Urban Transport

Chop-E is the electric scooter that you wished existed when you were 12

Chop-E is the electric scooter that you wished existed when you were 12
The Chop-E is laid back, in more ways than one
The Chop-E is laid back, in more ways than one
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The Chop-E is laid back, in more ways than one
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The Chop-E is laid back, in more ways than one
The 6.6 ft (2 m)-long Chop-E features a 1-kW motor in its 20-inch front wheel, powered by a rear-mounted 20-Ah 48-volt battery pack consisting of 16 LiFePo4 cells
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The 6.6 ft (2 m)-long Chop-E features a 1-kW motor in its 20-inch front wheel, powered by a rear-mounted 20-Ah 48-volt battery pack consisting of 16 LiFePo4 cells
It tips the scales at about 140 lb (65 kg), has a claimed range of approximately 35 miles (55 km) per charge, and an adjustable top speed of 20 mph (35 km/h)
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It tips the scales at about 140 lb (65 kg), has a claimed range of approximately 35 miles (55 km) per charge, and an adjustable top speed of 20 mph (35 km/h)
The rider's feet rest on pegs attached to the front axle, and it cannot be pedaled
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The rider's feet rest on pegs attached to the front axle, and it cannot be pedaled
The planned Model 2 version of the Chop-E
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The planned Model 2 version of the Chop-E
View gallery - 5 images

For some people – adults included – there's nothing quite as cool-looking as a chopper bicycle. The things aren't all that practical for commuting, however. Well, that's where the Chop-E comes in. It's a semi-recumbent electric scooter, modeled after the chopper bikes that would have made you the hero of the 7-11 parking lot.

Created by a group of Estonian entrepreneurs, the 6.6 ft (2 m)-long Chop-E features a 1-kW motor in its 20-inch front wheel, powered by a rear-mounted 20-Ah 48-volt battery pack consisting of 16 LiFePo4 cells. Its hard-to-miss rear wheel is made up of an 18-inch alloy rim, clad in a Pirelli Diablo motorcycle tire.

It tips the scales at about 140 lb (63.5 kg), has a claimed range of approximately 35 miles (56 km) per charge, and an adjustable top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). The rider's feet rest on pegs attached to the front axle, and it cannot be pedaled – so no, it's not really an electric bicycle, as is claimed.

Should it be to your liking, its designers are currently raising production funds on Kickstarter. A pledge of US$4,499 will currently get you one, when and if they're ready to go.

You can see the Chop-E in action, in the following video.

Sources: Chop-E, Kickstarter

Chop-E as a lifestyle

View gallery - 5 images
8 comments
8 comments
Ben Gesher
This thing looks sweet and powerful, I've gotta admit. But I just can't believe the price. I used the ebook that Gizmag features a few months ago from www.ultimateebikeebook.com to build an Ebike with the same motor as this one (magicpie from goldenmotor) for $900 and change - way less than $4,500! But there's does have a crazy cool design mine doesn't, I can't lie ;-)
Michael Crumpton
You better hope you never hit a mud puddle on this ride.
Eric Blenheim
They look great, but the minimal bar footrests are dangerous and uncomfortable when they have to support the feet at such an angle with all the weight of the legs bearing on them, as you will constantly have to be mindful and constantly worried that your feet don't slip off, especially whenever you hit any unexpected irregularity in the road's surface (very often).
Not a nice prospect when you are sitting so low and at such an angle, so that you cannot easily lift your leg(s) out of harm's way if they touch the ground at speed, which could cause a nasty accident, torn ligaments, broken bones, especially if your leg(s) get drawn under the fat rear wheel.
They should put fully supportive footrests on instead, and this can still be achieved in both functional and very stylish manner, as long as they don't try to be over minimalistic in their styling.
OwkayeGo
At first I thought this thing was for a kid, and I was expecting a price of maybe $250. Heh. Instead it looks like a really expensive toy for a very limited market. Maybe if they make a smaller model for kids and price it at $250 ... :-)
Al Dutcher
To Eric Blenheim: I ride a recumbent bike every day at similar speeds, for like 20 yrs now. The leg position is fine. In fact, the low position is helpful during skids. Your feet are right there to paddle the ground. So far, ive never had an incident like that. In fact, i Flintstone brake it with old shoes to save the brakes.
Richard Guy
Kind of bored of saying so now, so apologies if you're bored of reading it but due to the daft regulations in the UK and Europe, it is illegal to use a vehicle with a motor of this wattage or without pedals on the public highway here (unless it passes the standard tests - which it wouldn't - and is recognised as a motorbike). This would be restricted to off road use i.e. it's a very expensive toy.
Kevin Ritchey
With not much more engineering, the thing could be made into an electric screamer for not much more than they are asking. If they can make two-wheeled devices that you can stand on upright and go 15mph, what is the true point in making one that you can sit on for the same amount. Bolt-on electric motors for bicycles have been around for decades. Petrol powered as well. Make it go from 0-60mph in 5 seconds as some electric automobiles can do, then come see me.
Lee Bell
Desperately needs a front fender and probably wouldn't be legal to ride anywhere with that size motor. Cost at least 2x what it should for what you get for the price. Probably be comfortable to ride on smooth pavement only.