Bicycles

BMW-designed e-trike leans into corners – but just in front

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The Cube Concept Dynamic Cargo e-trike's tilting front end is connected to its non-tilting rear end via a pivoting axle
BMW Group
The Cube Concept Dynamic Cargo e-trike's tilting front end is connected to its non-tilting rear end via a pivoting axle
BMW Group
There's presently no word on specs such as top speed or battery range
BMW Group
Among other things, the modular cargo bed can be equipped with attachments such as child seats
BMW Group
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Electric-assist cargo trikes may offer a stable ride on the straightaways, but they do have a nasty tendency to tip over when taking corners. The Cube Concept Dynamic Cargo e-trike addresses that problem, with an independently tilting front end.

Developed via a partnership between Germany's BMW Group, Cube Bikes and electric mobility company SoFlow, the prototype vehicle will be presented next week in Munich as part of the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung Mobility 2021 exhibition.

Whereas some tricycles address the tipping issue with two front wheels that tilt into corners relative to the rest of the trike, the Cube Concept takes a different approach. It has a single-wheeled front end much like that of a regular bike, which is connected to the two-wheeled rear end via a pivoting axle.

This arrangement allows the rider – with their high center of weight – to lean into corners as they would on a conventional bicycle. The non-leaning rear end remains flat as they do so, holding its load level. Thanks to a variety of modular attachments, that load could consist of two children in dual child seats, or different types of inanimate cargo.

Among other things, the modular cargo bed can be equipped with attachments such as child seats
BMW Group

Although not much in the way of specs have been revealed at this point, the trike does feature disc brakes, front suspension, a Bosch bottom bracket motor, and a maximum load capacity of 220 kg (485 lb) – that figure includes the weight of the rider, with the cargo bed itself being rated at 60 kg (132 lb).

And yes, with the vehicle's pivoting design, you may be wondering how the front-end crankset and motor are able to drive the two rear-end wheels. Well, a sort of universal-joint-like differential on the rear axle is utilized – it's rather difficult to describe, but is illustrated in the video below.

There's currently no word on when (or if) the Cube Concept Dynamic Cargo e-trike will enter production.

Sources: BMW, Cube Bikes

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6 comments
Daishi
It looks expensive but I still like the design. They should make a real trailer for it too.
Catweazle
The unloved Ariel 3 is reincarnated!
Nelson Hyde Chick
I need a cargo bike, but I want one with the cargo in the front.
Kpar
A marvelous concept! Most people do not realize that this design was worked on by General Motors more than two decades ago, and they developed concepts from human-powered "trikkes" all the way to a "trikke" based upon a Honda 750 motorcycle. Fabulous performance, and the "camber thrust" steering was truly intuitive.

Look up "trikke"- a product that is in production today- I am surprised that they weren't the ones behind this project.
Kpar
After watching the video, I realized the video showed a conventional chain. While this would certainly work, I would come up with a chain based upon tapered cylinders, designed to rotate in directions 90 degrees from the direction of travel. This is not a novel concept- more akin to a modern CV joint- much more energy efficient.

Hey, if you guys want to know more about my idea, I can be reached through newatlas- they have my email.
PAV
Yes please.