Ford Debuts E-Bike Concept

  • Weighs 2.5kgs
  • Battery concealed in frame
  • Designed for both women and men

It’s not that often we feature bikes on CyberShack, but as well as debuting a line-up of new vehicle and technology introductions on its stand at Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford has also unveiled an E-Bike.

Designed to show how the company's design language can translate to a bicycle, the Ford E-Bike Concept also demonstrates the spectrum of Ford's electric mobility competence. Ford has no plans to produce the E-Bike but will continue studying the concept along with other future mobility solutions.

Developed by a Ford Design team led by Executive Design Director Martin Smith, in partnership with cyber-Wear, the Ford E-Bike Concept has been created from the ground up to appeal to both men and women.

At the heart of the design is a trapezoidal frame profile. Constructed from aluminium and carbon, the frame combines outstanding strength with a weight of 2.5kg. The wheels, with a six-spoke V-design, appear to float around the frame, while the drive system is hidden from view, creating a clean, minimalist appearance.

Providing the power is a drive system consisting of a motor in the front wheel hub, a lithium-ion battery concealed in the frame, promising a range of up to 85km on a full charge, an integrated controller and patented magnetostriction sensor technology from the world of Formula One.

Magneotostrictive materials are used to convert magnetic energy into kinetic energy, and vice versa. In Formula One, these sensors help handle high engine revolutions in combination with intense thermal strains. They need no physical contact with other parts of the engine, are temperature-independent and are completely maintenance-free.

In the Ford E-Bike, the first application of this technology in the bicycle industry, the sensors read the revolutions in the inner bearing and relay this information to the control unit within a hundredth of a second. The control unit then instantly activates or deactivates the electric motor, providing a seamless integration of the power of the legs with the power of the motor.

A handlebar-mounted display provides trip information and allows the rider to select from three support modes – economy, comfort and sport.

The drive system is said to have top-of-the-range bicycle components, including a Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal gear hub and a 2012 Shimano Rapidfire shifter. In place of a traditional chain is a Carbon Belt Drive System, making for a cleaner, lighter and more immediate transfer of energy.

For all you trainspotters, here are the specs:

Drive Unit

  • Front wheel hub motor
  • Max. nominal power: 350W
  • Electricity: 36V – 250W
  • Supports up to 25km/h (to EN 15194)
  • Clutch with freewheel function
  • Gearbox: Planet gears
  • Integral sensor technology

Battery

  • Cell type: Lithium-ion accumulator
  • Electricity: 340Wh, 36V, 9.3Ah
  • Charging cycles: 1000 cycles at 80% residual capacity
  • BMS (Battery Management System): protects against deep discharge and self-discharge Charge times: 80% after 2 hours, 100% after 3-4 hours (at room temperature)
  • Range: Up to 85km (depending on drive power and support mode selected)
  • Temperature range: -20°C to +60°C

Controller display functions

  • Background lighting with light sensor system
  • Energy-saving automatic sleep mode
  • Diagnosis function with fault code display
  • Support modes: Economy, Comfort, Sport
  • Displays: Range, Battery capacity, Speed, Time, Distance, Maximum speed, Average speed, Total distance, Service reminder, System diagnosis, Support modes
  • iPhone Smartphone app control function planned

Bicycle Components

  • Wheels: Mavic Elipse Aluminum black (modified with Ford Design crossing)
  • Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport black
  • Pedals: Wellgo LU-C27G, silver/black
  • Handlebars: Downhill Aluminum black, custom made
  • Stem: Giant SLR Carbon 110mm
  • Saddle: Selle Italia SLR XC
  • Brakes: Avid Elixir 5, full hydraulic, 185mm, white