E-Performance: When you think of BionX, you automatically think of classic e-bikes. However, the compact design enables extremely flexible use of the hub motor in a wide variety of vehicles - from recumbent bikes and cargo bikes to rehabilitation vehicles.
Even if the middle motor is now commonly associated with e-bikes, hub motors still have their right to exist. Background noise, easy retrofitting, very direct driving experience - all points where a modern hub motor can outperform most mid-motors. BionX is one of the pioneers in this area and the wide range of different OEM manufacturers who rely on the BionX engine underlines another advantage: its versatility. From extra-long cargo bikes to traction equipment for wheelchairs – a BionX motor can be installed wherever there is room for a balance bike.
BionX - e-bike pioneer from Canada celebrates its 20th birthday
Apprentice: Recumbents made in the Czech Republic – also with BionX motor
Opinions are divided on recumbents and there is probably no other type of bike to which the old saying "Love it or hate it" would apply better. However, once the fascination for recumbent bikes has gripped you, there seems to be no escaping it. It must have been something like this for Aleš Zemánek from the Czech Republic when he started his own recumbent manufactory with Azub in 2000.
At first he developed, constructed and welded all the wheels himself by hand for a few friends and customers. However, over the years the inquiries increased and Aleš and his company were able to make a name for themselves in the scene. Today, almost 20 years later, Azub is still around, the core competence is still in various types of recumbents and they still come entirely from the Czech Republic. Although Aleš no longer welds itself, there is no question of outsourcing production to Asia, for example, in the foreseeable future.
Of course, the e-bike trend has not left the recumbent market untouched in the recent past. However, the motors, batteries and cabling make incredible demands on the designers of the already extremely complex recumbent frames. That's why it makes sense to use a hub motor such as that from BionX. So you don't have to worry about accommodating the motor and there is always a place for the battery. Another advantage of the BionX drive is that it can be combined with a Pinion manual gearbox.
Azub is particularly proud of a Tricon 26F recumbent trike with BionX engine and Pinion 1.18 manual transmission. The 555Wh battery is attached to the side and is easily accessible at all times and can be replaced if the worst comes to the worst. The owner, an ambitious bike traveler, has been to Israel, India and China on his recumbent bike. In 2013 he also drove from France to Kazakhstan.
More Info:
www.azub.eu
Mi-Tech: Tailor-made e-bikes – city, trekking, touring
At Mi-Tech in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia you can look back on a long history of bicycle craftsmanship. For many years, a wide variety of frames have been manufactured on site, made of aluminum and now also carbon. Mountain bikes, racing bikes, trekking bikes or randonneurs – there are almost no limits to what customers can do here. In addition, everyone can get a frame individually tailored to their body dimensions for a small surcharge. Of course, since the welding and laminating takes place on site anyway, you can also produce custom-made frames here without any problems.
For some time now, the traditional manufacturer has also been offering e-bikes in different versions. These now include several models with BionX drives in the rear wheel. The advantages are obvious: Only the problem of battery integration has to be solved and there is no need for a motor mount that is difficult to construct. The BionX e-bikes from Mi-Tech are based on the Tyke platform: from MTB hardtails to trekking bikes to universal step-through bikes for the city, almost all groups of buyers get their money's worth here.
The integration of the battery, which is hardly noticeable in all frame shapes, is a particularly nice solution. Another advantage: The BionX drive can also be easily combined with a Pinion switch box. A low-maintenance team for frequent drivers! In addition, Mi-Tech is one of the few manufacturers that offers a wide variety of e-bikes with custom-made frames. Friends of individual bikes will certainly find what they are looking for here.
More Info:
www.mi-tech.de
Triobike and Douze: cargo bikes in all sizes
They have firmly established themselves in the image of German cities in recent years: cargo bikes. Small and large companies rely on the practical cargo runabouts, as do families who love cycling. The agility of a bike in combination with a significantly larger storage space is exactly what many people need in everyday life. Wouldn't that be a problem: the additional storage space also brings with it a corresponding increase in weight, especially when loaded. It is not particularly surprising that the majority of cargo bikes are now powered by an auxiliary motor.
In the meantime, there are also a number of different manufacturers on the market who have specialized in the field of cargo bikes. These include Douze Cycles from France and the Danes from Triobike - both also rely on drives from BionX. Douze has the all-rounder V2 with the D250DV motor, the guys from Triobike also rely on the new hub motor for the Cargo E, the Mono E and the Boxter.
More Info:
www.douze-cycles.com
www.triobike.com
ProActiv: handwheels and traction devices for wheelchair users
However, bicycle-type wheels are not exclusively used on bicycles. A good example of the diverse areas of application is the range of rehabilitation specialists from ProActiv, who, among other things, have a large selection of handwheels and traction devices for wheelchair users. And where a classic impeller is used, a BionX motor can also be installed - just like in the case of ProActiv, who have a whole range of models with hub motors.
On the one hand, there are the handwheels, which are not so dissimilar to bicycles: They are also driven by a crank, which is not turned with leg strength but with hand power. Especially for less active and sporty wheelchair users, longer distances are almost insurmountable - the strain on the arms and upper body should not be underestimated. The BionX motor is a welcome help here, in order to be able to overcome everyday distances without too much effort and also to gain more freedom.
Wheelchair traction devices are a special case in many respects. Without wanting to go into too much detail at this point: This is an attachment for the wheelchair that turns it into a trike. There are of course a third wheel, handlebars and a brake system. And in the case of the ProActiv traction devices - a BionX drive in the impeller. This is controlled either with a hand crank or with a "gas handle" on the handlebars - and with the latter it gets a bit legally complicated and that's also the reason why there are three different versions of this pulling device. The 6km/h version can be moved anywhere without approval, the 25km/h version is restricted to use on private property. In between there is a 15km/h version, which can also be moved in public spaces with an individual permit and an insurance number plate.
More Info:
www.proactiv-gmbh.de