Photo: Impossible on Kickstarter
A start-up company from Beijing, China has spent the last three years looking for the bast way of creating an electric bicycle that is as small, as it is energy efficient. Their long voyage is now close to the end as they have created their first prototype, a folding white bike that fits in a normal backpack, with an autonomy of up to 15.6 miles (24km).
It looks like that type of vehicle students would drive in Tron: Legacy, but it is in fact one heck of a bicycle.
A frame built around circles instead of a single horizontal girder, was the final option the team went for, thus the futuristic look. According to its creators, the circular design of the frame helps ensure that the bike spreads the weight equally across the frame, while the seat and the handle bars are positioned at similar heights. In this way, the front and rear wheel would bear the weight of the rider equally.
“We have used a carbon fiber as the primary material in the frame, making both extremely light and very durable. The ‘connecting box’ in the middle of the frame is one of the handful of pieces made of heavier steel. This steel box can easily bear the weight of the rider and withstand the shocks associated with everyday use,” Impossible Technologies, which is the name of the company, describes their white electric bike.
The electric motor is the result of the team’s work on an existing engine, but they claim they will design their own item once the e-bike goes into production. According to its creator, this motor will be a brushless DC motor designed and built specifically for use with Impossible. As to how you drive it, the biker simply points the front wheel in the direction of travel and off you go, no pedaling necessary.
The team is currently running a Kickstarter campaign and it seems people enjoy the concept, as the pledged was already reached. If you hurry, you can still get one of the 70 black Impossible bikes for $460, charger included.
A frame built around circles instead of a single horizontal girder, was the final option the team went for, thus the futuristic look. According to its creators, the circular design of the frame helps ensure that the bike spreads the weight equally across the frame, while the seat and the handle bars are positioned at similar heights. In this way, the front and rear wheel would bear the weight of the rider equally.
“We have used a carbon fiber as the primary material in the frame, making both extremely light and very durable. The ‘connecting box’ in the middle of the frame is one of the handful of pieces made of heavier steel. This steel box can easily bear the weight of the rider and withstand the shocks associated with everyday use,” Impossible Technologies, which is the name of the company, describes their white electric bike.
It can carry up to 180 pounds
The original prototype can carry up to 85 kg/180 pounds, but the team has stretch goals to raise the bar in the near future. While folded, the NeverWet-coated carrying case keeps Impossible and its charger clean and ready for use wherever the rider chooses to store it. Even on rainy days, backers can enjoy a safe and comfortable ride.The electric motor is the result of the team’s work on an existing engine, but they claim they will design their own item once the e-bike goes into production. According to its creator, this motor will be a brushless DC motor designed and built specifically for use with Impossible. As to how you drive it, the biker simply points the front wheel in the direction of travel and off you go, no pedaling necessary.
The team is currently running a Kickstarter campaign and it seems people enjoy the concept, as the pledged was already reached. If you hurry, you can still get one of the 70 black Impossible bikes for $460, charger included.
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