Jay Leno's Garage - A2B electric bike

[bennelson]

I finally got around to watching the latest episode of Jay Leno's garage. On it, he features a very slick electric bike, the A2B.

It's 36V of Lithium battery coolness.

Building my own electric bike (from a kit) is what got me into EVs.
Needless to say, this one looks much nicer than mine did....

Can a Mod embed the below for me? I am not sure how to do it.
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Watch the video here, or go straight to http://www.ultramotor.com to check out specs, images, and more on this cool electric bike.

[koihoshi]

This reminds me of when they first came out with the concept of a bike that could pedal, and then turn on a small 2 stroke motor when you felt like not pedaling wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back in the day. I can't remember when they made those, but have seen them once or twice. An electric motor take is a very cool idea, since it's going to be a million times more efficient and cost almost nothing to run. Great idea for getting around in a big city or to work for short distances.

[NeilBlanchard]

Looks pretty nice, Ben! The cost is about what I'd expect at $2,700 on Amazon without the second battery.

I wonder if it has an optional taller seat post? Jay Leno is not short, and his knees look way too bent to be all that efficient as a bicycle.

[Ryland]

Someone had one of those bikes at the 2009 Midwest Renewable Energy Fair, I didn't get to ride it or even see it in action but it did look really clean and nice, not sure if it's $3,000 nice, but it is nice.

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by Ryland

Someone had one of those bikes at the 2009 Midwest Renewable Energy Fair,

Really!? And I missed it!?!?!

It's a neat-looking design. It would make a great model for a home-built version.

[bgd73]

Gears: Shimano Alivio Derailleur with 7-speed twist shift


wo. I would love to have it.


a lithium ion in the old sube will have to do for now...

[Frank Lee]

That's the store bought version of what I want to build!

[Biodiversivist]

I would describe the A2B as an electric moped disguised as an electric bicycle.Mopeds (motor--pedal, get it?) are scooters with pedals. In most, a gasoline engine provides the power. The engine is limited to something less than one horsepower, which allows you to ride one without a license in most states. The pedals are a necessary evil to help you get up hills and to get rolling. There is no way you would want to try to pedal one home if you ran out of gas. The same is true for the A2B unless home is at the bottom of the hill you're on.

You can see the A2B compared to the electric bike I built here:

Biodiversivist: A2B verses A123