Bicycles

KKL readies Gocycle G2 for March 2012 release

KKL readies Gocycle G2 for March 2012 release
Karbon Kinetics Limited has announced a March 2012 release for its new Gocycle G2
Karbon Kinetics Limited has announced a March 2012 release for its new Gocycle G2
View 16 Images
Karbon Kinetics Limited founder Richard Thorpe with with the lightweight Gocycle G2
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Karbon Kinetics Limited founder Richard Thorpe with with the lightweight Gocycle G2
The rider is given push-button access to the electric assist on the handlebar
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The rider is given push-button access to the electric assist on the handlebar
The G2 folds down to 23.62 x 29.92 x 11.81-inch dimensions for transport or storage
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The G2 folds down to 23.62 x 29.92 x 11.81-inch dimensions for transport or storage
The G2 features side-mounted, interchangeable Pitstop Wheels designed for quick flat tire repair
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The G2 features side-mounted, interchangeable Pitstop Wheels designed for quick flat tire repair
The rider is given push-button access to the electric assist on the handlebar
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The rider is given push-button access to the electric assist on the handlebar
The G2 now weighs in at just 32.8 pounds thanks to its Magflow injection-moulded magnesium frame and wheels
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The G2 now weighs in at just 32.8 pounds thanks to its Magflow injection-moulded magnesium frame and wheels
An optional kickstand is also available
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An optional kickstand is also available
The new G2 features proprietary, patent-pending seamless internal cabling technology
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The new G2 features proprietary, patent-pending seamless internal cabling technology
The new Gocycle G2
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The new Gocycle G2
Karbon Kinetics Limited has announced a March 2012 release for its new Gocycle G2
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Karbon Kinetics Limited has announced a March 2012 release for its new Gocycle G2
The new Gocycle G2
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The new Gocycle G2
The new Gocycle G2
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The new Gocycle G2
The Gocycle G2 comes with three speed electronic shifting as standard
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The Gocycle G2 comes with three speed electronic shifting as standard
There's an integrated dashboard display with fuel gauge/speed/gear selection indicator
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There's an integrated dashboard display with fuel gauge/speed/gear selection indicator
The fully-enclosed, lubricated and self-tensioning chain drive helps keep clothes gunk and grease free
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The fully-enclosed, lubricated and self-tensioning chain drive helps keep clothes gunk and grease free
The inclusion of a new in-frame 11Ah/22V Lithium battery has given the G2 a bit of a range boost
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The inclusion of a new in-frame 11Ah/22V Lithium battery has given the G2 a bit of a range boost
View gallery - 16 images

When the very last model of the award-winning first generation Gocycle electric bicycle was sold in February of this year, Karbon Kinetics Limited immediately announced plans to develop an updated version. The technical specifications have now been finalized and a manufacturing partner secured - so let's have a closer look at the upcoming Gocycle G2.

Karbon Kinetics Limited was founded in 2002 by former McLaren Cars design engineer Richard Thorpe with the aim of developing a high-performance and lightweight electric two-wheeler. The generation one Gocycle was made available to the European public in April 2009 - with lightweight, injection-moulded magnesium alloy frame and wheels, an electric motor that kicks in at the push of a button and an specially-developed enclosed multi-speed chain-drive.

Now it's time for a second generation Gocycle to follow in the tire tracks of its popular predecessor. The G2 is lighter than the first gen model, now comes with three speed electronic shifting as standard, has full hydraulic brakes, features proprietary, patent-pending seamless internal cabling technology, and benefits from smoothness, efficiency and reliability improvements to the electric drive system.

Karbon Kinetics Limited founder Richard Thorpe with with the lightweight Gocycle G2
Karbon Kinetics Limited founder Richard Thorpe with with the lightweight Gocycle G2

The G2 now weighs in at just 32.8 pounds (14.9 kg) thanks to its Magflow injection-moulded magnesium frame and side-mounted, interchangeable Pitstop Wheels (designed for quick flat tire repair). The new bike features a new German-made 250 watt electric motor with in-house controller that gives it speeds of up to 15.5 mph (25 kph) in pedelec or 20 mph (32 kph) in empower mode, with the same handlebar push-button access to the electric assist. The G2's range has been given a bit of a boost, too, with the inclusion of a new in-frame 11Ah/22V Lithium battery - riders can now expect to run for 40 miles (64km) in pedelec mode or 20 miles (32km) in empower mode, with a recharge time of 3.5 hours.

