Innovative Electric Motor Fits Any Bicycle, Costs Under $150

Semcon has developed a clever  and inexpensive prototype electric motor that can be easily fitted to any bicycle. It is designed and engineered so it can be produced for less than $150. That’s so more people will be encouraged to use bicycle transportation instead of driving a private car or taking public transportation. The fact that it can be easily transferred from one bike to another is a worthwhile bonus.

“The needs and wishes of the typical cyclist are what got us started. The benefits of the electrified bike are obvious, but existing solutions are expensive and complex. That’s why we developed an engine which is compatible with any bike and easily shared among friends and family,” says Anders Sundin, technical director at Semcon.

Making the engine small and easy to carry around was important for the developers. The team decided the best solution was a small electric motor with a 150 watt output. It weighs just over 2 and a half pounds. To maximize battery life, the engine detects when the cyclist is pedaling. It is only active at speeds between 4 and 15 miles per hour. That ensures a comfortable, smooth and safe ride, as the smart motor reacts to the amount of effort the rider is putting in to the ride.

The motor is connected to a small computer which controls how often it runs. That will make it possible for Semcon engineers  to develop different apps in future. They could include such things as different modes that prioritize speed or range. Other apps such as anti-theft features or smart tracking could be incorporated as well.

The electric bicycle motor is strictly only in prototype mode at present. Semcon is hoping to attract investors interested in bringing the new bicycle motor concept to the market. The Semcon unit it not very sophisticated, but its very simplicity and low cost could more than offset its lack of advanced features.

Source: Semcon

Solar Powered Electric Bicycle Is Lightweight - VIDEO

Albert van Dalen is an inventor/tinkerer from the Netherlands. He has designed and built what he calls the world’s first solar powered electric bicycle, the Maxun One. It has a top speed of 15 mph from solar power alone and is manufactured to a very high standard. Because it is charged by the sun, you never have to charge the battery yourself. Van Dalen says it even works on cloudy days.

Van Dalen says, “The solar bike is made very lightweight, sportive and fast, despite the solar panels it rides almost as light as a road bike. The solar panels are small enough to allow easy riding in traffic, and large enough to perform well, even on a semi-cloudy days. A small battery provides energy in the absence of sunlight.”

An electric bicycle is a popular idea, but it has a significant disadvantage — it weighs much more than a conventional bike. Batteries and motors are heavy. There just no way around it, at least not with today’s technology. An electric bicycle is too heavy to use with a normal bike rack or to carry up a flight of stairs. The Maxun One weighs just 38 pounds. Some electric bikes weigh twice as much.

Van Dalen has a several inventions and patents to his credit. He can tell you how to make a fine spot welder yourself or build a device to calibrate your multimeter. My personal favorite is his guide to debouncing electrical switches and buttons.

“The development of the solar bike was a technical challenge,” he says. “all components have to be of the highest level, such as the solar cells, for which a superior, anti reflective, low loss coating had to be developed. Aerospace materials are used to reduce the weight of the whole solar bike to 17kg, but also make it strong enough to withstand stress caused by riding at high speed on bad roads. Furthermore the solar bike remains stable at high speed, even with both solar panels.”

Van Dalen is justly proud of his creation. “With the Maxun One solar bike, high tech, beautiful design and usability come together. Because it is the first solar bike of its kind in the world, it’s called the “One”.

Enjoy this video that shows the Maxum One being ridden around van Dalen’s hometown of Maastricht. American viewers may need to adapt your thinking a bit because of all the bicycles on the road. In some countries, bicycles, not SUVs, are the preferred means of transportation.

Geo Orbital Reinvents The Electric Bicycle

The electric bicycle is an idea whose time has come. As the cost of lithium ion batteries falls (thank you, Elon), an electric bike is now affordable for many who were priced out of the market just a few years ago. Electric bikes still have some problems, though. For one thing, most are still expensive. Popular models sell for between $2,000 and $3,000 dollars. For another, they are heavy. That means hauling an electric bicycle upstairs into your apartment or office can be a chore. Last, conventional bike racks can’t handle the weight of the typical electric bicycle.

Geo Orbital electric bicycle wheel. Credit: Skip Ferdeber/GeekWire

Behold, the Geo Orbital. Lots of e-bikes mount an electric motor inside the hub of the rear wheel or mount it permanently to the frame. The Geo Orbital is different. It replaces the front wheel. The 500W motor and battery are part of the wheel itself. Two battery sizes are available — 6 amp-hour and 10 amp-hour. With the larger battery, electric only range is 20 miles. For the smaller battery, range is listed at 12 miles. The top speed is 20 miles per hour. Of course, the more you pedal, the further you can go. And regenerative braking is included in both versions.

