In many parts of the world, electric bikes are limited to a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) – any higher, and they'd no longer be legally classified as bicycles. While that may keep the speed down on commercially-produced e-bikes, such is not the case with one-offs. A case in point is Russian blogger Ivan Tulupov's twin-motored Desperado.
Desperado is built around an existing pedal-powered beach cruiser bike, made by California-based bicycle manufacturer Nirve.
Tulupov, however, has added two external motors with gearboxes, both made by Headline Electric. Left- and right-hand throttle switches allow the motors to be controlled separately, although it's also possible to control them both via one throttle. Their combined 5-kW output makes a calculated top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) possible, although Ivan informs us that he has yet to put that to the test.
Power is supplied by a 20-Ah lithium-ion battery, that can be charged in about two hours. It has a range of about 80 km at 30 km/h (50 miles at 19 mph) or 25 km at 60 km/h (15.5 miles at 37 mph).
Data such as current, voltage, speed, and GPS coordinates can be displayed on a linked Android smartphone, with basic functions being controlled using a 5-button control panel. Gear-shifting is handled by an 8-speed Shimano Nexus SG-8R20 rear hub transmission.
Desperado tips the scales at 43 kg (95 lb), and cost Tulupov about US$3,000 to build.
Not too heavy for what it is.
If it costs him that much to build how much to sell to the public?
Also you can get after market electric kits for bikes that might not be the bees knees, but between $300-1000