[Mike]

We're developing a 8.5Ah 4lb lithium battery that will take you a little over 20 miles and will raise the retail cost of the kit to about $599-699. Is that about what you'd like, or should we develop a smaller, lighter, lower range, less expensive lithium option?

[ejamck]

You probably could get a strong market for both....lightness is very attractive, but the option to increase the distance is too. The ability to choose between 2 batteries based on personal riding habits is probably going to please the most people.

[Mike]

Yeah, it's an interesting R & D question. Basically it boils down to: Do we want to do away with lead acid batteries all together and just offer two lithium kits (low end/high end)? Or, do we keep the current lead acid kit out there and only focus our lithium R & D on the high end package?

[mathewpriest]

It might be a tough decision, but I would agree to eliminate the lead acid battery. I live upstairs and bring my bike up and down with each ride, so for the sake of fitness, I welcome the extra weight, but your new or older rider might not be interested in this. It would also save on shipping, and reduce the possibility of lead pollution. A high end/low end kit is an awesome idea. People wanting to try out e-bikes could get started for a small price, and upgrade their battery as they use the bike more often. The bonus is that they would have an extra battery which could be used for hot-swapping, or they could keep it at the office for a quick swap-out if they're in a hurry.

[Mike]

I think we're going to stick with the affordable vs high performance options since people have different purchasing reasons and we want to be available to everybody. Since the lead acid pack works well already for the affordable option, it will probably be more behind the scenes product development issues that effect the timing of an affordable small lithium pack to replace the lead acid. It sure would look cool to have a "nano" option that would zip you up one or two hills with a lithium power pack the size of a candy bar. =)

[LoveMyBike]

I was posting in another section and asked by Mike to continue the thread here in this section.

I personally am concerned not only about the weight of the new lithium kit but about the PRICE and SIZE of the battery. If you can produce a kit that is only $100 more than the SLA Kit and cut the battery weight and size down such that 10 miles at 10mph is the optimum range that is the most desirable feature. In September Mike was talking about a lithium battery the size of a cellphone? A cellphone? A cellphone?

Let me repeat: A CELLPHONE? That would be just totally innovatively, creatively and originally...

I N C R E D I B L E !

It would be a first. With such a kit, people wouldn't even suspect your bicycle was motorized if not for the hub . They'd think you'd develop some secret new invisible energy source. Do you realize what such a small battery kit would mean to the entire market of electric bike kits? I mean right now it seems Clean Republic is set on producing a larger heavier lithium battery kit about the size of one of them mini-basketballs. That's great, but if you can miniaturize the battery to the point where it would almost be concealable under the seat, or in a knapsack without causing too much of a bulge, that would give notice to everyone that here is a practical, convenient, easily attachable and usable electric bicycle kit that almost seamlessly blends into your bicycle.

I can see such a kit marketed on shelves in bicycle stores in the accessories department. Customer walking buy sees a shelf display: "Want a lil extra POWER?" And there is the Clean Republic Bicycle Kit listing contents and weight of product 10 pounds, a nice little graphic and the emphasis, "Only takes minutes to install! For those times when you need a little extra power without alot of complicated motors and installation."

So definitely, my vote is for the lightest, SMALLEST Lithium Battery Kit in the $500 range. Let the other manufacturers concentrate on heavier, more complicated kits for high speed and range, I vote that you stick true to your original design concept of simplicty, ease of use, lightness of weight and size and stylish design.

Thanks for the opportunity of input.

[Mike]

Hey LMB,

Thanks so much for the great ideas and enthusiasm. Yes, we're getting a lot of feedback from other people like yourself that really enjoy the "small lithium" concept.

Ok, now, "the size of a cell phone" can be interpreted in Gordon Gekko terms or Zoolander terms, or something inbetween:

"just the size of a cell phone"

gordonl1.jpg (15.73 KiB) Viewed 894 times

"just the size of a cell phone"

zoolanderphone.jpg (83.09 KiB) Viewed 894 times

I think we could get 10 miles of range out of a lithium battery that's about 2"x2"x6", which may be bigger than your iPhone, but still totally able to fit in some very steam-lined spots on the bike, or like you suggest, eve in a jacket or pack pocket somewhere.

