The Raptor by FWG coming soon! 14Kg inc battery.

[the_killjoy]

My only worry is that the batteries look very steal-able.

 

[Geebee]

My only worry is that the batteries look very steal-able.

The also look very easy to remove and take with you, by the look of the strap.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

I applaud you for introducing that bike David. The price is excellent and Mark Searles at Cytronex needs to take note!

I'm a fan of the Cytronex system as it's designed for the same purpose you have outlined for the Raptor but Cytronex haven't really moved their game on over recent years and we are still no nearer to seeing the introduction of a kit it seems than we were this time last year.

It's doubtful whether many forum members will be tempted to buy one, I think, as pedalling would be involved and that's not popular with a large section of the membership here. I do hope enough people see the potential though of a light bike with assistance to make it worthwhile for the group.

It's an easy bike to attach to any car, whether on the roof or on the back; no need for an expensive, dedicated ebike carrier or trailer

Nice one!

Tom

Thanks Tom,

We do understand that it will not be to everyones taste. I feel the electric bike market has become very sophisticated over the last few years, especially in Europe. One of the joys of having such a large and sophisticated market is that there is room for the more niche bicycle. The Raptor has been developed to give fitter, younger riders an extra boost on the way into the office. However as you correctly say, the bike is also ideal for lifting on and off a rack or into the back of a caravan or motorhome.

People who have tried the bike find it refreshingly lively, and our city stockists have really embraced it's possibilities.

All the best

David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Very nice looking bike! I would definitely consider this at that price point as I don't mind pedalling , although it looks more suited to flat areas?

Hi Jason, thanks for your comment, the bike is certainly designed for the city, although the motor does help massively when negotiating a 15%er! The only real restriction is that the bike is not meant for trail riding.

All the best

David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

The also look very easy to remove and take with you, by the look of the strap.

Hi Geebee and Killjoy, the battery is designed to be very easy to unclip from the bike, so we do not recommend leaving it on the bike for more than a few minutes whilst the rider is away from it, unless of course the bike is left in a secure location. We made the removal and installation of the battery as straight forward as possible so riders could whip it off to take into the office to recharge.

All the best

David

 

[jerrysimon]

It certainly fits my style of converting bikes into light e-assist.

I tend to run with 3 and 6AH 36V DIY batteries. Perfect for my short 10 mile round trip daily flat commute.

Of course for a city bike/commuter you would need to add mudguards and luggage rack which then increases the weight. The same if you want good puncture protection. Whilst I love fast rolling slick tyres its just not practical in the winter given the need to repair punctures.

Are you using one of the KeyDe motors ?

Two of my light weight conversions

Dahon Duo with 1.5kg KeyDe motor weighs 12.5Kg carry weight and a bag then goes on with the battery inside it connected by an umbilical

My 11.5Kg cary weight Titanuim 2 speed Brompton again with electrics and battery in the bag up front with an umbilical.

As stated these bikes are really light assist and require about 1/3 normal effort on flat terrain to get up to 15-16mph. Take offs and inclines are a breeze though

Your bike certainly looks good and seems like good value, but again as stated I am not sure how large the client base will be.I experimented with single speed but IMHO you need a minimum of two for ebikes. With single speed users will probably find it too high to start off with and too low once up to speed. Having built and converted light weight folders for four or five years now I am not sure that its a business I would like to rely on as my sole form of income. Anyway great effort in bringing a light weight option to the market. I wish you well for the future with high number of sales

Regards

Jerry

 

[jerrysimon]

My only worry is that the batteries look very steal-able.

Easy take them off

Jerry

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi All,

I felt some of you may be interested in something a little different. Not a bike for those with epic journeys in mind, but a quick, nimble machine ideal for shorter journeys especially in the cities.

Designed to be seriously minimalist, the Raptor is perfect for commuting. Very light weight at half the weight of many electric bikes so easy to take into the office or up to an apartment. The electronics are very discretely placed inside the frame.

The Raptor will be available in mid August 2014.
David

Interesting name, wonder where you got it from

 

[jerrysimon]

And yourself ?

16" Raptor bike from Toys R Us

Lol

Jerry

 

[Cyclezee]

And yourself ?

16" Raptor bike from Toys R Us

Lol

Jerry

eZee

 

[Artstu]

Interesting name, wonder where you got it from

Good lord is that one of those bicycle mopeds

David I wonder if anyone has asked for a third option of something like an 11 ah battery all in one? it'll certainly be easier to make the one gear cope with most situations, a tad too hilly here for me to make it work though.

Certainly nice to see something different though.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Good lord is that one of those bicycle mopeds

David I wonder if anyone has asked for a third option of something like an 11 ah battery all in one? it'll certainly be easier to make the one gear cope with most situations, a tad too hilly here for me to make it work though.

Certainly nice to see something different though.

Thanks Artstu! Good idea re the 11Ah in one, we will look into the possibility.

Re the name, it is so tough to find something new, originally it was going to be Falcon, to go with the FreeGo Eagle, Wren, Hawk, and Martin. However the Falcon has been done to death. We did search Raptor and found the kids bike and a quad bike but not the one John showed, it seemed perfect for the bike, it just fitted. But well done John!

At the end of the day, it's about the bike and not the name, I believe someone once said " What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Maybe we should have called it the Romeo and the forthcoming mixte version the Juliette?

The bike is a bit niche and not for the mountains, but around the city it is perfection and at £799.00 a cracking buy. Our stockists have taken it up with more verve than any other bike launch. So much so, that we have just had to place an order for our third container. Happy days!



All the best and have a great week!

David

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

Good looking bike in flesh. Would have been great to have seen a few gears on the bike and agree to some extent with battery comments

 

[Wisper Bikes]

It certainly fits my style of converting bikes into light e-assist.

Of course for a city bike/commuter you would need to add mudguards and luggage rack which then increases the weight. The same if you want good puncture protection. Whilst I love fast rolling slick tyres its just not practical in the winter given the need to repair punctures.

Your bike certainly looks good and seems like good value, but again as stated I am not sure how large the client base will be.I experimented with single speed but IMHO you need a minimum of two for ebikes. With single speed users will probably find it too high to start off with and too low once up to speed. Having built and converted light weight folders for four or five years now I am not sure that its a business I would like to rely on as my sole form of income. Anyway great effort in bringing a light weight option to the market. I wish you well for the future with high number of sales

Regards

Jerry

Thanks Jerry, LOVE the folder conversions!

Good point re the two speeds, the problem is we believe the motor on most electric bikes if not in the hub should be in the rear hub under the rider's weight. We considered putting two drive chains on. However I think for normal city riding we have the ratio about right, good for a standing start on a hill with the motor set to high and good for cruising at the 15.5mph assist limit.

All the best

David