Magnesium and glass-fibre electric bike announced

The first bicycle in history with a frameset and wheels that are injection metal moulded in magnesium (GoCycle)

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The GoCycle, a unique electric bike, has just been officially announced, claiming to be ‘the first bicycle in history with a frameset and wheels that are injection metal moulded in magnesium’ and also has several specially developed components made from glass-fibre reinforced plastic.

Other unusual design features include a front monoblade fork, Lockshock rear suspension (featuring glass-fibre reinforced plastic) with integrated locking port, inframe battery and fully enclosed chain drive.

The lightweight technology has produced a stated weight of 16.3kg with the bike disassembling to a size of 65x54x26cm.

The bike is the brainchild of Karbon Kinetics of London, founded in 2002 by Richard Thorpe, the GoCycle being their first step in achieving their stated aim of ‘the design, development and commercialisation of light electric vehicles’.

Karbon Kinetics received research funding from the Department of Trade and Industry to develop magnesium molded production alternatives to carbon fibre before producing 200 trial models used by individuals across the globe in 2007 and 2008.  

Rapid injection moulding company Protomold were given the task of making many of the non-magnesium components and had never before worked with a material that was specified as having 60% glass content.

According to Protomold it presented real technical challenges, leading to the development of 47 individual injection molding tools used in manufacture.

The bikes, due for sale in spring 2009, are available for preorder on the GoCycle website priced at £875 (if ordered before the end of January 2009), full RRP £1158.

Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative were involved in the trials and have been appointed certified dealers.

• Back to top
• Email to a friend