Why Did someone do this?

[Cataboo]

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bik/896785792.html

Up for sale is a KESTREL carbon fiber electric bicycle E-36 Prototype E-Bike from SKOOTERCOMMUTER.

It has 36 volt custom electronics with removable batteries:

SPECS

WEIGHT- Frame 18 lbs.
Components 11 lbs.
TOTAL 29 lbs.

TOP SPEED- 18 Miles per hour
RANGE- 6-8 miles

DURA ACE components
KESTREL 57 MM Airfoil frame (the most aerodynamic bike frame available)
HEINZMANN CITY MOTOR - 500 NOM. 750 Watts peak

** This bike does not have a kick stand, I used a stick to prop it up for the photos.**

http://images.craigslist.org/11313b145ZZZZZZZZZ8ascf8c4907560d1b0b.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/110124136ZZZZZZZZZ8as8bb6b57388491f9d.jpg

[kermit]

Thats the stupidest thing I have ever seen. Do you still clip in? What a waste.

[kfergos]

I have to agree with Kermit. What a total waste of time and money. Who would spend $4,000 on an electric bike with excessive frame & components that can only go 6 to 8 miles?!

ETA: Frankly, as a commuter, I'd be *embarrassed* to ride to work every day on that thing.

[Cataboo]

I particularly like that in addition to defacing the bike like that... He propped a carbon fiber bike up with a stick????

[Eden]

My husband works with a couple of guys who geek out like that....
While I don't think either of them built their electric bikes on a carbon fiber Kestrel TT frame.... they have both spent the equivalent of several bicycles (we figure they could have a nice light racer and good solid rain bike by now) on buying electric motors and batteries.

Both are engineers and the motors intrigue them more than bicycles or the act of riding likely ever will. They tinker and modify the motors (thus blowing them up...), play with the batteries, try to get more speed, more milage.

I'm guessing the builder of said Kestrel is a geek too... he (she!?) seems quite proud of the fact that its the most aerodynamic frame available and putting on all those expensive light components (forget how heavy batteries are...). He probably thought that would make a big difference when going 18 mph...

geezum.... he made that Kestrel weigh 29lbs...

[Cataboo]

Granted I don't average 18 mph - but I have a higher top speed than that and a few months of more riding and I think I could do 18 mph for more than 6-8 miles without issues.

[Eden]

I'm not commenting on anyone's speed, but rather about the physics - I may be wrong about this, but I've always been under the impression that aerodynamics, like drafting doesn't come into play at lower speeds, 15 mph sticks in my mind for some reason, with drafting at least. So at 18 mph you'd just be starting to take advantage of that "most aerodynamic" frame, and at that the gains you get are *small* - enough to make a second or two difference in a race, but not something your average commuter will ever get to feel or take advantage of.... (all that stopping and starting you know).

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yeah forget about aerodynamics when going 15mph. :D
He should have started with a very lightweight cheap aluminum bike and then added the motor and batteries...it would have been way more practical.
Still, I can't see needing a motor to go a measley 6 or 8 miles anyway! :confused:

[Eden]

Most people don't use the motor exclusively..... they do actually pedal, then use the motor when the going gets tougher than they like - or use the motor for a speed boost.

[SadieKate]

Interesting recent article from our paper (http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081026/NEWS0107/810260396/1002&nav_category=).

6-8 miles may be a long way for some and if an electric bike gets them started, great.

I wonder if the aerodynamic position of the rider provides more efficient use of the engine's power, so it isn't really about the bike's aerodynamics as it is about the rider's position and total weight of bike and rider. There would definitely be cheaper ways to go.

Anyone notice that the skootercommuter website appears to be gone?

[7rider]

Good grief.

[Eden]

whooo hoooo 20 mph downhill..... I'll admit my husband likes to toy with Jay... (the electric bike geek where he works). Jay's bike has a top speed of about 18 mph too. Drafting Jay at 18 mph is pretty easy for the hubby, but it blows Jay's mind a bit that no matter how high he cranks the motor up, he can't drop my husband on his soley pedal powered commutermobile.

I guess if you haven't ridden a non-motorized bike since you were a kid 20 mph downhill might sound *really fast*.

[PamNY]

Some people just love building things like that. I used to frequent a Xootr Yahoo group and was amazed at the passion and commitment of people who bought and tinkered with and endlessly repaired and rebuilt the electric scooters they used to sell.

A lot of folks consider motors a good thing. I've had dozens of conversations with people who simply will not believe that my Xootr doesn't have a motor. Some bend down for a closer look as if there's GOT TO BE a motor somewhere and either 1) I don't know about it or 2) I'm lying. Quite a few people say it's "too bad" I don't have a motor (or a Segway -- yuck).

For many commuters, an electric bike is simply a convenient/practical/green way to commute. They want results (e.g. getting to work) and aren't using the bike for pleasure. As I understand it, they don't use the power all the time.

Pam

[ehirsch83]

I also love the fact of the aero wheels. If you are commuting and any wind picks up, that won't be such a fun ride anymore!!

[smilingcat]

With a 500W motor, he should easily do 20MPH. I've been looking around for electric motor assisted bike.

silliness. funny reading about how the guy can't drop Eden's hubby. too funny. Blowing up electric motors... I hope they didnt burnt or shocked themselves.

Do I get an urge to build one? nope. I'll build a bike WITHOUT an electric motor.

tell the boys to ride more on a regular bike. :D

smilingcat

[Eden]

The motors may be limited (hence Jay's propensity for tinkering with them and blowing them up....) Around here you can ride an electric assist bicycle without having to have a drivers license so long as it has a top speed under 20 mph on level ground.

Jay doesn't really understand drafting, so he has no concept that it is easy for my hubby to sit in his draft at 18 mph. The hubby says he also likes to sprint from stop signs - makes Jay run down his batteries quicker keeping up....