Sports

Hanebrink unveils new electric bike featuring rear suspension, teases with another for golfers

Hanebrink unveils new electric bike featuring rear suspension, teases with another for golfers
The Ducati-inspired RockShock air suspension is said to result in improved performance on steep or rocky trails
The Ducati-inspired RockShock air suspension is said to result in improved performance on steep or rocky trails
View 15 Images
Taking to the hills just got a whole lot more comfortable thanks to the addition of rear suspension on the new Hanebrink III all-terrain electric bike
1/15
Taking to the hills just got a whole lot more comfortable thanks to the addition of rear suspension on the new Hanebrink III all-terrain electric bike
The Ducati-inspired RockShock air suspension is said to result in improved performance on steep or rocky trails
2/15
The Ducati-inspired RockShock air suspension is said to result in improved performance on steep or rocky trails
Nothing quite like fat tires when tackling sand dunes
3/15
Nothing quite like fat tires when tackling sand dunes
The new Hanebrink III features a 750-Watt sealed, brushless electric motor with seven-speed integrated gearing and a 36V/9.6Ah LiNMC battery with a 20 mile range
4/15
The new Hanebrink III features a 750-Watt sealed, brushless electric motor with seven-speed integrated gearing and a 36V/9.6Ah LiNMC battery with a 20 mile range
The Hanebrink III benefits from a 6061-T6 aircraft seamless aluminum tube frame and chunky tubeless tires surrounding monocoque aluminum axles with sealed bearings
5/15
The Hanebrink III benefits from a 6061-T6 aircraft seamless aluminum tube frame and chunky tubeless tires surrounding monocoque aluminum axles with sealed bearings
Hitting the hills is claimed to be much easier with the Hanebrink III all-terrain electric bike
6/15
Hitting the hills is claimed to be much easier with the Hanebrink III all-terrain electric bike
The eight inches of adjustable travel in the dual crown triple clamp forks from previous models has now been joined by five inches of travel at the rear of the Hanebrink III
7/15
The eight inches of adjustable travel in the dual crown triple clamp forks from previous models has now been joined by five inches of travel at the rear of the Hanebrink III
Stopping off for a quick battery top-up and a bite to eat before hitting the trail on the new Hanebrink III
8/15
Stopping off for a quick battery top-up and a bite to eat before hitting the trail on the new Hanebrink III
Taking a well-earned break with the Hanebrink III
9/15
Taking a well-earned break with the Hanebrink III
Detail of the rear suspension inspired by Ducati's trellis rear suspension system
10/15
Detail of the rear suspension inspired by Ducati's trellis rear suspension system
The Hanebrink III features a 750 Watt sealed, brushless electric motor with seven-speed integrated gearing
11/15
The Hanebrink III features a 750 Watt sealed, brushless electric motor with seven-speed integrated gearing
The dual crown triple clamp forks have eight inches of adjustable travel
12/15
The dual crown triple clamp forks have eight inches of adjustable travel
Dan Hanebrink about to take the Links BRINK golf model out on the course
13/15
Dan Hanebrink about to take the Links BRINK golf model out on the course
The Links BRINK offers users more opportunity for exercise than traditional electric carts
14/15
The Links BRINK offers users more opportunity for exercise than traditional electric carts
With the caddy in tow, the Links BRINK model stands upright while the golfer takes a swing
15/15
With the caddy in tow, the Links BRINK model stands upright while the golfer takes a swing
View gallery - 15 images

Electric bikes based loosely on mountain bikes (such as the Terminus and eSpire) might be well-suited to forest trails, but for increased stability through sand dunes and snow and ice, as well as steep rocky climbs, you're better off riding a fat-tire bike like the Hanebrink electric bike we featured back in 2010. The company has now pulled back the curtains to reveal two new models for 2012 – one with added rear suspension for improved performance on steep or rocky trails, and the other designed specifically for golfers.

As capable as the original version of the Hanebrink electric bike was, the company's Chief Product Engineer Dan Hanebrink felt that there was still something missing. To fill this void, the eight inches (20 cm) of adjustable travel in the dual crown triple clamp forks from previous models has now been joined by five inches (12 cm) of travel at the rear of the Hanebrink III, courtesy of Ducati-inspired RockShock air suspension for improved performance on the very steepest of rocky trails.

