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Modular E-bike Has Motors in Both Wheels, Is Perfect for Speed Demons

By now everyone has caught on that bicycles are the next best urban mobility solution. Actually, they seem to have always been, but, advancements in technologies and human ingenuity have brought with them the e-bike.
Pelikan E-bike 10 photos
Photo: Fabian Brees
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We sure have been seeing a lot of e-bikes lately, and that craze doesn’t seem to be slowing down. That being said, we’re always on the hunt for the next best thing to pop up. However, some designs never make it into production. That’s not to say they won’t.

One of these e-bike designs is known as the Pelikan. It’s a modular e-bike design by Design Director Fabian Brees from Antwerp, Belgium. Even though it currently remains a concept, some of the technology it boasts could be seen very soon on real e-bikes. With the way things are looking, maybe even this specific design could be seen. But then again, I'm a dreamer.

Nonetheless, there are some ideas that this e-bike does showcase. The idea behind this vehicle was to create an e-bike that could be seen as a transitionary point between classic bicycle and motorcycle design. Instead of hiding battery and motor components, Brees wanted to use them as part of the visual appeal for the Pelikan.

Pelikan E\-bike
Photo: Fabian Brees
But to do so he had to break away from classic e-bike design. The frame is one of the aspects where the designer chose to do it all differently. To do so, he had to break away from tube frame design and that can be a scary feeling, but as we can see, a freeing one.

It’s kind of like this. The main frame for the bike is mostly that Z-like down tube. It extends from the very front of the bike where it holds the fork and handlebars together, all the way to the back, also acting as the chain stay. The raised seat and the forward leaning keystone handlebars seem to place the rider into a very flat riding position.

I mention earlier that the bike is modular, But in what way? Well, most e-bikes come with only one battery system. This usually means that your power and distance will remain nearly the same no matter where you choose to ride. If you wanted to extend your trip you would need another battery pack. Because Brees saw this as a limitation on existing design, he created the Pelikan to be able to use another heavier duty battery to amplify its range and power.

Pelikan E\-bike
Photo: Fabian Brees
The initial battery pack is to be used only for the usual city-riding and cruising. While the “Long-Haul” battery is to be used for longer distances or more demanding rides. One neat thing about these battery designs is that they include the charger and cable in the battery casing so there’s no need to carry a charger with you, ever.

Another ability this e-bike showcases is the use of a second hub motor. But as with the batteries, the second hub is designed to be used in long distance travels, and hand in hand with the Long-Haul battery. Otherwise, the ride would end in half the time, and nobody likes half a ride to anywhere.

But what about braking? How do we stop? Well, we’re told that front fork includes integrated v-brakes, which should be enough if the motor(s) do their own braking. And just up to today’s standards, the entire chain is a belt drive, similar to the Gates used on already existing e-bikes.

As simple as the Pelikan may seem, it really isn’t too far off from any possible design. We’ve already seen frames that utilize carbon fiber molded into shapes such as this one. Only the kinks of being able to swap to a bigger battery and using a second hub motor needs to be worked out. Otherwise, this thing is doable.
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About the author: Cristian Curmei
Cristian Curmei profile photo

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides).
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