The Tribe Original is getting an upgrade. The MY27 version takes the Bafang M510 motor we already fit to the Tribe Evamos and the Ricky Rickshaw, moves up to Shimano Deore 10-speed gears, and carries a 540Wh battery where the current bike has 468Wh. It’s $5,990.
Update, 29 October 2026: the MY27 has landed and is in stock now as Tribe Original Version 3. The current model is now called Version 2.
Everything else stays as it is. It’s the same frame, the same box and the same four colours (Oak, Jarrah, Black and White), and every accessory we sell for the Original fits both versions.
The motor
The current Original has a Bafang M400 with 80Nm of torque. The MY27 gets the Bafang M510, rated at 110Nm. Both are 250W mid drives, which is the legal limit in Australia, and because a mid drive works through the bike’s gears instead of turning the back wheel directly, that extra torque turns into real pulling power where you need it: moving off from the lights with two kids in the box, or on the last hill before the school gate.
The M510 is already on the Evamos and the Ricky, so it’s a motor we know well, and it made sense for the Original to have it too.
The gears
Shimano Acera 8-speed becomes Shimano Deore 10-speed, the same groupset as the Ricky Rickshaw. Deore sits a couple of steps above Acera in Shimano’s range, and with ten gears instead of eight there’s more to choose from between the one you climb in and the one you cruise in.
The battery
The pack goes from 13Ah to 15Ah at 36V, which takes it from 468Wh to 540Wh. That’s 72Wh more, or about 15% more energy on board. Range always depends on what you’re carrying, how hilly your run is and how much assist you ask for, so we’d rather give you the capacity than a kilometre figure, but whatever your ride looks like you’ll get further on a charge, or charge less often.
The price
The MY27 is $5,990, which is $500 more than the current model’s usual price.
Version 2 is on sale for Black Friday
We’ve still got current-model Originals in stock, now called Version 2, and they’re $4,990 in our Black Friday Sale until Monday 1 December, $500 off the usual $5,490. We’ve been selling this bike since 2022, it’s trusted by thousands of customers, and we’ve got plenty of spare parts for it, so if you want one now or you’d rather keep the difference, it’s still a very good choice.
We’re telling you about the MY27 now so you can choose between them properly. We’d much rather you knew about both today than found out about the new one a month after your bike arrived.
If you already own an Original
Nothing changes for your bike. Every accessory we sell for the Original fits yours and the MY27 alike, and the chargers and displays are compatible across both.
Buying one
Head to the Tribe Original page, choose Version 3, then pick your colour. It’s in stock now, and we’ll email you when your bike is on its way.
If you’ve got questions, email hello@tribebikes.com.au.
