Schwinn's Electric Bikes Now Available

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...

A four pound battery that delivers a fifty mile range? Herein lies the problem with most electric vehicle ads. There are actually people in the world who believe these claims and they are very disappointed once they realize that a four pound battery is good for just a few miles.

I don't know what those guys from A-B did to make the bike malfunction but it must have been something crazy! I have sold approximately 60 of these bikes over the last few months (the most in the U.S.). We have not had any real issues to speak of. In fact, people who have purchased these bikes are calling it the best electric bike on the planet! Once you ride one you will buy one. I guess the only real issue is that we can't keep them in stock for more than a couple days.

I agree with Brian, I think the "sales rep" didn't know much about changing tires in the first place, and beyond that there are different versions of the bike, the campus which is more the cruiser/comfort, the world which is the hybrid/comfort, and the continental which is the drive shaft driven model. I have ridden all three to check them out, and beyond the continental being a little heavier than the other two, they ride great... the world was the best ride because of the 700c tire, but the campus was pretty great too! I think the concept behind the continental (shaft drive) model is to keep you from getting dirty for a commute to work. Oh and the battery does last almost 50 miles, it just depends on a person's body weight, the terrain, and weather they are riding through. Typically, I've heard stated that most riders will get around 40-45 miles, which come on... truly that's not bad at all!

Unfortunately, the bike appears to have a problem with switch for adjusting the electrical assist. I received an e-mail from Schwinn which state: "At this point, the electric bikes are indefinitely delayed until we make sure the technology meets our (and your) high standards. We do not, unfortunately, have an expected delivery date at this time."

Do you have any idea if the Sparta ION bikes so hot in Belgium will become available in the states?

I agree.