Tonaro Electric Bicycles Launch In The UK

[Aurora]

Gadgets & Technology News - 02/04/11



Tonaro electric bicycles, now available in the UK from Powerpedals, represent a true revolution in the industry. Central drive technology makes electric cycling more efficient and gives riders more freedom when shifting and when choosing how to ride.

“Every so often a radical new design comes along and changes everything. So it is with Tonaro’s patented central drive technology and electric bicycles,” said Philip Hughes of Powerpedals. “The entire drive system is housed within the pedal cranking system and the bracket mount motor enables the bikes gears to be used with the motor. This allows you to down shift for hills and to shift up to higher gears as you gain speed.”

Article continues ...

[mikepepler]

Nice to see someone else doing a crank motor drive now, though they don't use the neat torque sensor that's in Panasonic system (as installed on the Kalkhoff bikes) to do away with the need for a throttle control. I guess that brings the cost down, though it looks like it also reduces the range as there will be a natural tendency to pedal less hard and let the motor do the work. It's a few kg heavier than the old model pro-connects we have, but then again it's cheaper as well.