There's another school of thought in electric
bike design, which is to make them really stand out and turn heads due to their
retro stylings or motorcycle-like features, such as the Monday Motorbikes M-1,
and soon, the Tempus CR-T1.
Tempus Electric Bikes, based in Guelph, Ontario,
Canada, will be bringing its CR-T1 to market next year, and if your desire is
for old-school looks coupled with high-tech features and performance, then this
e-bike certainly fits the bill with its café racer lines and 1000W electric
motor.
The CR-T1 is built on an "aircraft grade"
4130 chromoly steel frame with clip-on style handlebars, a spring fork up front
and dual shocks and articulated swingarm in the rear, and weighs in at a hefty
75 pounds. The rear hub motor is powered by a 48V 17Ah lithium ion battery pack
capable of a 50 km range, with an estimated 4-hour recharging time. The
bike is said to be limited to a 20 mph top speed for complying with e-bike
regulations, but includes a speed override setting capable of letting the CR-T1
hit speeds up to 30 mph on off-road and track rides.
A faux gas tank encloses the bike's electronics, but
not the battery pack, which is on the down-tube, and a leather motorcycle-style
seat and front headlight adds to the café racer likeness. Front and rear
hydraulic disc brakes ensure adequate stopping power, and with a weight
capacity of up to 350 lbs (159 kg), the CR-T1 can handle big riders with ease.
An LCD dashboard displays battery and ride data, while a USB port allows for
the charging of mobile devices while riding, and the bike's battery pack is
said to be rated for about 1000 charging cycles.
The Tempus CR-T1 will come with a rather hefty price
tag, at least if you're looking for a cheap electric bike, as the company is
putting the estimated retail cost at CA$ 4000 (US$ 2965), but it's probably
safe to say that none of the lower cost e-bikes can compete on style points, so
perhaps this electric two-wheeler is priced exactly right. Find out more at
Tempus Electric Bikes.
