Gentlemen,
My link for VisforVoltage did not work for any mysterious reason. So I copied the eLation inventor’s letter below. This is the message of Sat, 05/12/2007:
Hi Guys, Sorry, long time no see. Been busy on next version of eLation and suppose I have been a bit of a "rock spider", watching but not inputing to forum. New designs and updates are moving smoothly and feedback from buyers has be awesome.
Wrapped in "free design" concept but have to buy in here and say 'come on'. Had few people now let me know of this mob bike-elektro-antrieb.ch elektrofahrzeuge e-mountainbike elektroantrieb Kona ebike evelo ecycle elektrovelo elektrofahrrad Mountainbike Mountain Bike Rider Freerider Helio elektrozweirad ebikeenergybike e-velo ebike e-cycle electro bicycle e-scooter e and have also contacted them myself stating the "obvious". Conviently they "released" their product 1 month after we appeared on television. They also appear to have prbolems understanding English (yeah right). Bottom line is, makes you wonder? Since I have contacted them they have 'done the right thing' and advised Aussies to contact me (no where else), but it is hardly fair they are getting recogntion on a reputable site such as Visforvoltage.
I am all for evoltuion but is copying really valid. I spent a LOT of dollars creating the finer points of the eLation. I have patented and registered the design. Can I DEFEND it? NO of course not I do not have the money to waste. I am small time and unless guys like you help defend designs (yours and mine) we will all be chewed up. I want to survive as a business, but I also want to support this vital industry. If you let the clones get credibility and will never get there.
I will leave it to you good people to decide if I have a case. Either way i will continue to design and operate in the background for the betterment of the industry (and truthfullly my business too). New mount, crank system and motor sizes coming soon. Best to all, Woody
alland@elationebikes.com.au
www.elationeebikes.com.au
I think that the question of Cyclone or eLation patents is beyond consumers’ interest. In fact there can be many patents for various versions of the same idea.
From my point of view Cyclone kit produces to large additional chain rolling resistance (in one-chain-version) and its chainring looks dramatically cheap. Moreover, the replacement of my original 52T chainring with a 44T Cyclone one would make the bike undergeared (which is irrational if you add electric assistance to ride faster). eLation looks better made (but Allan says is not for foldings).
Both Cyclone and eLation have two freewheels. Next week I will probably see something similar to eLation.
General description - Bimoto - power assist bicycles.
The inventor says it works better than eLation since both freewheels are in crank (assuming that I understood him). If you ride without the motor assistance the motor chain does not move (contrary to eLation version – as he pointed out – where both chains move in similar situation).
He invented the drive (and patented it) for Honda engines and now works on adaptation of his drive to electric motors. Motor will be placed just in the front of the crank - like in eLation or Cyclone (some versions).