eROCKIT (insane electric-pedalbike hybrid)

[aphyr]

In a video that I'm sure is about to piss off every Barfer regardless of their attitude towards pedalbikes, a german startup is making these things. Jump to, say, 0:50 or 7:00 for the fun.

[youtube]tjQz_cYjsH4#at=88[/youtube]

Top speed of 50MPH. 45 mile range. This thing is absolutely friggen insane. I both want one (screw you, hills!) and fear the consequences. At these speeds armor is basically a necessity--and I sure don't want to pedal in my gear, haha.

 

[xgambit]

Top speed of 50MPG.

 

[GPzPop]

seems like pretty similar performance envelope to a Zero electric bike

 

[paulr111]

Check out the 2nd video in the link - you actually pedal to make it go which is definitely different from a Zero MC. Kinda cool.

 

[TTTom]

I like, a lot

 

[sanjuro]

There has been some talk about a downhill bike with a motor. DH bikes will weigh 40-50lbs without a motor, so most riders shuttle themselves.

If you can slap on a motor to your bike, you can power yourself uphill then ride down. With most singletrack, you cannot operate a motorized vehicle, so you turn off the engine and pedal.

I don't have much interest in this kind of bike for dirt, since I like pedaling uphill, but something like would be fun around the city:

 

[ScorpioVI]

Damn!

[youtube]tzsHFka92X8[/youtube]




That thing looks dangerous!

 

[stigeon]

where the....

ferrari, ferrari, porche, rolls royce....

and the bike looks cool

 

[Dallen]

No gear, Splitting into oncoming traffic....SQUID

where the....

ferrari, ferrari, porche, rolls royce....

and the bike looks cool

The beginning of the video had a sign that said Monaco, which would probably explain the expensive cars.

 

[UDRider]

What is the point of the pedals? All the power comes from the battery. Pedaling won't replenish it it much. Might as well simplify the system and turn it in to full electric scooter.

 

[ninjanewbie]

correct me if I'm wrong but it appears that the faster he pedals the faster it goes, he hardly uses the brakes when slowing down. that thing is fast, quiet and scary, i want one. but not here, to export to South America (back Home).

 

[ohio]

What is the point of the pedals? All the power comes from the battery. Pedaling won't replenish it it much. Might as well simplify the system and turn it in to full electric scooter.

Three reasons -
1 - pedaling DOES extend the range, which is critical with a battery this small and vehicle this light.
2 - (I believe) it's electric assist, like the giant electric bikes. the harder you pedal, the harder the motor pushes. This means no hand throttle. Sounds funny to us, but it's really natural if you've only ever ridden bicycles. It just makes you feel super strong.
3 - pedal-assist bikes (mopeds) fall under different licensing rules in most countries

The idea that someone can go 45 on this thing, but still thinks of it as a bicycle, is pretty scary to me. It's one thing if you're logging 100s of miles per week on a road bike... you have no choice but to get skilled, and it happens progressively over time. In this case, any recreational rider can suddenly find themselves going that fast. If you've seen tourists try to ride bikes on the golden gate bridge, you know that speed would be a very very bad thing for the general population on bicycles.