In 2005 I tried an electric bicycle during a trip to China. They seemed heavy, slow and a bit of a novelty. However, e-bikes had a transformative effect on their lifestyle.
It was not until 2008 that I decided to convert a bicycle to electric using a basic kit. As soon as I took a ride, it was clear that the e-bike was a great way to get around. However, there were many shortcomings, such as range, storage capacity, cost, battery placement, and complicated setup to name a few.
Normal bicycle frames are not made to handle the added weight of e-bike components. As soon as I attempted to use the e-bike to commute instead of a car, the range and limited carrying capacity became an issue. A proper e-bike needs to be robust, have long range, be easy-to-use, and not cost a fortune. That product did not exist.
I needed to build it.
The e-bike required a total rethink. Every step from getting on the bike to recharging the battery must to be easier, Much easier. The price for a bike also needed to stay within a range that people could afford.
This turned out to be a difficult problem to solve and the process took me on a journey around the world and back. It took over three years of obsessive work to go from a sketch to a finalized product that was ready to ship. The result is a fun and useful e-bike, using proven technology and offered at a price that makes sense.
Founder Juiced Riders Inc.
Inspired by the film “Manufactured Landscapes” , the 43-minute movie is an intense look behind scenes at the manufacturing process in China.
Watch each shorter section individually.
Part I: 35:34
- Sec 1: Intro and Controller Garage (12:29)
- Sec 2: The Ninth Continent (13:03)
- Sec 3: Day and Night Shift (10:37)
- Sec 1: Battery Factory Visit (6:37)
- Sec 2: Frame and Bafang Motor Factories (13:23)
- Sec 3: Battery Enclosure Factory (6:44)
- Sec 4: Pre-Production E-Bike Build (10:16)
- Sec 5: Pre-Production E-bike Testing (6:30)