Urban Transport

Derringer's board-track styled e-bike hits Kickstarter

Derringer's board-track styled e-bike hits Kickstarter
Derringer offers three bikes starting at $3,500 for a 37 V version, and going up to $6,500 for the faster, more customizable 63 V model
Derringer offers three bikes starting at $3,500 for a 37 V version, and going up to $6,500 for the faster, more customizable 63 V model
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Analyst E-bike computer provides important riding information such as battery range, speed, distance and net energy
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Analyst E-bike computer provides important riding information such as battery range, speed, distance and net energy
The e-bike's top speeds vary from 20 mph in the base model to 40 mph in the Bespoke series, and mileage ranges from 22 to 38 miles
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The e-bike's top speeds vary from 20 mph in the base model to 40 mph in the Bespoke series, and mileage ranges from 22 to 38 miles
Derringer e-bikes take design styling cues directly from 1920s board-track racers
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Derringer e-bikes take design styling cues directly from 1920s board-track racers
The faux aluminum gas tank hides the battery, the controller sits in a vented case below the seat
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The faux aluminum gas tank hides the battery, the controller sits in a vented case below the seat
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Each bike is equipped with a lithium-ion battery capable of 1,000 charges, powering a brushless hub motor in the rear wheel
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Each bike is equipped with a lithium-ion battery capable of 1,000 charges, powering a brushless hub motor in the rear wheel
Derringer offers three bikes starting at $3,500 for a 37 V version, and going up to $6,500 for the faster, more customizable 63 V model
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Derringer offers three bikes starting at $3,500 for a 37 V version, and going up to $6,500 for the faster, more customizable 63 V model
View gallery - 7 images

Like the electric car, e-bikes continue to evolve and change as newer technologies and materials become available. But for some designers, the best formula resides not in the future, but in the past. For Derringer Cycles, 1920s board-track racers are the inspiration behind its new electric bikes.

For years Derringer has been hand building board-track styled bikes out of its Los Angeles studios, but now the house of Adrian Van Anz has shifted its product offering from that of strictly two-stroke engined bikes to that of the eco-friendly electrics.

Over the past few years electric bike offerings have ranged from a modified beach cruiser in the Juicer 36 to Lampociclo’s electric bike with 1920s styling. Whereas these bike houses appear to have used existing bike frames with bolted on electric bits, Derringer has stayed true to form with framing and handlebar configurations just like the original board-track racers.

The faux aluminum gas tank hides the battery, the controller sits in a vented case below the seat
The faux aluminum gas tank hides the battery, the controller sits in a vented case below the seat

Derringer is getting ready to offer three different e-bike models through a Kickstarter bid. Each bike, equipped with a lithium-ion battery capable of 1,000 charges, is powered by a brushless hub motor in the rear wheel. According to Derringer, the direct drive motors are designed to deliver high torque at low RPMs for hill climbing and quicker acceleration.

Starting at US$3,500 the 37 V (Heritage Series) entry model, is capable of reaching a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and a range of 22 miles (35 km) with no pedaling. Producing 750-watts of electric power, the 37 V would easily meet or exceed most bike path speed limits. With a 4-amp charger the bike can be up and ready to go in three hours.

The 52 V model will come with a geared hub motor that's designed to reduce weight via a planetary gearing arrangement. The faux gas tank hides the battery pack under the main crossbar and the controller sits in a vented case below the seat. Power is managed through a Magura electric throttle. An Analyst E-bike computer provides important riding information such as battery range, speed, distance and net energy.

Riders get a bike with longer range and a higher top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) thanks to 2000-watts of power, but will need to add at least an extra $1,000 to the pledge level.

Each bike is equipped with a lithium-ion battery capable of 1,000 charges, powering a brushless hub motor in the rear wheel
Each bike is equipped with a lithium-ion battery capable of 1,000 charges, powering a brushless hub motor in the rear wheel

For those wanting to drop $6,500 on a seriously quick e-bike, Derringer has a 63 V ride capable of delivering 2,800-watts of power to the back wheel. This wattage increase gives the Bespoke Series a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h) and an improved no-pedal range of 38 miles (61 km).

In addition to a 6-amp charger and faster charge times, pledgers can choose seat and tire options, plus have the ability to configure the paint/color scheme on the limited edition 63 V – right down to the spokes, frame and fuel tank details.

Anyone interested in recreating 1920s era board-track racer schemes should check out Derringer’s gallery for old school color inspiration.

Derringer’s e-bike Kickstarter campaign runs until January 22. If all goes well, estimated delivery for the bikes will start in May.

Sources: Derringer Cycles, Kickstarter

View gallery - 7 images
10 comments
10 comments
Milton
very awesome!
SunGold
This product looks interesting, but Kickstarter for e-bikes may take a hit from the "cone of silence" that dropped after FlyKly Smart Wheel's amazing success (>$700k).
FlyKly had a slick, professional campaign, a great product, impeccable communications, but some backers, myself included, are beginning to wonder if they've done a runner.
Unless FlyKly's Niko Klansen speaks up and provides some information, similar kickstarter campaigns will suffer.
Christian Howe
I converted my already awesome beach cruiser to electric power a few years ago and it cost about $1200 + bike ($500) = $1700. It actually looks a bit similar. So starting at $3500, this thing is pricey! Also my bike goes 45 km/h. Don't get why these things are so expensive still??
Bob Stuart
I suppose there might have been a paper-boy racing class on some board track, but these sure don't look historic to me except in a few bits of detailing.
chidrbmt
Always thought "historic" board racers had engines ? Agree with others,most seem over priced with limited sales numbers. Looks very cool though.
StWils
These prices are off the wall. For far less I can buy a wide range of decent used cars and still have more than enough money to build my own pedelec. In any event, whenever Gizmag puts out an article about pedelec bikes you must point out the speed limits. For most anywhere going faster than 20 mph puts your ride into the moped to motorcycle range.
BG59
These things are great, but way overpriced IMO. Anything over a few hundred dollars for an electric bicycle and my interest drops to 0.
Dan Lewis
I quite agree that this electric bicycle series looks mighty fine...but folks, you really don't want to be going 30mph or faster on these spindly little things. They've got almost no suspension to speak of. They are dangerous at almost any speed.
That said...I want one.
Intellcity
@SunGold Update for FlyKly? see http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flykly/flykly-smart-wheel/posts
wanderkip
For a virtually hand-built bike with this level of quality materials and engineering... the price is definitely right. I have seen and ridden other home-built machines from online kits that seem horrendously cobbled-together, with Chinese components that fail within a year. With the builder's time at anything more than min wage and replacement parts to keep it on the road for 5 or 10 years, $3500 is a bargain.