This new bike is a hybrid which uses pedal power and/or electric power. By mixing the two together you get a very environmental friendly bike which makes it easier on the rider to get where they want to go quicker. The bike is limited to 20mph so it does not require a bike license. The bike’s frame is made from 60% post industrial recycled aluminium and houses the NiMH batteries that keep this thing running. The motor which powers the bike is 36V/500W and if used alone can get you to travel 25 miles even if you do not pedal. With the thumb control you can switch the function of the motor which can be either pushing the bike, or be used to generate power if you are downhill or pedaling.
The regular battery can take you about 30 miles with pedaling and an extra battery doubles that. Of course with more downhill’s and pedaling you can increase that range even further.
For comfort the bike includes a gel seat and can be moved around up or down, forwards or back to get the best seating position. Suspension is also included in the forks allowing for more smoothness.
The gear system is also very fancy and is built by NuVinci. It allows a variable transmission which makes the gear changes smoothly increase or decrease.
This is a lot of cool stuff packed in a bike. Would the 25 – 60 mile range be enough to get you to switch to one? I’d still be afraid of being knocked off by a car so probably wouldn’t switch.
Via: GadgetsBlog and Gizmag
Its a great idea. I’d love to have one. Too bad it probably costs $5000 and it looks like it was made by Ronald McDonald.
Actually, it costs $7,500 (USD).
Honestly, if it were a digit and a half cheaper, I’d consider it.
Nice… but way, way, way, way too expensive. You could buy a car that gets 50 mpg for far less.
Out of my price range, but I’d love to have one!
I agree with Eric. I’d love one, but the bike looks ridiculous. I would be embarrassed to be seen using one. Give me one that was a standard mountain-bike frame, and I’d be all over it, though.
It’s a good idea, but why does it have to look so awful? I mean, couldn’t they just put the functionality of it onto a normal bike?
I’ve already switched and I’m happy with it.
My hybrid pedal-electric bike is not even remotely as cool as this one, has a weaker motor and lousier batteries (less range) but on the other hand, it’s not expensive, costs less than 25% of the bike in the picture.
It uses a 320w/24v motor, does about 18mph on el. power alone and it has a 35-mile range that increases substantially if you do part of the job (pedaling) and decreases also substantially if there are hard uphills around. You can walk the bike up the worst uphills if you need the range, or (as I do) use it as a regular pedal bike and only use the motor on the uphills.
I live in a 2 million+ city with pretty wild traffic and I’ve managed to stay alive so far. It’s not as bad as you maight think. Also, you need to learn how to handle electric motors, they’re kinda like the opposite of gas engines: you need to keep the RPM _up_ in order to save power.
Last but not least, my bike doesn’t look that stupid.
Show me where you can get a car for less money that gets you 50 miles to the gallon!
If it costs $7500, I think I’ll save my money and try to mod my own bike. The motor’s only $45.