eDean
Active Member
Hi,
As a thought exercise, if you were designing a state of the art ebike from scratch what would you include? Her are some things I would like to see..
1. Uses smart phone as a native interface. This allows for third party interfaces for starters. Phone is color, smart, updates over time, and removable.
2. Open API to controller. Some sort of certification process for approved apps.
3. Mid drive to keep weight low and centered while providing the most leverage via gears. Probably replace the chain with something more in line with the level of force. Chains are ok for non powered bikes, but seem to be a weak spot on mid drive ebikes. Stronger gearing custom made for the forces of a mid drive.
4. Based on mileage, manages maintenance reminders. Tracks things like chains falling off and makes recommendations if too frequent. This can be done by sending data to a central server, the logic does not need to reside in the app itself.
5. Cellular connectivity with GPS in the bike.
6. Flat protection other than slime. It seem odd we are still dealing with flats in a world with nano technology.
7. Some degree of future proofing. Ability to accept next years battery for example. I think having an app based controller will allow software to be more flexible and support this a bit better?
8. Accommodation for extra battery and possibly bring a charger. This could be panniers but it could be something more integrated. Support for having two batteries for long distance touring.
9. Stability control to prevent wheel spin. Can be deactivated.
10. Automatic shifting.
11. Range first speed second mode that will limit parameters to guarantee a specified range is met.
12. Some degree of modularity with the drive system, allowing for future drives to be utilized.
13. Ability to pick the mode of effort detection, pedal ,torque or combination of the two.
14. Ability to create and or download custom maps of assistance to effort.
15. Awareness of rate of climb and decent and the ability to adjust assist based on them.
16. Configurable regeneration in a mid drive. Might require some new ideas to achieve.
17. Full suspension with the ability to fully lock out the rear and add panniers.
18. Cardio integration, assist based on target heart rate. Having app based controllers will allow for more sophisticated logic and integration options.
19. Ability to replace the handle bars with different styles. Seems to be a limitation on most ebikes. Drop bars would be nice on my Neo.
20. Attachment point for a water bottle cage. Come on, it is mentioned in every review on this site. How can this not be the current state of art?
21. Spokes that don't need adjusting. Something other than spokes perhaps. Seems to be a part of traditional bike design that does not translate all that well to ebikes.
22. High speed charging options.
23. Ability to lock the bike in place either using mechanical locks, software, or both.
24. Integrated lighting with the ability to swap out lights. Requires some sort of lighting standard that does not exist today.
25. Charge the battery using a car. Na, forget it.
26. Solar support. Ability to charge the battery as you bike from a general low non specific power source.
27. Multiple battery types for different conditions, small and light vs heavy and beefy.
28. Temperature factored into range calculations. Maybe battery chemesty specificly tuned to colder conditions.
29. Smart charging that manages your battery, think Tesla. Notifies you if the battery is decaying due to charging patterns.
What would you add or change?
As a thought exercise, if you were designing a state of the art ebike from scratch what would you include? Her are some things I would like to see..
1. Uses smart phone as a native interface. This allows for third party interfaces for starters. Phone is color, smart, updates over time, and removable.
2. Open API to controller. Some sort of certification process for approved apps.
3. Mid drive to keep weight low and centered while providing the most leverage via gears. Probably replace the chain with something more in line with the level of force. Chains are ok for non powered bikes, but seem to be a weak spot on mid drive ebikes. Stronger gearing custom made for the forces of a mid drive.
4. Based on mileage, manages maintenance reminders. Tracks things like chains falling off and makes recommendations if too frequent. This can be done by sending data to a central server, the logic does not need to reside in the app itself.
5. Cellular connectivity with GPS in the bike.
6. Flat protection other than slime. It seem odd we are still dealing with flats in a world with nano technology.
7. Some degree of future proofing. Ability to accept next years battery for example. I think having an app based controller will allow software to be more flexible and support this a bit better?
8. Accommodation for extra battery and possibly bring a charger. This could be panniers but it could be something more integrated. Support for having two batteries for long distance touring.
9. Stability control to prevent wheel spin. Can be deactivated.
10. Automatic shifting.
11. Range first speed second mode that will limit parameters to guarantee a specified range is met.
12. Some degree of modularity with the drive system, allowing for future drives to be utilized.
13. Ability to pick the mode of effort detection, pedal ,torque or combination of the two.
14. Ability to create and or download custom maps of assistance to effort.
15. Awareness of rate of climb and decent and the ability to adjust assist based on them.
16. Configurable regeneration in a mid drive. Might require some new ideas to achieve.
17. Full suspension with the ability to fully lock out the rear and add panniers.
18. Cardio integration, assist based on target heart rate. Having app based controllers will allow for more sophisticated logic and integration options.
19. Ability to replace the handle bars with different styles. Seems to be a limitation on most ebikes. Drop bars would be nice on my Neo.
20. Attachment point for a water bottle cage. Come on, it is mentioned in every review on this site. How can this not be the current state of art?
21. Spokes that don't need adjusting. Something other than spokes perhaps. Seems to be a part of traditional bike design that does not translate all that well to ebikes.
22. High speed charging options.
23. Ability to lock the bike in place either using mechanical locks, software, or both.
24. Integrated lighting with the ability to swap out lights. Requires some sort of lighting standard that does not exist today.
25. Charge the battery using a car. Na, forget it.
26. Solar support. Ability to charge the battery as you bike from a general low non specific power source.
27. Multiple battery types for different conditions, small and light vs heavy and beefy.
28. Temperature factored into range calculations. Maybe battery chemesty specificly tuned to colder conditions.
29. Smart charging that manages your battery, think Tesla. Notifies you if the battery is decaying due to charging patterns.
What would you add or change?