Bicycles

Arosno E-trace takes electric-assist cycling to the snow

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The E-trace can reportedly climb slopes of approximately 17 degrees
Arosno
The E-trace can reportedly climb slopes of approximately 17 degrees
Arosno
The E-trace should be delivered to customers in November 2022
Arosno
The E-trace has both pedals and a Sachs ebike motor
Arosno
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For cyclists in many parts of the world, the arrival of winter signals the end of proper outdoor bike riding. Well, they might want to check out the Arosno E-trace, as it's designed specifically for cycling in the snow.

Created by French entrepreneurs Romain Faure and Agathe Lebaron, the E-Trace is sort of a recumbent electric-assist tricycle. Instead of wheels, though, it has two steerable polyethylene skis in front, and a Camso snowmobile-style rubber track in the back.

As the rider pedals, they spin up a rear sprocket wheel via a chain that's routed through the trike's aluminum alloy frame. That sprocket engages the track, causing it to turn, thus moving the vehicle forward.

The rider's pedaling effort is augmented by a 250-watt Sachs RS motor, which is powered by a removable 48-volt lithium battery. This arrangement is claimed to deliver a top motor-assisted speed of 25 km/h (16 mph) and a battery range of up to 45 km (28 miles) per charge.

The E-trace should be delivered to customers in November 2022
Arosno

The whole thing reportedly tips the scales at 45 kg (99 lb), and can support a maximum rider weight of 120 kg (265 lb). Some of its other features include 45 mm of front suspension; an Enviolo continuously variable gearbox; a Magura MT5 eSTOP hydraulic disc brake; plus a 550-lumen Supernova Mini 2 Pro headlight and a Supernova E3 tail light. A rack for carrying a second battery is an optional extra.

If the Arosno E-trace sounds like your cup of tea, you can pre-order one now via the company website. The total cost, due before the planned delivery next November, will be €6,690 (about US$7,904).

You can see the vehicle in action, in the video below. Potential buyers might also want to check out Envo's Electric SnowBike Kit, which replaces an existing mountain bike's front and rear wheels with a ski and an electric-assist rubber track, respectively.

Source: Arosno via Pinkbike

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8 comments
Aladdin Connolly
Looks like fun at around$1499. $7,500 with those specs? I doubt there is any market at all.
Jason Catterall
If ever there was a product crying out for 50x power, this is it. 250w wouldn't be enough to get this to 25km/h on the level. Downhill maybe...
Needs 10-20kW motor, then I'd be keen.
Trylon
Or you can buy a fatbike, add a Bafang or Tongsheng electric assist motor and save $5-6k.
michael_dowling
Yet another promo video with loud music! They could at least offer a version w/o the music,so you could see how loud the thing is. Like to see some shots of it on unprepared trials.
jerryd
If I lived where there was decent snow I'd make one of these without pedals and only 1 front ski. 2 makes handling, turning hard as you can't lean vs 1 ski you can catch the ski edge and inline don't get thrown off in a hard turn..
ljaques
LOL did you notice the relative speed they had while passing the walking hiker on the flat? It looked like they were doing maybe 4-5mph at that pedaling rate. They're only about 8 grand too expensive.
LiamKoot
Looks about as much fun as a walking pace mobility scooter. With that in mind, ditch the pedals, make it purely electric and market it as a winter mobility device for elderly or those folks with disabilities who live in cold climates. Think it would be more successful that way. Just my thoughts and opinion though.
RobWoods
I agree with michael_dowling that it would be nice to present these videos without all the promotional ad loud music so we could actually hear the machine itself. Also, agree with LiamKoot that for the elderly it would be nice to have a machine that is purely electric.