Oldest E-Bikes ??

[Del 80]

While out shopping this morning, I saw the oldest E-bike that I have ever seen, [took a picture but did'nt work] it had the name Thompson on it, and had obviously seen better days, it got me thinking, when did E-Bikes first appear in this country ?.......Del.

 

[GaRRy]

Don't have a clue but won't be surprised if its 100+ years ago

 

[Biker44]

While out shopping this morning, I saw the oldest E-bike that I have ever seen, [took a picture but did'nt work] it had the name Thompson on it, and had obviously seen better days, it got me thinking, when did E-Bikes first appear in this country ?.......Del.

10 years or so? Does anyone have really nice old e-bikes in collectable condition?

 

[Del 80]

Just googled Thompson, they have been making E-Bikes since 2001, the one I saw must have had a hard life !!........Del.

 

[GaRRy]

10 years or so? Does anyone have really nice old e-bikes in collectable condition?

My dad had one in the late 70's so not even close

 

[GaRRy]

Patent US552271 - ELECTRICAL BICYCLE - Google Patents

patent from 1895

 

[flecc]

Thompson are still selling some of same bike models as they've been since 2001. At their peak they were shifting over well 7000 a year just from their five shops!

Thompson Electric Bikes

 

[Del 80]

Never really noticed E-bikes until I got mine, but this Thompson stood out, in fact it looked more like a moped than a bike, like the one's on flecc's link above, 7000 a year is pretty good going.......Del.

 

[mike killay]

And they still sell twin tub washing machines!

 

[the_killjoy]

I thought that I would go on the science museum website and do a search. I am sure at one time you could delve though the archives ~ now it just seems to be a pretty site with a few pictures (unless someone can see how to search the collection that I have missed)

Also there doesn't seem to be any general info on the Bealieu archives although one can email a query. Again I am sure there used to be a summary of the collection and library.

So I think I will change my name to Victor Meldrew while I am in a good moaning mood.

 

[GaRRy]

And they still sell twin tub washing machines!

Quiet don't let my mother know she only switched to a front loader less than 5 years ago when she could not get a new Hotpoint twin tub to replace the one that died and she hates it

 

[the_killjoy]

The oldest picture I have managed to find

File:Felix Millet.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[flecc]

The first e-bike produced by a commercial company was a Humber tandem. It was used as a pace bike in the 24 hr paced track race of 1899 in Paris. However, it had it's motive power replaced by petrol after that.

The first commercially available electric bike motor was from Heinzmann of Germany in 1920 and they are still making e-bike motors. In 1932 EMI-Philips produced an e-bike which design was adopted by several companies. Gazelle of Holland were the most successful with it, but they only produced 117 of them.

It wasn't until 1980 that commercial e-bikes first started to attract buyers and become a realistic possibility for the wider public, and about 1999 that the market really took off. This was the hinge point when both SLA (lead-acid) batteries and NiMh batteries were available for e-bikes. Two key models then were the original SLA Giant Lafree and the NiMh Yamaha PAS.
.

 

[Biker44]

My dad had one in the late 70's so not even close

All through the 80s I was a very keen biker - I never, ever noticed an e-bike!

All through the 90s I never noticed an e-bike. Even when I discovered digital pictures and started a collection of motorised trikes and cycles, I didn't spot anything with a battery. I don't think I noticed any even 10 years ago, my world only started around 2007/2008.

 

[GaRRy]

All through the 80s I was a very keen biker - I never, ever noticed an e-bike!

All through the 90s I never noticed an e-bike. Even when I discovered digital pictures and started a collection of motorised trikes and cycles, I didn't spot anything with a battery. I don't think I noticed any even 10 years ago, my world only started around 2007/2008.

Neither did I apart from the one my dad had (was similar to a folder but did not fold and had a great big battery on rear rack) other than that don't think I really noticed them until late 90's and only really noticed them enough to interested about 2 years ago.

 

[flecc]

That was virtually certain to be a TGA-Electrobike Garry, made in Essex and one of the first at the end of the '70s. They continued in production until only three years ago, but never sold in large numbers.

 

[Biker44]

Neither did I apart from the one my dad had (was similar to a folder but did not fold and had a great big battery on rear rack) other than that don't think I really noticed them until late 90's and only really noticed them enough to interested about 2 years ago.

Phew, that was a relief, I was expecting to be blasted for having the eye-sight of a bat!

 

[Scimitar]

Thompson are still selling some of same bike models as they've been since 2001. At their peak they were shifting over well 7000 a year just from their five shops!

Thompson Electric Bikes

I'd like to get my hands on some of that there Lithuium. Could make some sort of barretie out of that, yesirreebob.

 

[Biker44]

That was virtually certain to be a TGA-Electrobike Garry, made in Essex and one of the first at the end of the '70s. They continued in production until only three years ago, but never sold in large numbers.

Does anyone have a tidy example?

 

[Biker44]

Thompson are still selling some of same bike models as they've been since 2001. At their peak they were shifting over well 7000 a year just from their five shops!Thompson Electric Bikes

I've obviously not been born - 40kg that Classic weighs with a Sealed Lead Acid battery! Nominal 12Ah capacity (but I think only the first half is really useable).

But I must say, it looks tidy and "modern". Thompson Euro Classic 2 Electric Bike