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"The electric bike is not a short-term trend"

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  1. chdot
    Admin

  2. chdot
    Admin

  3. spytfyre
    Member

    thanks to @SRD for the tip, the wheel was ordered (page 13) 7 months ago arrived a few weeks ago and was fitted but I took it to freewheelin to sort out my brakes and get it true straight as I am an imbecile.
    Tested it out this evening form Harrison Road to Fountainbridge and back *almost* giggling like a giddy kid on christmas morning. Commute tomorrow will be the acid test in that will I need a shower? I reckon I will but I will be at work much much earlier. Now if i could only get the lights to cross Western Approach road to go in my favour for once...

    Posted 1 year ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

  5. chdot
    Admin

  6. LaidBack
    Member

    This Sinclair e-trike seems to have been in development for ages. Popular for tech mags read by people that would never cycle anywhere?

    https://www.techdigest.tv/2023/05/sir-clive-sinclairs-nephew-reveals-latest-images-of-iris-etrike.html

    The Citroën Ami already exists and has two seats at relatively low cost (ie comparable to e-cargo bike). I actually saw one in Edinburgh from a distance. Citroën have vast PR although their micro EV fails in exercise department. (ie 'quadricycle' with no human power input).

    Posted 11 months ago #
  7. chdot
    Admin

    Faster – futuristic aerodynamic shape makes the trike much faster than regular bicycles. Speed: 30+ mph.

    ???

    Posted 11 months ago #
  8. neddie
    Member

    The first paragraph mentions "like riding inside a large crash helmet" - that's absolutely terrible marketing from Sir Clive's nephew

    It conjures up the imagination and the first thing you think of is a car going into it sideways

    Posted 11 months ago #
  9. ejstubbs
    Member

    @chdot: According to this article there will be two models of the IRIS eTrike. The "Eco" version will meet the EAPC regulations in terms of motor power and maximum assistance speed, whereas the "Extreme" (sigh) version is a speed pedelec with a 750W motor and capable of higher assisted speeds. As such, the "Extreme" (sigh) will need to be taxed and insured, and the rider will need to be licensed (although I believe they won't need a helmet since they're not legally required on a trike).

    I do wonder how "great" an enclosed bike/trike is for keeping fit? I can get sweaty enough riding my conventional bikes, I can't imagine doing so inside a plastic box to keep the wind off. But I may be mistaken - maybe Arellcat would be well positioned to shed some light on the question?

    Posted 11 months ago #
  10. chdot
    Admin

    Thanks

    Too much speed reading…

    Posted 11 months ago #
  11. LaidBack
    Member

    "like riding inside a large crash helmet"

    Laughed at that as well. Talk about unselling the idea! The general cyclist/driver view of recumbents is that lower you are the more dangerous it is. In cars this isn't as true as sports cars are often lower - but of course all sports is dangerous to a degree.
    'Sensible' drivers prefer higher / larger 4x4 vehicles etc (joking to a degree).

    Enclosed velomobiles get pretty steamy. So think many prefer their tops off (!) Good thing is you don't wear padded shorts etc as you're exercising outdoors under cover to a degree. @arellcat can confirm.

    Posted 11 months ago #
  12. ejstubbs
    Member

    The picture in techdigest article suggests that the 'roof', 'hatch' whatever you want to call it on the iris is hinged at the back. I'm not sure whether it would be possible/desirable to have it open when riding. Maybe it's detachable? I'd have thought there must be some provision for ventilation beyond a de-mist function, anyway.

    (Do you still sit on the ischial bones on a recumbent? I thought the seating position was rather different, and it would be that which would negate/reduce the need for padded shorts? Again, I could well be mistaken - you learn something new every day as they say.)

    Posted 11 months ago #
  13. CocoShepherd
    Member

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/28/e-bike-chargers-fire-risk-found-on-ebay-amazon-and-wishcom

    Less related to e-bikes and more related to the completely shocking indifference that major online retailers seem to show towards safety. I mean how are these companies allowed to sell knock-off or dangerous (or if you're trying to be generous then at least "untested") goods in the UK?

    I thought there were laws governing electrical and fire safety that would prevent such equipment from ever actually reaching the UK border.

    Edit: "An Amazon spokesperson said: “We will remove any similar products with non-compliant clover-shaped plugs that we find listed. If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact us directly so we can investigate and take appropriate action.”"

    Yeah, or how about TAKE RESPONSIBILITY YOURSELF FOR THE DANGEROUS LETHAL JUNK THAT YOUR COMPANY SELLS

    Posted 11 months ago #
  14. chdot
    Admin

    “Cheaper batteries purchased from online sources which don’t necessarily adhere to UK safety regulations are more likely to fail and present an increased fire risk. Our advice is also to buy from a reputable seller. As the video clearly shows, once the bike goes into thermal runaway, it can lead to a rapid and ferocious fire.”

    https://micromobilitybiz.com/battery-fires-risk-slowing-momentum-of-micromobility-sector-according-to-head-of-uk-bike-brand/amp/

    Posted 10 months ago #
  15. steveo
    Member

    I ended up with a Whisper Tailwind I think it was £1950 retail but its less than £70 pm on bike to work. I've had since November and been quite happy with it.

    Couple of niggly problems. The integrated rack is quite small so won't fit my Carradice Bike Bureau, the front brake squeals like hell. I've had it off, realigned it and replaced the pads but nothing really helps for long so I've got a shimano unit to replace it when I get time.

