Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: SteveC#222 on December 15, 2009, 11:32:15 PM
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I know there are a few cyclists amongst you lot so what do you think to this?
(http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/07/0729_IDEA_awards_transportation/image/4_erockit.jpg)
ErockIT 50mph bicycle (http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/blike-cycling-blog/2009/07/erockit-electric-assisted-bicy.html)
I think it's fantastic..I want one! Shame about the 30,000 Euro price tag! :o
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Well it looks and sounds a good idea until you hit the price tag £££££. You could do your cbt and buy a 125 plus all your gear for £1,500. I say save yourself 28,000 euro. then you can travel at 70mph?
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Well it looks and sounds a good idea until you hit the price tag £££££. You could do your cbt and buy a 125 plus all your gear for £1,500. I say save yourself 28,000 euro. then you can travel at 70mph?
That's the big problem :-\. It's a great shame as I think the concept is genius, but the silly price - which to be fair probably reflects the R&D costs, means it will only ever be bought as a 'toy' by the well heeled. If it could be mass produced and the cost reduced to a realistic level - even if that was around the £2K mark - I'm sure they would sell by the truck load. It would be the answer to a lot of peoples daily commute and after the initial purchase cost, running costs would probably be not much more than a bicycle. Sadly I think its destined for the bin of great ideas that never made it :-[
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Saw one of those at the TT this year, parked up in the alternative fuel paddock (read electric). Very narrow and well designed.
What would be the alternative fuel version of a Thumper ? Can there be such a thing ?
Richard
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i don't really get the idea of having pedals on it.
looking at it, it must be a minimum of 80kg (sorry about using metric but bike weights are the only thing i use kg for) probably more. this is only an issue when the electric runs out, then you have an 80kg bicycle..........
bullet350
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They always make me think of the early motorcycle pioneers.
Bicycle style frames, pedal assistance, underpowered engines awaiting further development. At least the brakes will work.
They will move on and there will no doubt be fun to be had on the way there.
Richard
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i don't really get the idea of having pedals on it.
looking at it, it must be a minimum of 80kg (sorry about using metric but bike weights are the only thing i use kg for) probably more. this is only an issue when the electric runs out, then you have an 80kg bicycle..........
bullet350
As I understand it, the pedals work as an accelerator - the faster you pedal the faster you go and this is multiplied by the 'engine' it also recharges the battery as you pedal. It weighs 110kg probably mostly the battery, but with 50mph on tap, you want a certain amount of weight for stability - I've been on a conventional bicycle at about 43mph ( big gear, big downhill, backwind)...VERY scary!!
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i've noticed a few electric scooters around london recently. not some silly hemp-trousered hippy type contraption, but something a lot like a bergman. they're f-in quick off the line (i was on a c90 though) and seem like a proper scooter.
bullet350
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i've noticed a few electric scooters around london recently. not some silly hemp-trousered hippy type contraption, but something a lot like a bergman. they're f-in quick off the line (i was on a c90 though) and seem like a proper scooter.
bullet350
Electric motors give maximum torque from standstill so they are quick off the mark. Top Gear tested a Lotus Elise against an American Elise based electric car in a drag race and the electric car thrashed the petrol motor!