OHM Cycles rolls out new line of electric-assist hybrid bicycles
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 14th 2008 8:36PM
posted April 14th 2008 8:36PM
There's certainly no shortage of options out there for folks wanting a little assistance on their bike commute, but if you're still on the fence, you may want to consider one of OHM Cycles' new models, which includes the Urban XU450 and XU700 for less adventuresome folks, and the Sport XS700 and XS750 for those that like venture off-road occasionally. Each of those include "silent" BionX motors of various wattage, along with Molicel lithium-ion batteries that OHM says can be fully recharged in about three hours. You'll also get a "command console" that displays all your vitals, and an integrated security system (complete with an alarm) that promises to keep those lazy bike thieves out there at bay. No word on prices for any of them just yet, but the bikes are apparently making their way to dealers this month, so you should be able to get a quote soon enough.
if you want to be popular with the chicks ride an OHM Cycle!
Going to the MB dealer... I wanna get a bike =D
There goes their commission LOL
And get your ass kicked by your friends because your bike has a girls frame.
Now you can be just like Jamie from the Mythbusters. God, I always wanted a bike like that. :O
Uh no thanks I like my bike. On mine you actually get exercise.
As fat as people are nowadays we certainly don't need hybrid bikes. Let them expend all ther energy built up in their thighs.
The promise of being able to bike TO work using electric is great! Don't need to sweat through my clothes.
On the way FROM work, then we can turn the motor off. Good stuff.
Does the command console display anything like 'miles per fat cell'? Calories are just too abstract...
it ok as long as they also buy a stationary bike to recoup all those exercise lost from using this one :)
I don't think you get much exercise driving that '94 Taurus.
Wonder if they'll come out with a recumbent version of this bike. Then you can be even more lazy. :)
*irrelevant comment alert*
did i miss the phasing out of "highest" and "lowest" as possible rankings since last week?
engadget should rate with a 5 star system or something like that.
allowing people to be ranked "highest" or "lowest" only causes animosity, resentment and anger.
I try not to even care.
sometimes engadget posters type nothing more than "fail" and get a "highest rank". Makes no damn sense.
Not to mention that this comment will be low ranked
flashy: you sound bitter. just sayin...
When used appropriately, "fail" can be quite entertaining...
I wonder if they issue a 'dorky' matching helmet with this thing?
maybe with a built in camera? And one of those little rear view mirrors? And stickers of your favorite brand of soy milk?
no thanks. id rather drive my hummer and vote republican.
let's not be redundant now
Eugene Meltsner would totally ride this thing.
Hurray for lazy people everywhere!
OHM MY GOD
These things would be hot sellers if they didnt always cost $1,200.00 and up.
For that money you can by a moped which goes fast, further and has a higher "cool" factor.
the OHM bikes BionX motor is torque sensitive ..so the harder you pedal the more boost you get..
other power assist bikes the motor only gives one level of assitance no matter how hard you pedal..
this is crap and looks like it weighs 60lbs.
I could probably get a cheaper, lighter, faster, better fixed gear setup.
Wow I've heard about weight-guessers for humans but you are much more impressive, you can tell the weight of an object of unknown materials by looking at a picture of it!
Pee Wee Herman would be envious.
Am I the only person who actually thinks this is a good idea? The battery obviously wouldn't be enough to allow you to travel extrmely long distances, but it would help if you had been pedaling for 20 miles and needed a break. You could switch it over to the electric mode and keep on riding for a little while you get a breather. Then once the battery gets low, you can start pedaling again.
I got one of these a few years back. And yes i was pretty fat, it gives a nice push when accelerating from 0, but then the weight of the bike along starts to bog you down. Now i lost all the weight and built myself a new bike, its better to do all the work yourself.
K...why are these always so expensive.
OHM XU450/XU700 Urban Electric Bicycle --> $2,195.00 (http://nycewheels.com/ohm-urban-electric-bike.html)
OHM XS700/XS750 Sport Electric Bicycle --> $3,450.00 (http://nycewheels.com/ohm-sport-electric-bike.html)
Get it cheaper by skipping the middle man. Go right to the manufacturer of the bionX motor.
http://www.bionx.ca/index.php?id=main&module=default&page_id=32&language=en
I have one of these, and for you naysayers, I get to work on time, with less sweat, butstill more exercise then you in the hummer.
Yeah, because mopeds always sell well and get you laid. Still, it seems like a great idea. My city is hilly and I don't bike to some places because getting back would be brutal. A little assistance would be nice and get me biking more in general.
Still, I doubt I will pay what these will go for.
This is the hill assist I will buy soon! Have not seen one, but specs look good.
http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_category.php?id=109
Thanks for sharing this information!
I believe that scooters are one answer to the growing problem of pollution and global warming! They are perfect for commuting within a city, or for any short trip.
I also have a website about scooters that you may wish to check out. Feel free to visit at: http://www.electricscooteroutlet.com
Thanks again!
High performance bikes at www.falconev.com
falconev link is http://ww.falconev.com
Your readers might also like this hands-on review of the OHM Urban XU500 - http://1greenproduct.com/2009/07/27/ohm-electric-bicycles/
Thanks for your e-bike coverage!
- Aaron Dalton, Editor, 1GreenProduct.com
Here's another great resource for electric bikes: http://www.eco-wheelz.com