A clever name, a clever design and a solid premise -- now, if only we didn't see a set of front and rear pegs along with Dave Mirra grinding down a stairwell each time we looked at it, we could actually take this thing seriously. Unfortunately for our childish hopes, Ultra Motors' A2B electric bike actually won't be used in the next X-Games, but it may just get you to and from your downtown apartment. This comparatively small
electric bike features a full suspension setup, an oversized seat and a battery arrangement that provides 20 miles of travel without a touch of the pedal. Also of note, riders can reach speeds of up to 20mph (or 50mph if traveling downhill, so we hear), and an optional secondary battery can double the aforesaid distance capability. Look for this one to hit authorized dealers next month for a presumably lofty amount of scratch.
[Via
OhGizmo]
Update: And we've got a price of $2,599. $2,675 with pegs, a splash guard and a few random stickers.
posted August 13th 2008 6:30PM
Oops. Sorry. I meant the first post, that addresses the 18-wheeler concerns.
Did anyone else notice that it weighs 73lbs! Try getting this thing up a flight of stairs.
I was in a electric bike store the other day when visiting out of state. This store had a wide selection (Eco Motor) and they allowed me to try their electric bikes. After my experience I would say the lead acid based transports were VERY heavy. I could not believe how heavy.
Now, I tried the scooter without the peddels 1000W motor and capability to go 28mph. In Utah they allow you to only ride on the sidewalk unless you can keep up with traffic. Soooooo I rode this speed demon on the sidewalk and it was daredevil time in my opinion--too fast for the sidewalk. Don't get me wrong--it was an absolute blast! I just think the handwritting is on the wall--and you will hit someone sooner or latter because the bike is heavy regardless of the battery and you time to stop from 28mph is pretty high.
I tried a folding version with a 300 watt motor and a small lithium Ion pack. It was much lighter and had pedals. This was ok but rickety so not too secure feeling but it was all the power you could need and if you pedal with marginal strength you could get some exersize and travel a good distance. The exersize is similar to what you would get pedalling a mountain bike in top gear on leval ground at about maybe 5 mph. Not strenuous just kinda getting your blood moving.
Lastly, I tried the mountain (sorta a comfort bike) bike version from this maker. This bike looked a little silly but not too outragous. It definately took me a couple minutes to decide if a bike like this would get too much attention for my taste. Anyhow, these guys make a solid bike and it rode like a regular bike. I was pleased except for that ugly battery pack--looked like a bike from the 70's. It was heavy even with the lithium ion pack. The 700 watts was more than enough power and the bike was more managable than the bikes with the smaller 16 or 20 inch tires. I could get along with this bike. I definately could go fast and I found I could pedal and assist and it felt like a normal bike OR I could use the motor and just take a respite. There is no doubt after riding this that it is superior to a bike without a motor as a long distance commuter. Here you can pass up those fuddy duttys who are like killing the sacred cow all the time..."Oh, why not just pedal your self"..."you are lazy and fat"..."it is heavy".."I would never spend that much[on an electric bike}"
I say so what, have you ridden one before you make up your mind? Yes, there is some aspect for able bodies that is a "toy" but for some with knees that hurt or such this is useful and for those who want to ride 5 miles to work you would be going 25 mph the whole way instead of 15mph.
I sell LEV’s for Ultra Motor, the first thought people have buying this kind of bike is (can I commute to work) you don’t have to ride it 20-30 miles to work, at least ride it to the (park and ride) catch the bus from there, take it to the store, the park it is just plan fun to ride any time. We all saw it, gas production is too big, they can’t slow down production and if we cut back driving our cars, the price of gas will come down (it works). This bike fits so many people. Can you afford a car and insurance for your college student today! I have customers that are legally blind, but can see will enough to ride, loss your driver license you can ride this bike, no license is needed, we all need to work. The A2B is silent it rides like a bike you won’t offend walkers or other cyclist. We don’t need to convert cyclist to LEV riders, we need to get all of us out of our cars from time to time. I filled up my truck with gas $120 this is how I’m going to pay for my A2B. The cost $2599 for the A2B, did you know the e-bike from 10 years ago sold for $2200 and they are still running around, this bike is a whole new class of electric bike although.
Before you convert your lead acid battery to Li-ion consider you need a special charger and have to have a proper voltage cutoff or Li-ion batteries will catch fire, there is more to than just changing batteries. The batteries on this bike are in the down tube.
The A2B is the best LEV on the market. Sure you will find other e-bikes for sale out there but they are not supported when it comes to repairs. Most are underpowered, some clam to go 60 miles on one charge they only use 250w motor. It is all about amp/volts you can’t change the outcome very much, the A2B has the most powerful motor and battery combination with 2 year warranty, no other production LEV has this. Come see, ride the A2B here at our store http://www.javelinacycles.com 480-598-3373 ask for Rick
please sell in korea
I test rode one of these Ultra Motor A2B bikes when the company was giving a demonstration with free test rides at my workplace. Having both owned and ridden a BUNCH of electric bikes in my lifetime, I can honestly say that the A2B bike is probably the overall best electric bike I've ever ridden. It is very well made, has more than sufficient torque and speed, and is quite comfortable. This bike could most certainly replace a car for many peoples' commutes.
But all that said, I won't be buying one. "Why?", you ask? Well, at $2,600, it's way too expensive. Now, don't get me wrong. The bike is high-tech and high-quality, and I understand completely that such a bike ain't cheap to make. But $2,600 is some serious coin. This bike would have to be about 1/2 that price before I'd be a buyer. I think the bike is worth the money...it's just that I can't ever imagine myself spending that much on a bike, no matter how nice it is. To be sure, if YOU can afford it, go for it! Like I said, it's a very nice bike that will serve you well for years. But it's too rich for my blood. And I suspect for many others, as well.