This could be an excellent basis for an aero bike.
 

THe new range of Bultaco electric bikes. Bultaco sends its electric "moto-bikes" to the streets

They're small, light and look as if they would respond well to a good fairing and thus a reduced drag coefficient. More batteries might be needed but that should be possible.

Apparently I'm the only one who thinks so.

These look rugged and powerful but not fast enough for highway use. The 45 would be a Class B in NY state once approved. A Honda PCX 150 is priced the same or less.

If the drag could be reduced substantially a longer rear sprocket could be used and the top speed raised proportionally.

Agreed though, it's still slow .

I'm wondering... since the speed is so low, is wind drag really as much of an issue rather than things like weight or the rolling resistance from those fat tires? Otherwise, it seems a novelty. (and an expensive one at that IMO)

I find riding a bicycle at varying speeds an excellent indication of the effect of "wind resistance'', the different between 10 mph and 20 mph is HUGE.

It's certainly expensive , all electric bikes seem to be.

The hub motor may not have a gear system that can be changed to take advantage of lower drag shapes. If that is the case then it is a matter of switching to a higher voltage to try for more rpm. The armature has to be balanced, the windings secure, and the bearings up to the load. Legal speed limits come into play as well so drag reduction is used to extend range more than anything else. See recumbent.com for the latest HPV shell design software. As with any vehicle a full aero treatment may double fuel efficiency.

What about this electric bicycle makes it different from the other million ebikes out there, with regards to being a better aero platform?

What are your intentions for the vehicle use? Certainly not a high speed highway vehicle.


You can add a fairing to any ebike. I don't understand this topic.

This design may have slightly better attention to the shape of the battery pack and frame. Whether it is for drag reduction or just styling is hard to tell. People may be excited by the revival of the Bultaco name.

For those who want more power ..... Bultaco rides again with all-electric motorcycles: The Rapitan and Rapitan Sport

Or bigger wheels..... Not massively practice though

The wheel diameter change means spoking a new rim. Changing the battery pack is less work but you have to know the circuitry of the controller well. Most e-bikes use a mountain bike frame rather than a time trial bike with wider tires and disc brakes. Tadpole trikes and velomobiles would be more efficient but harder to see in traffic. It boils down to analyzing individual needs and local laws.

Yes Grant, visibility is a problem. I just sold a Velotechnic recumbent bike for just that reason. An excellent bike , beautifully built and very comfortable ..... but hard to see!

They specifically note the limited speed is due the legal limits. That makes me think it is governed in software. Get into the settings remove the limit like the race model.
Otherwise, I don't need a $6K electric bike to go fast. especially if I were making an aero frame/shell from scratch. just pick out the running gear as needed.

The minimum recommend seat height is 19 inches from the ground and 25-45 degree back angle. A fully streamlined TT bike could be capable of 30+ mph with moderate effort without a motor.