Take your existing bicycle, remove the front wheel, slip the Geo Orbital wheel into place, clip the remote throttle to your handlebars, and you’re good to go. The battery can be detached and brought inside for easy charging. It can also be used to recharge electronic devices. Because the battery and/or entire wheel can be removed easily, your existing bike rack can still be used.

The Verge describes the Geo Orbital this way: “Instead of spokes, the wheel contains a sort of triangular housing with three smaller wheels that rest against the inside of the rim. Like a set of gears, those smaller wheels grab the rim and turn the bike wheel, propelling you forward by using the 500W motor and 36V battery found inside the housing.” The tire is solid foam to eliminate any worries about getting flat while riding.

Who would think of such a thing? The inventors are all refugees from large, successful companies Ford and SpaceX. Previously, they helped build micro-businesses with the Peace Corps. Regular price for the Geo Orbital is $900, but early backers can claim one for $500 on Kickstarter. The original goal of $75,000 was quickly surpassed. So far, the campaign has raised nearly $430,000 with 39 days left to go. The first Geo Orbitals are expected to ship starting in June.

What is riding a bike fitted with a Geo Orbital electric wheel like? Recently, Skip Ferderber of GeekWire took one out for a test ride. “So how does it feel when riding it? I tested the bike wheel on the grounds of the Seattle Center. Because its power source is on the front, the bike initially felt slightly heavier and less flexible than a standard bike. Once I thumb-activated the throttle the bike felt both easy to navigate and powerful. It took less than two minutes to become accustomed to the bike powering me instead of me pedaling. In my final (but short test), I drove it up the short hill to the west of Key Arena and was pleasantly surprised at how easily it powered me up hill. I am not precisely a featherweight.”

Source: EcoWatch

Meet The Affordable, Lightweight Propella Electric Bicycle

The Propella electric bicycle could be just what the doctor ordered — an inexpensive, lightweight bike with up to 28 miles of range in a no-frills package. It came about because Ben Tarassoli, a civil engineer, couldn’t find an electric bike that “measured up to his expectations for range, weight, and design,” according to GeekWire. So he and his partners set out to build one. True automobile enthusiasts will recognize this story. Its why Lamborghini came into existence a couple of generations ago.

“Our focus is on affordability, reliability, and lightweight. We’re aiming for that sweet spot between electrically-assisted range and making the bicycle as light as possible. We’re not into bigger, stronger motors—that’s a motorcycle. If you’re calling it a bicycle, it should be minimal,” says Tarassoli.

The Propella has a 250 watt hub motor and a top speed of 20 mph. Its 6.6 aH waterproof battery is from Samsung and can be recharged in 2.5 hours. It is designed to be a single speed machine, but can be ordered with 6 speeds if desired. Best of all, it weighs just 36 pounds. That’s about 20 pounds less than most electric bicycles on the market today, thanks to its minimalist design and focus on providing everything a rider needs and nothing more.

The bike is available in three different frame sizes, all of them black. Four different color rims are offered to personalize each bike.  It comes with a 2 year warranty on the frame and a 1 year warranty for the battery and other parts. Now for the best part. You can order one online at Indiegogo for delivery in the fall of this year. The price?  A feather light $699 for early birds.  The crowd source campaign will be live for another month.

If you think that’s a lot of money, you haven’t checked out the prices some people are charging these days. Take this electric bicycle from PininFarina, for example. It’s price will knock your socks off.

Propella – Coolest Electric Bike Ever! from Propella on Vimeo.

Rimac’s €6,500 Electric Bike Unveiled

Those that are wealthy and in the lookout for an electric bicycle may want to check out the Greyp G12 — a high-performance offering that can reach speeds of up to 44 miles per hour (70 kilometers an hour). The bike is retailing for €6,500 ($7,200) currently.

Interestingly, the bike (which we actually caught word of back in 2013) is the offering of the creator of the Concept_One electric supercar, the Croatian company Rimac Automobili.

The electric bike features a 1.3 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack that allows for up to 75 miles (120 kilometers) of electric propulsion. The Greyp G12 is apparently the result of “knowledge acquired during the conception of Rimac’s $1 million electric supercar.”

