Bicycles

On yer bike: GM rides into e-bike space

On yer bike: GM rides into e-bike space
General Motors has yet to name its upcoming e-bike brand, and has launched a competition to get potential customers in on the naming game
General Motors has yet to name its upcoming e-bike brand, and has launched a competition to get potential customers in on the naming game
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GM isn't giving anything away at this point, but we can see a mid-drive electric motor running the show on its new e-bikes
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GM isn't giving anything away at this point, but we can see a mid-drive electric motor running the show on its new e-bikes
It looks like riders will be able to roll GM's upcoming folding e-bike along using the seat to guide it
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It looks like riders will be able to roll GM's upcoming folding e-bike along using the seat to guide it
General Motors has yet to name its upcoming e-bike brand, and has launched a competition to get potential customers in on the naming game
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General Motors has yet to name its upcoming e-bike brand, and has launched a competition to get potential customers in on the naming game
View gallery - 3 images

There's no shortage of electric bicycles already available, so newcomers to the space need to offer something special before they get noticed. Unless you're already a household name. Automaker General Motors is planning to ride into this crowded arena with two e-bikes – a compact and a folder.

Beyond a few images, GM isn't giving too much away, so we've no idea at this point what makes them "innovative, integrated and connected." We can see that the automaker is going for a mid-drive electric motor rather than the more usual rear hub drive, with an under-frame battery positioned directly above.

It looks like riders will be able to roll GM's upcoming folding e-bike along using the seat to guide it
It looks like riders will be able to roll GM's upcoming folding e-bike along using the seat to guide it

The frame on the compact two-wheeler arches from the back as one piece before flowing into the front forks. The folding e-bike frame follows a similar design, but is jointed above the battery housing so that it can be collapsed down for placement in the trunk between rides. The handlebar stem is also jointed for folding down.

Lighting is integrated into the seat column at the rear and the handlebar stem to the front, and there's disc braking front and back. And that's pretty much it for now. GM doesn't yet have a name for the new e-bike range, so is drumming up potential customer interest by offering a US$10,000 prize to the winner of a brand naming challenge.

Source: GM

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5 comments
5 comments
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Cyclotron
YouAre
Few will qualify for the naming rulette : "This opportunity is open only to those who are at least 18 years of age and the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of primary residence at the time of submission and legal residents of the following countries: US, Canada (excluding Quebec), Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, UK. Please note that ...".
The bike looks practical and sexy, just a kickstand is missing. Another point is it might be hard to lock it. Even if folders are meant to be kept handy, sometimes you need to live it out. If the bike reaches production, I expect it to start from $1,999 with a lame battery. Good looks aren't cheap, youknow
vovathedread
Chevycycle.
How much does it weigh?
fb36
IMHO, GM should consider producing multiple models/sizes of electric hub-motor scooters, instead of e-bicycle(s)!
Daishi
This seems to fill a really small niche. There are a lot of costs and tradeoffs to make the bike fold to that small of a size. All those joints are going to make it wiggle and feel loose especially with some wear. I agree with @fb36 that if compact is that important of a consideration hub motor scooters are a good fit and easy to make foldable.