Electric bike kit, Vectrix

[armb]

20+mph head winds cycling in this morning. I mentioned that I was thinking of getting an electric assist motor a while back when the winds were similar. Last week I did actually do something about it, and pre-ordered a kit from Electric Bike Sales on Mill Road (Eddie had forgotten to email me, so it was pure chance I called in shortly before the deadline for the pre-order price, but he did say he would have given me the pre-order price later - I'd left details before going on holiday. At that time the new kit hadn't been publically announced and "Some of the biggest and most trusted bicycle brands have decided to enter the electric bike market using this kit on their bikes" was still a secret (the web site still doesn't say who, but the "Traditional Cycles" section of the shop gives a clue).
The kits are still in China at the moment, he promised he really would email me this time when there is news they have actually been shipped (but then it will still be some while before they get here, since "shipped" does mean shipped here, not flown). I'm a little dubious about buying without trying one out first, but comparing the specs and price with http://nano-motor.co.uk and knowing that Eddie has always been happy to chat when I've called in as merely a potential customer, decided to risk it.
The theory is that it should pay for itself in reduced petrol costs if I cycle more often as a result (which should leave me still getting as much exercise as now). On a good day it won't be any faster (and might be slower, with the extra weight, but I can always use the other bike. Well, once I get some brakes/gear shifters/handlebar tape back on it).
If it means we actually get rid of the second car, it will very easily pay for itself, but I'm not counting on that.


They also had a Vectrix maxi-scooter, which looks very nice, but is £7000 (and needs to be insured and MOTed, even if electric vehicles are zero VED). And apparently getting one registered was quite hard, though the DVLA might cope more easily as they get used to it.
Some reviews:
http://gizmag.com/go/8036/
http://www.independent.co.uk/living/motoring/features/article1999254.ece
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/features/article1744354.ece

Comments

Re: Sounds like the Protanium kit

[armb.livejournal.com]

It does indeed :-). (And I notice the pre-order date is now "end of September" with no expected arrival date yet. But I'm not in a rush.)

The Schwinn website still lists a "2008 electric" section (with 2007 models), so maybe it will happen. Schwinn aren't really a big name here in the UK.