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Time To Stop Renting? Citi Bike To Increase Prices

Citi Bike rental rates will increase for both members and nonmembers; the company blames high overhead due to the logistics of recharging.

Time to Stop Renting? Citi Bike to Increase Prices

Citi Bike’s e-bikes provide a great alternative to buying an e-bike for those who live in New York, but they are about to get a bit more expensive due to a new price increase. The convenience of a Citi Bike is considerable: Citi Bike riders don’t have to worry about security, range or charging.

Citi Bike has already imposed one rate increase this year, taking the cost up to $0.20/minute and now the rate will increase by another 20 percent, to $0.24/minute. That’s the cost for members who pay an annual membership fee of $199/year (Lyft Pink) or $219.99/year (Citi Bike). For those who aren’t members, the cost will also rise by 20 percent, from $0.30/minute to $0.36/minute.

Citi Bike blames the price increases on high overhead due to the fact that the docks do not charge the e-bikes. When a Citi Bike’s battery runs low, it must be picked up by staff, driven to a warehouse where it is charged, and then returned to a dock.

Battery swapping would seem to alleviate this issue, but Citi Bike says that battery swapping has proven to be more expensive than anticipated.

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While $0.24/minute isn’t much money, as all incremental costs do, it adds up. Combine a $200/year membership cost with $2.40 for a 10-minute ride and anyone who uses a Citi Bike to commute to and from work 150 days per year starts to close in on the cost of some of the budget-conscious e-bikes.

As is the case with many costs, a slightly higher incremental price can be preferable to bearing the entire investment to buy a new e-bike. So even if someone’s annual spend with Citi Bike exceeds the cost of a new e-bike thanks to daily or near-daily riding, the convenience of paying only a bit per day and knowing you don’t have to worry about charging or someone trying to steal your e-bike is likely to keep riders turning to Citi Bike for their service.

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Magicycles Launches Ocelot Pro 2.0

Thanks to a 1040Wh battery and the addition of a torque sensor, Magicycle estimates that the Ocelot Pro 2.0 can offer as much as 120 mi. of range.

Magicycle Launches Ocelot Pro 2.0

Magicycle has updated their powerful step-thru e-bike, the Ocelot Pro with the launch of the Ocelot Pro 2.0. The new version of the Ocelot Pro comes in a maroon color and improves upon several features of the existing Ocelot Pro.

The basics of the Magicycle Ocelot Pro remain unchanged. This is a Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike with a potential top assist speed of 28 mph. The 52V, brushless, geared hub motor produces 750W (1500W max) with a sizable 100Nm of torque. Powering the motor is a 52V, 20 Ah (1040Wh) battery. It is still equipped with a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors.

The big change is that the Magicycle Ocelot Pro 2.0 comes standard with a torque sensor. This change alone has allowed Magicycle to increase their range estimate for their 52V, 20Ah (1040Wh) battery from 100 mi. up to 120 mi. on a single charge.

Magicycle still includes a 12-magnet cadence sensor with the Magicycle Ocelot Pro 2.0. This gives riders the choice between a motor which responds to pedal input immediately, but requires more effort from the rider to hit top speed. The cadence sensor provides a steadier power output and can provide a greater degree of assistance to riders.

Rounding out the parts package is a suspension fork, 20 x 4-in. Kenda Krusade tires, fenders, rear rack, front and rear lights and a heavy duty kickstand.

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The Magicycle Ocelot Pro 2.0 goes for around $2,500, but currently enjoys an introductory price just less than $2,000 for pre-orders. Magicycle anticipates shipping the Ocelot Pro 2.0 in July. It now comes in four colors. As before, it comes in white, army green and space gray, and to that they’ve added maroon.
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Slipper Bike Rolls on … Slippers!

Designer Sergii Gordieiev made special wheels with slippers at the ends of the spokes to create the world’s first slipper bike.

