With the new
ebike, smart is presenting its second idea for
locally emission-free electric mobility on two
wheels. The trend-setting electric bicycle study,
which will be premiered at the Paris Motor Show 2010
together with the highly regarded smart escooter is
suited for both effortless city biking and sporty
use. Unlike the scooter, the ebike´s drive is not
controlled via the throttle grip. Instead, it
delivers extra power when the rider pedals. The
muscle power-electric hybrid drive offers four power
levels. The high-tech bike also
sets standards in terms of appearance and concept,
starting with the futuristic look and the discretely
designed lightweight wheels to the technical
features in detail. Characteristics that the ebike
and the escooter have in common are typical smart
design features, simple handling and the integration
of smartphones: the smart drive kit app that has
been further developed also performs numerous
functions for the ebike, for example those of a
speedometer and a navigation system.
In addition to
its eye-catching design and innovative technology,
the new smart ebike has a special feature: its
versatility. The electric drive
conserves the rider's strength in everyday use - for
example on the way to school, university or work.
Thanks to "electric power", there is no longer any
need to be afraid of hills. In addition, the
high-tech ebike is simple to operate without
conventional gear shifting. At the same time it is
great for
a sporty workout: the electric drive integrated in
the rear wheel does not offer unlimited assistance
and is automatically cut off at 25 km/h. Besides,
the rider's fitness is the only thing to limit the
maximum speed that can be achieved. And
incidentally, "pedelecs" (Pedal Electric Cycle) have
a further practical advantage for all "bikers": no
driving licence is needed as they do not reach
electrically driven speeds above 25 km/h.
Dr Annette
Winkler, head of smart, says "The brand smart
becomes even more electric with the ebike: Following
the fortwo and the escooter, many old and new smart
fans may choose the way they move in the city even
more individually and adapt it better to their
individual life, the weather and their personal
mood. People of all ages, with or without a driving
licence, fit or not will enjoy experiencing the
world by bicycle, also over longer distances. As
long as power and shape suffice, the own fitness is
the "engine". But also if the electric drive is
started, the ebike remains locally emission-free -
except of one own´s breath. With a long range of
typical attributes such as the character defining
design and the safety features,
also the bike shows: smart is intelligent."
Sporty
lightweight construction with typical smart design
elements
The smart ebike
boasts a clear design idiom and an "uncluttered"
independent appearance. The frame construction is
obviously solid and at the same time also very
elegant. It consists of aluminium profiles that are
lightweight yet torsionally rigid thanks to large
cross sections and ensures a strong direct
connection between the steering-head bearing and the
crankcase. The smart ebike weighs approximately 22
kilograms, making the smart among the electric
bicycles one of the lightweights in its segment.
The rear wheel is
also suspended by large and accordingly sturdy
aluminium profiles, which means that there is no
need for the supporting struts usually found in the
rear wheel area of other bicycles. Technical
components such as Bowden wires or cables are not
visible and this contributes to the harmonious and
clear overall impression.
The design of the cladding on the lower frame
segment is based on the bodypanels of the smart
fortwo and underlines the affiliation with the
brand. The dynamic look is rounded off by filigree
26 inch lightweight wheels with six double spokes
which enhance ride comfort thanks to good intrinsic
damping, and can also cope well with rough road
surfaces or a "short cut" over a kerb.
The smart ebike was
designed and realised in cooperation with the Berlin
e-bike manufacturer GRACE based on concrete ideas
and specifications from the smart designers. The
company specialises in high quality and fully
integrated electric bikes. The project was led by
Karlheinz Nicolai, who enjoys an excellent
reputation in the two-wheeler industry as a
developer and design engineer of high-tech bicycles.
Active bend
lighting for maximum visibility in the dark
The front headlamp,
which is not fitted on the frame but rather
integrated in the handlebar, provides for greater
active safety. It has the same effect as active
curve illumination on cars: the state-of-the-art
full LED headlamp follows every steering movement
and ensures the best possible illumination of the
area in the direction of travel. This solution -
like the LED rear lamp integrated in the underside
of the saddle - also adds to the pleasing aesthetics
as these two mounted parts are positioned so
elegantly that they do not interrupt the overall
styling.