Here’s more information coming via Electrek: “There are 3 use-cases for the Greyp G12: pedal only, pedal-assist and throttle only. There’s no need to switch mode between the roles of the pedals. If you want to only pedal, you use the pedals and if you want the electric motor to assist your pedaling, you use the throttle while pedaling, and finally you can stop pedaling and only use the throttle.”

Of course, the bike has to have some nifty features to justify the high price, and it does, including fingerprint activation! “The G12 can save up to 50 users, and every user can save up to 5 fingers. You can choose that a certain finger starts the bike in a certain mode. Your thumb can lead you the Street Mode, while your middle-finger will activate the Power-mode.”

Regenerative braking that sends up to 2 kW of power back to the battery is also included.

Here are the exact specs for those considering a purchase:

Image Credit: Rimac

Madman Builds Twin-engine Jet Bike - VIDEO

This is Robert Maddox’ bicycle. Unlike my bicycle, or, probably your bicycle, it’s fitted with a pair of incredibly powerful pulse-jet engines that can take it all the way up to … well, faster than you can pedal, anyway.

Maybe even faster than this.

Perhaps more interesting than the jet bike, however, is the fact that Maddox’ day job appears to be building jet-powered go fast things on 2, 3, or 4 wheels. And, really, you get the sense that he’d strap a jet engine (or two) to a unicycle if he could figure out a way to keep the thing vertical at speed. You can check out his fab shop over at MaddoxJets.com, and read his own take on the jet jet bike, below. Enjoy!

In this video I’m out in the desert east of Klamath Falls, Oreon and making a long run up a 6 percent grade with a new twin engine board track racer (I run up hill so I can coast back down) This was a real thrill ride I can tell you! It was a very rough road and was a must to hang on, it wanted to get a little wobbly.

Source | Images: Robert Maddox.

Don’t Buy it, Build it: DIY Electric Bicycle

Interest in consumer bicycles is growing every day, with major manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and even IKEA trying to get in on the e-bike action. They’ll have to compete against clever startups like VanHawks and Local Motors, too – who each have their own clever ebike solution. Still, despite the growing variety of electric bicycle species out there, their numbers still can’t compare to the vast array of “regular” bicycles available from brands trendy, storied, or technified (which is a word, now).

So, what do you do if the slick new road bike or classic Schwinn Stingray (the 3 spd., of course) of your dreams isn’t an e-bike, then?

You make it one.

Micah Toll, a mechanical engineer who’s been featured in Forbes, Wired, and USA Today, wants you to know that it’s not as difficult as you might think to turn your two wheeled transport into a bona-fide, highly reliable electric bicycle with just a few simple tools – and, often, at a fraction of the cost of some of the bikes we mentioned, above. His book, the Ultimate Do-it-Yourself EBike Guide, is all about teaching ordinary people how to build your own electric bicycle for cheap.

Recently, Micah launched a Kickstarter campaign to help get the word out about his new book. He’s already shattered his initial goal with almost 3 weeks left to go, but most interesting of all, I think, is the $100 coaching option, which allows backers to connect directly with Micah so he can help walk them through the build of their unique electric bicycle. You can check out Micah’s project in the video, below, or head over to his Kickstarter page for all the details. Enjoy!

Secede: a Folding Electric Bike That Doesn’t Fold

Electric bikes are a growing trend in cities and suburbs these days, and even carmakers like Kia, Smart, and Ford (through their partnes at Pedego) are getting into the game with electric 2-wheelers of their own. Despite their commuter-friendly mission statements, however, these electric bikes can be tough to get on and off trains and busses – even harder, in some cases, than their lighter, non-electrified brethren. Now, if someone made a folding electric bike, that would solve the problem, but there are so many wires, batteries, and other techno-whizzy-things involved that it’s tough to make a clever product in that space. That is, unless you’re the guys behind the Secede, who came up with a clever folding electric bike that doesn’t fold at all.

Secede Folding Electric Bike Doesn’t Fold at All

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As you can see from the photos, above, the Secede doesn’t actually fold – it splits!

The two halves of the bike can be removed by undoing a quick-release latch in the Secede’s down tube. Once separated, the bike’s two halves can be stuffed into a set of custom-fitted bags (included) for storage in the cargo overhead compartment of an airplane, train, or a even a gym/office locker. All the electronic stuff is totally separated in its half, and starts working again instantly once you put it back together.

Unfortunately, all this cleverness doesn’t come cheap. The bike is expected to sell for nearly $7000 (yes, seven-thousand US American dollars) once it makes its way to American bike shops. For that, you get a carbon-framed bike powered by a 500-watt brushless electric motor, a 36-volt/9.5-amp-hour lithium-ion Panasonic (nee Tesla) battery that’s housed in the rear fender, a Rock Shox Recon RL Air suspension fork, an SRAM X9 drivetrain, and super-swanky Avid Elixir disc brakes.

