Bicycles

Helicon eº is like the Schwinn Stingray of electric-assist cargo trikes

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The Helicon eº sells for €6,499 (about US$7,063)
Helikon
The Helicon eº weighs in at 59 kg (130 lb)
Helikon
The Helicon eº sells for €6,499 (about US$7,063)
Helikon
Riders can stash their gear in the Helicon eº's lockable cargo compartment
Helikon
The Helicon eº features integrated Supernova head- and tail lights
Helikon
The Helicon eº measures 200 cm long by 79 cm wide (78.7 by 31.1 in)
Helikon
View gallery - 5 images

When most people think of an electric-assist cargo trike, they likely picture something with the single wheel in the back and the storage compartment in the front. Well, the retro-cool Helicon eº trike is different, in that it moves the cargo-carrying action to the rear.

Manufactured by German company Helikon, the Helicon eº's "hip vintage design" puts the single wheel in front and throws in a set of chopper-bike-like handlebars.

Although such delta-type trikes (two wheels in back, one in front) are generally considered to be less stable than tadpole trikes (one in back, two in front) when cornering, they also tend to have a much tighter turning radius. They're also often easier to get on and off of.

Riders can stash their gear in the Helicon eº's lockable cargo compartment
Helikon

The Helicon eº sports a hand-welded steel frame along with a 4-mm fiberglass front fairing and 175-liter (46-US gal) lockable rear cargo compartment. A 250-watt mid-mount motor augments the rider's pedaling power, taking them to a top assisted speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). One charge of the 15.6-Ah lithium battery should be good for a range of about 70 km (43.5 miles) using a medium amount of motor assistance.

Some of the trike's other features include a padded ergonomic seat, an Enviolo Automatic 2 transmission, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, Supernova head- and tail lights, SR Suntour front and rear suspension, plus Ryde Andra 40 rims clad in Schwalbe BigBen Plus tires – the front wheel is 26 inches in size, with the rear two coming in at 24.

The whole thing is claimed to tip the scales at 59 kg (130 lb) and can support a maximum rider/cargo weight of 150 kg (331 lb). It measures 200 cm long by 79 cm wide (78.7 by 31.1 in). A child seat, which the user can swap in place of the cargo compartment, is currently in the works.

The Helicon eº features integrated Supernova head- and tail lights
Helikon

"Our primary objective is to make the tricycle an appealing option for everyone," Helikon founder Pascal Löser told us. "It is often misconceived that tricycles are solely for disadvantaged individuals, but we aim to showcase their versatility and wider applications."

The Helicon eº trike can be ordered now via the Helikon website. It's priced at €6,499 (about US$7,063) and is available in color choices of metallic gray, red or blue.

Source: Helikon

View gallery - 5 images
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6 comments
Craig Sharp
With that weight and possible carrying weight you'd want a bigger motor than a 250w motor. It might be fine on level ground but in no way will you get anywhere with that motor on a hill even with pedal assist.
paul314
@Craig Sharp. At least trikes are stable. So if you figure that a person could add another 250w to the motor's pace, the bike would remain perfectly upright as it climbed a 10% grade at a sedate walking pace.
Ancliff
That is going to do accidental wheelies with any significant weight in the trunk. Which is why the battery should be over the front wheels. Silly mistake!
PAV
Are you kidding me with that price?
TechGazer
The seat looks wrong for comfortable pedaling. The seat looks too short to be comfortable. They could have gone for a more recumbent pose.

At that ridiculous price, I expect the target market is people who are ridiculously rich, who would buy one just for a couple of rides to show off how cool they are ... with the price tag still attached and easy for all the peons to see.
jayedwin98020
It would seem like you're really swinging for the fences, regarding your ROI.

With the price you're asking, it better com gold plated!