Revopower Bicycles

[SuperGLS]

I was watching Invention Nation (http://science.discovery.com/fansites/invention-nation/invention-nation.html) last night and they visited the people behind Revopower (http://www.revopower.com) bicycle wheels. They've managed to fit a motor inside of a normal 26" bicycle wheel. Pretty cool stuff I think. I know there are a lot of cyclists here so I was wondering your take on this. I'd certainly be more inclined to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation if I had this technology. $600 doesn't seem like a bad deal to me.

[hyunelan2]

Unfortunately, some states (like New Jersey) don't allow for any gas-powered modifications to bicycles. Putting that aside, I wonder what the weight vs. power benefit is? That is, is the engine powerful enough to make up for the added weight of the bicycle? (note: once you start talking to people who are really into cycling, 20 pounds is way too much for the entire bike to weigh - this engine thingie is 15 pounds by itself).

Power assisted bicycles are nothing new, but normally they are the electric variety, using rechargeable batteries. These technologies are not really made so you can ride a bike like a motorcycle, but to make it easier to pedal. Longer distance or 'sweatless' commuting are where the motor assisted bikes are commonly used.

It is neat that it is an application that can be applied to just about any mountain/commuter/hybrid bike. I would like to ride one and see what it was like. It would never make me want to put it on one of the lightweight performance road bikes I have/want, but if it worked well and we came into a fuel crisis, I'd consider putting one on a beater-MTB frame for running errands and stuff.

[Ugzz]

that is one cool idea.
as said above, id like to see it in a practical application and test it out. i dont even ride much at all, but if i had something like that id be tempted to start taking that to and from work instead of my car..

[mtlelantra]

Uhhh, if it were for the rear wheel, then it might be cool for commuting.
FWD- that's for cars... You're just asking to kill yourself with a FWD motorized bicycle.

[hyunelan2]

I don't think so. The motor is only good for 17mph, which is less than what I average using old-fashioned pedal power. The motor doesn't start until you start moving, so it's not like you can 'peel out' and throw out the front end from under you.

EDIT: And you still pedal too, so it's more like AWD than FWD. haha, AWD bicycle, that's funny to me.

[KeWLKaT]

Uhhh, if it were for the rear wheel, then it might be cool for commuting.
FWD- that's for cars... You're just asking to kill yourself with a FWD motorized bicycle.

Most bikes I've seen with the electric assistance are FWD too.

People who would buy this would probably be old/lazy folks (not offending, just stating the obvious), and I wouldn't want to see what would happen if they just lurched backwards because of the RWD.

EDIT: And you still pedal too, so it's more like AWD than FWD. haha, AWD bicycle, that's funny to me.

:abovelol:

[SuperGLS]

I think people like Rob and I who wouldn't normally use a bicycle for transportation would be the key target. It seems to be it would be more popular in urban/suburban areas where you can go to the grocery store, the library, the starbucks, the blockbuster, and the pet store within a mile or two from each other.

Also, on the show they mentioned that they would like to make the wheel available for people outside of the US where bicycles are more commonly used for transportation and in developing nations where people can't afford traditional motorized vehicles.

On a previous episode they went to a place that was making bicycle frames out of bamboo. Cheap, strong, and it grows very quickly. The idea here was for use in developing nations as well. It was pretty cool.

[hyunelan2]

If you are interested in some other neat things that were done with bicycles, check out the recently finished "innovate or die" contest that was a joint venture between Specialized Bicycles and Google. http://cdn.specialized.com/bc/microsite/innovate/innovate.html

[Frick]

The weight of the bike is a huge issue for road racers and mountain bikers. But not so much for downhill racers and moderate riders. My bike weighs almost 31lbs, but I don't think it is awful. The bigger difference for me is tires, I have mountain bike tires that I can hear humming when I ride on pavement, that is a huge loss of energy.

I don't think this is a terrible idea for some one who wants a bike as a simple mode of transportation.

[mtlelantra]

The motor doesn't start until you start moving, so it's not like you can 'peel out' and throw out the front end from under you.

It's the front wheel traction on cornering. The weight probably helps hold it down, but having experienced losing the front end while cornering on a bike, it's not a fun experience. I wouldn't suggest anything that could assist in breaking front wheel traction on a bike.

Most bikes I've seen with the electric assistance are FWD too.

Most I've seen are RWD, like the iZip bikes.

[getfuzzd]

The weight of the bike is a huge issue for road racers and mountain bikers. But not so much for downhill racers and moderate riders. My bike weighs almost 31lbs, but I don't think it is awful. The bigger difference for me is tires, I have mountain bike tires that I can hear humming when I ride on pavement, that is a huge loss of energy.

I don't think this is a terrible idea for some one who wants a bike as a simple mode of transportation.


I have these (http://www.maxxis.com/products/bicycle/product_detail.asp?id=79) on my beater bike.

[SuperGLS]

That's some cool stuff Mike. Thanks for the link.

Right, I think we should keep in mind this wheel would be best suited for use in bicycles used for transportation, not sporting or exercise or pleasure riding.