Electric Bikes - Pedego - making electric-assist cool and fun!

So while I was at Interbike, I got to take a closer look at the Pedego (http://www.pedegoelectricbikes.com/) line of electric-assist bicycles. They offer traditional style cruisers, step-through models, folders, and even a tandem.

While they all sport a fairly large battery, as well as a hub motor, they’re designed so that neither jumps out at you, screaming “ELECTRIC BIKE”. Quite the opposite - with the exception of the folders, you might not even realize that they’re anything but really cool looking cruisers. With some classic color combos as well as a few modern touches, they could even be passed off as a fashion accessory. Either way, they definitely look fun, especially when you add in the optional Schwalbe Fat Frank balloon tire option. While they weigh in around 60lbs, that’s not such a huge penalty over something like an Electra cruiser. It can be pedaled comfortably on flat ground without any assist.

The key demographic doesn’t appear to be existing cyclists, but those that want something suitable for slower paced, or shorter weekend rides, or maybe a short trip to work or the market, without the worry of running out of human steam halfway home.

Comments welcome.

http://www.industryoutsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pedego_kat-300x225.jpg

http://www.industryoutsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pedego_tandem.jpg

Hey Brian,

I just saw an ad on Craigslist for someone selling the Pedego bikes. I went to the Pedego website and you are correct, the bikes look nice. They are mostly cruiser style bikes and they have a folding bike. The cruisers come in a nice variety of colors. Not really my style, but nice none the less. Have you ridden one of these bikes, if so, how did it ride? How would you evaluate the bike overall?

Thanks, Curt

Hey Brian,

I just saw an ad on Craigslist for someone selling the Pedego bikes. I went to the Pedego website and you are correct, the bikes look nice. They are mostly cruiser style bikes and they have a folding bike. The cruisers come in a nice variety of colors. Not really my style, but nice none the less. Have you ridden one of these bikes, if so, how did it ride? How would you evaluate the bike overall?

Thanks, Curt

I didn't get a chance to ride one, but I spent some time getting info on them, and poking my nose around. They're very serious about making cycling fun. And the build quality/finish was nice. Most beach cruisers have pretty much the same ride - lower gears for easy starts and hills, and a cushy ride. This one just lets you kick it up a notch when you get tired.

Look like standard beach cruisers with kits installed...

Seems like it would be cheaper (and just as easy) to build your own...

Look like standard beach cruisers with kits installed...

Seems like it would be cheaper (and just as easy) to build your own...

It's pretty smoothly integrated, but if you'll think outside the box for a minute, not everyone wants to get their hands dirty just to enjoy cycling. Pedego represents a complete solution, for the folks that just want to go buy their new bike and ride it, not tinker in the garage with a bike from column A and parts from column B.

It's pretty smoothly integrated, but if you'll think outside the box for a minute, not everyone wants to get their hands dirty just to enjoy cycling. Pedego represents a complete solution, for the folks that just want to go buy their new bike and ride it, not tinker in the garage with a bike from column A and parts from column B.

I agree... most people don't want to do the work and would prefer a "complete solution." But personally, I would choose a more integrated system if I was looking for a ready-to-ride bike. This looks like a standard 9C kit that anyone could buy and install in their gargage. As a consumer, I would be concerned about the manufacturer and wonder why they were using a conversion kit rather than designing their own system.

Just my opinion of course...

thanks for the pictures, they look great.

I rode one of these bikes in Newport Beach. They are surprisingly fast. The beach cruiser ergonomics don't appeal to me, but they obviously have their fans. In flat areas like Newport Beach with difficult summer parking, I could see these things really selling as it is much easier to hop on a bike than get in a car. They need to seriously think about adding racks and trailers and such so that people can haul all their stuff around.

The one in the top photo has a basket, and you can see a rack and panniers on the right side of the second photo.