Ebike Industry Updates
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Citi Bike rental rates will increase for both members and nonmembers; the company blames high overhead due to the logistics of recharging.
Citi Bike’s e-bikes provide a great alternative to buying an e-bike for those who live in New York, but they are about to get a bit more expensive due to a new price increase. The convenience of a Citi Bike is considerable: Citi Bike riders don’t have to worry about security, range or charging.
Citi Bike has already imposed one rate increase this year, taking the cost up to $0.20/minute and now the rate will increase by another 20 percent, to $0.24/minute. That’s the cost for members who pay an annual membership fee of $199/year (Lyft Pink) or $219.99/year (Citi Bike). For those who aren’t members, the cost will also rise by 20 percent, from $0.30/minute to $0.36/minute.
Citi Bike blames the price increases on high overhead due to the fact that the docks do not charge the e-bikes. When a Citi Bike’s battery runs low, it must be picked up by staff, driven to a warehouse where it is charged, and then returned to a dock.
Battery swapping would seem to alleviate this issue, but Citi Bike says that battery swapping has proven to be more expensive than anticipated.
Electric dirt bikes are known for being significantly quieter than their gas-powered counterparts. Here are some key points about their noise levels: Noise Level ComparisonElectric Dirt BikesNoise Output: Typically around 65-70 decibels (dB) at a distance of 15 meters.Source of Noise: Primarily from the electric motor and drivetrain, which is much ...
Electric dirt bike displays are essential components that provide riders with critical information and control over their riding experience. Here's a breakdown of the key features and types of displays found on electric dirt bikes: Key Features of Electric Dirt Bike DisplaysSpeedometerDisplays the current speed of the bike, usually in miles per hou...
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Thanks to a 1040Wh battery and the addition of a torque sensor, Magicycle estimates that the Ocelot Pro 2.0 can offer as much as 120 mi. of range.
Magicycle has updated their powerful step-thru e-bike, the Ocelot Pro with the launch of the Ocelot Pro 2.0. The new version of the Ocelot Pro comes in a maroon color and improves upon several features of the existing Ocelot Pro.
The basics of the Magicycle Ocelot Pro remain unchanged. This is a Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike with a potential top assist speed of 28 mph. The 52V, brushless, geared hub motor produces 750W (1500W max) with a sizable 100Nm of torque. Powering the motor is a 52V, 20 Ah (1040Wh) battery. It is still equipped with a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors.
The big change is that the Magicycle Ocelot Pro 2.0 comes standard with a torque sensor. This change alone has allowed Magicycle to increase their range estimate for their 52V, 20Ah (1040Wh) battery from 100 mi. up to 120 mi. on a single charge.
Magicycle still includes a 12-magnet cadence sensor with the Magicycle Ocelot Pro 2.0. This gives riders the choice between a motor which responds to pedal input immediately, but requires more effort from the rider to hit top speed. The cadence sensor provides a steadier power output and can provide a greater degree of assistance to riders.
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Designer Sergii Gordieiev made special wheels with slippers at the ends of the spokes to create the world’s first slipper bike.
Some slippers are so comfy that you wish you could wear them all the time, be it to work, a wedding—or on your bike. Sergii Gordieiev took that idea literally (not metaphorically) and made a bike that rolls on—you guessed it—slippers!
In his YouTube video, Gordieiev adapts wheel hubs with the addition of steel rods and plates to sandwich the slippers (which feature the face of Jake the Dog from the cartoon Adventure Time). After welding everything together, he mounts the slipper wheels on his mountain bike and takes off.
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Florida offers a variety of electric dirt bike trails that cater to different skill levels and preferences. Here are some of the best trails for electric dirt biking in the state: 1. Croom Motorcycle Area (Croom OHV Park)Location: Brooksville, FLFeatures: This popular off-highway vehicle (OHV) park offers over 2,600 acres of diverse terrain, includ...
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Bosch continues to increase the range and sophistication of the features in their Smart System.
New advancements with the Smart System include the ability to integrate electronic shifting systems from Shimano and TRP so that a Bosch-equipped e-bike can automatically change gears when the rider needs it. The Bosch eBike Flow App can be used to specify exactly when the drivetrain shifts.