    My main reason for the upgrade over the gtech was its lack of power on hills. Partly I wanted a way to get up to the pentlands for a walk without being too knackered and without fighting for a parking space. I took the whisper up Kirkgate from Currie, the power meter on the display was reading 500w and I was still working hard (z5 in parts) but it managed and only used a bar on the battery, not sure how much power that really is.

    Posted 10 months ago #
  16. chdot
    Admin

    https://www.ridezoomo.com/cities/edinburgh

    So that’s where the delivery riders are getting bikes.

    Posted 10 months ago #
  17. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I do wonder how "great" an enclosed bike/trike is for keeping fit? I can get sweaty enough riding my conventional bikes, I can't imagine doing so inside a plastic box to keep the wind off. But I may be mistaken - maybe Arellcat would be well positioned to shed some light on the question?

    Ventilation is critical. Without it you get very hot and sweaty - although it also gets better as one acclimatises - and airflow is needed to keep the screen clear. Modern velomobile designers have put a lot of thought into cooling, with air intakes in the nose and on the 'bonnet', and for the canopy, double-glazed Pinlock visors lifted directly from motorbike helmets. Some riders who have more warmer weather than us have added computer PSU cooling fans to the backs of their seats.

    I didn't enjoy riding mine with the full canopy, because it was just too hot on my hilly riding, even with the screen slid all the way open. I also like to sit more upright on hills and to be able to turn round further at junctions to watch traffic. More glazing is good for visibility but is a greenhouse the rest of the time.

    Posted 10 months ago #
  18. chdot
    Admin

    Spent a weekend in the Cairngorm National Park. I was amazed how many ebikes there were, they've really taken off and outnumbered conventional bikes, even amongst younger riders including teens.

    https://twitter.com/girlonabrompton/status/1673314584189444097

    Posted 10 months ago #
  19. LaidBack
    Member

    VanMoof news. Of course they do have an imitator now with Cowboy.
    https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/vanmoof-stores-closed-as-the-most-funded-e-bike-company-in-the-world-files-for

    Posted 9 months ago #
  20. stiltskin
    Member

    Took one on a test ride a few years ago. Wasn’t that impressed. Style over substance although they had a few nice ideas.

    Posted 9 months ago #
  21. steveo
    Member

    Jezza Vine Moan In has feature on electric bike batteries soon. I expect my blood pressure to take a spike if the the feature on ULEZ was anything to go by!

    Posted 8 months ago #
  22. chdot
    Admin

    The future of biking? An electric bike without lithium

    https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/cc2171ee-0c35-4b9a-bc37-d11d5cad6103

    Posted 8 months ago #
  23. chdot
    Admin

  24. chdot
    Admin

    UK e-bike users warned not to use incompatible chargers after fatal fire

    Coroner says blaze that killed London man probably caused by battery being plugged into charger with different voltage

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/14/uk-e-bike-users-warned-not-to-use-incompatible-chargers-after-fatal-fire

    Posted 7 months ago #
  25. chdot
    Admin

  26. chdot
    Admin

  27. chdot
    Admin

    Belt drive business Veer is aiming to deliver to market a mechanism that will enable belt drive clad bikes to shift between two gears at the rear hub.

    With numerous brands across all segments of electric mobility turning to belt drives over chains, the Veer Shift Drive system is said to offer light electric vehicle producers a more affordable and efficient alternative to both chains and other gearing systems that are gaining popularity.

    https://www.cyclingelectric.com/news/veer-belt-drive-shifting-mechanism

    Posted 5 months ago #
  28. LaidBack
    Member

    Interesting to see the competition to bring reliable gearing particularly for commercial e-bike delivery companies. (Sport and leisure market is different.)
    Veer's offering is novel but will it withstand the massive forces exerted when a motor and powerful courier combine?
    From experience all approaches to finding gearing tough enough for heavily laden bikes have issues.
    - Sealed hubs from Enviolo have 380% range with no steps as variable. Pros: quite cheap. Cons: can fail and can't be repaired
    - Derailleur gears - bigger range on 11 speed Mega but they wear and can't be pre-selected for a hill start.
    - Shimano 5 speed hub manual and Di2. Pros: tougher than 8 speed Nexus and quite cheap. Cons: Limited range with bigger gaps in gearing. Not sealed.
    - Rohloff 14 speed - 514% range with close to equal steps. Pros: Proven design and able to take high torque. Cons: Costly and needs oil change.

    Local company Intradrive are combining gears and motor in one unit. I've ridden test model and was very good in my view. They say it is tough enough and can be serviced if needs be.

    https://www.intra-drive.com/

    Pinion company also in this market.

    Lastly the e-bike mid-drive motor market is odd as the non bike company Bosch dominates but has to partner with other brands for gearing.
    Yamaha is the same - only Shimano offers a whole motor and transmission package. Only their display can show gearing and motor level using their established Di2 system.

    Posted 5 months ago #
  29. chdot
    Admin

  30. chdot
    Admin

    Rule 1: don’t run red lights when the traffic cops are close by.

    Rule 2: - take your pick!

    This cyclist failed to stop at a red traffic light at a pedestrian crossing in front of officers from the #NationalMotorcycleUnit. Whilst being dealt with, it was established that he was in the UK illegally. The rider was arrested and will now be dealt with by UK Immigration

    https://twitter.com/psosroads/status/1719068094981984281

    Posted 5 months ago #

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