E-bikes to return to streets of New York and San Francisco after brake issue fixed

(November 22 2019)Last April several thousand pedal-assist electric bikes were taken from service after a number of people were injured due to harder-than-expected brakes.

Brakes are now fixed

Last April Citi Bike announced: "However, we recently received a small number of reports from riders who experienced stronger than expected braking force on the front wheel. Out of an abundance of caution, we are proactively removing the pedal-assist bikes from service for the time being. We know this is disappointing to the many people who love the current experience — but reliability and safety come first." The e-bikes were replaced with conventional pedal bikes.

Citi Bike claims it has redesigned the bike brake setup and also now has a different battery supplier. Citi Bike is operated by Motivate a national bike-share company that is in turn owned by Lyft the ride-hailing company.

Hundreds of e-bikes will appear at docking stations across New York beginning this winter.

In a blog post Citi Bike said: "We're sorry for the delay and appreciate your patience..We expect to initially launch several hundred bikes this winter and will gradually work up to a larger fleet>"

Citi Bike abandons flat fee

Citi Bike does away with its $2 flat fee for each use. Riders will be charged only for the time they use the bike. The company said: “We heard your feedback. Members told us they did not want to pay a flat charge every time they chose an e-bike.”

The new rate will be ten cents for each minute for annual members or a fifteen cents per minute charged for non-members. For members charges will be capped at $2 for rides 45 minute or less beginning and/or ending outside Manhattan. A two-minute wait period between rides is also gone.

E-bikes to return to San Francisco as well

The e-bikes were also withdrawn from San Francisco as well. Motivate also owns the e-bikes deployed there. A new agreement has been reached: "The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) today announced an agreement with Bay Wheels to provide 4,000 stationless shared e-bikes throughout San Francisco. Under the 4-year agreement, Lyft will begin to deploy 4,000 new e-bikes starting in December 2019 with full rollout by April 2020. The new e-bikes will work as "hybrids" that can be docked at stations but also locked to bike racks around the City. This stationless functionality will expand the reach of the system and provide citywide access to bikeshare."

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Swagtron introduces 3 new electric bikes

Swagtron the e-bike manufacturer is expanding its lineup of affordable e-bikes. All three of the new bikes are in the classic cruiser style with upright U-shaped handlebars and frames that mimic the sweeping lines of vintage beach bikes.

Cruiser bikes are suitable for casual city driving but look best drifting down a beach sand-covered trail or boardwalk. The upright style will appeal to those who do not desire to be hunched over handlebars and who do not worry about speed and aerodynamics. The bikes also come with Shimano 7-speed drive trains that makes it much easier to climb steep hills.

If the new bikes are much like the EB12 city bike that Swagtron released earlier this year the new bikes will be fun and affordable entry e-bikes that will be suitable for a large variety of buyers.

The EB 12

A recent article notes that although Swagtron may not make the best e-bikes, it makes quite good bikes at a very affordable price. The EB12 is Swagtron's first venture into the full-size e-bike: "The Swagtron EB12 looks almost like any standard pedal bike, save for the 270 Wh battery mounted on the rear rack. Tucked into the hub on the rear wheel is a 250 W geared hub motor.

Together, the battery and motor help the bike reach a maximum of 28 miles (45 km) of range and top speed of 16 mph (26 km/h)."

There is a rigid steel fork up front giving the bike an old-time feel. Weight limit for the rider is 264 pounds or 120 kg. The bike itself weight 39.4 pounds or 17.8 kilograms. This is quite light for an electric bike. Unlike many electric bikes the Swagtron boast a seven gear shifter.

The new e-bikes

The new models are the Eb9, EB10, and EBll. Each model has a 250-watt rear hub motor and a rear-rack mounted 36 volt battery. The battery can be locked as well as removable. Swagtron sells replacement batteries separately in case you need to swap one out while on the go because of the limited range.

The EB9 can reach up to 16.5 miles per hour. The EB10 and EB11 are a bit slower at 15.3 mph. This is rather slower than the majority of Class 2 e-bikes that typcially can reach 20 miles per hour. However, the Swagtron bikes are also much cheaper than most other bikes. The range of the EB9 is 28 miles versus 26 miles for the E10 and E11.

Swagtron e-bikes are lighter than many e-bikes making them easier to carry if need be. However, their e-bikes are lighter because they have smaller motors and batteries and so run slower. However, they are still heavy enough with the EB9 at 41.66 lbs, and both the EB10 and EB11 at 50.7 pounds.

Price

There are not many good e-bikes below one thousand dollars. The promotional price is $999 for each of the three the same price at the EB12. When the promotional price ends they will each sell for $1,111. They can be purchased at the company website, Amazon or select retailers. Tips on buying an e-bike can be found at the Verge.

The appended video reviews the earlier EB12.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Swagtron intruces new e-bike

Swagtron makes hoverboards, electric scooters and electric bikes among other items. It is expanding its line of e-bikes with a new non-folding model called the EB12.

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The EB12

Swagtron is now based in South Bend Indiana. The company is known for its compact folding bikes as well as electric scooters and hoverboards. The inclusion of a lightweight non-folding city e-bike in its lineup is a sign of growing demand for electric models. A description of its products with photos is shown on its official website.

Unlike some other e-bikes the EB12 resembles a standard pedal bike except it has a 270Wh battery strapped to the rear rack. Some e-bike aficionados may not like the style but others will prefer it to the downtube-mounted battery.

The rear wheel contains a 250-watt motor, that together with the battery allows for a top range of 28 miles or 45 km. Riders can engage the motor either by twisting the throttle or by pedalling. The top throttle only speed is 16 miles per hour (26 km/hour). With the pedal-assist mode it can theoretically go faster. The bike has a seven-speed Shimano drivetrain for shifting gears.

Even with the rear-rack battery the EB12 has a pleasing profile. The 700c wheels, flat bar setup, and satin black paint job will surely appeal to those who want to look good while riding. The bike is relatively light at just 39.4 pounds or 17.8 kg. This is light compared to many other e-bikes.

Price

Swagtron says they will sell the EB12 for $999.99. Swagtron products retail at quite competitive prices and the company does very well selling through Amazon.

Swagtron

The company was founded in 2015 Their manufacture ranges from hoverboards, skateboards, e-bikes to electric scooters. The products can be bought in many places: "They aren’t some small brand and everything they sell, they produce from scratch. You can be sure that they design, produce and even distribute their products all over the world and people have recognized that. You can buy them online on their websites or big retailers like Amazon or Walmart, or you can buy them in specialized local shops."

Previously published in the Digital Journal