Slipper Bike Rolls on … Slippers

Some slippers are so comfy that you wish you could wear them all the time, be it to work, a wedding—or on your bike. Sergii Gordieiev took that idea literally (not metaphorically) and made a bike that rolls on—you guessed it—slippers!

In his YouTube video, Gordieiev adapts wheel hubs with the addition of steel rods and plates to sandwich the slippers (which feature the face of Jake the Dog from the cartoon Adventure Time). After welding everything together, he mounts the slipper wheels on his mountain bike and takes off.

[Read more…] about Slipper Bike Rolls on … Slippers!

Bosch Celebrates 10 Years of Connected Riding

Bosch continues to increase the range and sophistication of the features in their Smart System.

Bosch Celebrates 10 Years of Connected Riding

Back in 2014 Bosch introduced the concept of Connected Biking which aimed to provide a more connected experience for riders of e-bikes equipped with Bosch systems. Since then, Bosch has added a steady stream of improvements and features, culminating in the introduction of the Smart System in 2021. The Smart System, which can be accessed and fine-tuned through the Bosch eBike Flow App has given riders a suite of firsts in the e-bike market including performance adjustments, navigation and e-bike security.

New advancements with the Smart System include the ability to integrate electronic shifting systems from Shimano and TRP so that a Bosch-equipped e-bike can automatically change gears when the rider needs it. The Bosch eBike Flow App can be used to specify exactly when the drivetrain shifts.

Bosch has also added artificial intelligence to its mapping and route-finding features. Range Control allows a rider to plan a route and then for the eBike Flow app to display the remaining range more precisely once the rider reaches their destination. Riders can even set a minimum battery level they want when they reach their destination. That means that the commuter who can’t recharge at work can set Range Control to not drop below a 55 percent charge upon reaching work, ensuring they will have enough battery to reach home. The Smart System adjusts the assistance level as necessary to give the rider as much support as possible while maintaining the minimum battery level upon reaching the destination. A rider can also choose their arrival time when planning a route and the Smart System will tell them when they need to depart. The Smart System also recommends routes that are appropriate to cycling based on road surface, gradient and other factors.

Other recent Bosch innovations include a new mode, Eco+. This new mode keeps riding as close to traditional cycling as possible by leaving the motor turned off until a rider-selected threshold is reached; the threshold can be customized in the eBike Flow App. Eco+ helps to extend range for riders.

The eBike Flow App also allows riders to customize the Purion 200 display, choosing just what data points can be displayed in select display tiles. E-bikes equipped with Bosch’s ABS system will now be able to view statistics regarding the system, such as how much braking was performed with the system on a ride, vs. without.

Yet another new feature for Bosch owners is “extended navigation” which will now show all the nearby side roads, giving riders greater flexibility in route choice.

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With such a rich suite of user friendly features and increased integration with other brands’ products, Bosch is doing all they can to differentiate their product line from similar product lines, such as those from Shimano and Yamaha. It’s clear that they want to show consumers that even if two e-bikes have motors and batteries, the Bosch-equipped e-bike will provide a better overall experience thanks to features like superior security and helpful navigation.
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People for Bikes Names its Best Places to Ride

Minneapolis, Davis California, and Mackinac Island, Michigan topped People for Bikes’ annual list of the best communities for cycling in the U.S.

People for Bikes Names its Best Places to Ride

What do Minneapolis, Davis, California and Mackinac Island, Michigan have in common? All three were named among the best places to ride in the U.S. People for Bikes, the largest cycling advocacy organization in the U.S., listed them among the best large, medium and small cities in the nation for cycling.

Each year People for Bikes comes out with their list of the best places to ride. To avoid unfair comparisons, PFB groups communities into those with a population of fewer than 50,000 people (small), those with 50,000 to 300,000 residents (medium) and those with more than 300,000 residents (large). They also rate international cities.

Communities are scored on a 100-point scale and the select 10 per category. The criteria for selection are designated by the acronym SPRINT: Save speeds, Protected bike lanes, Reallocated space for cycling, Intersection treatments, Network connections and Trusted data.

