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Another Design Approach to the Enclosed E-Bike: EV Mobility's LEF
It's like a cockpit on wheels
Our post on the CityQ e-bike (above) drew strong interest, and we've just learned it has an existing competitor with a very different design approach. Dutch company EV Mobility's LEF is a one-person, three-wheeled e-bike that's sort of like a cockpit on wheels.
While this is an existing product that's on the market, to me the LEF seems more like an individual's passion project than something designed for mass uptake. It has that "designed by an engineer" vibe, most notable when you see the method of ingress/egress:
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Right off the bat, the LEF's requirement for the user to climb into a tub knocks out a large swath of the population: The elderly, those with joint and mobility issues, or relatively fit me on a "bad back day." For the young and able-bodied, the LEF looks like it would be fun to zip around in. However, I'd have liked to see a little more storage space than what's offered behind the seat.
What I see as the largest design flaw is the limitation on rear visibility. The monocoque's raised rear blocks all vision, and with the canopy down, there's no way to poke your head around it to look behind you. There are, however, small rearview mirrors.
Also worth noting: While I think the CityQ is a better design with more mass market appeal, the LEF is more affordable: €4,380 (USD $5,298) versus the CityQ's €7,450 (USD $9,053). Furthermore, EV Mobility's website sells used LEFs for as cheap as €3,100 (USD $3,750).
If you were in the market for an enclosed e-bike and had to choose between these, which would you pick, and why?
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Comments
The dutch cycling market is a crowded one.
For a bike to be successful, the design should tick multiple boxes.
Some design features to consider: (not all will apply to this product, some are general comments)
- Road handeling; because the streets are slightly curved (because rain water needs to flow to the gutters) having a stif rear axle you could have the feeling that your always slightly cycling uphill.
- Storage space; ideally you want to use the bike for different usages. Like groceries.
- Safety vs looks; at the moment electric bike sales are booming in the Netherlands and also this results in more accidents. Higher speed -> more accidents. But hardly anyone uses bike helmets, this is because they don't want to look goofy. This could be a thing; how do you look in it. And for safety, because you are lower to the ground than other bikers, cardrivers sometimes overlook recumbent bikes. Sometimes you see them with orange flags attached to them. Safety is an issue for electric bikes in the Netherlands, which is one of the bike friendliest countries in the world, so I'm not sure how this will work in other countries.
- Price; always very important to the dutch.
- Temperature; could get warm in the summer.
- Electricity; cycling is one of the most efficient ways for human energy to be transfered into motion. So why add energy cells, this would make them more expensive. Most electric bikes are sold to the elderly, but for the elderly it could be a challange getting in the bike.
Anyway; as a design it has the looks to be a notable object on the bike lanes, but to be successful in the bike market it will have it's challenges.
I really like this approach. A small rear window would be nice. I don't see any specs though, how much does it weigh, what is it's top speed, range, etc. Is it street legal in the states? This is what the future looks like!
I wish that Elon Musck would buy out Twike and mass produce their twin electric velomobile for quick around town travel. They have a proven design, which you can't easily import to the USA, but would benefit in cost reduction from mass production. There is always a long order back log and wait time also. This could save Tesla in battery supply as well, since these have a minimum 100 mile range that is increased by each patrons use of their personal ergonmic enhancement.
I bought a 67 VW Beetle for around the price of a used LEF. Now I just need an electric conversion! If I had to choose between these two, I would pick the CityQ. It seems like a much better driving experience. (More comfortable riding position, not fully enclosed) It's also more attractive IMO. An enclosed canopy with minimal ventilation wouldn't do well with the humidity here in the south.