Let’s be clear: many people won’t agree with me but I simply don’t see a valid reason why a healthy person (and by that I mean anyone with two legs and a pumping heart) would ride an electric bicycle (or any other electric-assisted machine for that matter).
I just don’t buy made up excuses that usually come in a discussion about electric bikes and often include “sweat” or “green”. What’s the point in riding a bicycle if you are not cool with the fact that you might sweat? What’s the point in riding a bicycle because it’s green but do it with the help of a motor and a not so environment friendly battery attached to the rack? Yes. You get the point. There’s absolutely no reason you should be riding an electric bike when you could ride a regular bike. So just get a mopped already.
On the other hand some people can’t ride bicycles without assistance (for real) and they were, until now, left with pretty much only ugly solutions: take a bike, add a battery and a special hub. Done. The tank is ready to drive.
There were lots of e-bikes at Sweden Bike Expo this year and one manufacturer (Pro-Movec) really got my attention as they were the only one offering electric bicycles that actually did look great ! Here is one of their city models: Breeze.
And that’s how you make a battery almost disappear. Simple and elegant.
Breeze – with LED display
250W Motor with 3 year warranty
7 speed gear, Shimano Nexus
Coaster brake
LED display
5 assist levels; walk-assist up to 5 km/h
Panasonic Li-ION battery, detachable
9AH x 36V = 324 watt hours
Charge time approx. 7 hours
Weight 20 kg excl. battery
Battery weight 2 kg
Size 28″ (48 cm)
Range up to 100 km
Nice to see some effort being put into making electric bicycles look nicer. Hope next year will bring its share of innovative ideas so the electric bicycle as we know it today is history. What do you think? Does the Breeze look nice to you? Does it look better than e-bikes you’ve seen so far?
Nice looking e-bike!
Some thoughts on your view on e-bikes:
“What’s the point in riding a bicycle if you are not cool with the fact that you might sweat?”
Well. If your purpose is not to exercise but rather to get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible there is quite a big point to it.
” What’s the point in riding a bicycle because it’s green but do it with the help of a motor and a not so environment friendly battery attached to the rack?”
Because it is still a lot greener than riding a car or a fossil fuel powered moped.
“Yes. You get the point.”
Not really, no.
“There’s absolutely no reason you should be riding an electric bike when you could ride a regular bike. So just get a mopped already.”
Well, yes, I could get a moped I suppose. But I actually prefer a silent e-bike that I can use in bike lanes, that still works when the battery has been depleted and that don’t require expensive trips to a gas station.
I think it is sad it there is going to be “fighting” between a pro and anti e-bike. Anything that can lessen the dependency on cars and fossil fuels is a good thing in my book.
I was being harsh on purpose. I am not really against e-bikes (at least not the extent that I would fight against them). I’d rather see someone on an electric bicycle than on a mopped or in a car for sure. But I’d still rather see someone on a fully human powered bike than on an e-bike (greener than green and so much more self satisfying in my opinion). I got you to leave a comment though and that was kind of the point 😉
Dear Manager,
How are you doing?
I am Darin from Keyes New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. We have been in the industry of Li-ion battery for for several years, with rich experience in R&D, manufacturing and assembly.
After looking through your website, knew that you are in the market of electric bicycles, so I am writing to you and hope we can be your reliable partner.
For e-bike batteries, there are many types, such as Frog type, rear rack type, silver fish type and so on. And we can make 24V, 36V and 48V with different capacity, also can customize the battery according to your requirements.
If you are interested in our products, please feel free to contact me.We will support you with good quality, competitive price and excellent service.
Thanks very much for your attention and look forward to your reply soon.
Sincerely yours,
Darin
So now we are in the market of electric bicycles. Good to know and thanks for all the spam.
I have physical problems that prevent me from riding like I did I, my teens and twenty. I am thrilled you created such a great bike and I will be saving (happily) to purchase one. I will feel the wind in my hair and be out and about the only way a bike allows you to be.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Ellen