2024’s Best Cities for Bicycling

Small Cities (<50,000 population)

Medium Cities (50,000-300,000 population)

Large Cities (>300,000 population)

International Cities

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Many of the cities on the list show up year after year. Davis, California, has led the way on medium-sized cities for years. And with so much infrastructure devoted to cycling, it will be difficult for any city not already on the list to make the kind of gains necessary to challenge perennial tops like Minneapolis, Seattle and San Francisco.

If you want to plan a vacation and take your e-bike with you (or rent one there), this list is the perfect place to start.

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Smith Payroll Helmet Review, 2024

This mountain bike helmet is certified for e-bike use.

Smith Payroll Helmet Review 2024

Not all bike helmets are created equal. While anything you’re going to find online or in your local bike shop or e-bike dealer will carry the requisite certifications, the Smith Payroll helmet provides protection of a different sort. In our Smith Payroll helmet review we will look at how this helmet is different from some of the other helmets on the market. And as we’ve reported previously, wearing a helmet is the best way to prevent an injury while riding.

Let’s get the basics out of the way. The Smith Payroll features Smith’s exclusive Zonal Koroyd material, which is an energy-absorbing material made up of plastic tubes that are welded together. Think of the material as a box of soda straws all glued together, side-by-side. It provides terrific compressive strength, but absorbs energy through plastic deformation—a kind of crumple zone for your head.

The Smith Payroll also uses MIPS to protect the rider’s head from rotational forces should they fall. Both Koroyd and MIPS are technologies that protect beyond what is needed for the Payroll to meet NTA8776, CPSC, CE EN 1078 and AS/NZS2063.

Of note is the NTA8776 certification, which is the standard helmets must meet for Class 3 e-bike use. The Payroll features an integrated skeletal structure that functions as a roll cage for the wearer.

Smith Payroll Helmet Review, 2024

There are a couple of features we like about the Smith Payroll that give it an appeal beyond what we see with many helmets. The most significant among these is that because the Payroll is aimed at mountain bike and eMTB riders, it features greater coverage at the back of the rider’s head, giving the rider increased protection in the event of a fall in which the back of the helmet strikes first. The helmet also offers a bit more forehead coverage than some helmets.

We also like that this helmet features an adjustable visor, which can be set in three different positions, depending on the time of day and sun’s brightness. With 19 vents, the Payroll will also offer riders better ventilation on hot days, which is part of why a helmet offering such thorough coverage can weigh only 14 oz. (400g).

The VaporFit dial system gives riders a way to adjust the helmet’s fit on the fly with an easy-to-reach dial in the rear.

The Payroll is made in six different colorways, but this particular one (Matte Black/Topo) comes with a crash sensor called Aleck. Electronics in the VayporFit dial include an accelerometer that can detect if the rider crashes. If so, it sends a signal to the Aleck smartphone app which will then send out an SOS to any contacts entered in the app. The Aleck electronics add just a few grams to the helmet, making this a safety upgrade that’s hard to pass up.

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Getting a helmet to cooperate with eyewear can be an exercise in frustration. Not only is having a helmet knock against the frame of your glasses annoying, the knocking can be uncomfortable due to the way it places pressure on your ears. Smith avoids this issue by designing the helmet to be compatible with both their eyewear and goggles. The helmet even features channels so that you can remove your eyewear in low-light situations and keep it secure.

The Smith Payroll comes in at the $200 price point which, while not cheap, is a good deal for such a full-featured helmet. It’s made in four sizes (S-XL) and six different colors. The version with Aleck increasing the cost about 10 percent.

You needn’t be an eMTB rider or even riding an all-terrain e-bike to make use of the Smith Payroll; its features make it suitable to any rider, especially those with Class 3 e-bikes.

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Hollywood Racks Destination E Review | Read Before Buying!

Hollywood Racks Destination E Bike Rack Review 2024

There’s a truism about bike racks like the Hollywood Destination E bike rack we’re reviewing: They need to be able to carry more bikes than the purchaser owns.

