EcoSpeed

EcoSpeed EcoSpeed Inc. is a company making electric motor kits to create motorized bicycles and tricycles. EcoSpeed created a mid-drive motor system which, unlike electric motors mounted in the hubs of bicycle wheels(a type of wheel hub motor), drives the bike chain and uses the bike's gearing to provide more torque to the wheels than similar hub motors can provide.

History

EcoSpeed was started in 2002 in Portland, Oregon by Brent Bolton, an electronic engineer and Wes Lapp, an aeronautics engineer. They created a geared, mid-drive motor system for recumbent bicycles as a sustainable pedal-electric hybrid vehicle. In 2009, Bolton developed a similar product called the Electric Mountain Drive for upright bikes.

Mid-drive Motor System

EcoSpeed's geared drive system uses a brushless motor to power the bicycle's own chain. Using the gearing of the bike this gives the mid-drive system top speed and hill climbing ability that exceeds that of hub motors of the same size. Other mid-drive systems are designed by Cyclone-USA and by Cleverchimp.

Products

EcoSpeed designed and has manufactered the Electric Mid-drive for certain recumbents since 2002 and designed and manufactured the Electric Mountain Drive system in 2009 for upright bicycles: road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, and certain semi-recumbents, and tadpole trikes. Collaborations with other manufacturers include customizing mid-drive systems to fit cargo bikes with a hauling capacity of over 400 lbs. EcoSpeed manufactures most parts locally in the Pacific Northwest.

External links

• ecospeed.com Official Website