Royal Mail E-Bikes - Pedelec Forums

Ian · #1 (**permalink**) 17th September 2007, 18:47

Hi All,

The Royal Mail story seems to have gone quite lately but last week I thought I saw a postie on an electric bike, it was a very fleeting glimpse of a very shiny and obviously brand new bike with what looked like a front hub motor about the size of that used in the Torq. It had a PO red frame and the usual panniers but as I was driving I was unable to take in any more detail.

I was beginning to think I must have been mistaken when yesterday a friend told me he had seen a postie on an e-bike, he knows very little about e-bikes but said it had a battery container within the main frame triangle which he likened to a carrier bag hanging from the crossbar. Like the bike I saw he described it as brand new looking with a red frame and panniers, but he also noted that the postie was making no effort to pedal, so most likely not a pedelec.

I haven't heard anything about a contract being awarded so it's possible a small number of bikes are being trialed. Does anyone else know anything?

flecc · #2 (**permalink**) 17th September 2007, 19:37

Sounds like it Ian, because that certainly doesn't fit the German postbike description with Heinzmann motor etc.

None around here at the moment, or near the large local sorting office.

Someone could have done what I suggested to 50cycles, make some prototypes up and submit free of charge for testing anyway. Being free they wouldn't turn them down, and it opens a door slightly. A Union flag stuck on the frame would help to make them feel guilty about not buying "British" as well.
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Haku · #3 (**permalink**) 18th September 2007, 02:48

Urban Mover are one of 4 (I think) companies bidding to supply Royal Mail with ebikes, I saw their prototype a couple of months ago and it really looked the job.

flecc · #4 (**permalink**) 18th September 2007, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haku

Urban Mover are one of 4 (I think) companies bidding to supply Royal Mail with ebikes, I saw their prototype a couple of months ago and it really looked the job.

I hope they've all thought it through and studied the German post bike for it's essential features as well. Things like the stable roller wheel large frame stand to enable putting it on the stand without effort when loaded, the handbrake to hold it securely on hills, and the low substantial load carriers front and rear, one over a smaller wheel. It might be ugly and heavy, but there's a wealth of experience in that design.
.

Ian · #5 (**permalink**) 18th September 2007, 18:16

I did find a link to this undated pdf document published by the Royal Mail. On page 6 there are very brief details and pictures of delivery equipment under trial including one e-bike, a RM liveried version of the German bike. This however is not the bike I saw, and it doesn't fit the description I was given. Given the very specialised requirements I think only a purpose built bike such as the German one would be suitable for the job.

Haku · #6 (**permalink**) 18th September 2007, 18:54

UM's design I saw was a 36v trike with one wheel at the back, on the front was a huge red bucket with a bonnet thing that almost looks like the front end of a small car. A bit smaller than the box the trike in that pdf.

Ian, if you zoom in on the trike in that pdf you'll see the picture is datestamped "11 10 2006".

flecc · #7 (**permalink**) 18th September 2007, 18:57

Thanks for the link Ian, very interesting. The German postbike certainly looks the business.

The Cycles Maximus trikes they've had for quite a long time now, I think at least a year. They use the very powerful Lynch motor and can pull a 5 cwt payload in addition to their own weight, albeit at only around 6 to 8 mph. OK for very local transfers of course, but an area's car drivers wouldn't be enthusiastic!

P.S. Just seem Haku's post, confirming the length of time with the Maximus trikes.

Ian · #8 (**permalink**) 18th September 2007, 19:08

Sounds like they've invested in a purpose built design Haku, which given the potential returns would seem a sensible thing to do. I guess the huge red bucket is to enable the delivery of ever increasing numbers of ebay purchases to the likes of you and me.

Ian · #9 (**permalink**) 18th September 2007, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haku

Ian, if you zoom in on the trike in that pdf you'll see the picture is datestamped "11 10 2006".

Well spotted Haku. Having now seen other clues I suspect the document was first published around the end of last year which tallies with the photo date.