Another idea we've had is to split a lithium battery into two halves so it could be clipped to the front forks in a low-profile way, or some other places on the bike to lower the visual impact.

Cheers.

[LoveMyBike]

Hey LMB,

I think we could get 10 miles of range out of a lithium battery that's about 2"x2"x6", which may be bigger than your iPhone, but still totally able to fit in some very steam-lined spots on the bike, or like you suggest, eve in a jacket or pack pocket somewhere.

Another idea we've had is to split a lithium battery into two halves so it could be clipped to the front forks in a low-profile way, or some other places on the bike to lower the visual impact.

Cheers.

Hey, Mike:

I love your openess and creativity. I mean that's what makes this so interesting and fun!

Naturally, the idea of a 2"x2"x6" battery and an equally small controller would totally rock! I mean that could be easily concealed into a bike's design. Again as a reason for going that way, I point to your original concept of providing that extra power to go up an incline or hill or for those times you just want to cruise along without peddaling...and for that...10 miles of power is more than enough.

What's more, if you can actually produce a kit with that smal a controller/battery, along with the simple wiring and hookup, you've got something that the public and media will be just WOW-ed over.

Thanks

[Mike]

Yeah, we already have a very sleek package in terms of other conversion kit competitors, and it would be fun to have another level of "micro" option. It would probably be great for media stunts, like you say.

[Mike]

R&D New Application Brainstorming Promotion:

Lithium battery auction!

Ok, we may never do this again, but we are brainstorming other markets and uses for the high-energy density lithium cobalt polymer power plant itself (the heart of the Lithium Hill Topper system) and to attract comments, and new application ideas we have a stand-alone battery and charger on auction at eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

Have a project or hack that could use our Big Lithium power plant? UAV's, drones, robots, portable backpack power stations, and many other applications could fit this incredible battery's specs. What would you do with it? We'd love your ideas!

[LoveMyBike]

Yeah, we already have a very sleek package in terms of other conversion kit competitors, and it would be fun to have another level of "micro" option. It would probably be great for media stunts, like you say.

Well forget the media stunts...it's just plain practical. I've got your Lithium Hill Topper Kit and averaging about 15 miles on a full charge. I could use that smaller, lighter 10 mile lithium battery as a backup to take along for longer trips. When do you think you might have that smaller Lithium battery that I assume will weigh around 3 pounds total? And cost $200-300?

Thanks!

[Mike]

Yo LMB -- We've got our best man on it! =) he's traveling to the battery lab this month to talk over the new smaller lithium battery with the engineers. We should have a prototype ready in a while and perhaps be able to fully launch the new battery/kit by next winter. Will keep you guys posted!

Mike

[rmedvid1]

OK I was always a road biker and road many many miles, but now at 52 i have hung up the road bike and constructed a cruiser bike with the old banana seat and sissy bar look. now it has slowed me down so I can now ride with my wife. I enjoy riding this bike and now prefer it to the road bike. You know that road position is starting to hurt my back. I still wanted to take the long ride alone at times, so I discovered your website and purchased the lithium battery for the 20 mile range. It is awesome and noone even realizes I have it. My only request is to have that extra smaller,lighter back up battery, for the 40 to 50 mile bike rides I still do. Just in case I would use up the 20 mile battery. Its really hard to judge how much power I still have for that turn around point and it would be nice to have a light weight back up for those last few miles back. The two or three pounds sounds great, but another 6 pound 20 mile lithium is just to hard to carry

[rbikes]

I wouls like to see a 4lb battery. i will wait. i only will use it on our "DARN HILLS"
Here in southwest VA. we have some"" I love to ride on the VA. creeper trail" with some good grades.
MY bike is 23lbs. iam not going to ride all over town on a battery. i like the work out. just use it when
i have to plus My wife and I won"t have to use my car just to ride our bikes.
I will stay tuned and look for it. Sign the pledge peopleforbikes.org"" thanks, RBIKES.