Schwinn's Electric Bikes Now Available
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 05. 8.08
After many delays, Schwinn's new electric bikes are now available in certain bike stores. The range includes the Campus, the least expensive model at $1,900, the World GSE, which sells for $2,200, and the Continental priced at $2,500. These bikes look just like regular bikes -- the electric motors and batteries are integrated seamlessly into the design.
Schwinn claims that the four pound Protanium lithium polymer battery included with these bikes is the lightest and most durable on the market. One charge will last 40-60 miles. You detach the batteries to charge them, so there are no wires on the bike itself. The bikes use a 250 watts max electric hub motor in the front wheel, controlled by a throttle on the handlebar which can propel the bike up to 18 mph. The batteries have a lifespan of about 3 years.
A word of caution: the electric bike review magazine, A To B, warns that the Schwinns they tested had battery problems when going uphill.
These bike are available from: Bike Source US (NJ), Harbor County Bike and Hobby (IL) and Electric Cyclery (NYC).
See also: Schwinn's New Line of Electric Bikes .
:: Schwinn
My previous quality of the bike rants aside, the biomega (?) chainless designed bike is awful. A sales rep stopped by a shop I was working at once giving his dog-and-pony show on these new chainless wonder bikes. We told him we'd buy all he had if he could change the tube on the back wheel in under 10 minutes. He couldn't even figure out how to get the wheel off. Unless they've radically changed their design, don't waste your money.
The top photo looks like it has no pedal power drive train? What gives? No chain, no gears?
Wow, been following these for a long time (they've been delayed, what 1.5 - 2.5 years?). In any case, they look to be head and shoulders above anything else out there and priced to show it. I think they originally priced between $1000 for the low end and $1500 for the high end.
Shweet!
Very very cool...I live 25 miles from work which is ridable on bike but 50 miles round trip is too much every day. These things will be great for that commute! I am absolutely buying one when they become available in my area. Currently I am spending about $200 a month on gas, 90% of which is for work. The money I will save on gas will more than pay for this bike. Yippeeee!!!
Mr Brody, the top bike doesn't have a chain, instead it seems to use a drive shaft instead. They're, allegedly, more efficient than chains (and less messy) and are becoming more popular. The system itself is some 200 years old, but was never popular until recently because it's somewhat difficult to add gears.
The top uses a drive shaft, like a car. Marketed as being almost as efficient as a chain, but much lower maintenance.
Jeff -- is there any reason changing the tire should be any harder than on a bike with any other internal hub? Some people say it's not too hard if you just leave the wheel on the bike -- slipping the tire off "in place," disconnecting the non-gear side of the hub, and dropping/slipping the tube through the gap. I haven't tried, so only hearsay so far.
Oh -- and Justin -- THANK you for including the A-B link. It's what has kept me skeptical about these bikes (and leaning-Bionx) all along; Schwinn really needs to respond to that review, or get a production copy to A-B for re-review.
If they have actually fixed their problems, these could be the best e-bikes in the US. If not.......ick.
I have a 35 year old BMW motorcycle with a shaft drive that I can easily remove & change the rear tire. I really hope Schwinn has reached this level of competence, 'cause I love the concept...