SunCycles Electric Fatbike

Product Description

SunCycle Electric Fatbike is an electric bicycle that targets African commuters – ranging from children, senior citizens and people with disabilities. The bicycles run on a battery that can be charged from solar power or through an electric 220 V AC power plug.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$2,500.00

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

SunCycles

Manufacturing/Building Method

SunCycles can either retrofit a standard bicycle or make an e-bike from scratch.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademarked

User Provision Model

Users can get an original e-bike from the manufacturer's site or go to the manufacturer's workshop to convert a bike to an e-bike.

Distributions to Date Status

200^{Interview with manufacturer}

Design Specifications

Specifications:

BAFANG geared back hub motor 500 W, < 120 km range, display, kill switch, brake levers
48V 7/13/17.5 Ah Li-Ion Battery
Alu-hydro formed frame
26x4.5 inch or 29x2.35 inch tires
RST front shocks
A5 air back suspension
Shimano 8 speed gear cassette
Tektro 180 mm cable disc brakes

Technical Support

Users can refer to the user manual available online or contact the manufacturer.

Replacement Components

Battery, motor, controller, sensor, LCD display, solar kit

Lifecycle

20000 km or 1000 charges, whichever comes first^{Interview with manufacturer}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The manufacturer seeks to provide e-bike solutions to all corners of the African continent.

Vetted Performance Status

None on the whole bike, but on the different parts (battery, motor, etc.) to evaluate component lifetime^{Interview with manufacturer}

Safety

The users are required to wear helmets while riding a bicycle as per Namibia's Road Traffic and Transport Regulations. The manufacturer also provides safety tips in the user manual concerning battery maintenance and tire pressure.

Complementary Technical Systems

A charging system - either an electrical grid or a solar panel system - is needed to recharge each bicycle.

Academic Research and References

Fishman, E. and Cherry. C., 2015, E-bikes in the Mainstream: Reviewing a Decade of Research, Transport Reviews, 36(1), pp. 72-91.

Rose, G., 2012, E-bikes and urban transportation: emerging issues and unresolved questions, Transportation, 39(1), pp. 81-96.

Fyhri, A. and Fearnley, N., 2015, Effects of e-bikes on bicycle use and mode share, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 36, pp. 45-52.

Schleinitz, K., Petzoldt, T., Franke-Bartholdt, L., Krems, J. and Gehlert, T., 2017, The German Naturalistic Cycling Study – Comparing cycling speed of riders of different e-bikes and conventional bicycles, Safety Science, 92, pp. 290-297.

Compliance with regulations

It is considered a conventional bicycle in Namibia and South Africa as it is under 30 kg. It fulfills the regulations of Euro Pedelec Norm.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Other Information

None