This week’s news on the forthcoming ‘ultra-powerful’ Biktrix XD mid-drive looks like it might spark off the old e-bike debates ‘how much speed is too much speed’ and ‘when does an e-bike become a motorbike?’. EBR usually excludes such superfast machines and, indeed, has written an article warning against them here.
However, we included the Biktrix XD on the grounds it has some interesting new tech and also because all the details aren’t yet clear; whilst it has a throttle and a claimed humungous 2000W plus peak power rating, the claimed assisted speed of 50kmh is only just above the current ‘speed pedelec’ limit that is a legal e-bike category in many US states. Much more speed than this and, pedals or no pedals, you are clearly looking at motorbike equivalent speeds beyond the remit of conventional e-bikes. But the XD does pose an interesting question, even with some reasonable speed cap as a limit, how much power should e-bikes be allowed in future (for example if we want e-bikes capable of towing truly heavy loads or conquering extreme terrain) and how should it be activated?
In this week’s e-bike news:
- Biktrix XD mid-drive with novel design and high power
- Cannondale go with New Bosch Smart System for 2022 Tesoro Neo X 1
- Aventon Sinch now has a Step-Through option
- Z-Triton bike-boat going into production
- Brands Hatch electric lap records
- E-bike price rises
- Clean Air Zones from the UK