Smart's eBike looks funky
http://uk.smart.com/products-ebike/1...8-c890cbee8d09
PS - just watching MIB3 and they have those 3 wheel trike things we see the Police using. If I worked for MIB, I'd demand a Segway! |
Overpriced at $3700. For about $1000 you can retro-fit the same Bionx electric assist used by Smart to the bike you probably have gathering dust in your shed.
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My experience of Smart is that everything is overpriced! I bought a LHD import back in 2001 (what is now called a "ForTwo"), followed by a RHD Roadster in 2003. Like a Segway, that Smart logo makes things cost a lot of money.
But, cost aside, it looks nice and fits well with the brand. I know Smart (or Daimler/Chrysler) registered the name "ForOne" at some point and I suspected that they were going to bring out a motorbike or Segway type vehicle - never thought about an eBike. We'll see how it goes. |
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My question with it would be that of gearing. Most bike gearing I know of simply consists of a series of sprocket of varying sizes, and a device that moves the chain laterally. I suppose a similar arrangement could be in place for a toothed belt, but they do not work the same, so I suspect not. I do recall a 3 speed axle/transmission that existed on some bikes of my youth, but I do not recall ever owning one, nor taking one apart. I suppose that may be in play here, or something like it. A single speed bike seems less than efficient for today's commuter, though it would still work okay, especially with the electric assist for the up hills. |
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3-speed hubs are pretty solid technology these days -- they make hubs with a lot more speeds than that. But the classic 3-speed hub is based on planetary gears, with a clutch mechanism varying whether the drive is applied to the housing, the sun gear, or the planetary carrier. I don't know if it was the very first, but Sturmy-Archer's patent was granted in 1902. It was old technology when we were kids. And certainly more reliable and robust than derailleurs. |
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