Bicycles

Wooden electric balance bike wants to be your Big Buddy

Wooden electric balance bike wants to be your Big Buddy
The Big Buddy Bike was created by designers Matej Grmek and David Ličen
The Big Buddy Bike was created by designers Matej Grmek and David Ličen
View 5 Images
The Big Buddy Bike's 250-watt rear hub motor takes the rider to an electronically-limited top speed of 16 mph (25 km/h)
1/5
The Big Buddy Bike's 250-watt rear hub motor takes the rider to an electronically-limited top speed of 16 mph (25 km/h)
The Big Buddy Bike is powered by a removable 36-volt lithium-ion battery that has a range of approximately 30 miles (48 km) per charge
2/5
The Big Buddy Bike is powered by a removable 36-volt lithium-ion battery that has a range of approximately 30 miles (48 km) per charge
As an upgrade, buyers of the Big Buddy Bike can get a headlight made of pencil crayons
3/5
As an upgrade, buyers of the Big Buddy Bike can get a headlight made of pencil crayons
The Big Buddy Bike was created by designers Matej Grmek and David Ličen
4/5
The Big Buddy Bike was created by designers Matej Grmek and David Ličen
The Big Buddy Bike tips the scales at 30 kg (66 lb)
5/5
The Big Buddy Bike tips the scales at 30 kg (66 lb)
View gallery - 5 images

Last year we heard about the Draisine 200.0, a one-off wooden electric balance bike for adults. Well, if you wished that you could buy something like it, now is your chance. The Slovenian-made Big Buddy Bike has a tempered wooden frame, it's adult-sized, and it's an electric balance bike – of a sort.

We say "of a sort" because whereas the Draisine 200.0's motor actually kicked-in in response to the rider's footsteps, the Big Buddy's motor works in throttle mode only. In other words, you can use it as a human-powered balance bike with your hand off the throttle, or leave your feet on the pegs and use it as an electrically-powered scooter – in that way, it's not unlike the Wheela.

The Big Buddy's 250-watt rear hub motor takes the rider to an electronically-limited top speed of 16 mph (25 km/h), and is powered by a removable 36-volt lithium-ion battery that has a range of approximately 30 miles (48 km) per charge – one charge takes three to four hours.

The Big Buddy Bike is powered by a removable 36-volt lithium-ion battery that has a range of approximately 30 miles (48 km) per charge
The Big Buddy Bike is powered by a removable 36-volt lithium-ion battery that has a range of approximately 30 miles (48 km) per charge

Other features include a wood-bodied LED headlight, a two-passenger padded seat with a storage compartment underneath, and the option of custom graphics on the sides. The whole thing tips the scales at 30 kg (66 lb), and can handle a maximum weight of 140 kg (309 lb).

Additionally, if riders forget where they parked, they can use their smartphone to see where their bike is via the Chipolo tracking system.

Should you be interested, the Big Buddy Bike is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of US$3,467 is required to get one, assuming it reaches production.

It can be seen in action, in the video below.

Sources: Big Buddy Bike, Kickstarter

Big Buddy - New legend on the road

View gallery - 5 images
No comments
0 comments
There are no comments. Be the first!