Detail of the rear suspension inspired by Ducati's trellis rear suspension system
Detail of the rear suspension inspired by Ducati's trellis rear suspension system

The unique frame-integrated rear shock is said to have been inspired by Ducati's trellis rear suspension system, designed to increase the traction of the back wheel. The RockShock air suspension also gets progressively stiffer as it moves upward, to soak up small bumps while offering stronger resistance over big rocks and drops, making for a smoother ride.

"It is a multi-tubular approach," says the Southern California company. "Instead of one or two large beams, the trellis suspension creates wider triangulations with a multiplicity of tubes to form a large structure without having a massive increase in weight. The system spreads the load over a wider area creating more stiffness, but lacks the weight associated with large slabs of metal. "

The Hanebrink III features a 750-Watt sealed, brushless electric motor with seven-speed integrated gearing (although a 14 speed low-range gearing version is also available), and a 36V/9.6Ah LiNMC battery with a 20 mile (32 km) range. There's a 6061-T6 aircraft seamless aluminum tube frame, hydraulic disk brakes front and back, and a Shimano derailleur. The chunky 20 x 8-inch (50 x 20 cm) tubeless tires surround monocoque aluminum axles with sealed bearings.

Have a look at the following video showing the Hanebrink III prototype being put through its paces in the Santa Monica mountains:

HANEBRINK FS - prototype testing

The 90 pound (40 kg) Hanebrink III is available in black, orange or custom colors from a starting price of US$6,750.

Unfortunately at the time of writing, we've not been able to gather much in the way of details about the Links BRINK golf pedelec model. It's said to have been developed in response to requests from folks in the golf industry. It offers users a tad more exercise than they would get from a bog standard electric cart, as well as being a somewhat cleaner option thanks to the elimination of problematic lead acid batteries and dripping oil from the running gear.

Dan Hanebrink about to take the Links BRINK golf model out on the course
Dan Hanebrink about to take the Links BRINK golf model out on the course

The frame looks to have been tweaked for easier mount and dismount action and the rear rack has been replaced with a mechanism to connect a caddy behind the bike, which also allows it to remain upright while you take your best swing. It's not known when – or even if – this model will become available, but we'll update you when more information is made available.

Source: Hanebrink

View gallery - 15 images
8 comments
8 comments
The Hoff
It looks like a clunky, heavy, mountainbike with squatty tires that would be hard to handle at speed. Good idea to put it on the green.
Gearhead
Yeah, Woo! Cutting sick on the single. If an old labrador can keep up, you're not exactly carving... As for all that guff about the rear sus- take a look at any modern full-sus mtb & see how its done properly, particularly in relation to pivot point location... Still, it may be a toe-hold for introducing mtb action on golf courses!
gragraposker
I live on a steep narrow(80 foot wide) acre,that looks like the near perfect solution to get to the bottom and back without wrecking my back. the ability to carry the chainsaw and fencing materials/tools is a definate plus.....and get thru some narrow gates that most other vehicles won't. Want one.
Griffin
I liked his earlier designs better. Bring back "The Box"!
Amphibious,4WD,4 wheel steering,4 wheel independent suspension, faster than a Testarossa in the Quarter Mile... with only a 500cc motorcycle engine!
BJB
Give it a range of 100 miles (give or take), lower the price so a guy like me can afford it, and you'd be on your way to actually changing the world for the better (as well as still making tons of money!). Hey, just saying. :)
feasant plucker
Motor is too small for any speed or up any hills. Battery is too small for 20 miles, over 8 miles an hour. the price is about 5 times more expensive that it has to be.
unklmurray
I don't have that kind of money or any other kind for that matter butt I'm saving my money for 2 needed items first , 1 a Portable Oxygen Concentrater by Phillips Respronics, called a Simply-Go'' and a ''Survival scooter'' by Motoped' from KC,Mo!!
Gizmowiz
Looks a lot like my old Mini Bike I built in 1963.......