How do you make an electric bike that will do 50mph? You bring together two hub-motors, a backpack full of lithium-ion batteries and – we assume – some clever electronic jiggery-pokery to make it all work and you get this:
The builder says it has two-wheel drive from the pair of motors, which must make for a very different ride feel from a conventional bike, and three power settings for 20, 30 and high-40s mph speeds.
The set-up uses a 72-volt battery. If you’ve seen videos of exploding lithium-ion batteries, fret not: these use lithium iron phosphate chemistry, which doesn’t quite have the energy density of the batteries in your laptop, but can take a higher power draw and has a longer service life.
The nutter engineering wizard behind this machine can be found though his Facebook page. His custom-built e-bikes cost between $2000 and $5000
If the videographer and the venue, California’s Mulholland Drive, seem familiar, that’s because YouTube user rnickeymouse, shot a famous clip of a cyclist getting rear-ended by a motorbike in the same place.

8 thoughts on “Video: Dual-drive 50mph e-bike can be yours for US$5000”
this could really upset a few
this could really upset a few Strava users!
Never ridden a motorbike but
Never ridden a motorbike but wondering if it might be safer to wear leathers going at those speeds, not being a TDF descent specialist!
So because it’s got pedals
So because it’s got pedals that he doesn’t use and it can “only” do 50mph it’s an e-bike.
I wonder if there will be
I wonder if there will be problems with steering (under and over) if the power doesnt match up between the motors. Could be bad on the corners!
Its a motorbike. I have no
Its a motorbike. I have no interest at all, but I’m sure these sort of vehicles will become increasingly popular.
Is that guy seriously wearing
Is that guy seriously wearing white crocs??
The bar-ends look a bit
The bar-ends look a bit superfluous for climbing.
I think this guy rides near
I think this guy rides near me – he’s on Strava