Look What's Coming In 2009

[Cyclezee]

I found the following report of IFMA held in Cologne on September courtesy of Frank Heitmeyer's E-Wheels website. It has some interesting information and news about what we can expect to see E-Wheels: Large Product Variety for the Next Season

J hn

 

[flecc]

Thanks John. That Kettler Layana model brings the e-bike makers using Panasonic units to 10 on my calculation, and that doesn't include Panasonic's own bike brand or the Lafree E612 recently still sold in Taiwan by Giant, which uses the older Panasonic unit.

I see that Sparta have belatedly increased the power of their very weak hub Ion motor for both the Sparta and Koga models, not before time, though I can't see that direct drive design having much climb power even now.
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[Cyclezee]

Also of note is the Hungarian manufacturer Olimpia's Gepida range is the first bike in Europe to use the Yamaha crank drive and battery. A rival system to the all conquering Panasonic.

J hn

 

[Miles]

I enjoyed this quote "The great thing about carbon fiber is that it is so flexible..........."

 

[TorAtle]

Nice to see more crank drive motors entering the market.

BionX was earlier this year (I think) bought by a larger company and we now see that they have struck deals with mainstream brands like Diamant.

What I would like to see are more designs with integrated motors and batteries ala the Optibike. Takes more R&D but the bicycle is due for a little freshening up.

 

[flecc]

One thing that concerns me about so many adopting the BionX motor is the very high lithium battery cost, a real sting in the tail that's not often realised at the time of purchase.

Yamaha are still hurting from the comparative success of the original Panasonic unit which eliminated them from many markets. It will be interesting to see how they fare this time, but it superficially looks like a copy.
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[flecc]

the bicycle is due for a little freshening up.

Difficult for something that was perfected so many years ago, the developments of the last four decades generally going backwards.

I agree though that many e-bike designs could be much better.
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[TorAtle]

Difficult for something that was perfected so many years ago, the developments of the last four decades generally going backwards.

At least sideways! We've seen some improvements but mostly all they seemingly do is change the colour from season to season.

One of the nice things about ebike-power is that it weighs up for potentially legpower-sapping things like wide knobbly tires and dampers. Also less need for clip-in pedals. Some of the purity is lost but let's face it, if you start with a really light bicycle you've nearly doubled the weight after you've added the motor and battery so it's not exactly the same bike anyway. With ebikes we can afford to go a little off the path.

Here's someone that certainly tried to be different:
http://www.m55-bike.com/pictures/1.jpg

 

[flecc]

At least sideways! We've seen some improvements but mostly all they seemingly do is change the colour from season to season.

Of course, when something has reached it's pinnacle there's nowhere else to go. There's little that can be done with a diamond frame high efficiency bike when it's at it's peak, just improved metallurgy and detailing.

With ebikes we can afford to go a little off the path.

I agree, room for much more change.

Here's someone that certainly tried to be different:
http://www.m55-bike.com/pictures/1.jpg

But not like this for me, but I suppose someone must love it.
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[MonVal Electra]

On the subject of new E-bike designs for 2009, please see the following link:

Andrew Walters Next Generation Bicycles

When on the site, please ensure that you take the time to read the 'about us' page as well as the 'home page' to get an idea behind the concept of the bike and my motivations.

... And before anyone starts on at me about blatant advertising, please note that I am keeping true to this threads' subject of 'new for 2009'

Please also note, this is the first truly new 'bicycle concept' of recent times and that this bike has been designed and is made in Britain, with its' power source supplied from Europe.

Cheers

Andrew

 

[keithhazel]

On the subject of new E-bike designs for 2009, please see the following link:

Andrew Walters Next Generation Bicycles

When on the site, please ensure that you take the time to read the 'about us' page as well as the 'home page' to get an idea behind the concept of the bike and my motivations.

... And before anyone starts on at me about blatant advertising, please note that I am keeping true to this threads' subject of 'new for 2009'

Please also note, this is the first truly new 'bicycle concept' of recent times and that this bike has been designed and is made in Britain, with its' power source supplied from Europe.

Cheers

Andrew

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this is only my own personal view which no doubt i will get thrashed for and all the inovative things about your bikes will be mentioned that i have missed....first glance i thought it was something from that programme "scrapheap challenge".............second thoughts was it looked like it was just for sunday leisurely riding as the sat back design made me remember them pedelo boats at the sea side i used to go on as a kid, 5 minutes into that and my legs where finished, thirdly the one i looked at appeared on first glance to just have a black innertube at the rear, ok totally wrong but it was my first impression,forthly the price stopped me even going for a fifthly......i must again mention its only my opinion so nothing personal...just my instant thoughts as im browseing looking for an affordable e-bike...

 

[MonVal Electra]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

this is only my own personal view which no doubt i will get thrashed for and all the inovative things about your bikes will be mentioned that i have missed....

Consider yourself suitably thrashed and when you get a moment, please read the 'about us' page... no offence has been taken

Cheers

 

[Mussels]

On the subject of new E-bike designs for 2009, please see the following link:

Andrew Walters Next Generation Bicycles

When on the site, please ensure that you take the time to read the 'about us' page as well as the 'home page' to get an idea behind the concept of the bike and my motivations.

