New Bicycle Option: eCortina v2 Hybrid

July 25th, 2011 by Glenn Meyers

eCortina v2 hybrid bicycle

For bicyclists seeking options in the way they travel, the eCortina V2 hybrid bicycle is worth a try as it features three ways to ride: standard pedaling, pedaling that assists by juicing up the electric motor, or a complete electric powered ride.

The bicycle is the creation of electric vehicle designer Roy Prince, who says the bike began as a standard off-the-rack Cortina Triton DS downhill mountain bike. It took three months to modify the unit.

Roy’s bike now features a motor and controllers originally designed for use in radio-controlled models. The motors are powered by two packs of lithium-polymer batteries, which are electronically monitored while the motor is in use, to extend their lifespan by avoiding over-charging and over-depletion. Running in parallel, the battery packs have a combined output of 48V-10Ah.

A motor usually powers an electric bicycle. If pedaling is part of the package, the motor is sometimes used to assist the pedaling action, sometimes known as pedelelecs. In this case, plain-old foot power is the third option for riding.

The dual drive system features standard bicycle parts, including two BMX-style freewheels — these are what allow the eCortina to be pedaled without motor assistance, or to be motor-driven without the pedals being engaged. Beefy BMX chains are used throughout, while a 3-speed Shimano Nexus rear hub is also incorporated.

Roy estimates that the bicycle should be able to travel about 15 miles on one charge, given mild riding demands and some pedaling. With the addition of two more battery packs, he hopes to boost that distance to 23 miles. Using the motor alone, it is geared for an invigorating top speed of 45 mph. On his website, Roy says he is currently modeling performance details for the bike.

Unfortunately, the bike weighs in at just less than 60 pounds. “Realistically the eCortina must be considered a motor bike with human assist,” he says.

Roy writes that the bike is for sale. Interested parties are asked to contact him through his website. The eCortina was featured in the May 2011 edition of the Electric Auto Association magazine CurrentEVents.

Photo: RPEV.org

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Tags: bicycle innovation, eCortina, electric bicycles, green power-assisted bicycles, Roy Prince, RPEV.org, v2 Hybrid

About the Author

Glenn Meyers is a writer, producer, and director. Meyers was editor and site director of Green Building Elements, a contributing writer for CleanTechnica, and is founder of Green Streets MediaTrain, a communications connection and eLearning hub. As an independent producer, he's been involved in the development, production and distribution of television and distance learning programs for both the education industry and corporate sector. He also is an avid gardener and loves sustainable innovation.

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http://www.facebook.com/people/Bruce-Miller/100000952005408 Bruce Miller

Canadian Tar Sands Oil to go to China, China installing safe clean Thorium fueled LFTR reactors there, modifying the current American technology that uses twice as much Canadian natural gas as the oil recovered is worth to produce the oil! Chinese method to use Thorium fueled LFTR reactors to produce heat for recovery of oil. Natural gas will be liquefied using LFTR power, shipped through the North West Passage, held open year-round by Russian nuclear ice-breakers, for tankers, along with oil, coal, iron ore, grain, and other resources, to Asia for fair trade, without the U.S. Fed’s ‘thumb on the scales’ , exchanged in Yuan freeing the Canadian Dollar from the crashing U.S. fiat, ‘Funny Money” once and for all!
Canadians can thank Alberta’s Premiers for this wise and economically sound planning. Harper recoils at the ‘Un-American” flavor of this, but must relent and admit, that in the end he was elected by Canadian peons, not American Corporatists, and really owes them nothing! Canada will be able to take full advantage of balanced trade with China, and may even inherit “Branch Plants” from Chinese manufacturers, just as we did from Japan’s Honda – engine plant in Ingersoll Ont. and Toyota – spending $350 millions in expansion, upgrades to two plants in Ontario! We will suffer less U.S. Branch plant closures like the Steel fiasco in Hamilton, and The GM fiasco where our Canadian Truck plant was stolen, moved to Mexico by American CEO’s – They ‘fucked’ us, turn about is fair play! We will make fair deals with the Chinese! O Canada!
Americans can learn to ride electric bikes! Canadians are going to drive Chinese cars, goddammit!