Electric Bicycle from M55

If you’re going to get your hands on a hybrid, make it a good one. And why not throw fitness into the mix with self-propulsion? Well, M55 builds their bikes around that whole idea. Their flagship M55 Beast is truly that, with a design like no other bike you’ve seen. Using lightweight and ultrastrong 7075 Aluminum and full suspension, the bike is as versatile as it is unique. They integrated Lithium-Ion 44V batteries into the electric motor, which produces assisted pedal speeds of almost 50 mph.

One manufacturer, M55, isn’t content to exist in the world of commuter electric bicycles. Since there are already enough two-wheeled-Prius’ on our streets, M55 has decided to build an electric motored super bicycle, dubbed The Beast. The Beast’s frame is made from CNC milled 7075 aluminum, fitted with carbon fiber plates to hide the batteries, wiring and motor. Like a hybrid vehicle, the motor provides supplemental torque to enhance the riders own output; that said, it’ll still take you 27 miles on full throttle, should you get too lazy to pedal. Top speed is a more-than-sufficient 48 miles per hour, and components are best in class. Brembo twin-piston brakes? Check. Rohloff Speedhub gearing? Check. Fox front fork? Also, check.

The M55 Beast weighs in at about 70 pounds, so the “Beast” moniker is strangely fitting. Electric motor assist or not, I can’t imagine having to pedal the thing uphill if and when you forget to charge up the lithium ion battery pack. Then again, if you can afford the Beast’s price of admission ($35,300), you probably have someone on staff who can pick up the bike for you and drive you to work in comfort. If you like the concept of a bulletproof electric bike, but can’t cough up enough money to buy a Beast, M55 is also working on a kinder, gentler version dubbed The Daemeon. It won’t be quite as heavy-duty as the Beast, but it will sell for a more reasonable $13,300, or nearly the price of a Brammo Empulse 10.0 electric motorcycle. You know which one I’d opt for.

Components:

Fork: Fox 36 160 Talas Fit RLC with Kashima coating
Rear shock: Fox DHX RC4 with Nukeproof titanium spring
Headset: Syncros FBI 1 1/8” semi-integrated
Crankset: Custom made, aluminum alloy, 170 mm crank arm length, ISIS Drive compatible
Bottom bracket: Custom made, CNC machined, heat treated steel spindle, ISIS Drive compatible
Front chainwheel: Gebhardt GP custom made for the M55, 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, CNC machined, 5 mm width. 50 or 52T
Chain: KMC X1, specifically developed for Rohloff internal gear hub
Rear cog: Rohloff, 15T, 16T or 17T
Gear change machanism: Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 tandem version
Gear shifter: Rohloff twist shifter
Brakes: Brembo front and rear, 203 mm floating discs, 2 piston design
Brake levers: Brembo brake lever body, custom M55 brake lever design
Rims: Syncros FR DS 32, 26”
Front hub: Syncros FR 20mm Thru Axle
Rear hub: Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 Tandem version
Spokes: DT Alpine II, 2,34-2 mm
Integrated handlebar and stem: Cast and CNC-machined custom model, 97 mm effective stem length, 741 mm handlebar width, integrated
Grips: ZZYZX Carbo 4U
Seatpost: Syncros Carbon Seat post, 31.6, 350mm
Saddle: Syncros FR saddle
Pedals: Syncros Meathook

Geometry:

Head tube angle: 65 degree
Seat tube angle: 73 degree
Wheelbase: 1160 mm
Chainstay length: 525 mm
Top tube length: 567 mm
tHorizontal top tube length: 587 mm
Seat tube length: 518 mm
Stepover height: 815 mm
Bottom bracket height: 370 mm

Weight: 33 kg

Price: $35,555 (Spring)

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 7:16 am and is filed under Lifestyle. Tags: Beast, Bicycle, Electric, M55 You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.