I spoke to them at Eurobike and rode a bunch of their stuff. They have a distributor for the Birdy which they own, but they won't be bringing the Ebikes here this year. We'll be keeping the conversation open with them so if there are any changes I can let you know. Any bike in particular that you really like?
Much of their line has analogous bosch-driven offerings from Haibike, Kalkhoff, Focus, Grace, etc. The one that stood out to me however was the delite hybrid ((Link Removed - No Longer Exists)). I have not seen too many full suspension bikes that have rear racks integrated into the frame such that the panniers get the benefit of the suspension instead of bouncing along with the rear triangle (would make me feel better about moving my laptop from backpack-->panniers).
After a short time with an izip Dash and I am appreciating the front suspension (basic as it is) despite originally thinking that it would be unnecessary. Much different than when I was riding the same city streets on a carbon road bike -- which I love, but it's just not a good commuter for a number of reasons.
I have a good feeling we'll end up seeing there bikes in 2016. Hopefully they'll I upgrade all of there motors to the performance line by then. We will be seeing many more brands come over in the near future. Another one I have been speaking with is Moustache, they're currently looking for a distributor in the US. Certainly keep this stuff coming, it will help me make the case with them why they should bring there bikes over.
I think they know. It's really more Bosch taking prudence in regards to the speed thing. Currently there are just a couple of bikes coming over with the speed motor, the Haibike Super Race, the Race and the Grace MX II. My current favorite is the Super Race, I have been using it as my personal ride and it's a lot of fun. I think there will be a limited supply of Bosch speed pedelecs until the legislation becomes clearer. I imagine when you have a 50 Billion dollar company you need to take some additional precautions for product liability.
Moustache has been making speed-pedelecs for sometime. (Moustache Dimanche 28)
Recently, someone successfully attempted a new Guinness World Record on that bike.
Currently there are just a couple of bikes coming over with the speed motor, the Haibike Super Race, the Race and the Grace MX II. My current favorite is the Super Race
Chris I saw there were some other s-ped's on your site for 2015: the trekking pro's and urban, are you just saying it's harder to get those as well? Bosch driven units were my favorite of all the different types of ebikes I tried but they were all 20mph haibikes at $4k plus. Something like the Urban at $4300 probably would have had me thinking hard vs the Dash. It will be interesting to see all these new bikes coming down the line as the tech improves and prices come down.
Lenny -- that's a cool story and a good example of how ebikes can make a difference to people's lives.
Chris I saw there were some other s-ped's on your site for 2015: the trekking pro's and urban, are you just saying it's harder to get those as well? Bosch driven units were my favorite of all the different types of ebikes I tried but they were all 20mph haibikes at $4k plus. Something like the Urban at $4300 probably would have had me thinking hard vs the Dash. It will be interesting to see all these new bikes coming down the line as the tech improves and prices come down.
It's been hard to get Haibike in general this past year, but I that should be changing next year. I think the Urban is going to be a hot bike at that price-point. There will be some others coming in next year as well with a Impulse Speed motor, the motor produced by Derby cycles (manufacturer of Focus and Kalkhoff bikes). The Focus Thron (a full suspension speed bike) and the Focus Aventura Impulse Speed (a trekking style bike with an Alfine 11, a belt drive and all the commuter goodies). I'll have to make a list or a section of speed pedelecs.