Bicycles

Skoda goes back to its roots with Klement e-bike concept

Skoda goes back to its roots with Klement e-bike concept
Skoda has hinted that the Klement e-bike concept is headed for production, but hasn't said when
Skoda has hinted that the Klement e-bike concept is headed for production, but hasn't said when
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The Klement is named after Skoda's founder Václav Klement
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The Klement is named after Skoda's founder Václav Klement
Skoda has hinted that the Klement e-bike concept is headed for production, but hasn't said when
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Skoda has hinted that the Klement e-bike concept is headed for production, but hasn't said when
The Klement's 4 kW rear hub motor accelerates to a top speed of 45 km/h, with the 1,250 Wh Li-ion batteries giving up to 62 km per charge
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The Klement's 4 kW rear hub motor accelerates to a top speed of 45 km/h, with the 1,250 Wh Li-ion batteries giving up to 62 km per charge
The Klement's stopping power is a combined effort – there's a hydraulic disc brake with ABS to the front and regen braking at the back
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The Klement's stopping power is a combined effort – there's a hydraulic disc brake with ABS to the front and regen braking at the back
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The Klement offers a glimpse into Skoda's crystal ball, where the micromobility future will be electric, innovative and modern. It also pays homage to the very beginnings of the company, which started with bicycle and motorcycle manufacturing in 1895.

"The Klement is a state-of-the-art, dynamic and easy-to-use vehicle, and allows the Skoda brand to further appeal to a younger target group with a heightened sense of environmental awareness," said Skoda's Guido Haak. "The concept is perfectly aligned with our customers and our eMobility Strategy. We are therefore assessing whether, and how, this exciting, new mobility concept can be added to our portfolio in the future."

The Klement is named after Skoda's founder Václav Klement
The Klement is named after Skoda's founder Václav Klement

This is no electric assist bicycle, Skoda has dispensed with cranks, chains and sprockets for a sit on and ride solution designed as an alternative to the car for the daily commute through urban areas.

The Klement has a striking aluminum frame with single-sided swing arm suspension that helps Skoda achieve a target weight of about 25 kg (55 lb). Branching from the crossbar is a support structure for the rider's feet that ends in tilting pedals, which are tipped forward to accelerate and back to brake.

"Tilt-controlled acceleration and deceleration can also be found in children's hoverboards, which are very easy and intuitive to master," said Skoda's Aykut Günderen. "We have innovated this feature by transferring it to a two-wheeler."

The rear wheel is driven by a 4 kW hub motor for a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), and the removable 1,250 Wh Li-ion batteries offer up to 62 km (38.5 mi) of range per charge.

Stopping power is a combined effort – there's a hydraulic disc brake with ABS to the front and regen braking at the back. Front and rear LED lighting has been integrated into the frame, with daytime running, and LED turn indicators are built into the pedals.

The Klement's stopping power is a combined effort – there's a hydraulic disc brake with ABS to the front and regen braking at the back
The Klement's stopping power is a combined effort – there's a hydraulic disc brake with ABS to the front and regen braking at the back

The crossbar hosts a smartphone cradle with inductive charging capabilities. That smartphone can be used to tap into additional features, including remote diagnostics and maintenance, and the ability for riders to set geofenced usage zones with the help of GPS tracking.

Skoda is planning to add more functionality ahead of future production, including rolling the Klement on tires made from shock-absorbing foam. Though the company hasn't indicated when manufacture might begin.

Source: Skoda

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1 comment
1 comment
Josh!
This "pedal tilt" to accelerate thing is not going to be intuitive on a bicycle. Pedal-assist (not an option for this) or good-old twist/thumb-throttle would make a lot more sense.