I could gripe about how “futuristic” in headlines is a synonym for “angular design motif”. Or how it’s now somehow acceptable to make an announcement with a few publicity photos and only partial specs.
But I actually want to focus on those pedals on the larger bike. This trope of add-pedals-so-its-technically-an-ebike is growing old, and while it’s true that enforcement is less likely to stop anyone if they can see some ostensible pedals, is this really a selling point?
Let’s say that larger bike ends up having a spec sheet that, uh, overqualifies as an e-bike, and thus can only be advertised for off-highway use. Is there really so substantial a client base that’s just itching for an e-moto that comes stock with thinly-veiled legal cover, such that they’d pass on this bike for that reason alone?
And practical speaking, it’s unlikely those pedals will ever be used anyway. Motorbike saddles tend to make pedaling a very chaffing experience. /endrant
To be fair a bikecycle doesn’t need any of those things you named. Of those things my bike only has a holder for a u-lock and that’s the holder that was included with the lock. Originally it didn’t have that.
I rarely bike these days since I have to travel too far, so I walk to the train instead. But when I did I just used a backpack, I never felt the need for anything else.
In fact it has way more storage than my bike those. Looks like you can put stuff “inside” the frame.
It’s basically a dirtbike or mountainbike, what would you even transport using it? You could absolutely put a water bottle holder on it if you wanted.
I think it depends on use case, but I’d be willing to bet that most people who use a bike or e-bike on a regular basis are doing it for more than simple transportation without utility.
I’d never want to spend thousands on an e-bike if it can’t even carry groceries. But that’s just me.
But it does look they are offering an e-mountainbike and some kind of e-bike for urban use.
Segway has been doing a ton of experimenting over the last two years. Even their e-scooter offerings are pretty far-reaching, offering models that aren’t even allowed in 99% of cities. LOL
To be fair a bikecycle doesn’t need any of those things you named.
It doesn’t need those, true, but it also refuses to accommodate those. And that’s the problem: so-called futuristic design often goes hand-in-hand with bad design. Bad in the sense that things which used to be possible, and could be added with minimal effort, just aren’t there anymore. And it’s not like there are now zero people wanting panniers and racks.
There are bike designs which are extremely minimal, but they do so to focus on some overwhelming design goal. Performance is one such common goal. But here, what is the goal of this minimalism? A lack of rack standoffs is a net loss to the consumer. Having options would be a net gain, even if unused.
Needs can change, bikes get bought and sold, and ultimately a bike with a narrow focus and feature set just won’t be appealing for a mass market audience. It’s a strange marketing choice if the goal is to move product.
I suppose I’m now griping about futuristic design after all lol
The first one is like a mountainbike and is obviously not intended for commuting or shopping with. I have never seen a mountainbike with any cargo or storage capabilities since that would be stupid.
I don’t know what rack standoffs are.
I suspect the rack is designed the way it is because of the huge suspension travel of the back wheel.
And really who uses panniers? What do you use them for? They just seem like a pain to use when backpacks exist.
Sure both bikes could have more features and maybe they will, it’s a prototype. But do they really? The first one is a dirt/mountain bike and the second one is a commuter bike. Neither really needs extensive storage or bag capabilities. A water bottle holder would be nice but also not really needed.
Somehow I feel that you haven’t been to Americas industrial wastelands.
A an e-“bicycle” that goes faster than cars is a lot easier to get than a licensed vehicle when you have 23 points on your license, r4 DUIs, and a bench warrant to your name
Somehow I feel that you haven’t been to Americas industrial wastelands.
I can’t say I have, but I’ve seen enough UTVs and unregistered/unplated motorbikes and dirtbikes on public rural roads. Quite frankly, as a matter of public policy, it seems preferable for someone with a general disrespect for laws and regulations to ride an unregistered bike – of any description – unlawfully than to drive a 2 ton automobile unlawfully. The latter causes a great deal more trouble when things go wrong, and they often do.
But to the point at hand, legality isn’t a selling point for this particular group of clientele. Instead, that would be whatever is common locally. If everyone else rides dirt bikes to the corner store, then following suit is the best way to blend in, bench warrants and DUIs be darned. They also tend to be cheaper if they’re so common in one’s area.
I could gripe about how “futuristic” in headlines is a synonym for “angular design motif”. Or how it’s now somehow acceptable to make an announcement with a few publicity photos and only partial specs.
