Electric Bikes - I think this one will really take off

the Yikes bike.
http://www.yikebike.com/site/gallery/video/yikebike-discovery-channel

I'm tempted to put my 100.00 deposit down, not knowing when & if I'll ever get one and how much it will even cost. It's definately cool!!!

At an estimated cost of $4500, a range per charge of 6 miles, a top speed of 12 mph, and questionable legality - I think I'll pass. The range per charge is especially critical with this type of electric vehicle since there's no backup - once the batteries die it's just dead weight with no option to pedal the rest of the way.

Looks cool, to be sure, but what it also looks like is that the riders centre of gravity is high and forward... now granted top speed is only 25k but nevertheless I don't think I'd want to be on that and doing an emergency stop...

A plaza with supermarkets, stores, etc is a good 15-20 min walk from my friend's house. Usually she doesn't bother with the trip because it would take almost an hour to make a round trip to grab a item. This could make a great little device to transport her. I want one. I wonder what the cost and safety on this thing is. What if you have to make a sudden stop? Won't you lurch forward?

A plaza with supermarkets, stores, etc is a good 15-20 min walk from my friend's house. Usually she doesn't bother with the trip because it would take almost an hour to make a round trip to grab a item. This could make a great little device to transport her. I want one. I wonder what the cost and safety on this thing is. What if you have to make a sudden stop? Won't you lurch forward?
According to their website the price in the US is planned to be $4450 and the specifications say the top speed is electronically limited to 20 k/h (12.4 mph). So you'd only be going at a decent running speed.
Is your friend unable to ride a regular bicycle? Otherwise that would seem more suitable for store trips of a couple miles and would also be legal whereas this device probably isn't. And for those who need power assist for trips of a few miles there are electric scooters for about $200 that would work (although with the same legality issues as this thing).

It's not even a bicycle, no pedals. At that speed, one may as well get a good folder or a couple at that price. 12mph? Who can't ride that fast on a decent bike while carrying no cargo?

What makes this e-bike so attractive is that it can be used in multi-mode commuting inconjunction with the bus or train during rush hour. There are plenty of transit systems that will not allow a full size bicycle to board. I think if they can bring the price down to 1K, it could compete with the Brompton.

Personally, I'll be surprised if they sell many. I suspect it will quickly be a "thing of the past." It's design doesn't look very efficient (or comfortable), IMHO.

In the end the price would make the difference on whether people will buy it or not. at $4500 or so that's the price of a cheap used car! and an expensive folder would cost like around 1500 or so anyways. unfortunately when it's this high I see this going down the same path as the segway, some useless toy for people with too much money. Don't forget if they are competing with Ebikes, there are very good ebikes out there already at the 1k price range so it'll be an uphill battle for them.

In the end the price would make the difference on whether people will buy it or not. at $4500 or so that's the price of a cheap used car! and an expensive folder would cost like around 1500 or so anyways. unfortunately when it's this high I see this going down the same path as the segway, some useless toy for people with too much money. Don't forget if they are competing with Ebikes, there are very good ebikes out there already at the 1k price range so it'll be an uphill battle for them.

+1

it's not as ridiculous as the segway, but, it's close. this thing is an interesting display of engineering talent, but, that's about it. it is limited to bike speeds, make that slow bike speeds. it has not pedal option and is ridiculously expensive.

In the end the price would make the difference on whether people will buy it or not. at $4500 or so that's the price of a cheap used car! and an expensive folder would cost like around 1500 or so anyways. unfortunately when it's this high I see this going down the same path as the segway, some useless toy for people with too much money. Don't forget if they are competing with Ebikes, there are very good ebikes out there already at the 1k price range so it'll be an uphill battle for them.


Well the price is actually $3800 for the CF version and $1995 for the Aluminium/composite version. WRT the range, it is 6miles using the internal battery but you can easily double or triple the range using available external (piggy back) batteries.