SANYO Giving Test Rides of Eneloop eBike at CES

[Jason M. Hendler]

SANYO Giving Test Rides of Eneloop eBike at CES

Link

[misslexi]

There's not a lot I can find in the "real world" department for this bike, even the resellers are parroting Sanyo press releases.

In any event, I don't care what battery they put in it, a 250W direct drive, brushless DC, front wheel hub motor is not going to turn any real hill into a flat spot.

The charge-while-you-ride claim leaves a lot to the imagination since they don't spell out quite how it works. As long as charging is the result of proceeding downhill or braking then fine, I don't want even one calorie of my hard work pedaling being used to charge a battery.

I do like that they make the whole package work with only 5.7AH of battery which will save weight. From what I recall the battery technology moves things closer to the supercap side of things where even microcharging opportunities can be exploited.

For the price, I'd avoid this thing and go straight for the bike of my choice with a BionX system. I'd end up about the same out of pocket, with a system that blows the Eneloop out of the water.

[hermperez]

can grandmas handle more than 250w on a bike?.. Perhaps if they electronically limit the speed.

[misslexi]

my grandma rode a Harley

[George S. Bower]

I just got this bike and have been riding it for 2 days. It's a 5 mile round trip on a paved road to the post office here in Tonto Basin, Arizona.

http://www.iloveebikes.com/ebike443.html

There were some small issues with the assembly but so far the bike seems to be working well.

The main stats on the bike are: 450 watt in hub motor and, 36 volt, 10 amp-hr Li bat=.360 Kw-hr
of Li battery.

It's a pretty trick bike, especially the all aluminum frame and suspension, and it is nice looking--doesn't look like an old persons step thru gilrs bike.

The bike does well even on the semi-steep uphill areas. But don't be mislead, it's a hybrid which means the battery power has a backup-------but it's you baby, not a gasoline motor.

I would agree w/ Misslexi that a 250 watt motor is way too small------------------------and, a bigger motor is better. ---750-1000 watt as Misslexi suggested to me.

[misslexi]

Nice! Now we're talkin'. Tell me they lose the splash guards in AZ, lol.

[Jason M. Hendler]

Interesting design. I am really surprised that they have the batteries on the harsh side of the suspension. Perhaps they needed them as the mass part of a mass - dampener system. Regardless, I would have them on the other side of the spring - just to ensure longer life / higher reliability.

[misslexi]

Great point Jason, it's essentially unsprung weight. I'm sure that must be dialed into the spring/shock choice.

Being a rear drive it will simply the power connections, no need for superflex wires. I'm inclined to agree though, from a longevity standpoint it would seem to make sense to move them to the sprung side. It appears that's what Optibike does http://shop.optibike.com/

[Jason M. Hendler]

misslexi,

Hmmmm, thinking more on it, I don't see any benefit of having the batteries on that side. Even ride comfort would be improved if the inertia of the batteries is with the rider, and the wheel could move up and down more quickly / easily.

Maybe this company's business model is to sell lots of replacement batteries.

[jaqes]

The new eBike recently received the Best of Innovations award for CES 2010 due to overall achievements in the “Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology. But other models of ebikes are available in array of sizes, and as good fit is key to efficient function, I'd suggest shopping around a bit.
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