e-Bikes ( electric ) saw biggest increase in bike sales in 2008. Fixed-gear would have been my guess.
above: bike and story seen in ID magazine march / april 2009
#1 Yamaha PAS City-C/Plusminuszero $2,194 / PAS City-C $1,131
FRAME: STEEL / GEARS: 3 / MOTOR: 240 WATTS / RANGE: 40 MILES / WEIGHT: 44.7LB
#2 Bridgestone RealStream $1,366
FRAME: ALUMINUM / GEARS: 8 / MOTOR: 240 WATTS / RANGE: 38 MILES / WEIGHT: 49LB
#3 Kalkhoff Pro Connect S $3,038
FRAME: DOUBLE BUTTED 7005 ALUMINUM / GEARS: 27 / MOTOR: 250 WATTS / RANGE: 50 MILES / WEIGHT: 55LB
vBridgestone Angelino Assista $1,312
FRAME: ALUMINUM / GEARS: 3 / MOTOR: 240 WATTS / RANGE: 37 MILES / WEIGHT: 66.5LB
#5 Panasonic Lithium ViVi RX-10S $1,642
FRAME: STEEL / GEARS: 1 / MOTOR: 250 WATTS / RANGE: 112 MILES / WEIGHT: 56LB
#6 Panasonic Titanium Flat Road EB $6,405
FRAME: TITANIUM / GEARS: 9 / MOTOR: 250 WATTS / RANGE: 94 MILES / WEIGHT: 34LB
#7 Giant Twist Freedom DX $2,100
FRAME: 6061 ALUMINUM / GEARS: 7 / MOTOR: 250 WATTS / RANGE: 75 MILES / WEIGHT: 61LB
#8 E-Solex Version 2.0 $2,111
FRAME: STEEL / GEARS: 1 / MOTOR: 400 WATTS / RANGE: 25 MILES / WEIGHT: 99LB
vPi Mobility From $5,500
FRAME: 6061 T6 ALUMINUM / GEARS: 8 / MOTOR: 750 WATTS / RANGE: 50 MILES / WEIGHT: 50LB
#10 Ultra Motor A2B $2,699
FRAME: 6061-GRADE ALUMINUM / GEARS: 7 / MOTOR: 500 WATTS / RANGE: 40 MILES / WEIGHT: 73LB
#11 Schwinn Tailwind $2,999
FRAME: 6000 SERIES ALUMINUM / GEARS: 8 / MOTOR: 250 WATTS / RANGE: 25 MILES
e-Bikes are big with the elderly, eco-friendly, and commuters who disdain sweat. Favored by the elderly may explain the design of the majority of these bikes. Favored by “everyone” else we assume is bike #9. Maybe it’s because the bike was designed by a designer, Marcus Hays, to please himself. You get what you pay for with this group. Light weight, power, styling adds to the bottom line cost.
