Posted on 02/25/2015 8:40:08 PM PST by TurboZamboni
Instead of directly driving the wheels, the Raht Racer's pedals are connected to a unique flywheel generator that powers the vehicle's 20-kWh electric motor (located in the rear wheel hub). As with regular pedal-assist electric bicycles, this system senses the torque being applied to the pedals by the rider, then uses the motor to amplify it. In the case of the Raht Racer, however, it's supposedly amplified to the point that an average adult should be easily able to maintain a cruising speed of around 30 mph (48 km/h) or over.
(Excerpt) Read more at gizmag.com ...
BOOKMARKED!!!
I designed (sketched) something almost identical back in the 1970’s that is still in my night stand by my bed! I had the flywheel concept in mind, but never incorporated the electric motor assist idea. Everything else but the erodynamic fairing was there but that! I hope the guy succeeds with it. I’m now too old and tired to compete with him.
No, No, No!
This is totally different. The Segway is a $5000 replacement for a $100 bicycle. This is much better. Now, you can pay $35,000 to replace your $100 bicycle./sarc
When they can tell how it handles hills (my nemesis) I may listen. Anyone with a bit of leg strength can go fast on the flat.......
Go back and reread the sentence
I’m going to PEDAL a 570 pound vehicle? Right.
9.2-kWh li-ion battery pack
20 kW motor
Range of approximately 50 miles with full charge with no human assist.
A trained cyclist can produce about 400 watts for an hour.
Adults of good average fitness average between 50 and 150 watts for an hour of vigorous exercise.
Say you did 50 mph and consumed all 9.2 kWh stored in the battery. The average weekend warrior could produce 0.4 kWh over that hour.
So you are contributing about 4% of the total power consumed. And you’ll be drenched doing it.
Summary: LOSER
It’s funny these things seem to be targeted for city people, but, you can’t plug your car or whatever if it’s parked on the next block. Your can drive it to work but you have to pay to park it like your car. I use a bike and when it’s cold out it’s cold but, it’s free. minus the tubes and tires and stuff. and you would be amazed at how many days it doesn’t rain when they say it will. as long as i can get to work dry, i ride, wet coming home so what. i save more money on not having to take a shower the next day.
Oops, 0.1 kWh, not 0.4 kWh. You’d be contributing 1% of total power. The other 99% is coal-powere.
Remind me again how this helps polar bears.
So it is really an electric motorcycle where I can pretend to add a little power to it.
...
I think in some states if you can pedal it, no registration is required.
...AND it would cost you $35000 to $45000!!
Who are the geniuses that came up with this lemon of an idea?
I agree with the others in this thread - get an Elio - if they can actually produce them with the specs and price they’ve advertised.
In the late 40’s they came out with a Crosley that one of the neighbors on the block over had parked in front of his house. One night it was turned upside down.
I you get T-boned in one of those its game over....
No more so than Raht Racer, and the cost is about the same as an inexpensive coffin instead of the 35K to 45K price tag for the RR, which is almost as expensive as my corvette convertible. 8>)
About like spending all day on a horse working cow’s in 100 degree weather. Some interesting smells are created.
The Ellio looks like a Can-Am Spyder with a body.
As with every other enclosed electric powered vehicle, once you add the necessary heating and air conditioning, to make it useful for more than a few days of the year, its range becomes quite low.
I really like the idea of the wide 2 wheeled front end, and rally for the licensing. This will change the way (at least some) bicyclists abuse their maneuverability in defiance of traffic law.
I just designed a machine that once it’s started, it never stops. I’m going to use to power a process I just developed that will transform common lead into gold.
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