Enough Said...

[tomjasz]

As an ebike consumer and enthusiast, its unfortunate Electra has a strangle hold on cruiser style ebikes able to be built without a true upright, relaxed riding position crank forward design for proper leg extension allowing to plant our feet flat on the ground whenever we want without leaving the saddle.

Crank forward design should be an industry standard on all cruiser ebikes, but as you stated earlier, Trek was trying to bring its customers more comfort and control and were caught infringing on Electra's patent. Sad.

I guarantee the Trek Pure and KHS are completely heads up and flat foot. I'm trying to find the picture of the Townie I converted. If you can find ANY of the Trek frames named in the suit they are also FABULOUS flat foot frames. My KHS achieve the Townie ride but as I wrote they messed them up in 2016. I bought one and committed before I realized the changes. SO I'm upgrading the brakes, wheels, handlebars and seat.

 

[tomjasz]

I guess the suit is no more since Trek bought Electra and then dropped the infringing line.

 

[tomjasz]

All I can find of the Townie are the pictures of the voltmeter and they 3 way switch to change between the two batteries.

 

[Christopher]

Hi @PedegoElectricBikes , I have a few questions and concerns about the Pedego Interceptor Platinum Edition:

1. Is it possible to add fenders to the Platinum Edition? If so, do you recommend any in particular?
2. What is the make and model of the hydraulic brake system?
3. Any uncomfortable suspension seat post bounciness when riding over uneven surfaces?
   
4. What are the differences between the 2015 Interceptor and the Platinum Edition handlebars?
   
5. Equipped with Panasonic or Samsung lithium-ion battery cells?

Specifications on the website could use a tune-up. Thanks for the info and I look forward to hearing from you.


Cheers,
Christopher

 

[tomjasz]

The KHS Smoothies and the Trek Pure are true upright. Some changes in the frame design apparently get around the patent. There are several more. sadly KHS dumbed down theirs and made it cheaper, and Trek on acquiring Electra eliminated the Pure. Sadly only one reseller builds on a KHS frame and the brakes, rims, and derailleurs are really low quality. https://www.electricbike.com/12-crank-forward-bikes/

I think it's the missing link in purpose built eBikes. Very limited choices. I look forward to riding and reviewing the Platinum, having rode nearly all the others.

 

[Christopher]

Yes, I absolutely agree with you @ThomasJaszewski! It would be nice to have more true upright crank forward ebikes on the market today. I am in the market for a new cruiser, I have a patented Flat Footed Technology Electra Townie GO, but it's only pedal assist.

As you mentioned, the KHS does have a true upright crank forward design, but really low quality brakes, rims, derailleur, etc.

Funny, how you seemed to unintentionally find one of the very few flaws with the new Pedego Platinum, which does not have a crank forward design offering a more relaxed upright comfortable and stable ride. Of course, it's no fault to Pedego, as Electra's patent caused this to not be possible to manufacture their ebikes to be crank forward, but they did at least attempt to make it slightly more comfortable angling the seat frame bar back a little bit.

Thanks for the link showing the 12 Crank-Forward bikes on the market, I'll share it with my grandfather, he will certainly appreciate it!

If you ever get around to it, please do share your experience test-riding the Platinum! I'm curious to learn more about it, beings not much info on the market about it yet, and I have decided to start calling it the Stealth Edition! I'll certainly share my experience if I ever have an opportunity to test one out!


Cheers,
Christopher

 

[Billy Masterson]

Check out the Leisger CD5: https://electricbikereview.com/leisger/cd5/
I wonder how this German made e-bike company managed to work around Electra's patented crank forward frame design? The entire frame looks very similar to the Townie models.

 

[tomjasz]

It's not an international patent?
I've only seen a USA patent.

 

[tomjasz]

Thanks for posting this review. I have built 5 bikes on frames very close to Electra's design. When putting them all side by side it's difficult to understand how Trek and KHS aren't violating the Electra patent. Having owned all three I find it confusing. Seeing the bike with disc brakes is encouraging, Reading that they are Tektro hydraulic makes it even more attractive. I'd be hard pressed to kit a bike with the quality of accessories. Another high point for me is the motor. Bafang are much easier to access and any bike using Dapu motors is an instant turn off for me. I'd like to know which model Bafang is is, it may be capable of 48V. I don't expect at 80 lbs more than court I'd see the same speeds. I do like having a motor capable of 36 AND 48V. The only week spot for me might be the quality if the fork. But it does look like the better suspension seat posts would fit for many riders. Thanks for an interesting post of a bike I'd missed.

EDITED can be found for $450 less than MSRP making this the Baby Boomers ready made deal of the week. With a machine front drive a real all terrain, all weather, comfort bike. (I know I know, overboard but it comes from a DIY background) I'm very close to building one of my favorite DIY bikes into 2wd.

