From the perhaps not so ridiculous to the very probably ridiculous....

[indalo]

While having a quick butchers at ebay today, I came across this strange creation which is one I'm not at all familiar with:

ELECTRIC BIKE | eBay


Immediately prompted into forensic research mode, I Googled it and saw this on page 1 of the results:

Audi Pushes the Boundaries of Two-Wheeled Mobility | Prestige Imports


I'm not sure which one I dislike most; the former looks rather heavy whereas the latter looks feather-light. I suspect neither would find favour among forumites here?

Indalo

 

[flecc]

First one is just the venerable Currie Electrodrive motor, using lead-acid batteries normally it does make a heavy bike. The second is a wannabee motorbike that I wouldn't like to try pedalling and I don't know why they are boasting about the "light" weight. At over 21 kilos without the motor it's heavy!

 

[indalo]

First one is just the venerable Currie Electrodrive motor, using lead-acid batteries normally it does make a heavy bike. The second is a wannabee motorbike that I wouldn't like to try pedalling and I don't know why they are boasting about the "light" weight. At over 21 kilos without the motor it's heavy!

Well, you learn something every day!

Flecc, although I've heard mention of the Currie several times, I have never actually seen one. As for the Audi, after posting, when I read past the first few lines where it mentioned weight, I then realised that they hadn't taken account of wheels, motor and ancillaries. Not such a lightweight machine!

Indalo

 

[smudger1956]

BMW, Audi , Ford , Mercedes, Smart all have produced a E-Bike to maintain their 'Green credentials'.

 

[flecc]

Flecc, although I've heard mention of the Currie several times, I have never actually seen one.

Indalo

The Currie was the earliest of the add-on e-bike motors, bolting onto the side of the rear frame it has an alloy block with spoke pattern cut-outs that is bolted onto the wheel. That takes the drive from the motor via a short chain and sprockets. Later they made a version that was built into bikes by manufacturers where the wheel hub took the drive, avoiding spoke strain and breakage.

The first Currie was immensely powerful, 900 watts and actually dangerous in the way it could take off, but fortunately the motors burnt out quickly which minimised accidents. Step by step the motors have reduced in power over time, some with large cooling fins to stop them overheating and burning out, but for some while now they've been quite civilised and moderately powered. They are very noisy by today's standards, emitting a buzzing noise that makes the motor drive obvious.

Long past their sell-by date really, but cheap and simple so they have hung on in the £350 new e-bike area with steel frames, SLA batteries and well over 30 kilos. There's also been a few alloy framed versions around at more like £500.
.

 

[muckymits]

Mines the alloy framed job its about 32k altho I have mine down to about 23k by changing the battery. The older Izips like the wifes are really heavy with the 12ah SLAs in, I have to get it in out of garage for her. Terrific hill climbers.