It’s a neat trick, and there’s not another folding electric bike out there (that I know of) that can match the Secede’s specs … but is it worth the price of nearly 3 Smart bikes? Or a used Smart CAR? Let us know what you think in the comments, below. Enjoy!

Source | Images: Gizmag.

The IKEA “FOLKVÄNLIG” Isn’t Furniture, It’s An Electric Bike

Swedish furniture maker IKEA has grown to include solar panels in select stores, and now it is adding electric bikes to its maze-like aisles as well. Two IKEA stores in Vienna, Austria will begin selling the FOLKVÄNLIG electric bicycle at a cost of €749, or about $1,023 dollars at today’s exchange rate.

The FOLKVÄNLIG is being offered in both male and female flavors, with an aluminum frame weighing about 60 pounds and a range of about 37 to 45 miles of pedal-assisted power between charges of the lithium-ion battery pack. Charging takes about five hours, but the 250 watt motor is hooked to a Shimano transmission with six different driving modes. IKEA Family members also get a €100 discount, making this IKEA e-bike that much more affordable. The question is, will it come in a flat-pack box?

While just a pilot program for now, people have proven willing to drop far more than a $1,000 on stuff they really don’t need at IKEA. The Swedish company has gone further than most in its efforts to go green, including installing a number of electric car stations at stores across the world. This e-bike is honestly one of the more useful things the Swedish company makes (says the guy who has at least a dozen IKEA pieces in his home at any one time). Should it prove successful, maybe IKEA will work some of its furniture know-how into a folding e-bike design for the cramped apartments of many major metros.

The IKEA FOLKVÄNLIG already has one of their unpronounceable names, and they’re even offering a two-year warranty so I’d say they’re already halfway there.

Source: IKEA

The Gi-Bike Is A Folding Electric Bicycle For A Crowded Future

Three adopted New Yorkers have designed a foldable electric bicycle designed to be a simple, affordable, and compact transportation solution. While your definition of “affordable” may vary, you can’t deny that the simple folding action of the Gi-Bike could make this riding machine a lot more convenient for apartment dwellers.

Designed by New Yorkers Agustin Agustinoy, Eric Sevillia, and Lucas Toledo, the Gi-Bike tips the scale at just 37 pounds and has an electric pedal assist good for up to 40 miles. So no, it isn’t a fully electric bicycle, but the real hook here is the single-motion folding ability, effectively cutting the Gi-Bike’s size in half. While it may not be as compact of the Sada Bike, it also seems a lot more practical and futuristic too. The Gi-Bike also includes a GPS device that will lock the bike when it leaves a certain area, and it can even recharge your smartphone.

The trio of inventors have turned to Kickstarter to get their project off the ground, and that’s where we see the real cost of innovation. Early adopters can get the Gi-Bike for $2,995, while the rest of us have to fork over $3,390. So far the trip has raised just over $35,000 of their $400,000 goal, though the design seems a lot more palatable and probable than certain other folding bicycle designs.

Will the Gi-Bike soon invade the streets and apartments of New York City…and beyond?

Source: Kickstarter via TechCrunch

Bad Bike Brings Adds Sidecar Sex Appeal to E-Bikes

The genius designers at Italy’s Bad Bike have just released an electric bicycle with a sidecar mounted to it. This is a huge deal, and anyone who buys one will lose hours, days- maybe even weeks of their life explaining their rig to strangers and new friends because, make no mistake: sidecars are sexy.

If you don’t believe in the near-universal appeal of the sidecar, head to a Mods and Rockers rally on one of these, or visit Daytona during Bike Week and you’ll see. Oh, you’ll see.

Bad Bike’s rig is called the Beach Vintage Side, playing off the bicycle’s cruiser-style frame and relaxed, beach-rental handlebars. Your pedal-power gets amplified by a 250W electric motor that will push you and a (small) friend at about 15 MPH. For those of you who are really eager to endanger your child and/or pet, however, a 500W version is available that, in some areas, will require a motorcycle license (!?).

At about $3300 (2400 Euro), the Beach Vintage Side isn’t terribly expensive as high-end bikes go, and it’s definitely got “the look”. Or, maybe it’s too bulky for real-world use in any kind of major city? What do you guys think? Let us know how you think the looks compare to Local Motors’ Cruiser or the Ford/Pedego Supercruiser, and whether or not you’d strap your kids fluffy dogs into the sidecar in the comments, below. Enjoy!

