After the death-defying moments
astride the Zero S, and the claustrophobia experienced within
GM and Segway's P.U.M.A., we were ready for something a little more relaxing in the electric vehicle space: and
Ultra Motor's A2B electric bike provided. Not to say it doesn't have any pep -- we took it for a test ride around SoHo, and found plenty of juice to power past those other suckers doing their
own pedaling -- but there's something a tad more gentle to this bike than some of the other rough-around-the-edges EVs we've bumped into lately. The best news is that the A2B is available now at various dealerships, with an almost-palatable price tag of $2,600, 20 mile range and 20 mph max electric-assisted speed (limited due to regulations on bikes). Testing it out we found ourselves pedaling just a bit out of habit, and on the short city blocks we rarely got it past third gear, but there's plenty of power for urban transport. The front and rear shocks provide a well-cushioned ride (and are bouncy enough for some
easy wheelies), the small wheels keep the center of gravity low and maneuverability high, and the brakes are excellent. Catch the magic on video after the break.
posted May 1st 2009 12:46PM
What are the laws regarding riding one of these? Do you need a license etc? I'm in the UK
Um, according to Wikipedia:
Electric motor assisted bicycles have been banned in the State of New York and are not permitted for on-road use.[56][57] It appears the only known allowance of an electric bicycle is if it is an electric powered moped, at this time. There is a proposed bill to allow ebikes. As of January 2008, bill A189("Defines the term electric assisted bicycle") has been passed in the NY State Assembly and Bill S6898("Defines the term electric assisted bicycle") was sponsored by Senator Thomas Morahan and was submitted to the NY State Senate in February 2008
www.blueavenue.ca
Nothing compares.
Nice mustache you plushly white bag of flesh. Instead of making life a little easier why doesn't engadget test out some bikes that require human power. These bikes are engadget material, simplistic, generally very expensive due to exotic materials and design while being totally green. I highly doubt most people who buy this are going to pedal anywhere unless they absolutely have to.
+1 first thing I thought upon seeing the feature photo
Motorized bike beats taking the subway, or driving a car to work if you can.
That being said, motorized bikes are cool, but a front wheel conversion kit on a quality bike is even cooler. Before I got a kit, there were days I wish I could shower and change after getting to work. Don't have that 'bicycle saddle soup' problem now, and it's a 2min job to turn the bike back into a pedal powered ride for the weekends.
(some might not like a front wheel conversion though... it takes a bit of getting used to the extra weight up there, but the back battery balances it out).
Based on Engadget-provided commentary on past bike-related articles, I hope they don't start reviewing real bicycles. No offence to Engadget intended, but it's hardly their area of expertise.
To be fair, the battery costs about the same price as the rest of the kit, so the full damage is closer to about $700, for similar performance. You still would have $1900 to spend on a great bike to match the price. Of course, for half that $1900 you can get a Specialized Sirrus Sport, which is an awesome multi-purpose bike.
My 2007 Sport with carbon fibre forks accommodates the front wheel kit with no problem, and the beauty is it takes less than 2 minutes to swap out the motorized wheel with the original and remove the battery and velcro down the extra wires for pure pedal power on the weekends.
Nothing wrong with a dedicated powered bike, but I've had the Sport for 2 years and love it (great road bike with a decent off road performance - nothing like a dedicated mountain bike though).
Adding the kit means I only have to take the subway to work when the weather is really crappy. The kit paid for itself within the first year, plus there's something to be said for putting it together yourself.
47 pictures of crap. Did you guys just empty your camera card onto the website? Trying deleting some of the crap.
No helmet? First no gloves, now no helmet? Do you guys even think about this stuff? Nice bike drop at the end. I'm sure the manufacturer was happy they found someone who couldn't even ride a bike to review this.
And what's with the photo viewer? Couldn't you make it java based or something so I don't have to back out of 47 pictures after viewing the set?
