The new Falco eDrive promises to turn your bicycle
into a long-range ebike, as well as enabling off-season and inclement weather
indoor training.
In the booming ebike and electric mobility sector,
manufacturers are always looking for a way for their products to stand out from
the crowd, and a new ebike conversion kit from Falco eMotors is a great example
of a multifunctional bike accessory that aims to keep you in the saddle
year-round. We first covered Falco's ebike products a few years ago, when the
company was looking to crowdfund its cardio-controlled electric wheel kit
(which ultimately failed to reach its funding goal), and while its new ebike
conversion kit also has a training component, the approach is decidedly
different this time.
The new Falco eDrive, which was launched yesterday
at CES 2017, is a drop-in rear electric drive wheel powered by a frame-mounted
400Wh lithium-ion battery pack said to be capable of a 100+ mile range per
6-hour charge, which can convert a conventional bicycle into a long-range
ebike. And while turning your bike into an ebike with a long riding range isn't
that different from similar electric bike conversion kits, where the rubber
meets the road (or the rug, as it were), is in its integrated and interactive
"smart power trainer" for indoor spinning.
The Falco eDrive drop-in system is priced at US$ 1149
(wheel, battery, trainer bundle), and is also available as a complete bicycle
(road bike geometry), the eCiti, for those who'd rather get a dedicated electric
bicycle, at a cost of US$ 1995. A five year warranty on the motor, and a two year
warranty on the battery, are included. A number of different wheel sizes are
available (700c, 650B, and 26", 24", and 20"), and deliveries
are expected to begin this summer.
