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Are eBikes the scooters of the 21st century?
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You might think so based on the proliferation of bicycles in tony urban settings, and mainstream manufacturer's attempts to meld pedal power with electric assistance.
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After a brief test ride, I likened Smart's eBike to a turbo for your legs-- and Polaris's new Vector and Strive models bring more electric options to the table. Built around an 8-speed mountain bike with a 6061 aluminum frame, 26 inch Kenda wheels, a Suntour XCT front suspension and Tektro brakes, these eBikes incorporate a removable in-frame lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 4 to 6 hours, and propel the bike roughly 30 miles at speeds up to 20 mph (or more, if the rider chooses to pitch in with leg effort.)
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When installed, the battery is managed by Polaris' BioSync software, which gauges rider input and augments thrust accordingly via a DuoDrive motor. Energy is regenerated at speeds above 20 mph and when brakes are applied, via the so-called ARC Regenerative Braking feature. ?
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Polaris eBikes start at $2,999-- which is pricey, but still less than Smart's offering, which currently translates to roughly $3,700 based on its European price tag. But if Polaris, which enjoyed $3.2 billion in sales from its various powersports endeavors during 2012, is really onto something with the eBike trend, we might soon see a flood of new two-wheeled products intended to entice deep pocketed, eco-conscious riders.
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Source: PolariseBikes.com
Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/polaris-debuts-ebikes?src=rss
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