Optimal Ride

Dahon ReeCharge Bike Dynamo Device Charger

benjamin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:53:20 +0000

Dahon ReeCharge Dynamo Device Charger (image: Dahon, Inc.)

Dahon has made a name for itself with its innovative folding bike designs, and some models have been featured on OptimalRide before (see “The Best Folding Bikes of 2009”). Now, with the BioLogic ReeCharge USB device charger, Dahon is not just helping commuters bike to work, but helping them arrive ready for action.

If you’re on your bicycle anyway, why not put some of that kinetic energy to use? The ReeCharge can help you keep your iPod charged up on a long training ride, or simply top off your phone battery on the way to the office.

Dahon ReeCharge Dynamo Device Charger (image: Dahon, Inc.)

The ReeCharge features a 1600 mAh lithium polymer battery, which can be charged by attaching it to a standard bicycle dynamo hub (the unit buffers incoming and outgoing current). The ReeCharge can also be charged from a laptop or wall plug, making it handy as a backup battery for travel. Included adapters make the ReeCharge compatible with a wide range of products, including Apple’s iPod and iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia, and Sony devices.

Since not all rides happen on nice, sunny days, the ReeCharge features a weather-resistant silicone case and sealed connections. More info can be found at the Dahon website.

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YikeBike – World’s Smallest Electric Folding Bike

benjamin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:11:14 +0000

YikeBike Electric Folding Bike (image: YikeBike Ltd.)

The YikeBike certainly doesn’t look like an average commuter cycle, and it doesn’t perform like one either. When released later this year, the YikeBike will be the world’s smallest electric folding bike.

Designed and produced in New Zealand, the YikeBike can be folded up and carried into your home or office, or you can bring it with you on public transportation. Thanks to a carbon composite frame the cycle weighs just 21 lbs., and the total folded volume is 40 liters – roughly equivalent to a big backpack.

YikeBike Electric Folding Bike In Action (image: YikeBike Ltd.)

The YikeBike has a single-charge range of about 10 km and an electronically limited top speed of 20 km/hr. The lithium-phosphate batteries are rated for up to 1,000 charges, and they re-juice quickly – 20 minutes gives an 80% charge.

YikeBike Electric Bike, Folded Up (image: YikeBike Ltd.)

Since no pedaling is required, the YikeBike can accommodate riders of nearly any size (the manufacturer promises that the cycle can handle persons up to 220 lbs., and heights from 5’3” up to 6’5”). All components are weatherproof, and the YikeBike even boasts anti-skid brakes and integrated LED indicator lights.

You can find more information at the YikeBike website. Price is expected to be in the $5,000 range.

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Best Cruiser Style Bicycles: A Review

benjamin — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:16:58 +0000

The Best Cruiser Style Bicycles

“Cruisers”, the sturdy, balloon-tired bicycles that were a common sight on American streets through the 1950s, have seen a serious spike in popularity lately. And their throwback style is attracting commuters and other riders for some very good reasons: cruisers are comfortable to ride, thanks to an upright pedaling position; they’re relatively inexpensive compared to sport-specific models like mountain bikes; their frames and components are typically very durable; and they’re mechanically simple, which means minimal maintenance. A cruiser can be a great option for biking around town, and these are 7 of the top models on the market.

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Pedro’s Blowout Recycled Seat Bag – Ride Even Greener

benjamin — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:36:03 +0000

Pedro's Blowout Recycled Seat Bag

Bike gear manufacturer Pedro’s takes its environmental footprint seriously. Their philosophy is, “The best way to help the planet is to help people ride their bikes.” Plus, they strive for sustainable manufacturing techniques wherever possible – and they’ve combined these two principles with their recycled rubber Blowout seat bags.
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Best Around-Town Bike Panniers

benjamin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:00:19 +0000

Best Around-Town Bike Panniers

Even if you’re not biking cross-country, you still need a good way to carry items while biking to work or running errands. You can do away with your makeshift bungees and get the most out of your bike rack with one of these single panniers. These are four of the best ones available for day-to-day use; all of them feature carry straps and attach to your existing rear rack.

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A Solar-Powered Electric Car Charging Station Opens

cephoe — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:28:41 +0000

A solar-powered car charging station has opened in Chicago. We may see a lot of these in the near future. It’s called ChargePoint, and the charging power is provided by a “solar tree”. (...)
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Zero S Electric Motorcycle Available In May

cephoe — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:47:35 +0000

Last year, Zero Motorcycles introduced an 100% electric off-road motorcycle, called the Zero X. This year the company is introduce the Zero S, which is the on-road version of the Zero X.

The Zero S is equipped with a brushed permanent magnet electric motor. It gets 31 HP and 62.5 ft-lbs torque (at zero RPM). It uses a lithium ion array battery, which can power the bike to 60 MPH with a range of 60 miles. It weights just 225 lb curb weight. (...)
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GoCycle: An Innovative Folding Electric Bike

cephoe — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:30:28 +0000

The GoCycle is a new folding electric bike that was just launched in the U.K. According to the manufacturer, it is the world’s first production bicycle to feature a completely enclosed multi-speed chain-drive with side-mounted wheels. Despite boasting 26″ wheels, the automatic folding mechanism does away with the need for tools or parts removal, allowing you to fold it in a matter of seconds. Being an electric bike, it weighs a hefty 14.7kg (or 32 pounds).

The rider can quickly reach 15mph and a single charge, which takes approximately three hours, will provide a travel range of up to 20 miles depending on pedal input and terrain.

Here’s a video of the GoCycle in action.

The GoCycle’s entire frame and wheels are injection-moulded in light-weight magnesium alloy in a process called Thixomoulding – a type of injection moulding for metal, which is more durable than plastic and commonly used to create magnesium casings of products such as laptops, digital cameras and mobile phones.

The Gocycle only comes in white and will be available across the UK from this month. Customers will be able to purchase Gocycle directly online or by visiting one of Gocycle’s Certified Dealers across the UK.

Here’s a hands-on review of the bike from VeloVision.

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Best Commuter Bike Tires

benjamin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:03:16 +0000

Best Commuter Bike Tires

When you’ve found the perfect bike, bag, rack, and helmet, you’re all set for bicycle commuting, right? Not quite – the right tires are an often-overlooked part of the package, and they can make all the difference for biking around town. Here are four of the best tires for commuters, blending traction, durability, and low rolling resistance on pavement. All are available in 26” diameter, the most common wheel size for mountain bikes and hybrid commuter cycles.

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IF-Mode: An Innovative Full-Sized Folding Bike

cephoe — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:08:05 +0000

Recently, a full-sized folding bike called IF-Mode was launched a the 2008 Taipei Bicycle Show. The bike was created by Mark Sanders, a British bike designer, who designed the famous Strida bike. He teamed up with Ming Cycles and Pacific Cycles to deisgn this new bike.

The IF-Mode has monoforks and a moncoque frame, and folds in about 2 seconds (see the video below).

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sanders hopes the minimalists, no-fuss design will appeal to those people who don’t usually ride bikes.

Mark Sanders writes about IF-Mode in a guest post on Bicycle Design (scroll halfway down).

Found via: Bikes That Fold

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