[RahulNagaraj]

ADO - A company developing sustainable urban transportation has unveiled its new 'Air Carbon' e-bike.



The new Air Carbon from ADO is said to be the lightest foldable e-bike in the world, made up entirely of carbon fibre, ensuring extra portability & performance. The foldable e-bike is said to weigh just 12.5 kg, thanks to the extensive use of carbon fibre, both in its frame and front forks. The folding design further allows users to better integrate cycling into their daily routines.



ADO has collaborated with BAFANG to offer a silent electric motor & torque sensor system paired with a maintenance-free carbon belt drive, ensuring a range of up to 100 km on a single charge. The e-bike also comes with an advanced GPS system connected to the user's smartphone, allowing for real-time tracking. Users also receive instant notification via an app if their e-bike is moved or tampered with in any way.



Sen, CEO of ADO, stated, "The Air Carbon is designed to meet the highest standards of urban commuting, providing a blend of style, performance, and convenience that caters to both daily commuters and occasional riders." He further added, "Its lightness, combined with our Anti-theft GPS technology, ensures a riding experience that's both enjoyable and secure."

The e-bike is expected to launch in early May. Prices for the Air Carbon e-bike will be announced closer to its launch.

Source: AutoEvolution

Link to Team-BHP news

[amol4184]

I like this a lot. Not that I am in the market for one but still. 12.5kg is in incredible weight for that kind of range and added convenience of foldability. Most other comparable bikes are double the weight of it. The folding mechanism looks similar to Dahon/Tern which is good but not as good as Brompton which is the king of the hill when it comes to fold.

Bafang has become a mainstay for such bikes (other than Bosch) and should keep the prices in check. Also of note, belt drive with internal gearing so maintenance free usage. Pretty good.

Compared to this, other somewhat popular RadPower Expand weighs a whopping 28kg and gives a range of 70 kms (official). It even looks awkwardly shaped, more of a step thru motorcycle than a bicycle and has terrible riding position if you any taller than 5'10. I took a test ride and motor has rather strong pull but at 6'1 the bike is just uncomfortable for any meaningful distance.

On the non folding side the Cannondale Compact Neo looks sexier but is still 18kg with poor range. I rode it during the same bike show and even at low speeds the motor shows no urgency to pick up. As you go faster, the motor becomes more sluggish to the point you start wondering if the motor is even there. No wonder these bikes are nowhere to be seen on the road.

Hopefully the Bafang unit here provides more juice and gives at least 90% of claimed range.
Otherwise pedaling these 20inch bikes once battery dies isn't very pleasant experience. I will also be curious how those hinges hold up over a period of time because that is the bane of such bikes and frame being carbon makes things even more difficult.

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As Amol4184 notes, 12.5 kg all in is an incredible weight! Pretty sure that's the weight of a standard Brompton. My wife's grandparents got the first gen Swytch conversion kit add-ons to electrify their Brompton's, but even then, the modern Swytch kit still adds a bunch of weight and nowhere near as much range as this claims.

I'm no cycling expert but I have heard of the Bafang brand name in the same context as Bosch when it comes to e-bike components so that seems a good thing. My understanding is that using regularly available and widely used components is a sign of a good e-bike, lest you end up in the mess that folks with Van Moofs ended up with, what with their proprietary everything.

This looks very cool though. I've long mulled over getting an electric folding bike. If this is legit, would definitely enter into consideration.