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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.
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