/rant
Lamest wheelie evar....
$2600 bucks for an electric bike that is limited to 5MPH faster than what I can average on my $100 second hand hybrid bicycle?! No thanks.
Just get a Scooter. $2600. I test drove one 2 weeks ago, I was not impressed.
20 mph max? I am pretty sure I could take you on my peddling on my bike over a few open miles.
Do you ever take it off any sweet jumps?
Hmmm... designed in Germany, manufactured in Taiwan, sold globally by a London-based company.
Yep - it's all about the fat lazy 'Mericuns, ain't it.
Well, my options were either a 0.21 second internet search to find out the company's info regarding development and marketing,
OR
Make a lame comment stereotyping an entire nation and making myself look like an ass.
We can all see which option you chose.
Ok but why do the tongues on his trainers stick out and why does he look like a mid-30s lesbian ?
Let's not overlook the weight of 72 lbs., making impossible for most people to get up a flight of steps, and thus completely impractical for city use....
"Just be careful you don't nick your penis?" @ 0:09?
yes now i can get to school faster
AWESOME I love this bike.
The price of that thing is really steep for a bike. In my last trip to China I saw A LOT of battery powered bikes though. Just not sure how much those things cost. I'm sure they're < $2,600
you know for 2500 u can buy a honda ruckus that is way more fun, but other than the price this thing is an awsome idea, especially u can take it on caltrain and bart and all the other public transportation systems since they don't alow anything with a gas engine on it, it looks pretty good too. it looked way more nerdy just by itself, but when someone is riding it it looks much better, but the price tag is too steep for alot of people... people spend that much money on a bike but only for specialty bikes like crazy road bikes.. i spent 4000 on adownhill bike but thats my hobby... just for transportation??? i dont know
They should be used only by obese and already fat people.
Lately the videos on techsites have taken another leap forward in finding awful music to put over them, it's impressive, and a reason why I have sound always muted.
I've been a cyclist for years, and rode my bicycle across the US back in '95. I can definitely see a use for something like this. I sweat like a pig, and would love to have way to cycle to work without getting drenched in sweat. It's a bit rich for my blood though. I ride good quality but old technology bikes because I'm a tightwad. I'd go for one if it was under a grand.
mid '90s cannondale super V design!
after doing a short test drive
i will say again
wowwwwwwwwwwww
they r not trying to be scooter
scooter *get stuck in trafic *cant go into central park *cant go on the subway *cant stay in your leaving room *cant be lifted
so its a bicycle , and its a really really good one
HAVE FUN :)
I test rode one today... what a kick in the pants! I admit it didnt handle like my 21 speed, but for an electric assisted bike , it is in my opinion, in a class of its own. You cant compare it to a bicycle, and I admit I havent had the pleasure of riding any other electric bicycles or scooters. As a bicycle, it propelled its 73 pounds rather effortlessly. The steering geometry took some getting used to, as was taking one hand off the handlebars to signal a turn. But a little twist of the wrist made the ride exhillarating. 20 miles an hour is fine for a top speed for me (even though many of the main streets in my town exceed 35) I feel confident to ride that speed with consistency amidst hills and bumps. The pedalling during electric cruising speed gives an immediate boost of 5 to 7 M.P.H. and the disc brakes give a quick controlled stop from full speed. I test rode this bike in town but I would have liked to have had a chance to test it in a rural setting i.e.hilly, loose soil, tight turns on narrow trails, but I expect that I want to claim this as the imaginary "Wonder Bike" of my youth of 35 years past. I see it for what it is, a well constructed, comfortable, powerful ,,,,,okay,, wonder bike of my youth.. Ill gladly pay the price to make my fantasies come true.
Nice video review. If you'd like another NYC perspective on the A2B, feel free to check out this new review - http://1greenproduct.com/2009/07/03/a2b-electric-two-wheeler/
- Aaron Dalton, Editor, 1GreenProduct.com