Saw something unusual...

[Pablo99]

I was surfing the web for powering regular non-electric bicycles with sort of outboard electric motors. I found two in particular. One was called the "Clip On" and the other one (got me really interested) is call "On Wheel". Anyone heard news on either or both of these? Please update this posting. I like the fact that they can turn a regular bicycle into an electrically powered bicycle for far less than buying an electric bicycle.

 

[sc00ter]

When I was a kid we had Solex clip-on 2 stroke motors! They clipped above the front wheel and worked on friction. Pretty quick for what they were BUT they ate front tires for breakfast. Plus only certain types of tires actually gripped the motor friction drive. Never see those things surface anymore. I like the Swytch idea myself, but would like to see others opinions with these battery friction drive systems. I saw a neat rear rack system once online but forgot who made it.

 

[byunbee]

Swytch probably is the best kit implementation for those that want to convert their analog bikes.

 

[Nova Haibike]

I like the fact that they can turn a regular bicycle into an electrically powered bicycle for far less than buying an electric bicycle.

You get what you pay for. While these add-ons friction drive kits might work, they will not have the performance of a purpose built e-bike, or even a traditional add-on kit with a mid or hub motor.

EBR tested a virtually identical kit to the OnWheel, the Add-E:

 

[Pablo99]

I remember the Solex Bicycle. A neighbor had one. Then one fateful day, he was riding it and for some reason, the throttle stuck full on. I remember him screaming his head off and jumping off the bike and it crashing into the front porch of his father's house. Destroyed the bike, he got bruised up and the motor kept running. Pretty reliable motor, just a lousy throttle.

For the other things, I'm still looking at the RADRUNNER1, RADRUNNER+ and the RADWAGON. The manufacturer is giving me a weird time about my being too tall to comfortably operate it. I'd probably use the throttle more than pedal though.