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Bicycles

Daymak kit uses the sun to boost your bike

By Ben Coxworth
September 15, 2014
Daymak kit uses the sun to boost your bike
Daymak's DDS at Interbike 2014
Daymak's DDS at Interbike 2014
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Daymak's DDS at Interbike 2014
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Daymak's DDS at Interbike 2014
The main DDS component is a wheel equipped with a 250-watt motor and a 36-volt/12-Ah lithium-polymer battery – both located in its hub – that replaces a conventional bike's rear wheel
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The main DDS component is a wheel equipped with a 250-watt motor and a 36-volt/12-Ah lithium-polymer battery – both located in its hub – that replaces a conventional bike's rear wheel
A DDS-equipped bike, soaking up the sun
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A DDS-equipped bike, soaking up the sun
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Daymak Inc. has previously brought us some interesting innovations in the world of electric two-wheelers, including the world's first wirelessly-controlled e-bike, and the Beast off-road solar-powered scooter. Now, the Toronto-based company is set to release its Daymak Drive System (DDS) – it's an e-bike conversion kit, that's powered by the sun.

The main DDS component is a wheel equipped with a 250-watt motor and a 36-volt/12-Ah lithium-polymer battery – both located in its hub – that replaces a conventional bike's rear wheel. Its hub also incorporates a series of solar panels, which are protected by a clear plastic covering.

The idea is that as long as the bike is parked or in motion while out in the daylight, even if it's cloudy, those panels will provide a continuous trickle charge to the battery. According to the Daymak rep we spoke to at Interbike, every hour of exposure to daylight should result in an average of one extra kilometer's worth (0.6 miles) of battery power.

A DDS-equipped bike, soaking up the sun
A DDS-equipped bike, soaking up the sun

Things like the level of motor assistance are adjusted via the other part of the system, the handlebar-mounted controller. It communicates with the motor wirelessly, and has its own solar panels for charging its integrated battery. That said, both it and the motor's battery can also be charged using mains power, via an included charger.

DDS should be available as of next year, in 26- and 28-inch wheel sizes set up for disc or V-pull brakes, starting at US$699. It reportedly takes less than five minutes to swap onto an existing bike, although if you'd prefer not to do any swapping, a complete DDS-dedicated bike is also coming.

Source: Daymak

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BicyclesCyclingInterbike 2014
9 comments
Ben Coxworth
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

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9 comments
zevulon
time and again the idea of putting the controller and battery all inside the hub have been tried. this idea has gotten major funding , again , and again. and again.
it's a dud. dead on arrival. while one can legitimately argue the benefits of gearless hub motors. namely, robust operation and totally silent operation and fewer parts and better heat sink, ------------- batteries and controllers simply don't belong inside the wheel. and the ease of installing a wheel with a simple installation on any bike simply is not a serious adavnatage compared to the assortment of problems created by placing batteries and controllers in a wheel.
and yet....plenty of dumb money still chases this pointless design that will end up in the graveyard of e-bike design history.
would you put your gasoline tank and your onboard computer, right next to your engine block, and inside your wheel?? no you wouldn't.
simply because it makes it easier to put a 'kit' wheel on an existing bike does not make it a useful product.
ebikes are not pure-bicycles. and the designs that help sell kits, are selling compromised ebikes to people. in the long run this will just shake out as these manufacturers give up on these designs or go bankrupt in the process...
Wayne Illes
Really Zevulon? Time and time again and people have gotten major funding for it? Funny that Daymak is a totally self-funded company.
Coming from Toronto I have followed them for a few years since I heard about them on tv and saw their ebikes everywhere. The Shadow was the first wireless ebike and that wasn't dead on arrival and from what people are saying the DDS - Daymak Drive System will be the first wheel of its kind that will work. Or should I say it does work.
These guys have been in business since 2001 and have also come out with a solar rechargeable off-road ebike. OOOPS that shouldn't be able to work either, right? They haven't gone bankrupt yet obviously.
So before you try to post intelligent comments about ebikes (which are nothing more than your misguided opinions) and the innovations some companies are making, why don't you wait and see when it comes into the market before you knock it.
I can't wait to get one and see it work. These guys are really smart and Daymak has put Toronto on the ebike map, their biggest problem seems to be that they haven't tooted their own horn.
They had the Copenhagen Wheel out years before it was out. Only difference was they didn't go after the "big money" you keep talking about.
All I can say is the only thing to me that will end up in the graveyard, are your comments which probably would have better been kept to yourself. Funny that Bionics says that they sell millions of dollars in "kit wheels" each year," but according to you that doesn't make it a useful product.
Hmmmm tell Bionics that too as they laugh all the way to the bank. I wish Daymak well and it's great to see somebody doing something different for a change not just importing crap Chinese bikes.....
Just Cause
@zevulon If only you were around to cheer Edison on as he tried to create the lightbulb :-)
Deres
Is it possible to charge the battery by cycling or in descent ? I think it would be more interessant that charging the battery with main power if you plan a long trip or if you are camping in the wild.
steveraxx
I am so tired of people pontificating about a product they have not even used! So tired of people being negative and attempting to create an argument about an invention people are placing into the market place.
This is a very interesting product. May you achieve much success in your endeavors!
grtbluyonder
Solar powered bicycle. Dream on all you people who can't do the math to determine if this is even worth doing. Well I'll save you the exercise, it isn't. There is not enough energy from the size of the solar panel on a bicycle to power anything other than an LED tail light. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. Utterly ridiculous. My advice, give up the solar bicycle and take up Tantric flying.
Rob Preece
I think electric-assist bicycles are a great idea although I don't like that they seem to start by losing the gears, which means electric assist becomes full-time electric.
I suspect, though, that a tiny solar panel on the hub won't offer enough performance to matter. How about a solar bike cover so it can charge while you're having a coffee at the turn-around point?
Bruce H. Anderson
If solar cells make sense for charging, why not use the entire diameter of the tire? The one they have uses about 1/4 of the available area.
MichaelAkulov
@Wayne Illes If Daymak is still in business doesn't prove they succeeded in electric vehicles designs and production. They sell many other things. I agree with those who see their attempts to fit e-unit into a wheel or to recharge from sun using a few square dm cells as ignorance in technology and physics. I asked them for Shadow test ride when they introduced it, and I'm still waiting for their call. I live and ride bike in Toronto for many years and haven't seen even one of their own product on the streets.