Electric Bikes -N- Scooters Blog

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When you consider the slew of electric bike companies that are in the market today, you really have to appreciate the care and technological research that goes into building a unit.  Not too long ago, mainstream electric bicycle companies were a minority and there we few clear leaders.

One of the leaders in the new arena of e-bikes, was Currie Electric Bikes.   Predominantly, Currie had two distinct strains of bikes, the Izip and Ezip lines that were good, stable products in the market.  Today, Currie Technologies is clearly taking the lead in the production and sale of electric bikes and now, you can actually purchase these bikes directly from the company instead of going through a dealer.

Today, the Currie Electric Bike has evolved along with the company, and the Izip Express is a very good example of this.  This is a human assist e-bike (or an electric assist bike,  whichever way you would like  to look at it) that uses  the EVO Assist,  a high torque Currie electric bike motor.  Just to be clear, the electric motor assists you as you pedal, creating plenty of power as you do.  This feature allows you to bike with minimum effort.   This also includes climbing hills and tackling different types of slopes and headwinds as if it were very easy.    This is possible because the Evo Assist 2.0 is a 750 watt powerhouse that is fed electricity byway of a 36 Volt 8 Amp battery pack.

This powerful system will give you somewhere around 20 plus mile per hour speeds (32+ kilometers per hour) and a range of approximately 31 miles for a person that is under the recommended weight of 240 lbs. ( I wonder when they are going to make an electric bike for people over that weight!)

I think one of the cool things about the Currie Electric Bikes that are on the market today is that they have a device called a Cadence Sensor, which automatically detects human power and adjusts itself according to your needs.  So imagine you are starting to ride out of your driveway and your wife starts to chase you because you didn’t wash the dishes like she told you to.  No problem, just start pumping your legs and the EVO Assist on the bike will take you briskly to the bowling alley, adjusting to the amount of effort you put into the system.  (Not that this has ever happened to me.)  There is even a power boost built into the system to get you out of those real tight situations.

The Izip Express also carries other high quality features such as double wall alloy rims, stainless steel spokes, tires that are double shield puncture – protected, and a host of other high quality features too long to list here.

To find out more about the Izip Express and the entire line of high – quality Currie Electric Bikes, go to this link:

Currie Electric Bikes

One of the most important facets of electric scooters and ebikes is battery capacity.  Over the last 10 years there has been some brilliant advancement in the technology behind the batteries and their capacity.  The one thing that you must keep in mind with electric bikes is battery capacity, because it may take some time before technology can improve batteries to the point where they can compete with gas.  As I just said, battery capacity is the key.  The more efficient the entire system is the greater the distance and longer the charge will last you.

Now for some tips on how you can save energy and reduce the battery output of your electric bicycles charging system.

Here are several basic ways you can add power and recapture energy with your electric bicycle

1. Pedaling – There are some models of electric bicycles on the market that allow you to charge the batteries while pedaling.  The concept is pretty basic, as you pedal the e-bike the power is generated and sent back into the batteries.  Of course, this means that you will be pedaling and that while you are charging the pedaling may become harder because of the drag due to a heavier bike and the generator creates more drag as well.  However don’t despair, because if you get to a hill you can use the second method of generating electricity for your electric bicycle which is ….
2. Coasting – Some ebikes have systems that can recharge while you coast on an ebike. The downside to this method, however is that you can’t generate very much electricity using this method because you obviously need to climb a hill to be able to ride down it and generate the electricity and the amount of energy you will spend as well as the slope down will determine how much electricity is generated and stored into the batteries.
3. Regenerative Breaking – Now, believe it or not, one of the best methods of charging your batteries outside of plugging the darned thing into the wall is by regenerated breaking. Quite simply, this method stores electricity into your batteries by using the breaks.  Some of the electric powered cars of the 1990’s had this option, but since the electric car pretty much got squelched, some of the advancements in the technology got shelved and was not improved upon.  Once again, there is a downside to this system and that is you don’t normally ride on your breaks.  So, once again, there is a limited amount of energy that you will be able to create using this method.
4. Motor Generating-Last, but certainly not least, is the system of recapturing energy by doing so while the motor is running.  However, this method of generating electricity is in the experimental/ development phase right now.  Hopefully, by the end of the next decade we will have something like this to look forward to.  If it becomes a reality, then the electric bikes and scooters will be greatly enhanced and electric biking and electric scooter use will be something that will be very desirable in most households.

