The Unique New E-Bike With Rivian DNA

[usclassic]

 

[Old-tool-guy]

Very interesting video. Fantastic technology.

 

[usclassic]

I built one on their site

 

[Dave Rocks]

Looks like the frame is PVC Pipe

 

[usclassic]

Looks like the frame is PVC Pipe

Aluminum with cast magnesium motor case.

I like the belt and regen but 24" wheel size, too much tech between pedal by wire means no go if motor fails no way to limp home with pedal power.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Interested to see how Rivian's experiment turns out. Vaguely recall some ideas worth trying in the video.

 

[Chargeride]

Sensors, sensors, sensors, Youll be in limp mode before you get it home from the dealer.

 

[stompandgo]

180Nm motor but no mention of weight. It's gotta be pushing 100 pounds.

 

[usclassic]

180Nm motor but no mention of weight. It's gotta be pushing 100 pounds.

I don't think so being aluminum tube and magnesium casting with 24" wheels should not be that heavy.

 

[usclassic]

 

[usclassic]

180Nm motor but no mention of weight. It's gotta be pushing 100 pounds.

 

[mschwett]

didn’t watch the video but I gather the rear wheel is directly driven from the motor, disconnected from the crank which turns a separate generator?

it would be more interesting to do this with a hub drive, imagine how sleek it could be without a mechanical connection between the bottom bracket and the rear wheel?

 

[Rexlion]

It's not for me, but I can picture a large target demographic who would be attracted to it, assuming the first year of production models in actual use proves to be reasonably reliable.

 

[usclassic]

didn’t watch the video but I gather the rear wheel is directly driven from the motor, disconnected from the crank which turns a separate generator?

it would be more interesting to do this with a hub drive, imagine how sleek it could be without a mechanical connection between the bottom bracket and the rear wheel?

The video explains all the reasons why they use the belt vs hub motor...much more torque and less wheel weight for better suspension operation also regen to recharge battery improves range.

 

[Old-tool-guy]

it would be more interesting to do this with a hub drive, imagine how sleek it could be without a mechanical connection between the bottom bracket and the rear wheel?

yeah but … the less it looks like a bike, is it going to get all the karens upset about ”those dangerous electric bikes terrorizing the pedestrians”?

 

[Chargeride]

Its also a grey area in legality that might be addressed, disconnecting direct physical pedal connection stretches the description quite a bit.

 

[usclassic]

Its also a grey area in legality that might be addressed, disconnecting direct physical pedal connection stretches the description quite a bit.

Good point but there are a lot of other gray areas with state ebike legislation as well. Wonder if Also. has it's own legal department during development.

 

[speedub.nate]

Its also a grey area in legality that might be addressed, disconnecting direct physical pedal connection stretches the description quite a bit.

I don't know motors very well, but aren't we already in that territory with Bosch and Shimano?

I'm aware older Bosch are gear reduced so the crank and chainring turn at different RPMs but I assume are mechanically coupled.

However I see newer Shimano motors can autonomously advance the chainring to initiate a rear derailleur shift while the crank is held stationary, implying there is a missing direct connection between the two.

 

[gromike]

Back to the Rivian ebike. I would want to test ride one. And maybe buy one, but $3,500 as the base price is too steep for my taste. If it's a market failure, with luck, I might buy one at clearance.
As such, this winter I'll be searching for a bargain priced Rad Wagon.

 

[usclassic]

I don't know motors very well, but aren't we already in that territory with Bosch and Shimano?

I'm aware older Bosch are gear reduced so the crank and chainring turn at different RPMs but I assume are mechanically coupled.

However I see newer Shimano motors can autonomously advance the chainring to initiate a rear derailleur shift while the crank is held stationary, implying there is a missing direct connection between the two.

Probably just a freewheel connection