirements. Their official advice? “Check with your local authorities.” Not exactly reassuring.
Storm Sondors Speaks Out
Storm has taken to social media and interviews to defend his comeback. He’s described the previous collapse as the result of “a factory dispute in China” and insists he’s working “relentlessly” to make things right with unpaid Metacycle customers.
“Don’t question whether I deliver,” he says. “I always have.”
That’s a bold statement — especially when several hundred riders are still waiting for the bikes they paid for years ago.
A New Beginning or the Same Old Story?
SONDORS claims the Meta AT is “a different machine entirely.” It’s simpler to build, less complex than the Metacycle, and supposedly designed to be foolproof to produce at scale.
Still, the biggest question remains:
Can a company that burned its most loyal fans win them back with another pre-order campaign?
Electric two-wheeler enthusiasts are split. Some are intrigued by the specs and price. Others, understandably, are keeping their wallets zipped.
The Bottom Line
The SONDORS Meta AT electric bike looks fun, affordable, and ambitious — but it also comes with a heavy dose of déjà vu. History might not repeat itself, but it certainly rhymes.
If the company really can deliver this time, it could be one of the most affordable and capable off-road e-bikes on the market. But for now, many are watching from the sidelines — coffee in hand, eyebrows raised, and fingers crossed.