... And before anyone starts on at me about blatant advertising, please note that I am keeping true to this threads' subject of 'new for 2009'

Please also note, this is the first truly new 'bicycle concept' of recent times and that this bike has been designed and is made in Britain, with its' power source supplied from Europe.

Cheers

Andrew

It's an interesting concept and I must admit I scoffed when I first saw it but there are several flaws with the 'safety bicycle' design and it's good that you have attempted to break the mold. I didn't buy a pedelec to look normal so I wouldn't let the unusual look of this one put me off, fashion can't be the only reason they are popular in the US.
There is a problem with the National Cycle Network and the gates on it, to get my panniers through I have to lift the back of the bike through a tight gap. I'm not sure your bike with large panniers will fit at all and it's length may make it very difficult to fit around the slalom style gates that are also common.
I would however love to take one of these for a test ride to see how it feels, the benefits may well outweigh the size problems. Unfortunately I'm not a potential cistomer yet as I'm happy with my current pedelec.

 

[frank9755]

My first thought was that it reminded me of the semi-recumbent that Justin L-E rode across Canada on in the summer, which he said was comfortable, and, given his length of journey, I was happy to believe him!

I've never ridden anything like that so no personal experience to go on, but imagine that long wheelbase would make it handle a bit like a tandem - very stable and good on bumps but not a great turning circle. Seeing the weight is a long way back, I'd have a slight concern about the front wheel spinning from a standing start, or losing traction on a steep hill.

The frame looks strong but I didn't see anything to suggest it would be particularly good at load carrying - might be worth elaborating that point and illustrating it carrying loads in the pictures.

Overall though, I though it was a useful addition to the range of what is available.

Unlike the M55, which I first dismissed as an attempt to keep the old Powabyke alive but then realised was designed to appeal to those who value image of a bike in the garage much higher than performance on the road!

 

[Footie]

On the subject of new E-bike designs for 2009, please see the following link:

Andrew Walters Next Generation Bicycles

When on the site, please ensure that you take the time to read the 'about us' page as well as the 'home page' to get an idea behind the concept of the bike and my motivations.

... And before anyone starts on at me about blatant advertising, please note that I am keeping true to this threads' subject of 'new for 2009'

Please also note, this is the first truly new 'bicycle concept' of recent times and that this bike has been designed and is made in Britain, with its' power source supplied from Europe.

Cheers

Andrew

Interesting design - reminds me of the chopper bikes of the 70's.
I like the idea it's British - but at what cost
Most of the veteran e-bikers have more than one bike, so maybe it has a use as a Sunday best bike?
To my mind, I'm not sure it will be able to make a big impact on the market - it's hardly an easily affordable e-bike is it?
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[Miles]

It's a very similar design to Brown's recumbent of 1900


There's an article on Andrew's bike in the June 2007 VeloVision.

 

[JohnofCambridge]

Hmmmmn...

The size is amazing - a 36 inch back wheel. I guess the prototype is the one featured - no mudguards to meet the aim of getting people to work clean as well as non sweaty.

I tried to imagine it being used. There are better ways for people to travel if it is just a people carrier so the benefit must be its load carrying function.

Can't see it easily carrying load on small central streets in and out of the traffic - would seem bettwer aligned to carrying loads around industrial estates where you can easily park outside the front entrance while delivering something e.g. sandwiches. It would be too big to put in a bike rack for the commuters.

I am a little worried if it had a load it would be too heavy to lift on to its pedestal and a load may also be a bit unstable on two wheels. I am also concerned that the arm position might be uncomfortable after a long journey

I do like the driving position though. I wonder if you could combine the driving position to a trike whether that might give you more benefits to a potential customer.

Andrew, if you are still reading these comments, you may decide that no one appreciates innovation. Breaking the mould takes a lot of effort. Exposing a bike design on this forum is likely to attract a number of negatives but that may be the best thing to know about as you further develop your machine for the market.

John

 

[flecc]

Like Miles I read of this in Velovision some months ago. It's an interesting concept, particularly for utility use, but I cannot see it competing with a conventional diamond frame design for efficiency. Like all recumbent/semi recumbent/feet forward designs, hill climb ability is questionable.

And would you believe it, on the principle that there's nothing new under the sun, it's been done before in kids size.

The Raleigh Chopper:

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[Miles]

And would you believe it, on the principle that there's nothing new under the sun, it's been done before in kids size.

The Raleigh Chopper:

See also Bicycling Science (3rd ed.), page 30, fig. 1.25

 

[torrent99]

Incredible! I'd never thought of it before but, yes the Chopper would make an excellent candidate for an electric! Nice big space to put the battery (under the seat), almost recumbent seating position. It'd need something like an SRAM Sparc for a power source (to get the gears), but I bet if you electricfied a Chopper, it'd sell like hot cakes!

Of course you'd have to get hold of a chopper first.... I stand corrected...they've re-released/re-designed the chopper! But hold on, they've moved the gear lever to the handle bars! Oh no! How will todays kids sustain seriously painful groin injuries now? ;-)

Like Miles I read of this in Velovision some months ago. It's an interesting concept, particularly for utility use, but I cannot see it competing with a conventional diamond frame design for efficiency. Like all recumbent/semi recumbent/feet forward designs, hill climb ability is questionable.

And would you believe it, on the principle that there's nothing new under the sun, it's been done before in kids size.

The Raleigh Chopper:

.