The FBike is a collaborative effort between several Czech companies and enthusiasts. The propellers will be electrically-driven, but it looks like there are pedals there for added assistance, not unlike the ground-bound ped-elec bicycles we have today. The design is inspired by the stories of Jules Verne and Jaroslav Foglar, the latter of whom authored a trilogy of books that featured a flying bike.

And this isn’t just some geeks dreaming inside of a 3D rendering program either. They plan to have their first prototype ready for test flights this August. They’ve worked out the calculations and four 10kW compact brushless electric motors should be enough to power the large 1300mm (51-inch) twin propellers in the front and back. Add in a couple of 3.5kW stabilized motors for the 650mm (25.5-inch) side blades and you’re in the air for three to five minutes at a time.

At least, that’s the idea. I wish them the best of luck, but at least put a helmet on that guy!

[Source]

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First, the futuristic-looking frame (3.53 pounds) is made from carbon fiber and it houses a touchscreen-equipped computer with WiFi, plus the necessary lithium-ion battery pack to power it. The wheels (1.32 pounds each) are made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Together, this keeps the weight down to just 46.3 pounds including the swappable battery and, thus, helps to make the e-bike more efficient. The motor peaks at 2.3kW for 250 Nm of torque.

Second, there are five “travel” modes on this e-bike. They range from getting you to rely on your pedal power alone to allowing you to cruise on electric power alone, the latter of which has a top speed of about 31mph. There are also two “wheelie” modes where the power is controlled to help you keep that front wheel in the air, offering better stability and balance.  No word on price or release date.

[Source]

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The company conceived the idea of adding an e-bike to their collection of cars after noting the increasing reliance of people on bicycles and scooters, especially in densely populated cities. This trend may be attributed to the advocacy of “carless” cities for the protection of the environment, and Ford is not just sitting complacently and waiting for the trend to pass them by.

The E-bike market has been growing rapidly which has inspired the concept by the Ford Design led by Executive Design Director Martin Smith. It’s designed to appeal to both men and women because it merges a modern yet sleek look that everybody would love.

The heart of the e-bike’s design is its strong but lightweight trapezoidal frame made out of carbon and aluminum.  It also boasts of its minimalist and clean look because the electric drive is concealed from view. The e–bike also has six spoke V-design wheels which lend a sophisticated overall appearance.

A motor in the front wheel and a lithium-ion battery power the electric drive of the e-bike, and when on a full charge, the bike can run up to 85km. An integrated controller and magnetostriction sensor technology convert magnetic energy into kinetic energy and vice versa, so the leg power of the cyclist is seamlessly integrated with the motor power.  Now we’ll just have to wait to see if Ford brings this to reality.

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I’m all for going green. If possible, it’d be great if more people took public transit and rode their bikes. However, because of the weather, a lot of commuters don’t want to ride their bikes in the rain. The Hase Klimax 2x fixes that with an optional portable rain cover.

What you see is basically a recumbent bike (it’s really a trike, since there are three wheels), but it is power-assisted. There is an electric motor there to, “assist users climbing hills or over logner stretches.” There are pedals too, if you want to make use of your own human power. That said, it’s the detachable rain cover that’ll save you on the ride to work.

The rain cover folds up when not in use, but it can also be set up quickly, unfolding around the user without the use of any tools. Toss on a poncho, some goggles and a helmet and you’re ready to brave the elements on the way to your downtown corner office. At least that’s the idea. Test rides are being offered in Europe, but I can’t seem to spot pricing info.

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Sometimes, you just can’t decide. Do you want a smooth and comfortable ride for cruising around the city doing errands? Or do you want a more aggressive bike so you can rip through the mountain pass and around the track? The idea with the Shavit electric motorcycle is that you can have both.

This concept by Eyal Melnik is being dubbed a “morphing” e-bike. The handlebars, footpads, and seat height are all independently adjustable. You can angle the seat upwards, nudge the footpads a little further back and push the handlebars down, giving you that race stance around the track. When you’re in town, you move those back and you’re sitting upright again.

It’s an interesting idea, to be sure. Considering that all cars have some level of adjustability, particularly for the seat and the steering wheel, I can’t see why motorcycles should be all that different. The Shavit just takes it a little further. You’ll also notice the lack of a conventional gas tank. This is an e-bike, after all, so I’m not so sure that it’d be a really fast sports bike as much as it would be a fun sporty bike. Check out how it would morph in the video.

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It seems retrofit bicycle motors are seeing a resurgence in the market, a point emphasised by the new EGO-Kit motor for mountain bikes.

As a product aimed at downhill mountainbiking, EGO-Kit is able to bypass legal upper limits for speed and power as they stand for conventional e-bikes. As such, the high-torque 48V motor offers 2400W of maximum power and a nominal 1200W with a top speed of 70 km/h (43 mph). An included lithium-iron phosphate backpack-worn battery gives a 40 km range on a single charge and recharges in 1.5-hours.

And the best part? The motor’s mounting bracket is compatible with 70 per cent of mountain bikes on the market today.

EGO-Kit’s idea is that the motor can replace a chair lift, bringing both the bike and its rider to the top of the mountain in the same fashion they get to the bottom; by riding the bike. The rider has the choice of either using the motor, assisting the motor or forgetting the motor as the throttle and pedals can work exclusively but won’t obstruct one another. What’s more, the low position of the motor when mounted is said to have little effect on the bike’s handling.

These retrofits are a great idea. Rather than putting out one electric bicycle and expecting thousands of consumers to flock to the same type and style, EGO-Kit and other motor makers allow already-avid cyclists to give their own bike a heavy upgrade. No hinderance to individuality. No sheep-like fad-fashion bikes, and no “in” or “out” periods. Just the power to bring your own trusty cycle to places you may not have been able to go before.

Keep ‘em coming, EGO-Kit. Maybe make the next one for mountainboards rather than mountainbikes, eh?

The EGO-Kit sells for 1,870 Euro ($2,520 USD). They will ship April 1st.

[via Ego Kits]

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