Bicycles

Spacecamper tent-top ebike micro RV pitched at cycling digital nomads

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Spacecamper turns an ordinary electric cargo bike into an RV that you can work, lounge and sleep on
Authors Union Mobility/Spacecamper
Spacecamper turns an ordinary electric cargo bike into an RV that you can work, lounge and sleep on
Authors Union Mobility/Spacecamper
With a custom-built convertible cargo box, Spacecamper creates a workstation that transforms into a recliner
Authors Union Mobility/Spacecamper
Spacecamper shows the Spacecamper Bike at the 2023 CMT show
Spacecamper
To go from bike to camp mode, the Spacecamper Bike's handlebars fold down, and the lounger/sleeping platform adjusts into position
Spacecamper
The tabletop sets up on top of the folded handlebars to become a dining table, desk and worktop
Spacecamper
One Spacecamper Bike ready for remote work, the other all closed up for weather protection
Spacecamper
Taking care of business out in the wild
Spacecamper
With a folding, reconfigurable frame, the Spacecamper Bike module serves as a cargo box, recliner, desk chair and bed — it also easily removes to leave a standard Riese & Muller Load 75 e-cargo bike
Spacecamper
Campers can enjoy reading, stargazing and relaxing on the Spacecamper Bike before dropping the lounger into bed mode and getting to sleep
Spacecamper
Lying prone on the Spacecamper Bike
Spacecamper
Prepping a snack on the Spacecamper Bike
Spacecamper
The Load 75 bike features a dual-leg kickstand to keep it steady at camp and front and rear suspension for a smoother ride
Spacecamper
The Spacecamper Bike is made to serve as a tent for one, but it can get two people out of the weather in a pinch during the day
Spacecamper
The Spacecamper Bike could be used with a variety of compact, lightweight portable stoves, but Spacecamper seems quite partial to BioLite's electric biomass-fueled CampStove, judging by the numerous photos of it
Spacecamper
Spacecamper's press release doesn't confirm hard plans for production, but its Bike microsite suggests the Bike might launch in Summer 2023
Spacecamper
The Spacecamper Bike all packed up and ready to head out on the next leg of the journey
Spacecamper
View gallery - 16 images

Spacecamper is already one of Germany's best-known innovators of light, flexible (and sometimes ultra-fast) Volkswagen camper vans. If its latest concept camper makes it through to production, it will soon be known as the mind behind the country's lightest, most flexible electric micro-RV bike.

Designed as a digital nomad RV with an even smaller footprint than the average electric camper, the Spacecamper Bike prototype dresses an electric cargo bike with a deployable over-bike tarp, multi-adjustable sleeping platform and mobile workstation. Enjoy pedelec travel during the day and a cozy RV that makes camp virtually anywhere at night.

The new ebike camper is the brainchild of Spacecamper co-founder and CEO Ben Wawra, a dedicated RVer who lives and works on the road in his own Spacecamper. Also a bike enthusiast, Wawra sought a way of bringing the #vanlife experience to two wheels. He didn't have to search far – as we learned the first time we looked at Spacecamper in 2009, Wawra's partner Markus Riese is also one of the founders and namesakes behind German ebike specialist Riese & Müller. So naturally, the Spacecamper Bike gets built atop a Riese & Müller, the Load e-cargo bike platform.

More specifically, the Spacecamper Bike is based around Riese & Müller's Load 75, which is powered by a Bosch mid-drive with 1,000-W dual-battery system and 14-speed belt drive. The bike comes with both front and rear suspension and can be shod in mountain bike tires for better off-road capability.

The Spacecamper Bike all packed up and ready to head out on the next leg of the journey
Spacecamper

The camper part of the Spacecamper Bike equation comes packaged in an innovative multifunctional module that drops into the Load 75's cargo bay, removing easily so the bike can still be ridden for other purposes. Much like a convertible dining bench in a camper van, the convertible module serves as an all-in-one storage space, seat and sleeping platform.

On the pedal-assisted ride to camp, the Spacecamper Bike module carries the tarp, tabletop, and other camping gear, like a portable stove and water canister. Contents are further secured and protected from the weather with the rain cover.

Campers can enjoy reading, stargazing and relaxing on the Spacecamper Bike before dropping the lounger into bed mode and getting to sleep
Spacecamper

Upon arrival, the specially developed module converts into a rear-facing chair or a front-facing lounge seat. The latter supports a reclined, recumbent-style position with help from its tall fold-out seat back and extended leg support frame. At night, the lounger drops down into a flat position to serve as a cot-like sleeping platform. Wrap up in a sleeping bag or outdoor quilt for warmth, and you have an above-ground camper bed atop the ebike.

Lying prone on the Spacecamper Bike
Spacecamper

Sleeping under the stars is an option in clear weather, and Spacecamper also equips its ebike camper with a tarp for weather protection. The tarp covers over the entire bike, pitching with telescoping poles that secure to the bike frame and extend outward to create a roof. The rear Load rack and the lounger frame also help the tarp take shape, without any need for guy lines or ground staking. Two sidewalls extend protection around the bike, and an entry zipper makes for easy in and out.

The final component of Spacecamper's micro-RV, the removable tabletop, attaches to the frame atop the folded handlebars to create a dining table and desk. The lounger folds over into an upright rear-facing seat, and campers can use the area to prep meals, cook, eat and type away at a laptop.

Taking care of business out in the wild
Spacecamper

Spacecamper revealed its ebike camper concept at this week's CMT camper and travel show in Stuttgart. It has not yet detailed plans to launch the design, but the Spacecamper Bike microsite suggests that we may see a more serious version in (Northern Hemisphere) summer 2023. There's no indication of pricing, but it is worth noting that the Riese & Müller Load 75 ebike itself starts at €6,899 (approx. US$7,475) in Germany and rises from there based on added equipment like the 14-speed belt drivetrain and second Bosch battery pack.

Source: Spacecamper via ampnet

View gallery - 16 images
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5 comments
jerryd
Way too complicated and easy to fall over if not on a hard surface. Much better, cheaper is an Lectric model3 E bike for $1k and build a nice bike camper insulated trailer made from foam and/or very light, thin plywood. A lot of DIY bike campers online now.
Fairly Reasoner
not that much of a masochist.
TomLeeM
not really a 'tent top' but it is still really nice. I can see how - viewed by someone else - that it could fall over when someone is using it when camping with it. it looks like it would be easy to setup. It seems they took a cargo bike and made a camper.

I agree with another response / post in that one could use a regular bike or e-bike and two a simple (perhaps home made?) bike camper. I have seen a few that one can build yourself and would be lightweight enough to tow with a bike.
MQ
A tilting cargo recumbent with variable seating would have most of this built in - tilting narrow track recumbent would avoid many of the (flaws) objections to such a Vehicle...

Yes, not a lot more than a tarp over a "regular" - as if these are really mainstream - cargo e-bike.
AWF69
У меня всё то же самое на обычном круизёре Haro Shoreliner 2015 с багажником, включая нормальную тентовую палатку и ночлег с матрасом, спальником и газовой плитой с посудой и едой. А если выехать на один день/вечер, то будет достаточно тонкого тента и подушки под зад :)