Swytch: Convert Any Bike Into An eBike

[bob armani]

Looks like another new interesting product on a campaign from Britain with throttle and PAS features:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/swytch-convert-any-bike-into-an-ebike-electric#/

 

[harryS]

This is a venture out of panda ebikes in the UK, which is a real business. If I lived in the UK, I'd probably move someplace with more sun, but not before I ordered one of these kits.

https://www.pandaebikes.com/product-category/conversion-kits/

 

[rich c]

25 miles on a 5Ah battery is rather optimistic! I'd also expect issues with the battery mount if you hit a pot hole. Especially with the bigger battery pack hanging on a plastic bracket on the handlebars like that.

 

[bob armani]

25 miles on a 5Ah battery is rather optimistic! I'd also expect issues with the battery mount if you hit a pot hole. Especially with the bigger battery pack hanging on a plastic bracket on the handlebars like that.

Sure, right. Also the battery pack is mounted in a top heavy position. I would opt to have it mounted on the rear rack at a lower center of gravity or perhaps in a pannier.
The Bamboo /Carbon frame on the other offering seems a bit strange being that bamboo seems like it would tend to flex more than an aluminum frame IMHO.

 

[harryS]

25 miles on a 5AH is possible, if you ride at normal bike speeds in pedal assist, with a smaller motor. I've tested a number of small batteries of 4-5 AH or less, and averaged numbers around .2 mile per mile. ( 5mile/AH). Maybe that's not ebiking as many would know it. It works for me. Being a retired electronics nerd, I like to look at these things.

If I bomb around on my 750W fatbike at 20-22 mph, I really use the AH. Burned almost 2AH and only went 2.5 miles.

As for the pack, I would expect they did the R&D on the contacts. Maybe the contacts in the battery box float on the handlebar receptacle.

 

[JRA]

At what point does the added cost, weight and complexity of an add on e system like this work for the end user? As Harry said it is totally possible to hit their figure of 25 miles per charge and beyond that, if you don't use the motor much.

For me the purpose of having an e assist is to assist beyond my natural capabilities and that means wh/mi use more in the 15-20/mi range which with a 5AH battery would not give me much satisfaction although my 10.5AH battery does. But if this thing gets some people excited to try e biking then so be it but the whole crowd source funding thing is out of hand IMNSHO and as they say a bird in the hand......

 

[rich c]

I agree that it certainly is possible. There was a story of a guy with a Sondors Fat 8.6 Ah getting the marketed 50 mile range on a stock battery, not exceeding 10mph and coasting as much as possible. But why? You're riding a heavier bike, with more expense and battery charging everyday. Seems like a solution looking for a problem. It may get the rider excited, but I would suggest it will get them frustrated and wonder why they just invested that money to ride like they already were. Except for those few miles they can get boosted up a hill.