Eurobike: E-bikes creating a buzz

12 comments
By Simon Withers | Wednesday, Sep 2, 2009 5.15pm

There’s a buzz about this year’s Eurobike – literally. Everywhere you go you’re accompanied by the buzz of e-bikes and pedelecs. The test track is humming with electric bikes, trikes, scooters and all manner of weird and wonderful machines.

It really does seem that, in mainland Europe at least, the age of the electric bike has not just arrived but is here to stay. The following are just a snapshot of the machines that are around this year. Check out the thumbnails on the right for more images and information.

YikeBike

Probably the single most distinctive electric bike here, the New Zealand-made YikeBike has seemingly reinvented the penny-farthing for the electronic age.

Weighing 9.8kg, the Yike folds very neatly around its front wheel – which also contains the motor and battery – to create a genuinely portable package.

Maximum speed is 20km/h and range is around 9km. Maximum rider height is 193cm and weight 100kg. It’s due to be launched in Europe in early 2010 with a projected price of 3,500 euros.

YikeBike electric penny-farthing:

The YikeBike – effectively an electric mini penny-farthing – folds into its own bag

Utopia Velo

In among the production bikes on show at Eurobike are quite a few prototypes, some of which you're not even allowed to photograph. We tried and got some very stern comments... but we were allowed to shoot Utopia Velo's electrically assisted touring bike, which is due for release in 2010.

It's hand-built from chromoly in Europe, has a Rohloff 14-speed hub gear, an enclosed chain and Magura hydraulic brakes. The basic setup has a claimed range of 60-70km, which rises to 60-100km with the double performance kit. This ups the power from 324 WH to 474 WH.

Utopia velo electric bike:

Utopia Velo were showing off this prototype electrically assisted touring bike

Schwinn Tailwind

A lot of smaller companies are displaying electrically assisted bikes here, but there are some big name brands too, including Raleigh's European arm. Here we're looking at the Tailwind bikes from Schwinn. These have Toshiba batteries with a claimed charge time of just 30 minutes. A full charge of the 250w motor should get you around 20 or so miles. Price is 1,999 euros.

Schwinn tailwind electric bike:

The Toshiba battery on Schwinn's Tailwind can be charged in as little as 30 minutes

Kreidler Light Concept

Around every corner of Eurobike's display halls you're likely to come across another manufacturer from Germany or Holland with their take on the electric bike. Kreidler are just one of them – and their prices are among the cheapst.

Their Light Concept model is available in numerous setups, including with a seven- or eight-speed Shimano Nexus hub gear or 27-speed derailleur setup. Price is 1,599 euros for the eight-speed and 27-speed systems, with the seven-speed hub model 100 euros cheaper.

Maxx Cross Max

Maxx are another German manufacturer who makes a huge range of electric bikes. These include models for comfort, city riding, rehabilitation and even off-roading. The Cross Max is the company's touring bike and is available in numerous build options – the model shown will lighten your wallet by a hefty 4,292.98 euros.

Maxx electric bike:

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User Comments

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  • "Weighing 9.8kg, the Yike folds very neatly around its front wheel – which also contains the motor and battery – to create a genuinely portable package

    Maximum speed is 20km/h and range is around 9km. Maximum rider height is 193cm and weight 100kg. It’s due to be launched in Europe in early 2010 with a projected price of 3,500 euros."

    3500 Euros for something that weighs 10kg and can't even go 10km!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! ...Have fun carrying that nice portable 10kg's for the final bit of your journey, especially when the battery life deterioates and you won't even get 5km!!!! Get real, who's going to buy this rubbish???

  • there must be good reason why there is the electric bicycle?

  • That penny farthing is pretty useless, I agree with matty.

    Other electric bikes can be useful I guess even though I have a tendency to fear them. Why you ask? I scares the hell out of me that they become the next cool "green" gadget and everybody is gonna end up with one they barely use to. Think of all those batteries, what's "green" in that? Bike are eco-friendly because they are simple, by adding a battery and making them more accessible we'll end up with another big environment fiasco. The problem soon won't be global warming but global battery acid in our water, earth and food. I fear those times.

    The best way to be "green" still remains to consume less and to recycle more.

  • The idea of electric bikes is terrible. Why can't people just use their own body to move? With the speed electric bikes do, you'd probably be better off getting a light road bike.

  • Yikes! The Yike Bike seems like an invention in which it was created not because it was needed but because someone could.

    Besides having obvious failures in the ergo department (not just be rider limitations) *the guy pictured looked like he ate a bad kebab without having eaten one*... a range of 9km would require me to walk the last 3.5km to work.

    E-bikes certainly have their place however I still strongly believe that E-assist-bikes are and will for a long time, be more affordable, more efficient and more practical.

  • Obviously I cant really tell the weight distrbution from the pictures but the Yike Bike looks like it would handle a brisk stop in the same way penny-farthings used to - wheeeee ...

    Presumably for a full on emergency stop you use your nose as an airbag ? Yikes indeed.

  • it just annoyes me slightly that people forget there is a perfectly capable engine sat ontop of these bikes. One of the greatest benefits of the bicycle is its efficiency - due to great mechanical efficiency matched with relatively light weight. Start putting motors and heavy batteries on them - and guess what - you lose that efficiency. I would have to completely agree with the environmental aspects regarding the batteries. Batteries unfortunately run out - they run down and will eventually need to be disposed of - which will have environmental impact that would otherwise be avoided. I think if you compaired expired CO2 + flatulence from joe bloggs and battery acid effects on the environment - i dont think there would be much competition.

    The only benefit i can think of regarding electric bicycles is when they are used by disabled or elderly individuals - who still want to enjoy the benefits of cycling but may not have the physical capacity in which to use one in the way that they desire. Possible because of a hill that staands between them and their destination? For the average person however i cannot see the problem with a good functioning cardiovascular system hooked up to some reasonably trained muscles proped up with your pulmonary system powered by your frosties in the morning.

  • Yikes!

    With just a 9km range and no options to pedal, Yike bike users can look forward to getting lots of exercise - by walking.

    Considering the Yike bike's price and their claims of using the latest technologies, I would have expected a range of better than 50km. Just look at the IF Reach DC - a folding electric bike in production NOW with a range of 50+ km and a pedal assisted cruising speed of 30 kmh. Just look at the results of my test rides:

    http://ridethisbike.com/2009/08/if-reach-dc-long-test-ride-iv.html

    The IF Reach DC rolls when folded and costs less than half the price of the Yike.

    Larry

    RideTHISbike.com

  • It seems to me that these offerings are really a retro development of motorbikes. If you don't want to use your own engine get a moped, not an electric bike! There will soon be many electric motorbikes available, with at least a decent range. Cycling has nothing to do with electric bikes other than exceptions mentioned above.

  • Doh you lot are missing the point. These bikes are hybrids they have an electric engine and the wonderful human engine. They are great for anyone who wants to:

    -Haul weight (eg dogs, kids + shopping)

    -Commute/shop that bit further

    -Commute/shop without getting really sweaty going up that nasty steep hill

    -Ride all year round even when they have a cold or a hangover or an injury

    I speak from experience as an owner of a modern ebike. Its doing journeys that the car wouldve done ie all my shopping+ commuting. I still use my touring bike for fun and for utility trips when i dont mind getting sweaty or its just me and no kids.

  • Super Fatty - I can think of many good reasons - hills, headwinds, elderly people, unfit people, overweight people, long distances, etc.

  • The Penny Farthing looks dangerous. Imagine hitting a pothole at 20kmh on that - or even a small pothole - or perhaps even a matchstick. Someone should stop them.

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