But I actually want to focus on those pedals on the larger bike. This trope of add-pedals-so-its-technically-an-ebike is growing old, and while it’s true that enforcement is less likely to stop anyone if they can see some ostensible pedals, is this really a selling point?
Let’s say that larger bike ends up having a spec sheet that, uh, overqualifies as an e-bike, and thus can only be advertised for off-highway use. Is there really so substantial a client base that’s just itching for an e-moto that comes stock with thinly-veiled legal cover, such that they’d pass on this bike for that reason alone?
And practical speaking, it’s unlikely those pedals will ever be used anyway. Motorbike saddles tend to make pedaling a very chaffing experience. /endrant
I usually read it as “less functional and less practical”. LOL
Is it an ebike or a motorcycle? I don’t see any place for storage, cargo, panniers, a u-lock, or even a water bottle and some tools.
When, why, and where would you use it?
The photo showing what looks like a rear rack is lacking a lower attachment point for panniers. Useless.
It’s as if the people who designed these “futuristic” e-bikes have no idea what they are used for and threw practicality out the window.
To be fair a bikecycle doesn’t need any of those things you named. Of those things my bike only has a holder for a u-lock and that’s the holder that was included with the lock. Originally it didn’t have that.
I rarely bike these days since I have to travel too far, so I walk to the train instead. But when I did I just used a backpack, I never felt the need for anything else.
In fact it has way more storage than my bike those. Looks like you can put stuff “inside” the frame.
It’s basically a dirtbike or mountainbike, what would you even transport using it? You could absolutely put a water bottle holder on it if you wanted.
I think it depends on use case, but I’d be willing to bet that most people who use a bike or e-bike on a regular basis are doing it for more than simple transportation without utility.
I’d never want to spend thousands on an e-bike if it can’t even carry groceries. But that’s just me.
But it does look they are offering an e-mountainbike and some kind of e-bike for urban use.
Segway has been doing a ton of experimenting over the last two years. Even their e-scooter offerings are pretty far-reaching, offering models that aren’t even allowed in 99% of cities. LOL
It doesn’t need those, true, but it also refuses to accommodate those. And that’s the problem: so-called futuristic design often goes hand-in-hand with bad design. Bad in the sense that things which used to be possible, and could be added with minimal effort, just aren’t there anymore. And it’s not like there are now zero people wanting panniers and racks.
There are bike designs which are extremely minimal, but they do so to focus on some overwhelming design goal. Performance is one such common goal. But here, what is the goal of this minimalism? A lack of rack standoffs is a net loss to the consumer. Having options would be a net gain, even if unused.
Needs can change, bikes get bought and sold, and ultimately a bike with a narrow focus and feature set just won’t be appealing for a mass market audience. It’s a strange marketing choice if the goal is to move product.
I suppose I’m now griping about futuristic design after all lol
The first one is like a mountainbike and is obviously not intended for commuting or shopping with. I have never seen a mountainbike with any cargo or storage capabilities since that would be stupid.
I don’t know what rack standoffs are.
I suspect the rack is designed the way it is because of the huge suspension travel of the back wheel.
And really who uses panniers? What do you use them for? They just seem like a pain to use when backpacks exist.
Sure both bikes could have more features and maybe they will, it’s a prototype. But do they really? The first one is a dirt/mountain bike and the second one is a commuter bike. Neither really needs extensive storage or bag capabilities. A water bottle holder would be nice but also not really needed.
Somehow I feel that you haven’t been to Americas industrial wastelands.
A an e-“bicycle” that goes faster than cars is a lot easier to get than a licensed vehicle when you have 23 points on your license, r4 DUIs, and a bench warrant to your name
I can’t say I have, but I’ve seen enough UTVs and unregistered/unplated motorbikes and dirtbikes on public rural roads. Quite frankly, as a matter of public policy, it seems preferable for someone with a general disrespect for laws and regulations to ride an unregistered bike – of any description – unlawfully than to drive a 2 ton automobile unlawfully. The latter causes a great deal more trouble when things go wrong, and they often do.
But to the point at hand, legality isn’t a selling point for this particular group of clientele. Instead, that would be whatever is common locally. If everyone else rides dirt bikes to the corner store, then following suit is the best way to blend in, bench warrants and DUIs be darned. They also tend to be cheaper if they’re so common in one’s area.
actually yes, until cops get smarter this will be the solution.