Sanyo's new SPL Eneloop hybrid bike charges on flats to pull you up hills

There comes a time in every bicyclist's life when you come to realize "I really don't want to pedal up that hill." For those riding a Sanyo Eneloop, they don't have to. The series of bikes has been getting more advanced over the years, and the new SPL models are the smartest yet. Whereas previous editions could only regeneratively charge themselves on downhills or when the brakes were applied, this new series can juice up while the rider is pedaling along on the flats. This presumably increases the rolling resistance somewhat but the new "Eco Charge Mode" is said to boost range by 53 percent. More importantly, a new chrome basket shows that this ride means business. It won't come cheap, though, shipping to Japanese pedalers on April 21 for ¥157,290, or about $1,800. For that kind of money we'll stick with our fleet of Huffy 10-speeds.

Sanyo Eneloop SPL hybrid bicycle

[robohoe Posted Mar 2nd 2010 8:55AM]

For that kind of money, you can get a superb MTB bike

[Avex Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:28AM]

@robohoe True, but compare it to the Sparta Ion (A Dutch electric bike) and it looks pretty good value - especially as the Ion doesn't do regenerative braking.

[Temple Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:33AM]

@robohoe

This is what the Japanese call the "Mama-chari". Its a purely commuter bicycle, designed for housewives and grannies that go to the grocery and run errands.

The Japanese still run errands using bicycles instead of SUVs, its a generally closer urban environment, so the bicycles aren't completely a recreational purchase like in the US where less people use the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. So a large basket up front, ease of riding for more elder consumers are important, and a mountain bike won't do.

Also, the 'hybrid' electric system is designed so that going up-and-down inclines are effortless for that 'housewife', its not designed for 'sport' but rather for functionality.

[gurkha Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:21AM]

@robohoe these things are common in china .. you can get for 150 $ .. and for 300$ you can get almost double milage bigger battery and all ..

[Makanator Posted Mar 2nd 2010 8:57AM]

Though I admit that Eneloop batteries are one of the best in its field, the price that is being charged for this bicycle is particularly expensive.

More cheaper to rig up a motor with multiple Eneloop AAs on the back?

[Slim Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:01AM]

I wonder how far till humans will look exactly the same as in Wall-E...

[Makanator Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:02AM]

E.T: Powered by Eneloop

[bigsofty Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:06AM]

Wow, it looks TERRIBLE, some sort of state made bike for a granny from the USSR!

[geekthree Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:12AM]

Why can't they make these look like mountain bikes?

I understand its technically easier to apply this tech to this shape of bike.. but their ugly as sin..

[electrobrains Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:17AM]

@geekthree
Mountain bikes aren't fitted to give you a good position for seeing and being visible in cities, so they are designed based on commuter-style bikes.

[Avex Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:29AM]

@geekthree Come to Holland sometime - you regularly see these types of bikes with two kids, a dog and some shopping strapped to them. Sure, they're a bit fugly, but they're practical.

[Son1ze Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:02AM]

@Avex Been to Holland. Love those Dutch bikes. But I think you'll agree that that particular shape is a lot easier to swallow when the bike isn't $18oo and prime pickings for a junkie looking to flip it for his next fix.

[koifish Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:23AM]

@geekthree -- This is a classic European city bike style. If you want something that looks more like a mountain bike, check out www.kalkhoffusa.com. They make electric bikes and commuter bikes in several types of styles (including a diamond frame -- which looks like a mountain bike).

[xxxsam Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:22PM]

@Son1ze This is for sale only in Japan, where the bicycle theft crime rate is somewhere closely approaching zero.

[bebop Posted Mar 2nd 2010 7:42PM]

@Avex

I've never seen dogs on one yet, but Mom + Two Kids + Groceries is pretty normal in Japan. And they work too. My MTB is fine for me, but I can't put my two kids on it and make it up the hill to our house..

[bjs Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:41AM]

White?? a) it screams 'steal me' and b) it'll look like crap after 10 minutes cycling around outside.

[pjdegroot Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:48AM]

How is this better than the Zap bike that sold for under $1000?