Bosch has also added artificial intelligence to its mapping and route-finding features. Range Control allows a rider to plan a route and then for the eBike Flow app to display the remaining range more precisely once the rider reaches their destination. Riders can even set a minimum battery level they want when they reach their destination. That means that the commuter who can’t recharge at work can set Range Control to not drop below a 55 percent charge upon reaching work, ensuring they will have enough battery to reach home. The Smart System adjusts the assistance level as necessary to give the rider as much support as possible while maintaining the minimum battery level upon reaching the destination. A rider can also choose their arrival time when planning a route and the Smart System will tell them when they need to depart. The Smart System also recommends routes that are appropriate to cycling based on road surface, gradient and other factors.
Other recent Bosch innovations include a new mode, Eco+. This new mode keeps riding as close to traditional cycling as possible by leaving the motor turned off until a rider-selected threshold is reached; the threshold can be customized in the eBike Flow App. Eco+ helps to extend range for riders.
The eBike Flow App also allows riders to customize the Purion 200 display, choosing just what data points can be displayed in select display tiles. E-bikes equipped with Bosch’s ABS system will now be able to view statistics regarding the system, such as how much braking was performed with the system on a ride, vs. without.
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Minneapolis, Davis California, and Mackinac Island, Michigan topped People for Bikes’ annual list of the best communities for cycling in the U.S.
Each year People for Bikes comes out with their list of the best places to ride. To avoid unfair comparisons, PFB groups communities into those with a population of fewer than 50,000 people (small), those with 50,000 to 300,000 residents (medium) and those with more than 300,000 residents (large). They also rate international cities.
Communities are scored on a 100-point scale and the select 10 per category. The criteria for selection are designated by the acronym SPRINT: Save speeds, Protected bike lanes, Reallocated space for cycling, Intersection treatments, Network connections and Trusted data.
2024’s Best Cities for Bicycling
Small Cities (<50,000 population)
Mackinac Island, Michigan: 99Provincetown, Massachusetts: 96Harbor Springs, Michigan: 92Springdale, Utah: 89Washburn, Wisconsin: 89Fort Yates, North Dakota: 88Crested Butte, Colorado: 87Blue Diamond, Nevada: 85Murdock, Nebraska: 84Sewanee, Tennessee: 83Medium Cities (50,000-300,000 population)
Davis, California: 78Cambridge, Massachusetts: 72Berkeley, California: 71Boulder, Colorado: 70Corvallis, Oregon: 70Ankeny, Iowa: 70Ames, Iowa: 66Anchorage, Alaska: 64Hoboken, New Jersey: 62Grand Forks, North Dakota: 61Large Cities (>300,000 population)
Minneapolis, Minnesota: 71Seattle, Washington: 65San Francisco, California: 64St. Paul, Minnesota: 61Portland, Oregon: 59Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 58New York City, New York: 56Washington, D.C.: 46Denver, Colorado: 46Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 46International Cities
The Hague, Netherlands: 89Brussels, Belgium: 87Paris, France: 87Lyon, France: 86Utrecht, Netherlands: 86Leuven, Belgium: 85Munich, Germany: 85Amsterdam, Netherlands: 85Almere, Netherlands: 85Eindhoven, Netherlands: 85Sponsor
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Nevada offers a variety of scenic and challenging trails for electric dirt bike enthusiasts. The state's diverse terrain, ranging from desert landscapes to mountainous regions, provides numerous options for riders of all skill levels. Here are some of the best electric dirt bike trails in Nevada: 1. Moon RocksLocation: Near RenoDescription: Known f...
Let’s get the basics out of the way. The Smith Payroll features Smith’s exclusive Zonal Koroyd material, which is an energy-absorbing material made up of plastic tubes that are welded together. Think of the material as a box of soda straws all glued together, side-by-side. It provides terrific compressive strength, but absorbs energy through plastic deformation—a kind of crumple zone for your head.
