I want one.

[dragonfly]

An electric bicycle hybrid, the Sanyo Eneloop

http://sanyo.com/news/2008/12/01-1.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5holuDwsCU0&noredirect=1

My friend has one and let me ride it the other day. *sob* Now I covet one sooooo much.

Comments

[darkemeralds]

That bike is really good looking! I was ambivalent about electric-assist bikes, but now that I actually no longer own a car and am doing all my errands by bike, I can begin to see a place in my life for something like this--especially one as thoughtfully designed as the Sanyo seems to be.

[dragonfly]

According to my friend, placing the battery below the seat prevents the top-heavy problem some electric bikes have. The battery removes easily to a charging station and takes 30 mins to an hour to charge. Unlike his previous electric-assist bike, you don't have to do a few pedal revolutions without assist before the assist kicks in. This is particularly good for places where you need instant acceleration from a dead stop. The seat is comfortable, the bike rack is sturdy (and shiny) and the controls are simple. He says he tested its uphill-ability on a hill in San Francisco and it did great.

I WANT ONE.

[damerell]

You might cure yourself of this expensive desire by riding it uphill with a flat battery. :-)

[dragonfly]

:-D

[darkemeralds]

I went looking, and at least one version of the bike weighs about 50 lbs. This is only slightly heavier than my Omafiets. True, I wouldn't want to ride her up a typical San Francisco hill, even in lowest gear, but I could walk her up.

[damerell]

"Only slightly heavier than a bicycle which is itself enormously robust and reliable" strikes me as damning with faint praise. :-)