Sunday, July 27, 2008

WSJ tests the OHM XU450 ebike



We've gazed at OHM's line of electric bikes already this year, and now we find a review by an automotive writer for The Wall Street Journal. David Patton tested the entry-level machine from the company, known as the XU450. The 450 stands for Watts, which the electric motor is able to deliver for short bursts. The rear hub-mounted motor can sustain a constant 250 Watts and the lithium battery is good for up to seventy miles, depending on how much pedaling the rider is willing to endure. Interestingly, the motor won't power the bike unless the rider pedals, so there are no free rides. Still, the top setting allows the motor to provide 200% more power than the rider is offering.

While we like the idea of electric bikes, the costs are going to have to come down before mainstream acceptance is likely. The XU450, for example, retails for a heady $2,195. Higher-specification models cost even more. Plus, its fifty pounds are quite a bit to lug around, as can be seen when you watch the video pasted after the break.

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