An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

The world's least ugly e-bike. (But it's still an e-bike)

So, you know how we feel about e-bikes; they're overpriced and overcomplicated hair dryers that still contribute directly to global warming (charging the batteries = burning coal, at least in this country). Under no circumstances are they to be tolerated in bike lanes and on bike paths. (Though please don't harrass the fragile people who drive them.)

But this particular e-bike begins to make us question our prejudice 1) because it's solar powered and 2) because it doesn't look any dumber than your average city bike.

Those ugly disk wheels will take some getting used to -- you can't swap them out, because they are, ingeniously, the solar panels. Instead, maybe you want to wear Carhardt knickers, put on some chop-n-flop bullhorns and convert this to a fixie, since aerospokes are so hard to come by these days.

8 comments:

Dr. Logan said...

One problem. No wires going from "solar" wheels to battery/engine pack. No chain or other method of powering rear wheel from engine. This is fake.

Dr. Logan said...

But check out these ones by Schwinn.

http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/intbikes_category.php?id=110

Pinchie said...

Could be all internal -- inside the wheel and hub. My guess is that the blackbox is computer/circuit board.

That or a recording device to capture the last moments before a fatal crash.

Anonymous said...

Will this work in my underground parking? How about if we turn all the lights on? And would it be optimal to always lie the bike down?

Matt said...

I wonder if this will make that "whoop whoop" sound as you power away from stops, like time trial bikes do.

Anonymous said...

those don't even look like photovoltaic cells. The only stuff that I could think of working is the stuff NASA uses for satellites. And I'm sure that isn't priced out by the foot. The black box would be the battery/regulator. Its hard because you can't see the motorhub.

but check this one out:
http://www.hyperbike.cc/Write_Image.phtml?fontsize=97&fontcolor=BBBBBB¢er=10&width=&halign=10&image=docs/original/solarcruiser.jpg&font=includes/fonts/l_10646.ttf&text=http://www.hyperbike.cc

AdamB said...

seems like that would be tough to handle in a crosswind!

Dr. Logan said...

Look at this blown up image from the "manufacturers" website:

http://www.therapyproducts.com/images/bike_lg.gif

the "solar panels" are clearly photoshopped on. And there's no wiring from panels to battery/battery to motor or anywhere else, internal or not. It's B.S.

And the order page isn't encrypted so good luck if you try to buy one.