tidal force bikes

[jac]

i was just reading the specs on new tidal force bikes and they quote 250 watts power but also say torque of 75 nm this seams a pretty high figure and if true would surely get you up most any hill as other high torque figures are about 40nm any thoughts
jim

 

[flecc]

The torque is probably right Jim, as they are hugely powerful bikes.

That 250 watts is a just a notional figure for legal purposes. In fact they are very high wattage motors, more powerful than any e-bike on our market, and regardless of what they claim, they are illegal, being more like mopeds and capable of nearly 30 mph. Pedalling really is optional, you probably never need to.

Registering and insuring them as mopeds makes them legal of course.
.

 

[jac]

hi flecc al this information was in french so did not realy understand it but these bikes seemed to have pedelec mode and it looked like it was for european market
jim

 

[flecc]

They were American designed and marketed bikes originally Jim, but the Tidal Force company went broke. Then Matra, an old French car company, bought the design and are introducing them again with some small modifications. They are very heavy with a large motor in one wheel and the large battery in the other wheel. They have to be powerful to pull around the weight. There was a US one at the New Milton show and it was hurtling around twice as fast as anything else, more motorbike than bike. One rider got to nearly 30 mph on the road, though the Matra version may have speed limiting to make it a bit nearer legal.

It's not remotely a 250 watt bike, nearer four times that gross power, but has to be pedelec since that's all the law permits on the European mainland. Being pedelec helps to disguise the sheer power, since who's to say if it's the rider who's very strong or the motor. Not sure how long they'll get away with it though, but good fun while you can.
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[Ian]

hi flecc al this information was in french so did not realy understand it but these bikes seemed to have pedelec mode and it looked like it was for european market
jim

If they they have EU type approval then they can be sold as pedelecs even with the high speed and power, they do need registration, insurance, tax disc (zero rated) and a licenced helmeted rider though. There are a number of bikes on sale in Europe that fall into this category, including Swizzbees.

 

[subevo]

how much are they? i was going to buy one from america but couldnt get one ages ago.

 

[flecc]

Subevo, this English language site shows the bike in it's Matra restyled form and indicates around 3500 euros, but that was provisional.

I'd guess around £2000 or maybe more in Britain eventually.

Ouch!
.

 

[jac]

if you go on teamhybrid webb site you should get some contact details they should be able to tell you expected price as they are the ones selling them or try bike show this weekend