There’s no telling when you’ll need to pick up a friend on the way to the ride location or rescue someone who has run into a bigger mechanical than they can fix on the ride.

The Hollywood Racks Destination E hitch rack has more range than most. In a world full of one-size-doesn’t-actually-fit-all, this hitch rack can accommodate everything from a 70-lb. cargo e-bike down to a BMX bike, not to mention any e-bike with tires up to 4.5-in. wide.

While the versatility of this bike rack was the star of the show for us, it also scores well in the affordable and reliable boxes, making it worthy of a look for any e-biker in the market.


[Read more…] about Hollywood Racks Destination E Review | Read Before Buying!

DJI Is Getting Into E-Bikes With New Brand Amflow

The Amflow PL Carbon features a proprietary motor called Avinox that produces 850W at max and a whopping 105Nm of torque, and that’s before setting it to Boost mode.

DJI Is Getting Into E-Bikes With New Brand Amflow

The electronics wizards at DJI—best known for their drones—have launched a new e-bike brand, Amflow. The Amflow PL is an eMTB with a proprietary new motor, the Avinox.

Not to overstate things, but in a world full of disruptions, this new motor is going to disrupt the eMTB market.

The Avinox drive unit looks like a typical 250W mid-drive motor. It’s not, though. This mid-drive may produce 250W nominally, but its peak power output is 850W with a massive 105Nm of torque. That is, that’s the peak output until you put set the controller to Boost mode in which peak power output jumps to 1000W and torque climbs to 120Nm. Despite all that power, this is still a Class 1 motor with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph. It weighs just 2.5kg (5.5 lbs.), giving it one of the highest power-to-weight ratios on the market.

Amflow produces the PL Carbon in two different versions. The Amflow PL Carbon is made in four sizes and features 150mm of travel. In spec, the Amflow PL Carbon comes with the Avinox drive unit, an 800Wh battery, Fox Float Performance shock and Fox 36 Performance fork and a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with Magura MT-5 4-piston calipers matched with 203mm rotors. Maxxis tires, an alloy bar and KS dropper post.

The Amflow PL Carbon Pro features the same frame and Avinox motor, but upgrades the Fox Float Performance to a Fox Float X Factory and the fork to a Flox 36 Factory. Riders are given a choice between a lighter 600Wh battery and the 800Wh battery. The drivetrain goes to SRAM’s X0 Eagle transmission with a wireless AXS Pod controller. The bar is upgraded to carbon fiber and an adjustable-travel Fox Transfer dropper post.

DJI Is Getting Into E-Bikes With New Brand Amflow

The Amflow PL Carbon Pro is reported to weigh just 42 lbs., a weight that rivals some of the lighter eMTBs with lightweight motors that can’t match the output of the Avinox drive unit.

Amflow produces a smartphone app that will allow users to adjust certain performance parameters as well as remotely track the PL Carbon’s location. If the location is “abnormal” the owner will receive an alert on their phone.

The OLED display mounted in the top tube will display a range of information, not just battery level. The GaN charger is said to take a battery up to 75 percent of charge in just 90 minutes.

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Manufacturers always want to introduce the next product that will be called a game-changer. Very few do, but Amflow, backed by the considerable expertise of DJI, may have accomplished just that with the PL Carbon and PL Carbon Pro.

The Amflow eMTB has the ability to reset expectations for what someone can expect from an eMTB in terms of power and weight.

No word yet on pricing or availability.

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ZF Has a 48-Volt Mid-Drive Motor

The ZF CentriX Drive is a surprisingly lightweight system with up to 600W and 90Nm of power output, while offering powerful 48V circuitry.

ZF Has a 48-Volt Mid-Drive Motor

Most mid-drive motors operate on 36V systems. That’s because most mid-drive motors produce just 250W, nominally. The German company ZF has introduced a new mid-drive motor, the CentriX drive, that uses 48V circuitry to supply power more readily.