The Smith Payroll also uses MIPS to protect the rider’s head from rotational forces should they fall. Both Koroyd and MIPS are technologies that protect beyond what is needed for the Payroll to meet NTA8776, CPSC, CE EN 1078 and AS/NZS2063.
Of note is the NTA8776 certification, which is the standard helmets must meet for Class 3 e-bike use. The Payroll features an integrated skeletal structure that functions as a roll cage for the wearer.
There are a couple of features we like about the Smith Payroll that give it an appeal beyond what we see with many helmets. The most significant among these is that because the Payroll is aimed at mountain bike and eMTB riders, it features greater coverage at the back of the rider’s head, giving the rider increased protection in the event of a fall in which the back of the helmet strikes first. The helmet also offers a bit more forehead coverage than some helmets.
Electric dirt bikes have seen numerous innovations over recent years, driven by advancements in technology and a growing interest in environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional combustion engines. Here are some of the most notable innovations: 1. Advanced Battery TechnologyHigh-Energy Density Batteries: The use of lithium-ion and solid-sta...
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There’s no telling when you’ll need to pick up a friend on the way to the ride location or rescue someone who has run into a bigger mechanical than they can fix on the ride.
The Hollywood Racks Destination E hitch rack has more range than most. In a world full of one-size-doesn’t-actually-fit-all, this hitch rack can accommodate everything from a 70-lb. cargo e-bike down to a BMX bike, not to mention any e-bike with tires up to 4.5-in. wide.
While the versatility of this bike rack was the star of the show for us, it also scores well in the affordable and reliable boxes, making it worthy of a look for any e-biker in the market.
Electric bikes (e-bikes) have gained popularity globally due to their convenience, environmental benefits, and efficiency. Here are some regions and cities where e-bikes are particularly popular: EuropeNetherlandsCities: Amsterdam, UtrechtHighlights: Known for its cycling culture, the Netherlands has embraced e-bikes for commuting and leisure. Exte...
Electric dirt bikes, with their unique power delivery and use in off-road conditions, experience specific patterns of tire wear and tear. Here are some key factors and tips to manage tire wear on electric dirt bikes: Factors Influencing Tire WearTerrainRough and Rocky: Riding on rocky or gravelly terrain can cause rapid wear on the tire tread and p...
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The Amflow PL Carbon features a proprietary motor called Avinox that produces 850W at max and a whopping 105Nm of torque, and that’s before setting it to Boost mode.
Not to overstate things, but in a world full of disruptions, this new motor is going to disrupt the eMTB market.
The Avinox drive unit looks like a typical 250W mid-drive motor. It’s not, though. This mid-drive may produce 250W nominally, but its peak power output is 850W with a massive 105Nm of torque. That is, that’s the peak output until you put set the controller to Boost mode in which peak power output jumps to 1000W and torque climbs to 120Nm. Despite all that power, this is still a Class 1 motor with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph. It weighs just 2.5kg (5.5 lbs.), giving it one of the highest power-to-weight ratios on the market.
Amflow produces the PL Carbon in two different versions. The Amflow PL Carbon is made in four sizes and features 150mm of travel. In spec, the Amflow PL Carbon comes with the Avinox drive unit, an 800Wh battery, Fox Float Performance shock and Fox 36 Performance fork and a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with Magura MT-5 4-piston calipers matched with 203mm rotors. Maxxis tires, an alloy bar and KS dropper post.
The Amflow PL Carbon Pro features the same frame and Avinox motor, but upgrades the Fox Float Performance to a Fox Float X Factory and the fork to a Flox 36 Factory. Riders are given a choice between a lighter 600Wh battery and the 800Wh battery. The drivetrain goes to SRAM’s X0 Eagle transmission with a wireless AXS Pod controller. The bar is upgraded to carbon fiber and an adjustable-travel Fox Transfer dropper post.
Early Beginnings of Electric Dirt Bikes The development of electric dirt bikes is rooted in the broader evolution of electric motorcycles, influenced by the need for sustainable transportation and advancements in battery technology. 1970s-1980s: Conceptual Phase Early Prototypes: The idea of electric motorcycles, including dirt bikes, began to take...
