YikeBike foldable electric bicycle hands-on
By Richard Lai 
posted April 8th 2010 3:02AM
posted April 8th 2010 3:02AM
During our hands-on, we started off with a bit of a wobble while adjusting to the backward handles, but five minutes later we learned to ignore the conventional cycling posture and leaned slightly further back, plus we got the right grip for the throttle (right) and brake (left). We also found the indicator, front light and horn buttons to be easily accessible by our thumbs. As you will see in the video after the break, we were traveling at fairly high speeds towards the end. The only problem that couldn't be fixed was our legs being a tad short for the pedals, but word has it that YikeBike's planning on releasing a smaller model in the near future. Living in Europe and carrying £2,995 / €3,495 / $4,659 with you? Feel free to pre-order now for a June delivery -- just in time for the summer breeze.
Nice
@insy Very nice.
@insy
Yea I want this. I look like a douche most of the time so riding this won't make much difference.
@insy
I thought that last guy was going to catch his knee on that bench.
@insy
Venus Wars!!!!!!
@insy
Meh. I'd rather get testicular cancer and ride my swollen testes around like a hippity-hop. At least then I could buy some good weed, and the chicks would dig me.
@insy
what's nice is the super mario bros 3 battle soundtrack.
Where is the first faceplant with this baby?
@henkvandervelden just watch break.com
@owen66 http://www.break.com/findvideo/yikebike none;)
Good old Kiwi ingenuity!! I really hope they release these in New Zealand soon, considering they were invented and designed here...
@ReubenO agreed!!
@ReubenO These are released in NZ. I have ordered one.
YikeBike foldable electric bicycle "Butts-on"
Mario Kart on the go :D except that cost way more than a Wii racing wheel
Won't seem to work that well in towns with curbs and other obstacles on the way. Also seems not as stable as a Segway. And, after all, ride a normal bike and stop being lazy.
@devitus Can you fold up the Segway and put it in your trunk? In a locker on a small boat? Carry it upstairs to your office?
This is not really in competition with the segway.
I think the design is pure genius. I have no real need for one...especially since I have several good bicycles that I ride all the time. 10 km range? Please, even my 8 yo can cover that distance on his bike.
But I still want one. I would be willing to drop $250-300 on one even with no real need for one.
$3000. Yeah right; people with that kind of disposable income aren't really looking for toys like this.
@tmarks11
"$3000. Yeah right; people with that kind of disposable income aren't really looking for toys like this"
You wouldn't believe!!
@devitus It handles curbs etc pretty well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWDlRkIB_uQ
ZoomZoom!
Want!
Just not for that price...
Want!
Just not for this price...
Damn, I was expecting him to jump those benches at the end...
@kdilkington
Yeah that would have been awesome
Yeah...but can you use an iPad while riding it?
@Mr Good Kat I like your thinking. So, you could ride the Honda U3-X while using an iPad but what a menace you would be. Especially if you were playing a driving game on the iPad at the time.
Seems the Honda u3-x got some competition! i want both though.. :(
It almost sounds like a light cycle. Maybe they should rebrand it to coincide with TRON Legacy
They are going to make one *smaller* than that already tiny thing? Awesome :D
I pity the fool that pays four grand for a *downgraded* bike without physical excercise function.
Imagine someone going to spinning class on this unit.
I pity the fool that pays four grand for a *downgraded* bike without physical excercise function.
Imagine someone going to spinning class on this unit.
Video no available!
@stueck damn you nonexistent edit button
Ponitless. How is that better than a Brompton? Electric motor? No thanks. Electric assistance is good for my grandma but not for me. Too much electric assistance will make our race week. Power windows, power doors in cars, excessive use of elevators and cars, that all will make us weaklings.
@stoffer
Thats a lie - evolution does not exist.
@stoffer I think this opinion is short-sighted. It assumes replacing a ride via normal bike with one via electric. What if the choice is car vs. electrically-assisted? For instances, my wife could ride a bike to work except for one huge hill that continues to allude her. With some electric assistance just for this hill, she could switch from car to bike and, when all is said and done, end up getting *more* exercise as a result. The same might be said for older riders for whom some routes might be more challenging than they are to younger or healthier riders.
As long as the electric function is an adjustable assist, I think this development is a good thing. All tools can be abused and arguments such as yours could be made for the very computer on which you typed your post.
Oops. Made a typo. Meant "elude," not "allude."
I thought AWESOME, then I saw the price.
@TareG
Yeah, I would pay £600 for this but I'd never drop £3k on it. For that money I could pay for motorbike lessons, test, a nice bike, helmet, clothing and 2000 miles worth of petrol. I also wouldn't look like I was trying to pull a black unicycle out of my arse when I was sitting on it. :D
Cool! An electric clown bicycle. The circus is about to get a lot more exciting!
It is too damn EXPENSIVE!
3500 euro ... with range distance of 10 km ...
Standard normal bike is much better for that distance and healthier!
Make it 1000 euro and triple the distance, I will buy 2 :)
@ewlung They are going after the luxury market at the moment. They are selling the rights to reproduce so expect cheaper injection molded plastic versions in the future.
@indosphere
"They are selling the rights to reproduce..."
Aw, screw them, I already have the right to reproduce!
Video not available...
£3k is a little steep.
I've seen these occasionally around Cathedral Square in Christchurch (considering they were invented here), and they were damn loud. Also, the carbon fibre construction seemed really wonky. I hope they have improved on these.
@Alpacaman
The latest versions have only just been put together. So hopefully they have.
@Alpacaman
They were tested on the Gadget Show(UK) last week and seemed pretty solid and quiet. They are apparently ridable at the Gadget Show Live (which is where I presume Engadget tested it) but unfortunately it is sold out so I will not be going :-(
@coolblue2000 This might be from yesterdays preview day of "The Gadget Show Live" at the NEC in Birmingham, UK.
Will be going to the first public day tomorrow. You can queue up and have a go yourself but I imagine there will be quite a long wait.
bring the price down and the range up and they are on to a winner!
You have to consider Tata are now making the Nano, a car for less than this...