Now that electrically assisted bikes have been around for a while, and are starting to account for a bit of market share, technology designers are really making a run at coming up with some innovative designs.
It’s all about the look of the bike. Clunky is out, sleek and fast-looking are in.
The problem of the motor has long been solved – hub motors are mounted within the bike frame, either in the front or rear wheel.
But what about the batteries? That continues to provide an aesthetic concern for potential buyers.
Electric Motion Systems have instituted their solution. They’ve combined a 750 watt rear wheel mounted hub motor with built-in motor drive electronics, with a battery pack mounted in the front wheel hub.
Their E+ Electric Bike is available in six styles – all a variation on a hard-tail mountain bike.
The E+ comes standard with a 750 watt BLDC rear hub motor. (A high torque 85 Nm 1kw hub motor will be an upgrade option.)
The front hub mounted battery pack is something innovative – it’s never been done before, as a matter of fact. Thirty NiMH battery cells are arranged in six groups of five cells arranged in a polygon layout parallel to the axle and mounted on the stator. The battery pack puts out 36 volts at 9 amp hour giving a battery capacity of 324 watt hour. (0.324kw/hr). A full charge from a 110v wall socket will take four to six hours and cost about $0.03.
The E+ has a handlbar mounted LCD display. The rider can select 19 different cycling modes, ranging from full electric to pedal only modes. It also shows speed, distance traveled, battery capacity, and cruise control option, as well as trip-specific data such as distance of trip, duration, and average speeds.
The display is pocket sized and easily removed. When the display is removed, the battery is disabled and it becomes virtually impossible to pedal the bike – a nice theft-proof feature.
The Electric Motion Systems E+ Cruiser and E+ Mountain Bike cost USD$3,495.
Tags: battery capacity, battery cells, bike frame, control option, cruise control, desig, electric bike, electric motion systems, hub motor, innovative designs, motor drive electronics, nimh battery, rear hub, share technology, stator, technology ners, theft proof, trip duration, wall socket, wheel hub
They have another option for you if you do not like the price of the whole bike and power system. I just purchased the E+ Flex Kit that will turn you current bike into a hybrid. Much cheaper than the whole kit n kaboodle. PLus the sales and tech specialists are a pleasure to work with. Plus you will still be able to have your old bike and not have to worry about ditching it or having to sell it off to somone else. Great for the envronment!