E-WAW.
On the hybrid front we're now offering a
custom mix of
light and reliable stuff from Crystalyte and Cyclone. At 2.2 kg, the 250W Cyclone motor
is reasonably light - and silent - but when it drives the pedals instead of the rear wheel it is powerful when you need it. By using the gears it can operate at its optimal efficiency, even when you're going up a steep hill or accelerating to cruising speed. Our customers report they can hold 50km/h speeds on human power relatively easy, as long as the motor helps for acceleration.
It's not
a weak electric car but a true human-electric hybrid setup where the
electric assist enhances the performance of the bio-engine. The human
motor is actually quite good at converting biomass into work: about the
same efficiency as a good combustion engine and much better than an
electric system. But we suck at handling peak loads. In this graph we
see how radically our endurance drops when power demand increases.
(definitive article by John Tetz)
Adding
up to 200 Watts of power during peak demands, transforms an average
rider into a top athlete. As the assistance is only intermittent (hills,
acceleration, merging in traffic) we only need a tiny battery. In this
way we
enhance the cycling experience without falling into a feedback loop of power and weight.
Acceleration and climbs don't wear the rider out as quickly anymore,
which means the better part of the rider's energy is available for the
long, constant stretches that make up the majority of the ride. Here the
rider is hardly bothered by the 4 to 5 kg weight increase of motor and
battery.
Where our system really outshines the more powerful and heavy hub
motor setups, is its lack of resistance at higher speeds. Hub motors are
okay on electric bicycles, but fail at the extended speed range of a
velomobile, lacking power in ascents and resisting high speeds by
inductance. We do however use the Crystalyte battery and a modified Crystalyte thumb throttle for greater reliability.
But you all knew that, of course. Let's see where the really advanced cycling technology is at, as seen on
Spezi.
