Electric Tandem Provides New Peddling Options
August 21st, 2011 by Glenn Meyers
Hammacher Schlemmer's eectric tandem ride
Now add a pedal-assisted electric bicycle built for two to your eco-friendly gift list, even if it happens to be on the pricey side of the ledger.
Hammacher Schlemmer, the Fairfield, OH-based retailer that has been selling high-end, unexpected products for 153 years now, has introduced this electric tandem bike.
The bike comes equipped with a 500-kilowatt wheel electric motor located on the rear wheel. The company says the bike has a top speed of 20 miles per hour when just using the pedal-assist motor, but that with some vigorous pedaling, even higher speeds can be reached.
Featuring a 48-volt detachable lithium-ion battery, the bike has a range of roughly 25 miles, which is probably far enough for most tandem adventures, writes earthtechling, unless you don’t wish to part company with the other peddler.
Now for the price: be prepared to spend $3,400. This is not terrible news when compared to other electric bikes on the market, but it still represents a considerable amount to spend on an item that likely won’t be used as a primary transportation choice.
Hammacher Schlemmer says this electric tandem is the only one of its kind and will provide its riders a relaxed ride at a reasonable speed in traffic.
A twist of the right handlebar controls the motor’s variable speed while a push of the thumb changes the six gears. Pedaling will increase speed further than 20 mph. writes the company. The step-through design looks as if the bicycle provides easy mounting and dismounting for both riders.
The bicycle comes with padded triangle seats that have adjustable suspension. The front rider controls front disc brakes and rear hub brakes. An aircraft aluminum frame is capable of supporting two riders at a weight up to 500 pounds. The tandem measures 104″ in length and weighs 67 pounds.
Photo: Hammacher Schlemmer
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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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