News :- Mando Footloose IM arrives in UK

[Pedelecs]

Mando Corporation have announced the availability of its second generation chainless e-bike, the Mando Footloose IM, in the UK.

Although the new Footloose IM model loses the ability to fold, Mando Corporation say that the bike is “an ideal urban commuter”. Weighing just over 21Kg, the Mando Footloose IM sports a 36-volt, 8.2Ah rechargeable lithium-ion removable battery pack that will deliver up to a 60km (37 mile) maximum range.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/news/mando-footloose-im-arrives-uk/

 

[mike killay]

What is like at hill climbing?

 

[flecc]

I'm wondering about it's legality in the EU. If as described, the pedal driven alternator charges the battery which in turn powers the wheel motor, it doesn't conform if the battery is free to power the motor without pedalling. It's certainly stretching the meaning of "a bicycle with power assistance".
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[james@justebikes.co.uk]

What is like at hill climbing?

Mando have made huge improvements to the motor and its control system. I've tested it on very steep inclines from a standing start and it pulls away with without fuss.

 

[james@justebikes.co.uk]

I'm wondering about it's legality in the EU. If as described, the pedal driven alternator charges the battery which in turn powers the wheel motor, it doesn't conform if the battery is free to power the motor without pedaling. It's certainly stretching the meaning of "a bicycle with power assistance".
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There is a throttle but as with other EU compliant e-bikes throttle power is limited to 6kmh. The rider must pedal to achieve higher speeds.

The most important improvement Mando have made is the price! At £1999 including lights, mudguards and stand its about a grand cheaper than its nearest competitor (Gocycle).

 

[Twangman]

Mmmm I wonder how easy it would be to deristrict the throttle to 25kpm!

 

[james@justebikes.co.uk]

Impossible (unless you live in Korea)!...and what is it with this speed infatuation? I just don't get it...
Going faster saves time sure, but even 27.5kmh e-bikes save so much time over other urban transport modes, is another 10 or 15kmh really going to rock the rider's world?

A fortnight ago Martin (Justebikes Midlands) and me took some Rotwilds to Cannock Chase. We were on the bikes for 7 hrs stopping only once for a coffee and once for a pint. The adrenalin buz was so strong and we were so much faster up and down hills than the manual riders, not once did we feel the need for more speed.

 

[Twangman]

It's not the speed it's the convenience given that most bikes the throttle allowes you to get away from lights easy and go up to 25kph why produce a bike than only has a walking mode throttle for the UK market, I understand In some EU countries that's all that's allowed but why imposed it on potential UK buyer's to me it's not a plus it's a minus on my buying decision.

However I applaud Mando and Gocycle and others who are genuinely trying to offer something different from the standard lets just stick a motor and battery on a average bike frame brigade.

 

[james@justebikes.co.uk]

I've pressed Mando to get Type Approval for the IM, (so throttle can be used to 27.5) but so far they've resisted. I'll pass on your comments Twangman!

 

[flecc]

I understand In some EU countries that's all that's allowed but why imposed it on potential UK buyer's

It's not EU law being imposed, it's always been UK law and our limit is different, slightly faster at 4mph. Both here and elsewhere, this walk alongside law is based on the long standing pedestrian controlled vehicles regulations. For example, you may be familiar with the walk-ahead electric trolleys and small vans that the Post Office have long used, the law being for those originally.
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[Twangman]

So is it the case that the Law just looking the other way when most often bikes sold here in the UK the throttle to go up to 25kph?

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

However I applaud Mando and Gocycle and others who are genuinely trying to offer something different from the standard lets just stick a motor and battery on a average bike frame brigade.

Interesting point of view....

However I would say (and this is me personally saying this, not KTM) that from my experience, part of the reason eBikes haven't taken off in the UK as they have in the rest of Europe is the fact that too many of the brands available here and most of the publicity in the various unsuccessful attempts at mainstream eBike press have focused on making bikes that look like something from what the future looked like on "Tomorrow's World" back in the day. This has actually had a negative impact on eBike sales in the UK over the past 5 years. People think eBikes and they think of these types of bikes.

Most customers, want an eBike that looks like a bicycle... not a space ship that brings attention to them, as being something different or special. The reasons bicycles have evolved to being the shape they are are all sound.

Why some eBike brands want to reinvent the wheel just so they stand out is a bit beyond me?

Col.

 

[flecc]

So is it the case that the Law just looking the other way when most often bikes sold here in the UK the throttle to go up to 25kph?

No, our separate e-bike regulation, the 1983 EAPC law, does not specify how power is applied. Therefore a full throttle while riding was acceptable under our old law so the walk alongside regulation didn't come into play.

Our new law which has just come into force this April now aligns with the EU, so fully acting independent throttles are no longer legal. This is unlikely to be enforced for bikes already in stock at dealers since a period of grace has usually been the norm for such changes in laws.

Also the new law does not apply to existing e-bikes with throttles, they can just carry on being used.
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[Kudoscycles]

I was on a stand at a show that had one of those moped style 38 kilo e-bikes,next to us,.it was pretty much ignored by every potential customer,the odd customer tried to pick it up and grimaced,we and Cyclezee were very popular and yet manufacturers keep turning them out....as Colin from KTM says'why try to reinvent the wheel',the diamond frame bike fits with our body shape very well.
I am also intrigued how 250 watts seems to propel 38 kilos very briskly,but they eat batteries!!!!!!

 

[trex]

...
Why some eBike brands want to reinvent the wheel just so they stand out is a bit beyond me?

Col.

Guy 1: Hey, what kind of computer did you get?

Guy 2: I got an apple! They look so damn sexy and they come with exclusive applications, like Safari!

it's easier to create a good looking shape than a good bike.

 

[Twangman]

Ah yes Apple that quaint little company that though design matters just as much as function, remind me what happened to them.........

Oh they redesigned the pc and sold millions
They redesigned and improved MP3 players and sold millions
They thought hey why not combine a portable computer with a mobile phone
And sold and keeps on selling millions,
They turned their attention to a tablet PC and sold millions.
Which has now made them one of the wealthiest companys on the planet.

If they decide to produce a IEbike any guesses on how many they would sell.
Given the rumours swilling around that their developing an icar what bets on a iebike or imoped.
Sometimes reinventing the wheel can pay off! Ask James Dyson.

Learn the lessons of the British manufacturing industry, what's pitifully left of it. If you fail to innovate you will stagnate and disappear.

 

[trex]

...
Sometimes reinventing the wheel can pay off! Ask James Dyson.
...

yes, often that does, but the size of e-bike market in the UK is not as big as vacuum cleaners.
I reckon fewer than 50 models will sell more than 100 units a year and it's not likely that the IM is going to be one of them, most folding e-bikes do not cost £2k.

 

[flecc]

Sometimes reinventing the wheel can pay off! Ask James Dyson.

Learn the lessons of the British manufacturing industry, what's pitifully left of it. If you fail to innovate you will stagnate and disappear.

There's innovation that makes sense, and innovation that is just change for changes sake. Some of the latter has long blighted the bicycle and e-bike scene.

Look at the really successful bicycle and pedelec markets and it's the long proven sound basic designs that fill the market, the gimmicky quickly disappearing.
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[Cyclezee]

There's innovation that makes sense, and innovation that is just change for changes sake. Some of the latter has long blighted the bicycle and e-bike scene.

Look at the really successful bicycle and pedelec markets and it's the long proven sound basic designs that fill the market, the gimmicky quickly disappearing.
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OMG, Wai Won Ching has an identical twin