We have only to wait and look forward to the future!

It’s rare when I can get my wife enthused about an electric bike.  Yesterday, when I showed her the picture of the Giant Twist Freedom Electric Bike she said the usual, “eh”.  However, when I told her that it has a dual lithium  battery system that enabled this electric bike to have a range of around 75 miles, she said, “I want one!”  I really didn’t expect that type of reaction, much less the fact that when I mentioned that the bike was retailing for right around $2200 she still said she wanted one.

Not only is the distance and the price impressive, but the Twist Freedom has a whole set of features that will set it apart from the heard of ebikes coming out over the next several years.  I should be noted right from the start though, that this isn’t an electric scooter, because the 350 watt motor won’t kick in unless you are pedaling.  Having said that I should also tell you that even though that might look like a strike against an electric bicycle of this stature, the Twist Freedom has as smooth a ride as any electric scooter or unassisted electric cycle.  The reason for this is because it has seven gears and three different modes that allow you to ride without having to barely pedal or pump at all.

From the people I have interviewed that have actually taken a ride on this ebike, the freedom twist is a very, very comfortable ride due to its plush seats with seat post suspension underneath.  The Freedom Twist also has comfortable hand grips and handlebars that make the ride sweet without sweat.

When you add up all of these factors, the Giant Freedom Twist Electric bike is an excellent choice for commuters that want to beat the gas prices that are probably going to be going again soon.

ELMO

Since I started this Blog several years ago I have noticed that electric bikes as well as electric scooters have gotten more advanced and more beautiful in their designs.  I recently read an article wherein and electric had a system that could carry a person almost 75 miles on a single charge. (The company that I am speaking of is the Giant Bike company.)  Although I have not had time to examine or verify this claim, I must say that it would not surprise me.  There seems to be no limit to the new advances and design work on electric bikes over the last several years.

One of the newer bikes that i would like to highlight today in my Blog is a light electric bike that is made in Germany and is considered to be a LEV or light electric vehicle and released on the market in Europe this year.  The name of this company is the ELMOTO company.

Apparently the ELMOTO H2  made a big splash at the European International Bike Trade Show (IFMA) last year in Cologne, Germany where it’s design, features and abilities were on display for all of the lucky individuals in attendance.

Built on an aluminum frame, the ELMOTO H2 can use 33 pounds of torque while being powered by a brushless motor (1.7kW).  This means that the ELMOTO H2 can get you speeds of up to about 33 miles per hour and utilizing a state of the art lithium battery pack system you can get a range of about 35 to 40 miles depending on the terrain.  The recharge on this units batteries can usually take up to 2 hours.

The bike has a beautiful look to it while supplying the rider with tough durability.  The tires are Schwalbe “Crazy Bob Tires” which means that ELMOTO is using a state of the art “flatless” tire system.  These types of high end items and accessories are what drives the price but giving the company the ability to justify it with the quality that the features carry.  With a Marzocchi front suspension system as well the ebike’s price taps in at about $5000.00 which, quite honestly will put off most any ebike hobbyist, but if you are an enthusiast withj deep pockets and a need for incredible performance, the ELMOTO H2 is the electric bicycle for you.

The ELMOTO H2 should be making its debut in the North American market in 2010.

Man, am I beat today!  I went hiking through Daniel Boone National Forest yesterday for 4 hours and most of it was up hill.  Ginny the Electric Bike Doggy, loved every minute of it as she waded through creeks and got to run off of the leash for a bit. It was a fun, yet exhausting day.  Got home, the wife and I cooked up some salmon, and before I knew it was was in the recliner watching reruns of The Office!  Anyway, it was a beautiful day and the weather was very cool for July, here, in Kentucky.

