WSJ tests the OHM XU450 ebike
We've gazed at OHM's line of electric bikes already this year, and now we find a review by an automotive writer for The Wall Street Journal. David Patton tested the entry-level machine from the company, known as the XU450. The 450 stands for Watts, which the electric motor is able to deliver for short bursts. The rear hub-mounted motor can sustain a constant 250 Watts and the lithium battery is good for up to seventy miles, depending on how much pedaling the rider is willing to endure. Interestingly, the motor won't power the bike unless the rider pedals, so there are no free rides. Still, the top setting allows the motor to provide 200% more power than the rider is offering.
While we like the idea of electric bikes, the costs are going to have to come down before mainstream acceptance is likely. The XU450, for example, retails for a heady $2,195. Higher-specification models cost even more. Plus, its fifty pounds are quite a bit to lug around, as can be seen when you watch the video pasted after the break.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal]
Video:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jeffzekas 2:10PM (7/19/2008)
The main problem with the OHM and other electric bikes is cost: at $2,000 to over $5,000 (for some of the other brand's models), they are WAY more than mopeds and scooters, which start at $1,200 and top out at $,3,500. The Yamaha Vino 125 is $2,600, for instance, and is the scooter I've been seriously considering. Since these bikes only go ten to twelve mph (versus 45-55 mph for a scooter) it would take me an hour to go to work, versus fifteen minutes. So, unless the electric assist bikes get cheaper, for me, I'll just buy a scooter, and keep going to the gym for exercise!
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tankd0g 9:59PM (7/19/2008)
Check out your local bike shop some time. A good PEDAL powered bike starts at $1000. They retail well over $10,000 for some carbon fiber models.
James 2:20PM (7/19/2008)
There are many complaints about cost, but consider how many people drop $2,000 on a bike--just go down to your local shop and check out how many ridiculously-priced bikes are out there. Plus, no insurance costs, no need for a tag, no need for a special license.
On the other hand it's definitely not a replacement for a scooter if you have a medium-length commute, but certainly good if most of your riding is in a 5 or 10 mile radius.
Bottom line, I'm so glad to see the alternatives increasing every day. A combination of better public transportation and gadgets like these could make life easier and the air clean enough to enjoy riding your bike.
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stevefazek 2:50PM (7/19/2008)
That much money for 450 Watts. Does it come with a free butt pounding with it?
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a.brien 3:45PM (7/19/2008)
It's alway's the same thing with batteries, weight, low power, cost,
not to mention poor performance in cold and limited lifespand.
If a tractor trailer were to be converted to run on batteries, half the space of the trailor were to be taken by the batteries and it will run for 50 miles. Mainly just small objects like flashlight, toy, portable electronics can be powered by batteries.
This bike will be better serve by a small hydrogen fuelcell with the hydrogen stocked inside the bike frame for the same cost.
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stevefazek 4:56PM (7/19/2008)
are you nuts abrien That battery pack in the bike can be had for 300 bucks. Try to find a fuel cell that can produce the power for that much money even is mass production
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Mike 5:08PM (7/19/2008)
Actually, he meant Paul Bunyan. While John Henry did have a test of "Man v. Machine" of his own, so did Paul Bunyan when he had a tree-cutting duel with a chainsaw.
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Stuart 10:47PM (7/19/2008)
My current bike cost $350 and I almost decided not to get it as that is too expensive in my opinion. It's a frickin' bike for christ's sake. Two wheels, a frame, chain, gears, brakes, etc., etc. Short of racing usage, why the heck does anyone need to spend so much for a bike!? Anyone (short of someone who uses the bike for competition) spending $2,000 or even $1,000 on a bike needs to get their head out of their ass.
When I lived in China a couple of years ago you could get a normal, everyday bike for around $25 and an electric bike for about $50-75. Obviously costs are way different here in the U.S. but I suspect that if some manufacturer wanted to they could build a perfectly usable electric bike (no carbon fiber, no uber fancy crap, no fuel cell, just use a small, cheap electric motor that is not cutting edge in any way) for less than $400.
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Jim 2:42PM (7/20/2008)
Walmart sells the e-Zip Mountain Etrailz for $349. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8467094 It's supposed to be half decent.
dave 12:37PM (7/21/2008)
Bought the E-ZIP and love it...technology is not state of the art, but the price is right, range works for me and the power of the motor gets my slim 230 pound body around quit well.
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