News: Momentum Electric launch VIT-S on Kickstarter

[Pedelecs]

Momentum Electric are the latest electric bike manufacturer to capitalize on the reach of Kickstarter, launching their VIT-S, an electric bike first unveiled in the UK at the NEC Cycle Show.



Featuring a mid-drive motor, the latest model in the Momentum Electric range is also styled for urban use; integrated seat post lights, an aluminium hydroformed frame, carbon fibre crank, handlebar and forks bring the bike’s weight in at 20.9Kg.

Contributing 3.5kg of that weight is the high torque Nidec motor, which company founder Ying-Tsao Tan credits with enabling the company to offer the ‘most powerful legal electric bike’.

Full story: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/news/momentum-electric-launch-vit-s-kickstarter/

 

[Steed]

It was all looking very promising, low weight, high power, high specification and all from Momentum who seemed to have their finger on the pulse from what I have seen of their previous offerings - then I saw the price! Even at the Kickstarter discount price it seems way too high.

 

[Crockers]

It was all looking very promising, low weight, high power, high specification and all from Momentum who seemed to have their finger on the pulse from what I have seen of their previous offerings - then I saw the price! Even at the Kickstarter discount price it seems way too high.

Agree. Basic rules of getting a foothold in market is to sell at almost cost price. Business plan should be to turn a profit in 3 years. All depends on financial backing.

 

[Wander]

Personally I'm getting more cynical about KickStarter projects.

They used to be about getting a new idea / product / innovation to market.

More & more they seem to be geared towards just another marketing route for existing manufacturers to sell their goods.

 

[oldtom]

Even if I were to accept that it is a very powerful, legally-compliant motor, the rest of the set-up is hardly revolutionary. Bikes of this type tend to appeal to a very small minority of EAPC users and at 4K for the pleasure, I can't imagine too many takers for it.

The gearbox will not be everyone's cup of tea and belt-drive likewise. Consider also that for practical purposes, some mudguards would be required and many of us like to have a pannier rack, again for practical reasons. It's still 4K!

If it were the world's lightest EAPC, I could possibly agree that it merits its high price but it's over 20kgs and the competition starts about £3000 less than the mark-up on this bike.

I'm pretty sure that the majority, the large majority, of EAPC customers want some suspension on their bikes but this one has none - still 4K!

Can anyone honestly say there is a market for this machine or that they will be purchasing one?

Tom

 

[EddiePJ]

Coming in at nearly 21kg, it is close to the weight of an off the shelf full suspension eMTB.

I'm also struggle to see why a road bike would need that much torque.

The final nail in the coffin is the 4k price tag.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I can't understand why they went for the Nuvinci, which is very heavy. Good quality derailleur gears would reduce the total weight by 10%, which is very significant, and would shave about £100 off the price. Nuvinci is not everybody's cup of tea either.

 

[RobF]

The idea of a 'fast' roadster has some merit.

It's the type of bike that may appeal to existing road cyclists who are thinking of an ebike.

But as other posters have said, the execution is lacking.

I doubt the motor is any more powerful than any other legal crank drive - there's no magic efficiency wand - and it looks a bit clunky, which suggests an older/cheaper design and technology.

The Nuvinci hub is draggy, which wouldn't matter if you had power to burn.

I suspect non-ebikers - who design ebikes - think a bit of drag makes no difference, but in reality it takes a significant edge off the ride.

Even at Kickstarter prices, the bike looks expensive.

It's a pity to criticise a company's efforts to produce something new.

But I wonder how anyone with any knowledge of ebikes and their customers could imagine this one will sell.

 

[Crockers]

If I wanted a "fast" roadster I'd look at the Giant Phil and others ride. I've ridden it and it's quick. Lightish, and the battery integration is excellent. Couple that to a proven brand and Yamaha motor plus a grand cheaper than this and you have a no brainier. All IMHO if course.

 

[Izzyekerslike]

If I wanted a "fast" roadster I'd look at the Giant Phil and others ride. I've ridden it and it's quick. Lightish, and the battery integration is excellent. Couple that to a proven brand and Yamaha motor plus a grand cheaper than this and you have a no brainier. All IMHO if course.

I bought one and am delighted with with it... £2300 for 2016 Road e+1 model from Winstanleys in Wigan. It wasn't a great sales experience as they are set up mainly for online but the price was right

 

[anotherkiwi]

Don't forget the double chainring on the Yamaha motor, very important where I live. And Giant also make the Quick-e+ which does have mudguards and a panier rack for less than 3000€.