 

[Christopher]

Check out the Leisger CD5: https://electricbikereview.com/leisger/cd5/
I wonder how this German made e-bike company managed to work around Electra's patented crank forward frame design? The entire frame looks very similar to the Townie models.

Fascinating find, Billy! Thomas and I have been trying to understand the patent protections on crank forward design for some time now, and you found a crank forward frame ebike that looks nearly identical to the patented Electra Townie models. Interesting...

When putting them all side by side it's difficult to understand how Trek and KHS aren't violating the Electra patent. Having owned all three I find it confusing.

Yes, very confusing Thomas. But, don't forget it is already understood that Trek did in fact infringe on the Electra's patent and Electra filed the suit in Northern California district court until Trek made an offer to buy out Electra for a price tag Electra could not refuse:

"Electra claims Trek’s Pure, Pure Lowstep, Pure Sport, Pure Sport Lowstep, Pure DLX, Pure DLX Lowstep, Cruiser Classic, Classic Deluxe, Calypso and Cruiseliner bikes infringe on co-founder Benno Baenziger’s Flat Foot technology, patent #7,740,262. It is seeking compensation for damage to its business caused by Trek’s infringing models.
The Flat Foot patent covers a range of geometry, seat tube and head tube angles intended to create a forward pedaling ride position."

With that being said, the confusing part to me is figuring out how come Trek was sued for infringement, yet an even more identically framed crank forward designed ebike, the Magnum Leisger CD5, has not received a lawsuit for infringement from Electra/Trek?

Makes for a fascinating debate..


Cheers,
Christopher

 

[tomjasz]

I think it's the fact that it's a USA patent and Trek either hasn't seen the bike or won't bother to spend legal fees on a tiny corner of the market.

I WILL be hunting a closeout...

 

[Christopher]

I think it's the fact that it's a USA patent and Trek either hasn't seen the bike or won't bother to spend legal fees on a tiny corner of the market.

I WILL be hunting a closeout...

Both Trek and Magnum manufacture and sell their cruisers in and out of the USA, so I don't believe that will answer our question as to why Trek was sued, but Magnum has not been.

Probably more along the lines of Trek (Electra) never seeing the bike being sold on the market because I'm confident Trek purchased Electra for the patent. If Magnum is not paying Trek(Electra) any type of royalty to manufacture/sell crank forward cruiser ebikes, then Magnum really should look into this before an infringement suit is filed against them after their business has grown considerably for being the only crank forward ebike besides the patented Electra cruisers on the market today.

How Magnum is allowed to be the only ebike company to manufacture and sell crank forward cruiser ebikes besides patented Electra(now owned by Trek) is beyond me..

Excellent, thanks Thomas! Please do let us know what you're able to find out..


Cheers,
Christopher

 

[tomjasz]

Again, not to BMS argumentative, but ther are others. My KHS next to a Trek Pure and Townie are a good example. At the moment the KHS are garaged, the Townie sits in my buddies garage, and my Pure is in the basement becoming a 2WD. But you can pull up the photos resize and overlay. Shazam.

 

[justforfun]

Over 600 miles now on my Platinum. Really enjoying the bike and no complaints to date.

 

[Ann M.]

@justforfun, that's great to hear! Keep pedaling and tell us a little more about where you're riding and if you wish, a pic or two

 

[justforfun]

Pics? OK https://www.google.com/search?q=redding+bike+trail+pictures&tbm=isch&tbo=u&s

 

[Brad Ersly]

Very Nice Cruiser- Like it very much

Cruiser

 

[tomjasz]

Very Nice Cruiser- Like it very much


Cruiser

SWEET RIDE! Man, nice seat post and saddle too! I can't read the brand? I wonder is that the standard battery model I'm seeing on some builders sites.

 

[Brad Ersly]

SWEET RIDE! Man, nice seat post and saddle too! I can't read the brand? I wonder is that the standard battery model I'm seeing on some builders sites.

It is the juiced ocean current with one bump up in battery capacity. I really like the way these guys do the battery attachment- very slick and you can upgrade to any size you want

 

[tomjasz]

It is the juiced ocean current with one bump up in battery capacity. I really like the way these guys do the battery attachment- very slick and you can upgrade to any size you want

Nice to see you're excited. All packs have limitations on possible size, but that is a nice pack build. Especially if it's the "off the shelf" version I think it is. That means you're not locked in to OEM batteries. That's been my long time disappointment with OEM bikes. OUCH on the 21Ah upgrade. $999! Darn if builders aren't being just a little predatory on battery upgrades. Pricing low on the well made bike and making up on the battery margin. An interesting business plan!
Enjoy the really nice ride! I prefer comfort frames. They are so comfy and I think the order has a better view in traffic sitting upright! I'm seta you'll enjoy the ride. They've done it right!