Source | Photos: Bad Bike, via Motorpasion.

The Ford Electric Bike By Pedego

Walk into a Ford dealership soon and you will find the highlight of the recent National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in New Orleans. The bolt of black that “won the hearts” of Ford dealers is a splendid electric bike. The bike’s beauty immediately captured these dealers — 10 of these Ford electric bikes, powered by Pedego, sold that very first day.

As PR Newswire‘s reports: “It was love at first sight when they discovered the Ford electric bicycle powered by Pedego.”

The Ford-Supercruiser1 unquestionably deserves this admiration, and the number of bikes sold has increased considerably since the. “According to reports from the Pedego Company, that number has grown radically since, as dealers across the USA and Canada prepare to show off the new electric bicycle in their dealership.”

The company has been a design leader since Henry Ford led the way. It continues to have this influence. And, in this case, design propels Ford’s commitment to green technologies forward. Here are some more-detailed electric particulars from the press release:

Ford electric bike has earned passionate praise from electric bike experts, as well. Designed for Pedego by world-renowned bicycle architect Tony Ellsworth, the Ford electric bike provides a smooth, marshmallow ride whether you’re conquering hills or charging through headwinds.

This high-performance bike soars from zero to 20 mph effortlessly with a 48-volt battery and powerful 600-watt motor. And yet it’s a pleasant, relaxed cruise – truly easy riding. The bike’s crown fork with adjustable handlebars hold a 7-speed geared twist shifter on the left and a throttle on the right. For extra comfort, the handlebars can adjust in and out as well as up and down.

The rider enjoys all of these features while gliding on Schwalbe Fat Frank tires. Pedego’s creative team has built an electric bicycle that fits Ford’s required key design elements: sleek styling and a sporty feel that make riding fun, whether you’re seeking adventure or running errands around town.

Source:  Gas 2.

Production Smart Bicycle Launched at Detroit Auto Show

The production version of the pedal/electric Smart bicycle quietly debuted at this year’s Detroit Auto Show carrying a $2950 price tag. Along with the price, the bikes carried a features list full of clever, high-end components aimed at making the bikes both more durable, and more convenient, for its end-users.

First shown as a concept back in 2011, the Smart bicycle that bowed at NAIAS this year stays visually true to the original. For durability, the traditional bicycle chain is replaced with a durable belt drive system that can’t rust, won’t bind up/get thrown, and which (perhaps, most importantly) won’t tear up your pants if they happen to wander too close to the bike’s drive. An LED headlight, sturdy and aerodynamic front forks, and high-quality disc brakes mounted to wire rims with high-end Continental bicycle tires round out the “bike” hardware.

In addition to being a high-quality bike, though, the Smart bicycle is also an EV. Powered by an easily-removable battery (so you can charge it in your home or office) and a rear-mounted “Smart Drive” electric motor that’s visually similar to the Copenhagen Wheel. So equipped, the bike can be pedaled, pedal-assisted (where the electric motor boosts the rider’s own power), or pure EV modes.

According to Mercedes/Smart reps at NAIAS, the Smart bicycle will initially be available in 5 markets (she said Los Angeles, Portland, New York, Miami, and “one midwestern market”) starting this spring.

Source: Gas2.0

URB-e foldable trike is 'world's most compact electric vehicle'

How small can you go? We haven't measured all of the electric vehicles on the planet, but we suspect the claim by Urban Mobility that its Urb-e foldable electric ... um, seat? ... is the "world's most compact e-vehicle" is at least close to accurate. We haven't seen many other EVs that look like we could fit them into a big backpack.

The idea behind the Urb-e is to make it ridiculously easy to use batteries and wheels to help you get to work (and your gorilla/human lunch date, according to the video below). The Urb-e is a foldable three-wheeled aluminum device that gets small enough to take with you on public transport options, like the bus or train. It has a battery of unspecified size and an electric hub motor that can help it hit speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. The range is 20 miles, the company says, and the tiny trike can carry a piece of luggage in either rollerbag form or while you're riding it. It's more that just a fun idea, too. Company co-founder Mateo Neri toldAutoblogGreen that Urban Mobility, has "a manufacturing partner ready to go in Pasadena, CA and very excited on getting these out."

How comfortable and practical the Urb-e is is something we're looking forward to investigating later. For now, we know that it's coming to Kickstarter in February and will be at CES next week.

News Source: Urban Mobility