Just because ebikes have assistive motors doesn't mean that they should be heavy, clunky and ugly. The Tezeus C8 was evidently designed with that fact in mind, as it sports a sleek look, carbon construction, and a claimed weight of as little as 33 lb (15 kg).
Currently the subject of an Indiegogo campaign, the C8 has a carbon fiber frame, fork, seatpost and handlebars, along with a 250-watt custom mid-mount motor that augments the rider's pedaling power up to a top speed of 32 km/h (20 mph) in North America or 25 km/h (16 mph) in Europe.
It's powered by a removable down-tube-integrated 360-Wh lithium battery, which is claimed to be good for a range of about 100 km (63 miles) per 2.75-hour charge. Instead of a chain, the C8 utilizes a clean, smooth-running, zero-maintenance belt-drive drivetrain.
Backers can choose between a single-speed setup or one with a 3-speed rear hub transmission. Bikes incorporating these drivetrains reportedly tip the scales at 33 and 35 lb (15 and 16 kg), respectively.
Integrated into the bars and stem is a 5-inch touchscreen display which shows data such as battery level, current speed and distance traveled, along with a navigational map. Because the bike has its own GPS module and 4G connectivity, riders can track their location on that map without bringing their smartphone along.
One of the C8's other high-tech features is its rear-facing millimeter-wave radar system. Similar to the Garmin's Varia Radar technology, this setup detects vehicles approaching from behind or to either side, up to a distance of 100 m (328 ft). If it's determined that a vehicle will close to a distance of less than 1 meter (3.3 ft) within five seconds, the rider is warned via haptic and audible alerts – the motorist is also alerted via the bike's tail light, which starts flickering rapidly.
Additionally, if the C8 is moved while left unattended, it will sound an alarm and notify the rider via their smartphone. If it gets stolen nonetheless, its GPS coordinates can be tracked using an app on the phone.
Some of the bike's other features include a light-sensitive auto-illuminating headlight, hydraulic disc brakes, internally routed cables, plus 700 x 38c tires on aluminum rims.
Assuming the Tezeus C8 reaches production, a pledge of US$2,177 will get you a single-speed model (planned retail $4,028) – the 3-speed transmission can be added as an upgrade.
You can see the bike in action, in the video below.