The Beautiful Matra MS1 Electric Bicycle

Every time I do research for electric bikes or electric scooters, I am amazed at how quickly the technology jumps ahead in such an impressive manner. The bikes look like they are designed with the end in mind, which is, of course, developing electric bikes that actually work well for the 21st century, instead of barely getting by, like e-bikes and e-scooters did back several years ago.  If I were to point to an electric bike that I thought was really embracing this idea, I would have to point out the Matra MS1 electric bike by the French company Matra Sports.

This Matra MS 1 not only looks like it is very slickly designed, but it can also deliver on performance.  In addition to the miles that you can go peddling on this exquisite e-bike, you can get up to almost 60 miles while achieving speeds of up to 30 miles an hour.  The bike touts regenerative disc brakes which helps to increase battery life and there is an LCD screen to show you speed, distance, electric power status and other information.  However, there is a downside to this awesome electric bicycle and that is its price tag.  In the U.S. you can expect to pay somewhere around $5000 for this incredible machine.  My way of looking at price, though is that if you want the type of high quality that this type of electric bike can deliver, then you will pay the price, but it is a sure bet that it will be worth it.

ELMO

Leggo my eGo!

Here is a slick electric scooter that is on the world market, that has a very impressive Web site as well as an impressive electric scooter.  These scooters are a great way to get around, whether you are on a commute, or on the road just for fun.  They carry a 25 mile range and are light and easy to park.

Actually, this would be a great electric bike or electric scooter to have on a college campus.  It could easily get you from one side of te University to the other. But you’ll probably have to chain it down real good because it would be a very sought after vehicle.

Apparently, the e-bike is Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant, but because it looks like a pretty light vehicle, you can probably ride it on a sidewalk , provided you watch where you are going.  Also, this electric bike / electric scooter has a storage compartment on it so you can easily store groceries, books or a brief case in it.

eGo offers three versions of this electric scooter; the LX, the Classic and the SE.  Each one of these electric bikes offer a different scooter for a different set of circumstances.  The SE is their top of the line offering the maximum in features and comfort.  the other two are their standard models to daily commuting and erreand running.

All three of the electric scooters are in the $1500 to $2500 modest price range for a high quality scooter of this nature. To read more about the eGo go to this link:

eGo Electric Scooter

Other Links of interest:

Veloteq Electric Bikes

The Brammo Enertia Electric Scooter

The Vectrix VX-1 Electric Scooter

CNN’s Top 8 Electric Scooters

The HCF Pacelite

The Zap Zapino Electric Scooter

The HCF Pacelite 737 Electric Scooter

The Brammo Enertia Electric Powered Scooter

Happy New Year 2009 rom Electric Bikes -n- Scooters

We just want to say to all of you electric bike & electric scooter fans out there, Happy New Year 2009 and we hope you’ll stay connected to our site when looking for information on E-Bikes and E-Scooters this year!

God Bless!

ELMO

P.S. The image above was a Photoshop composite of many images.  I guess you could say that it is my vision of electric bikes or electric scooters of the future!

We are now down to he wire! Only one more day until the jolly fat man comes down the chimney (and we are not referring to any of your relatives). One of the quickest solutions is to purchase a cheap electric scooter or one of the best Razor electric  bikes for sale this Christmas before it is too late.  Razor makes small, electric mini bikes that look like a mini speed bike but it is is a lot of fun.  The Razor “Pocket Rocket” is a blast for any kid that can fit on this small, fun bike which is actually recommended for young people 12 and up.  The only caveat being that the child on the bike not exceed 150 lbs.

The Razor Pocket Rocket can hit about 15 miles an hour with just a twist of the grip throttle and this electric bike can give you up to 45 minutes of zooming pleasure before you have to charge up again.  It also touts aluminum rims with pneumatic tires.  These Razor electric bikes are just the thing to impress all of your kids friends with its padded racing seat, sleek features and racing red color.

So, before it is really too late, get your hands on the Razor Pocket Rocket electric bike and give your kid a gift that will put a thrill into their lives!

Other related articles from this blog:

The Best Electric Bikes Part 1

The Best Kids Electric Scooters Part IV