Robert Fletcher’s Longest E-bike Journey Evelo Sales Offer
‘The longest journey made by a motorized bicycle is 14,274.4 km (8.869.70 mi) and was achieved by Robert Fletcher (Canada), between Fairbanks, Alaska, USA and Panama City, Panama, from 4 July 2022 to 9 December 2022.’
And that’s official, as recorded by Guinness World Records. To celebrate last year’s achievement by Robert and to coincide with Memorial Day’s arrival, Evelo are offering 15% off this world-record eBike during their Memorial Day Sale. They are also offering up to 25% off on other models.
You can checkout our review of the Evelo Atlas here. Evelo describes it as having a ‘high-power mid-drive motor system, maintenance-free Gates Carbon Belt Drive, front suspension and integrated long-range battery’.
Yamaha YDX-MORO – a US-only Limited Edition eMTB
The UK’s Cycling Electric tells us that ‘Yamaha has announced a special edition e-MTB solely for the USA marketplace, further marking the company’s 30 years in the electric bike space. The YDX-MORO e-MTB was first launched in the summer of 2020 and then refreshed in 2022 with several updates, including an advanced new motor.’
The full-suspension e-bike uses a patented Dual Twin frame design that divides down tube and top tube into two separate frame members to sleekly incorporate battery and rear suspension. It uses Yamaha’s lightest, most powerful mid-drive, the PW-X3 which boasts a torque of 85Nm and pedelec-only power assist up to 20 mph.
It is limited production for the US market only and will be available in dealers on June 1, with an MSRP of $6,499.
Tucker Powersports to Distribute Rambo E-bikes
Bicycle Retailer and Industry News reveals that:
‘Tucker Powersports is now the exclusive distributor of Rambo Electric Bikesa brand appealing to hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Established in 2015, Rambo e-bikes are designed with fat tires, enhanced carrying capacity, and spec’d with motors topping out at 1,000 watts and 110 N.M. of torque.’
UK’s Jorvik Trikes Add Dual Battery Models
UK’s Cycling Electric againthis time reporting that ‘Three-wheel specialist Jorvik Tricycles has brought to market two new dual battery off-road suited builds, built in York and available to buy online.’
The new models are JMT-11 and JMT-13, both available in 250w and 500w options, the former has a Bafang brushless front motor and the latter a Bafang M500 mid-drive.
Aura Smart System now on Kickstarter
The Aura smart system by UNIT 1 promises ‘next level safety’ which it claims to do by wireless linking a helmet (with its own lights), smart lights and a navigation remote. The wireless linking means the lights on your bike (or bag) and on your helmet (including brake lights and turn signals) are synchronised. There are also interchangeable visors and magnetic buckle fastenings and crash detection via an app. Early Bird offers start at $99.
Will Germany’s City Transformer Ever Transform Cities?
The City Transformer has been reported on for quite some time in prototype form but this very positive road test report from Downtown certainly gives it the thumbs up for the ingenious overall concept:
‘ The heart of the City Transformers is a variable platform with a track width that can be widened from 1 to 1.40 m. This patented technology is intended to ensure stability at high speeds and make finding a parking space much easier when it’s retracted. In addition, the narrow width of just one metre should take the stress out of threading your way through the chaos of inner-city traffic. However, at 1 metre wide, the speed is limited to 45 km/h (28mph) due to the design. If that’s not quick enough for you, a simple transformation to 1.40 m wide will let you go twice as fast.’
However, the article seems to have hit the nail on the head in identifying the difficulties many such electric microcar startups face in making the leap from exciting concept to mass production, no doubt due to the massive sums of money to make the leap into mass production for such a complex product:
‘The City Transformer is an innovative and excellent approach to adapting to different situations…….The City Transformer also seems to be a long way off from being launched, which keeps getting announced but then postponed. It’s a common start-up problem: the concept is exciting and promising, but they’ll have to deliver before the hype and interest fizzle out!’
E-bike Sales Projected to Overtake Non-electric Bike Sales this Year in Germany
Bloomberg reports that ‘battery-powered two-wheelers will outsell traditional bikes in Germany for the first time in 2023, according to projections from the country’s industry group. They’re already dominant in the mountain bike category, where nine in ten bicycles are powered by a motor.’
Bloomberg names several possible factors behind their booming popularity in Germany; improved e-bike tech, familiarity with widespread rental schemes and financial subsidies at various levels of government, regional and local.
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