[fokka Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:41AM]

i like the wheelie-bar

[Son1ze Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:52AM]

If this nonsense actually ever makes it to these shores...you can chalk one up in the win column for the ever-expanding US waistline. This thing will do for bellybutton lint what the Segway did for socks and sandals.

Give my beating heart a motorcycle with a proper HP-to-weight ratio or a proper Selle Italia-shod cranker to keep my arse in check.

[Dank Dillweed Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:25AM]

@Son1ze

Apples to Oranges. This is utilitarian.

[bebop Posted Mar 2nd 2010 7:44PM]

@Son1ze

Wait ... battery assist bicycles are bad of the US waistline, so you'd rather ride a motorcycle?

[Davis Skye Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:59AM]

So, all of their specifications and estimations of power and distance are based on riding weight (rider and cargo) of 65 kg. I don't know about you, but I weigh 75 kg naked.

[x11 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:20AM]

Who wants to charge the battery while cruising? Even when it is flat I cannot believe there is significant amount of energy to charge the battery. This is just the case when braking... but the normal brake should not convert any energy into heat during recharging.

Assistance is needed under all riding conditions beside braking and rolling without pedaling.

[Dank Dillweed Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:22AM]

If they could produce an electric hybrid bicycle like this for $500, I'd buy one right now. This would be a god-send. Running to the liquor store, grocery store, etc.

I already have a motorcycle and cars, but an electric bicycle would be great for just flying over to a friend's house, pizza joint, bar, etc. But it has to be WAY cheaper than a scooter, try $500.

[koifish Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:27AM]

@Dank Dillweed
High-performance electric bikes use high-performance batteries and motors. The batteries in a quality e-bike cost more than $500. You can't even get a really good conventional bike for that price.

[Dank Dillweed Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:48PM]

@koifish

The bike doesn't need fancy suspension, etc. I see decent bikes at WallyWorld for $110. If demand increases, prices on the electrics will drop. Hell, I'd even hook up a cart to it just for shagging groceries.

[appsman Posted Mar 2nd 2010 7:06PM]

@Dank Dillweed - It doesn't make sense to put over $500 worth of batteries, motor, and drive train on a crap bike. It'll fold up the first time you hit the brakes, or the bearings will be dead after one summer. You have to start will something that is at least reliable. $1500 for this bike at this stage of the EV game is not unreasonable. For anyone that is really going to use it for commuting or daily activities, it's a bargain.

[Courtnee Posted Mar 4th 2010 12:59AM]

@appsman I agree. I don't think folks here have priced commuter/city bikes lately. An imported European bike with sit-up-and-beg posture and no motor costs $1800 easily. The Danish bike maker, Velorbis, just launched their own electric bike range and I think their rides are about $4800. (Every time I type that I can't believe it).

[Courtnee Posted Mar 4th 2010 1:01AM]

@appsman I agree. I don't think folks here have priced commuter/city bikes lately. An imported European bike with sit-up-and-beg posture and no motor costs $1800 easily. The Danish bike maker, Velorbis, just launched their own electric bike range and I think their rides are about $4800. (Every time I type that I can't believe it).

[Regenesez Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:29AM]

This is really good in my mind.. especially when so many other technologies are being researched worldwide... and if you are not a negative troll that is..

Having a dynamo generating with absolute minimal resistance..
A guy was doing this and he was not a large outfit like Sanyo

I think the last time I checked he was using 1:1 gears or basically a direct drive for the dynamo.. which makes the most sense..

http://www.thekpv.com

[UnixSystemsEngineer Posted Mar 2nd 2010 2:25PM]

Some of us actually seek out hills to slay.. it's part of the fun of riding.

[oldskier Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:09PM]

For the money I like the eZeeBike (ezeebike.us). A great bike, with truly high quality components (check it out). I tried most of them, and this was, by far, the best I found. No not for everyone. But I use mine to commute 10 miles to work and it fits the bill, perfectly. Easy to recharge, easy to ride, traditional styling (European). Etc. (And no, I am not with the company). If I had the bucks, I'd buy a dealership. (I like it that much).