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Posts with tag ElectricBike

$2,000 Giant Twist Freedom DX electric bicycle gets pedaled on video

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 23rd 2008 at 6:00PM


For those balking at the $2,000 price tag, you should really take a look at the competition before scrunching your nose up and walking away. That being said, two large is still a lot to drop on something that could still require at least some bodily exertion, but a recent video review over at Popular Mechanics could help you determine whether this particular bike is worth you while. The Giant Twist Freedom DX can roll up to 75 miles on a mixture of battery and human-powered pedaling, and the motor touts three different modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) to satisfy your mood / riding requirements. Nah, Ironman participants won't want anything to do with this heap, but those looking for a greener (and oftentimes quicker) way to commute in the city may find lots to love. The video, as promised, is waiting in the read link.

[Via Digg]

Continue reading $2,000 Giant Twist Freedom DX electric bicycle gets pedaled on video

Electric Motion Systems E+ electric bike: $3,495 for two wheels

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 25th 2008 at 11:25AM


Believe it or not, Electric Motion Systems' E+ actually isn't the priciest electric bicycle we've ever seen, but at $3,495 sans chauffeur, it's a far cry from being a bargain. Aside from boasting a relatively traditional frame, the unit gets powered by an EMS 1000-watt hub-mounted, brushless permanent magnet motor, which should provide 20 to 40 miles of fun on a single charge. Proving its intelligence, the E+ also supports regenerative braking, which enables the battery to get charged each time the rider slams the stoppers. You'll also find a handlebar-mounted LCD display which shows speed, distance traversed, battery level and whether or not cruise control is enabled. Yeah. Cruise control, son. Suddenly, $3,495 seems quite reasonable, no?

[Via AutoblogGreen]

OHM Cycles rolls out new line of electric-assist hybrid bicycles

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 14th 2008 at 8:36PM

There's certainly no shortage of options out there for folks wanting a little assistance on their bike commute, but if you're still on the fence, you may want to consider one of OHM Cycles' new models, which includes the Urban XU450 and XU700 for less adventuresome folks, and the Sport XS700 and XS750 for those that like venture off-road occasionally. Each of those include "silent" BionX motors of various wattage, along with Molicel lithium-ion batteries that OHM says can be fully recharged in about three hours. You'll also get a "command console" that displays all your vitals, and an integrated security system (complete with an alarm) that promises to keep those lazy bike thieves out there at bay. No word on prices for any of them just yet, but the bikes are apparently making their way to dealers this month, so you should be able to get a quote soon enough.

Panasonic's Titanium Flat Road EB electric bicycle is almost cheating

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 22nd 2008 at 6:04AM


Yeah, there's already a few folks out there depriving themselves of adequate exercise by choosing to cruise on an electric bike, but those who've yet to take the plunge now have yet another alternative. Panasonic's Titanium Flat Road EB electric bicycle isn't likely to be certified for use in the Tour de France, but it can propel riders a maximum of ten kilometers in around half an hour (or up to 150 kilometers if you use your own strength every now and then). Additionally, the bike features a Smart Lithium-Ion Integrated Management System (SLIM) to display remaining battery life and the distance left before your legs will be forced to take over. No word on a price just yet, but there's plenty of pics in the via link below.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Matra shows off its human / electric-powered MS1 bike

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 29th 2007 at 1:36AM


Sure, we've seen all flavors of electric motorcycles over the years, but Matra's iteration takes a slightly different approach. The MS1 looks more like a bicycle and less like a Harley, and it provides commuters with a backup source of energy that should never fail so long as you're properly fed, hydrated and rested. That source, of course, would be your legs / feet, which can pedal this bad boy away long after the electric motor runs out of steam. Reportedly, the bike has a range of around 62 miles without any pedal assistance, captures usable energy when you apply the brakes, and sports a speed limiter that kills the juice just before you exceed 28mph. No word on when this thing will hit shops, but it'll supposedly run you around €3,500 ($4,951) whenever it does. Click out a couple more shots after the break.

Continue reading Matra shows off its human / electric-powered MS1 bike

Electrobike Pi: the pricey hybrid electric bicycle

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 28th 2007 at 5:55PM


Hot on the heels of Matra's MS1 comes yet another human / electric-powered hybrid bike, but Marcus Levison-Hays' Electrobike Pi definitely rocks a more unorthodox design. This blindingly red transporter "combines the lightweight portability of a bicycle with speed and self-propulsion more akin to a motorcycle," as it includes a 36-volt pack of NiMH batteries that provides "about one horsepower" to the 58-pound device. The unit can be fully charged "from any standard household outlet in 2.5 to 3 hours and can run for 25 to 30 miles," and according to a report from the LA Times, the 20mph maximum stock speed can be increased to around 46mph "with a little after-market hot rodding." Granted, the base price on this thing is said to be around $7,500, so it looks like the most of us will have to stick with the trusty Huffy ten-speed for the time being.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Schwinn goes retro for new line of electric bikes

by Paul Miller, posted Oct 19th 2006 at 8:05PM

Not a whole lot to see here, but that seems to be the point. Schwinn's new line of electric bikes, based on the "Plug'n Drive" system, are looking rather slick with their retro digs, but the tucked-away internals are the real story for out-of-shape or long-distance pedal pushers who don't want to give anything away. The bikes feature a roughly 40-mile range lithium polymer battery, tucked under the cargo rack, and weigh 40-45 pounds total, with about 10 pounds of that being the power components. You can get a full charge in about 4 hours, and the in-hub motor is about as inconspicuous as you can get. No word on price, or when exactly this 2007 lineup is going to hit the market, but we're definite fans so far.

[Via Treehugger]
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