2,287 mpg electric-assist bike?
09-23-09, 03:41 PM
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2,287 mpg electric-assist bike?
Of course, if your electricity is from solar or wind, it's even better. 
https://gas2.org/2009/09/23/electric-...t-of-2287-mpg/
It's not cheap though.
https://gas2.org/2009/09/23/electric-...t-of-2287-mpg/
It's not cheap though.
...Ranging from $5,995 for the Commuter USV, to $13,995 for the OB1, Optibikes are designed to be the antithesis of the throw-away culture, minus the batteries, which are warranted for an industry-leading 3 years/30,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Powering the OB1 are a 20ah lithium-ion battery and an 850w continuous brushless DC motor that Optibike says will give you about 45 miles of electric-only operation on a single 4.5-hour charge and 57 miles with a light to moderate amount of pedaling. The bike has two speeds, Fast and Eco. In Fast, a full charge will provide up to 50 minutes of riding; in Eco, a full charge will give 2.25 hours of unassisted propulsion. Going on a longer trek? Add the optional secondary battery to double the Optibike’s range.
...
On electric alone the OB1 will reach a top speed of 20 MPH on flat pavement. But why stop at 20 MPH when the bike is screaming for more? Once up to speed, I found the OB1 would maintain about 30 MPH with light pedaling and 33 or so with moderate pedaling.
Powering the OB1 are a 20ah lithium-ion battery and an 850w continuous brushless DC motor that Optibike says will give you about 45 miles of electric-only operation on a single 4.5-hour charge and 57 miles with a light to moderate amount of pedaling. The bike has two speeds, Fast and Eco. In Fast, a full charge will provide up to 50 minutes of riding; in Eco, a full charge will give 2.25 hours of unassisted propulsion. Going on a longer trek? Add the optional secondary battery to double the Optibike’s range.
...
On electric alone the OB1 will reach a top speed of 20 MPH on flat pavement. But why stop at 20 MPH when the bike is screaming for more? Once up to speed, I found the OB1 would maintain about 30 MPH with light pedaling and 33 or so with moderate pedaling.
09-24-09, 02:02 AM
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This is kind of stupid, you can already make a bike like for that much cheaper, and in more practical forms. For example, there is the StokeMonkey (which does not have a freewheel like the motor in the article, so you have to peddle while the motor is running) for Xtracycles/Big Dummie (I'm thinking about building one), which to me makes way more sense than a mountain bike as it can carry heavy bulky loads where you might actually need that kind of power, or you can order Cyclone kits (which does have a free wheel making pedaling optional) that will mount to virtually any bike if you don't want a long tail.
I'm not against the idea of electric assist by any means, but the bike featured in the article is kind of meh.
I'm not against the idea of electric assist by any means, but the bike featured in the article is kind of meh.