Hybrid
drive with muscle power and electric drive
According to the
technical definition, the ebike has a hybrid drive -
a combination of muscle power and an electric drive.
The electric "booster" is a 250 watt brushless
direct current wheel hub motor that is integrated in
the rear wheel. The propulsion current is stored in
a compact lithium-ion battery with voltage of 36
volts and capacity of 9.6 Ah. The battery pack is
housed above the pedal crankcase on the frame and is
concealed by the frame panelling. The charge socket
for the battery charger is located below the
pedal-crank bearing. The ebike can be charged at any
normal household socket - just like a notebook. The
battery can be fully charged in two to three hours.
The energy recuperated during braking is stored in
the battery during the journey.
Plug and
play: insert smartphone - and off you go!
Like on the
escooter, a smartphone is also used on the ebike. It
assumes various functions during the ride, for
example those of a speedometer or a heart rate
monitor. At the same time the smartphone is both a
"starter" and an immobiliser: when it is placed in
the specially designed mount it automatically
activates the drive system. When the rider removes
the smartphone the ebike is automatically locked and
protected against theft.
The electric drive is switched on as soon as the
rider starts pedalling like on a normal bicycle.
Muscle power is also transmitted to the rear wheel
in accordance with the classic bicycle principle:
from the pedals via the crank bearing to the final
drive. A special feature of the ebike is that a belt
pulley and a toothed belt assume the tasks of the
chain wheel and chain. These are silent and - like
the other components of the drive system - they do
not require any maintenance.
Four level
boost effect
The rider decides
how much power he wants the electric drive to
deliver to support his muscle power by pressing a
button on the handlebar. There is a choice of four
power levels with the fourth and strongest level
providing maximum pushing power. Depending on the
level of assistance the bike has a range per battery
charge of 30, 50, 70 or 90 kilometres - more than
ample for the distances covered in everyday use. If
the rider changes the "booster" power during the
journey, the remaining range will vary depending on
the power used. The gear ratio is automatically
adjusted in two levels depending on the speed. The
maximum speed depends on the terrain and the energy
expended by the rider. At a speed of more than 25
kilometres per hour the electric drive automatically
stops providing assistance - and the ebike becomes a
pure "muscle bike".
Safe
braking - with energy recuperation
The front and rear
wheels are each equipped with a state-of-the art
hydraulic disc brake for safe and efficient braking.
In addition, the rear wheel is braked "electrically"
via the resistance of the wheel hub motor. When the
brakes are applied, the operating principle is
reversed, and the drive becomes a generator whose
resistance provides the required braking effect -
just like on the escooter. The resulting braking
energy is recuperated, i.e. it is converted into
electrical energy and stored in the bike's
lithium-ion battery.
The
smartphone as a control and communication centre
As well as its
functions in controlling the vehicle, the smartphone
- which is charged during the ride - also serves an
important role as a trip computer. During the ride
it informs the rider about the battery charge status
and the present and average speed, and it can also
be used as a navigation system. Furthermore, the
rider has mobile internet access via the smart drive
kit app and can use numerous further applications
such as internet radio, music playlists and
telephone book. A GPS tracking function also shows
where the bike is parked.
Additional
smartphone-specific applications are conceivable for
the further development. For example, on winter or
rainy days and whenever four wheels are the more
practical alternative, networking with the
successful car2go mobility concept is possible. All
in all the new ebike perfectly embodies the smart
philosophy of intelligent urban mobility that is
consistently geared to sustainability. Like its
automotive counterpart, the smart fortwo electric
drive, it offers numerous convincing advantages -
ecologically, economically and functionally.
Exemplary environmental compatibility is guaranteed
in every respect. On the one hand the ebike has no
local emissions and does not need any fossil fuels
or lubricants. On the other hand all components are
100 percent recyclable. It combines low operating
costs with functional advantages - from simple
operation to the fact that finding a parking space
in the city is not an issue at all for ebikers.
Furthermore, in addition to practical advantages in
everyday use, the integration of the smartphone
means that the ebike is also easy to integrate in
new mobility concepts.