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The ZF CentriX Drive is a surprisingly lightweight system with up to 600W and 90Nm of power output, while offering powerful 48V circuitry.
The ZF CentriX Drive is a mid-drive motor that can produce up to 90Nm of torque and a maximum power output of 600W. Those are solid numbers but what is even more impressive is that the CentriX Drive weighs just 2.5kg (5.5 lbs.). In fact, ZF makes two different versions of the CentriX Drive, the CentriX 90, which produces up to 600W and 90Nm of torque and the CentriX 75, which produces up to 450W and 75Nm of torque.
The motors can be configured with either a 504Wh or 756Wh battery. ZF also produces a controller, a color display, a top-tube-mounted power button and a smartphone app.
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Bakcou, whose name comes from backcountry, has introduced an electric scooter with wheels and tires big enough to go offroad. The Timberwolf has a 24-in. wheel in front, with a 20-in. wheel in the rear. The tires are 4-in.-wide knobbies, perfect for going offroad.
It is equipped with not one, but two, 750W Bafang hub motors. They are powered by a whopping 1008Wh battery, which seems huge (okay, it is objectively huge), but considering that it is powering two motors rather than one, and considering that most riders will be using the throttle full-time, range won’t be as enormous as you might expect. Bakcou indicates a top speed of 20+ mph, which suggests it has a mode that will allow it to go faster than 20 mph, but they don’t go into detail on the site.
Bakcou specs a GT MRK coil-spring suspension fork with 110mm of travel to help soak up the bumps so your knees don’t have to do all the work. Because of the deck you stand on, ground clearance is an issue for the Timberwolf in a way it is not with an e-bike. It offers 6 in. of clearance below the deck, which means that any rocks or roots someone rides over will, hopefully, be less than 6 in. tall.
It features Tektro hydraulic disc brakes both front and rear and they are matched with 203mm rotors, which is the largest size you can get for an e-bike. This e-scooter won’t have any trouble stopping—as long as it’s on solid ground.
The max load for the Bakcou Timberwolf is 320 lbs., though they say that depends on the terrain. Reading between the lines, that suggests that on a steep enough uphill, the two motors may not be able to produce enough torque to move that much weight. The weight of the scooter is a factor in this. Because it has that ginormous battery and two motors, it weighs 90 lbs. Should you need to pick it up, removing the battery will drop the weight to 79 lbs.
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Shimano’s new update allows more boost, smoother power cutoff and adjustable carryover assist.
The best part? This is available to everyone with an e-bike equipped with the EP801 motor. This is possible because the changes come in the form of a firmware update.
The biggest change this firmware update gives riders is more power in Boost mode. Shimano says riders will be able to reach a 400 percent assist ratio with ease—making the most of the EP801’s 600W max output. This means a more immediate response to pedal input and improved acceleration, as well as max torque on command.
For anyone who has ever been annoyed by the way their motor shut off once they reached its maximum assist speed, this update allows riders to customize the manner in which the power ends. Whether someone wants max power right up to cutoff or they want it to taper off to give them some warning, the motor’s behavior can be tailored to your preference.
Shimano says the most exciting new feature is the extended assist carryover. How long the motor continues to produce power after the rider stops pedaling can now be adjusted according to the rider’s needs based on terrain, race-specific needs or the rider’s riding style and what feels natural.
Hauling multiple bikes in your truck without them toppling over, scratching each other, or causing a tangled mess is a real struggle. Finding the perfect tailgate pad that fits your truck and can securely carry up to six bikes without damage seems almost unheard of.
Ever wonder what happens when you walk into a bike shop and grab any ol’ tailgate pad without doing any research? You might end up with a tailgate pad on a full-size truck that was probably made for a mid-size. Ask me how I know.
Picture a fat guy in a little coat (RIP Chris Farley).
Sure, he’s wearing a coat, but the sleeves are too short, and if he sneezes, some seams might split. Does it bother me? Yes, every day. Don’t be like me.
Determined not to make that mistake again, I was pumped to see the Saris 6-Bike Tailgate Pad come across my desk for testing.
