CES 2009: Schwinn's Tailwind Bike Uses Exclusive Toshiba Battery Tech (Video)
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California 
on 01. 9.09
Schwinn has put out a very cool electric assist bike using battery technology created exclusively for this bike by Toshiba.
Read on to watch a video demonstration.
*Note: You can click through to YouTube to view the video in high quality format*
The downside about this is that the battery relies on 100% plug-in power...no recharging by pedaling. The upside is that electric assist may encourage and enable more people to bike. The battery is about 6 lbs, and detaches so you can take it inside with you when you lock up your bike, and recharge it at work or at home.
A full charge takes only 30 minutes of plug-in time. This quick-charging battery technology is from Toshiba, and is used exclusively for this bike.
You can also extend the charge by using only the amount of assist you need. And of course you can ride it as a regular bike when you don't need any assist at all.
More on Electric Bikes:
The $350 Electric Commuter Bike
Go Further, Faster on Sanyo's Electric Hybrid Bicycle
A Resolution for 2009: Around the World in an Electric Bike
More on CES 2009:
CES 2009: Motorola Launches The First Carbon Neutral Cell Phone
Are Green Gadgets Really Greener This Year At CES?
CES 2009: Christopher Knight Helps Kick off Green Plug's First Product
CES 2009: The Greener Gadgets Wild Goose Chase
CES 2009: Fuji Rolls Out Greenwashed EnviroMAX Batteries
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Green Glossary: Planet Bike
- 5 Reuses for Altoid Tins
- Your Idle Computer Can Save Lives
- The Week's Best DIY Projects: Kid-Friendly Coloring Books, Energy-Saving Chargers, and Woven Coasters
- Spare Yourself from Road Raging Bike Haters: How to Avoid Anti-Cyclism
- 7 Great Weekend Solar Power Projects
How much is it anticipated to cost.....it is irresponsible to write the article without talking about the projected price?
guess you didn't watch the video. at approx. 1 minute in he says, "this is in stores now... retails for $3200." it is irresponsible to not read the article/watch the video before patronizing the writer?
$3200! for a commuter bike? They forgot to mention the frame is made of 24 carat gold.
DIY electric bike conversion kits start from 300 USD, usually they have a lead-acid battery. But I have seen kits at about 500$ that have LiON battery packs.
If You already have a bike, it makes more sense to convert it instead of getting a new electric bicycle.
Though the case is often made that high dollared/premium items typically have to pretty much be out of style before they are affordable by most of us peasants, Bike+battery does not equal $3200 unless you're some kind of professional electrically assisted bike racer...Yeah that makes sense!
Is it strange of me to be insulted ? How many more ways can a company admit that they have no intention of promoting conservation, higher learning, practical approaches to looming problems, or aiding an endangered middle class than to offer up a $3200 dollar bike battery!?