Sure, it’s not exactly the best time of year for cyclists, which is slowly creeping up on us after this endless summer. But no matter, the mobility transition that is so urgently needed in Germany’s commuter capital doesn’t end just because it’s autumn and cold, gray and gloomy. Pedaling is good for the body and soul, even when there is a slightly fresher wind blowing around your nose outside. A few innovations from the bicycle market that the bicycle press service has just presented:
Security at the touch of a button
Anyone who rides an S-Pedelec knows the problem: Since you can travel quite quickly with these things – 45 kilometers per hour is really a lot on a bike – it’s not always easy for some people, especially in the hustle and bustle of big cities Take your hand off the handlebars while driving to indicate that you want to turn. It’s a good thing that there are now indicators: the “Turntec” from lighting specialist Busch and Müller for S-Pedelecs, multi-lane e-bikes and bicycle trailers. Turn signals are not permitted on other types of bicycles. As with modern cars, a quick tap with your thumb is enough to flash. If you press it longer, it will flash until you press it again. Two front indicators and two rear indicators cost 349 euros.
Pack donkey on wheels
In the eternal discussion about whether you still need a car in the city, the four-wheeler advocates always had a compelling argument in the form of a question: “Yes, how else am I supposed to get the crates of drinks home?” Well, that argument no longer works. With the cargo bike “Ca Go CS” you get both a case of water (rear) and a carrier of beer (bottom front) on board, and there is also space for a bit of leftover shopping (front luggage rack). Permissible total weight: 180 kilos – that should probably last. Thanks to its compact dimensions (2.04 meters long, 48 centimeters wide), this “city utility vehicle” has a surprisingly small turning circle and a low center of gravity: perfect for so-called urban spaces. Cost: from 5590 euros. Quite a bit, but you can’t get a new car for that price either.
Just lying down is nicer
The Hessian recumbent bike manufacturer HP Velotechnik has recently launched a slightly different tricycle: the “Delta tx” armchair tricycle, which can be dismantled into three parts. The height and length-adjustable chopper handlebars give the bike a touch of “Easy Rider”, and thanks to the seat height, which can be adjusted continuously from 48 to 71 centimeters, even tall people with their long haunches can relax on the handlebars. There is also space for shopping, and at just 32 kilos, the electric bike is comparatively light and maneuverable. The two meter long and 75 centimeter wide tricycle is available from 5990 euros.
Small, strong, fast
At first glance, the “Moca” looks as if something had gone terribly wrong during assembly: Did someone install the wrong front wheel? Of course not, the so-called mixed wheel approach with 26-inch wheels at the rear and 20 inches at the front is intended to ensure good weight distribution and smooth running. The new brand Moca has committed itself to saving space with this e-cargo bike model: thanks to folding pedals and a rotating handlebar, it can be reduced to a width of 25 centimeters and therefore fits even in narrow hallways. On the other hand, the permissible total weight is large: 210 kilos, although the front and rear luggage racks can each be loaded with 35 kilos. However, you shouldn’t be longer than 1.90 m with this model. Cost: 4499 euros.
Clever and smart
Without smart technology and networking, not a single area of life is possible anymore. Connectivity is therefore playing an increasingly important role, especially with e-bikes. With the “Fit E-Bike System Integration”, Biketech GmbH has now developed a digital architecture that connects software and hardware components for e-bikes. There are countless possible combinations for battery, display, drive and lock, which can then be configured and controlled using the Fit app. The price? Depends on the individual configuration.
The eye goes along
Fortunately, the days when e-bikes were ugly and heavy pieces of rubble are long gone. Style and beauty are now increasingly finding their way into the e-bike market, which has been booming for years. A literally beautiful example of this: the “Upstreet SL” from Flyer. Here, minimalist design meets the latest technology, and the result is an electric bike that is comparatively light as a feather at 18 kilos and is also flexible for everyday city life, including standards such as a side stand, lighting system, luggage rack and mudguard. A particularly quiet 400 watt-hour battery should ensure sufficient range, which can be supplemented with a 250 watt-hour battery in drinking bottle format if necessary. The stylish racer will be available from next spring, starting at 3,999 euros.