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01-31-2007, 11:04 AM

OldGirl wrote:
> A couple of clarifications:
>
> 1. There is a federal law that states that if a bicycle has an electric
> motor and is limited to a top speed of 20 mph, it is a considered a bicycle.
> This preempts the state laws. Some states have a broader definition, some
> require pedals some don't. But in all 50 states an electric bike limited to
> 20 mph is a bike.
>
> 2. There is an electric bike currently capable of going 100 miles on a
> charge (if you count the main battery plus auxiliary batteries). The rider
> has to make a significant pedalling contribution for the charge to last that
> long, and fully loaded with auxiliary batteries it weighs about 75 lbs, but
> it does pretty much look like a mountain bike. Here is the link:
> http://www.optibike.com/
>
>
I took a look and can say that the bike looks less than ideal. If it has
a motorized bottom bracket then there is no possibility for regenerative
braking, which is a big NO-NO in the electric world. They are also
making flaky claims like it was in a 103 mile ride, but (small print)
with a battery change.
The marketing guys are burying the truth in hype, as usual.
Bill Baka

01-31-2007, 11:04 AM	#46 (permalink)
Bill Baka Guest Posts: n/a	Re: electric bikes on centuries OldGirl wrote: > A couple of clarifications: > > 1. There is a federal law that states that if a bicycle has an electric > motor and is limited to a top speed of 20 mph, it is a considered a bicycle. > This preempts the state laws. Some states have a broader definition, some > require pedals some don't. But in all 50 states an electric bike limited to > 20 mph is a bike. > > 2. There is an electric bike currently capable of going 100 miles on a > charge (if you count the main battery plus auxiliary batteries). The rider > has to make a significant pedalling contribution for the charge to last that > long, and fully loaded with auxiliary batteries it weighs about 75 lbs, but > it does pretty much look like a mountain bike. Here is the link: > http://www.optibike.com/ > > I took a look and can say that the bike looks less than ideal. If it has a motorized bottom bracket then there is no possibility for regenerative braking, which is a big NO-NO in the electric world. They are also making flaky claims like it was in a 103 mile ride, but (small print) with a battery change. The marketing guys are burying the truth in hype, as usual. Bill Baka