The new version also features an integrated dashboard display with fuel gauge/speed/gear selection indicator, fixed suspension at the front and Gocycle Lockshock at the rear, adjustable seat tube and handlebar stem, fully-enclosed, lubricated and self-tensioning chain drive to help keep clothes gunk and grease free, and an optional kickstand. It collapses down to 23.62 x 29.92 x 11.81-inch (600 x 760 x 300 mm) dimensions with folding pedals (or a slightly chunkier 15.15-inches/385 mm without folding pedals) for transport or storage between rides.

Karbon Kinetics Limited has just announced leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider Flextronics as its manufacturing partner for the new G2, with sourcing, logistics, assembly and quality control being undertaken at its factory in Hungary.

A limited edition G2R in gunmetal gray - which includes new pedal torque sensing with four user-defined assistance modes and electronic security - will be available in Europe this month for a suggested retail price of EUR 2,999 (about US$4,100), ahead of general availability of the G2 proper (in white) in March of next year.

Check out the following video for a visual rundown of the G2's specifications:

(Ed's note: having spent a week exploring the streets of London on the first generation Gocycle back in 2009, I can vouch for it as a fun, cheap (to run) and very effective way to get around in a big, busy city. I can't wait to try the G2.)

View gallery - 16 images
9 comments
9 comments
Gadgeteer
For $4100, it had damn well better be cheap to run. I put together a high quality 48v lithium polymer, 28mph electric bike for half that. $2000 can get me an awful lot of recharges.
Flipider Comm
I would destroy that bike with in three days of use.
bas
How about a lightweight version without the electrical stuff, just a bike that rides really well, and that you can stick in a bag and not break your back when lugging it around.
mommus
@Gadgeteer To be fair to GoCycle, if you can only \'put together\' an electric bike for $2000, then a retail price for a high-quality GoCycle of $4000 doesn\'t seem that much. They probably sell them to their retailers for not much more than $2000.
Lawrence Lagarde
I like the clean looks of the GoCycle but don\'t like the issue of removing the wheels and undoing the shock just to fold the bike. Also, injection molded magnesium alloy can have invisible micro-fractures that will cause the frame to fail. Checking the frames for fractures requires x-raying each one; does GoCycle strictly follow this process?
One bike that folds instantly without removing the wheels and has an internal drive is the IF Mode. The Mode is not electric (yet) but is less costly and has been in production for @ 2 years now. A sibling of the Mode that is motorized is the IF Reach DC; the DC costs @$2800.
electric38
Where\'s the spare battery and the solar charging canopy? Allowing a quick changing battery should be standard, as well as having a folding solar charger. This bike would cost maybe... $1,600 from China, and still make money, as the sales would be projected in the hundreds of thousands.
Gadgeteer
mommus, go talk to a bike shop owner. If you really think they get a 100% markup, you don\'t know much about the business. By the way, my homebuilt goes faster and further than the G2 and does so with greater comfort, with premium components, saddle and large, wide, puncture-resistant Schwalbe tires. My hub motor is rated for over 900 watts, not some piddling 250.
Ken Brody
Last Milers forget that most trips require a person to carry packages, luggage, etc. None of the offerings shown have ANY provision for carrying things (maybe a small backpack). That makes them purely recreational, not functional transport. For $4000 you can get a decent scooter or small motorcycle that will actually be useful for real errands.
Furthermore, subways all have stairs. Even 25 pounds (plus baggage) is a lot to carry up and down stairs.
Sounds like an expensive motorized wheelchair substitute. There are plenty of fold-up bicycles that are cheaper, lighter and more practical.
unklmurray
While there are bikes that are cheaper and more suited for this or that This is just a rich mans toy,it is cute as all get out' and looks like fun to ride,I drive my Rolls N2 town and cruise the mall on this cute Lil' toy and carry it N2 the Opera, with me, tucked under one arm,I don't have to let some punk valet park my $500,000.00 car,this cute Lil' bike rides just nicely in the trunk,and I look KULE while riding it!!