The ZF CentriX Drive is a mid-drive motor that can produce up to 90Nm of torque and a maximum power output of 600W. Those are solid numbers but what is even more impressive is that the CentriX Drive weighs just 2.5kg (5.5 lbs.). In fact, ZF makes two different versions of the CentriX Drive, the CentriX 90, which produces up to 600W and 90Nm of torque and the CentriX 75, which produces up to 450W and 75Nm of torque.

The motors can be configured with either a 504Wh or 756Wh battery. ZF also produces a controller, a color display, a top-tube-mounted power button and a smartphone app.

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Based on the specs alone, the ZF CentriX Drives seem destined to be sought-after systems for eMTBs and lightweight road and gravel e-bikes. Low weight, high power output and a 33 percent increase in voltage should certainly get the attention of manufacturers.
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Have You Seen This? Bakcou Timberwolf Is a Huge AWD Scooter

The Bakcou Timberwolf is an e-scooter with two 750W motors, a 1008Wh battery, disc brakes front and rear and fat tires that can roll over lots of terrain.

Have You Seen This? Bakcou Timberwolf Is a Huge AWD Scooter

Imagine an e-scooter. Imagine going off-road. On your e-scooter. You might have gotten stuck at that last suggestion because most scooters—electric or otherwise—have wheels the size of what we put on suitcases. Small wheels aren’t great for unpaved surfaces, which is where the Bakcou Timberwolf figures.

Bakcou, whose name comes from backcountry, has introduced an electric scooter with wheels and tires big enough to go offroad. The Timberwolf has a 24-in. wheel in front, with a 20-in. wheel in the rear. The tires are 4-in.-wide knobbies, perfect for going offroad.

It is equipped with not one, but two, 750W Bafang hub motors. They are powered by a whopping 1008Wh battery, which seems huge (okay, it is objectively huge), but considering that it is powering two motors rather than one, and considering that most riders will be using the throttle full-time, range won’t be as enormous as you might expect. Bakcou indicates a top speed of 20+ mph, which suggests it has a mode that will allow it to go faster than 20 mph, but they don’t go into detail on the site.

Bakcou specs a GT MRK coil-spring suspension fork with 110mm of travel to help soak up the bumps so your knees don’t have to do all the work. Because of the deck you stand on, ground clearance is an issue for the Timberwolf in a way it is not with an e-bike. It offers 6 in. of clearance below the deck, which means that any rocks or roots someone rides over will, hopefully, be less than 6 in. tall.

It features Tektro hydraulic disc brakes both front and rear and they are matched with 203mm rotors, which is the largest size you can get for an e-bike. This e-scooter won’t have any trouble stopping—as long as it’s on solid ground.

The max load for the Bakcou Timberwolf is 320 lbs., though they say that depends on the terrain. Reading between the lines, that suggests that on a steep enough uphill, the two motors may not be able to produce enough torque to move that much weight. The weight of the scooter is a factor in this. Because it has that ginormous battery and two motors, it weighs 90 lbs. Should you need to pick it up, removing the battery will drop the weight to 79 lbs.

Bakcou estimates that the 1008Wh battery will give riders a range of 25 mi., depending on the terrain and surface. The hillier the terrain, the more that number will shrink.

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When it comes to the annals of, “What will they think of next?” just when the crew here at Electric Bike Report thinks we’ve seen it all, we realize, nope, we have not seen all of it. New ideas pop up seemingly weekly.

One of the interesting lessons we’ve learned is that no matter how unusual a product may seem, there’s always someone out there who sees it and thinks, “Exactly what I need.” It’s hard to imagine the use case that makes someone think this will better fit their needs than an e-bike, but that’s not our job. Our job is to let our readers know Bakcou makes the Timberwolf (and two other e-scooters).

The Bakcou Timberwolf is not cheap, which should not be a surprise, considering that it comes with a very large battery and two motors. Be prepared to spend more than $3000 if you’re interested. It comes in three colors: matte black, matte Army green and matte orange.

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