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Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec folding electric trike goes up to 28 mph (45 km/h)

Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec folding electric trike goes up to 28 mph (45 km/h)
The Scorpion uses Tektro disc brakes
The Scorpion uses Tektro disc brakes
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The Scorpion is a folding "speed pedelec"
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The Scorpion is a folding "speed pedelec"
The 68-lb (31 kg) bike folds up for transport
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The 68-lb (31 kg) bike folds up for transport
The Scorpion's chassis was influenced by automotive design
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The Scorpion's chassis was influenced by automotive design
The bike uses a recumbent seating position
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The bike uses a recumbent seating position
The bike folds up, making for more versatile travel
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The bike folds up, making for more versatile travel
The bike measures 4 x 2.7 x 2.3 feet (123 x 83 x 69 cm) when folded
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The bike measures 4 x 2.7 x 2.3 feet (123 x 83 x 69 cm) when folded
The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec offers electric assist from a 500-watt motor
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The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec offers electric assist from a 500-watt motor
The Scorpion has a 27-gear Shimano drivetrain
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The Scorpion has a 27-gear Shimano drivetrain
The large 26-inch rear wheel provides better traction and clearance, according to HP Velotechnik
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The large 26-inch rear wheel provides better traction and clearance, according to HP Velotechnik
Pedal alone or with assistance from the motor
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Pedal alone or with assistance from the motor
Each wheel has independent suspension
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Each wheel has independent suspension
The Scorpion fs 26 also comes in slower e-bike and manual versions
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The Scorpion fs 26 also comes in slower e-bike and manual versions
The S-Pedelec model boasts speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h)
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The S-Pedelec model boasts speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h)
The Scorpion uses Tektro disc brakes
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The Scorpion uses Tektro disc brakes
A start-assist function gets riders rolling straight out of the gate
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A start-assist function gets riders rolling straight out of the gate
The S-Pedelec model boasts speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h)
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The S-Pedelec model boasts speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h)
Riders can pedal up hills with ease thanks to the motor assist
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Riders can pedal up hills with ease thanks to the motor assist
The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec will hit the market next year
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The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec will hit the market next year
The S-Pedelec weighs 68 lbs (31 kg)
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The S-Pedelec weighs 68 lbs (31 kg)
The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec will hit the market next year
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The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec will hit the market next year
View gallery - 20 images

Bikes and trikes really do come in all shapes and sizes these days, with a new design unveiled seemingly every other day. A perfect illustration of this is the HP Velotechnik Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec, which combines a tall tire in back, two smaller tires in front, springs all around, a chassis derived from the automotive industry, a fast pedelec drivetrain, and the ability to fold up and roll out. The speedy recumbent trike recently won a Eurobike Award for a design that aims at a fast, smooth, comfortable and versatile ride.

The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec is a "speed pedelec" that combines human power funneled through a 27-speed Shimano XT drivetrain with optional output from a 500-watt BionX hub motor mounted to the 26-inch wheel in back. It's capable of speeds up to 28 mph (45 km/h) and HP Velotechnik claims that it is the first folding full-suspension e-bike to use a 26er in back. The company says this decreases rolling resistance and smooths out the ride when compared to more common 20-inch wheels.

The motor is powered by a rechargeable 48-volt Li-Mn battery with the bike brought to a halt via hydraulically coupled Tektro Auriga E-Twin disc brakes. It includes a Busch & Müller LED lighting system, while a start-assist function gives the rider a head start, sending the bike rolling to 3.7 mph (6 km/h) at the push of a button. Regenerative braking feeds energy back into the battery during braking.

The 26 S-Pedelec's 7005 aluminum chassis is based on technology from the automotive sector. The rider can choose from a hard shell or mesh seat designed to adjust around his body. The seating position cuts wind resistance, boosting acceleration and increasing the battery's range, while the independent suspension helps the bike react to the road below. The bike folds via self-locking hinges, and HP Velotechnik says that the process takes mere seconds. It measures 4 x 2.7 x 2.3 feet (123 x 83 x 69 cm) when folded.

The bike measures 4 x 2.7 x 2.3 feet (123 x 83 x 69 cm) when folded
The bike measures 4 x 2.7 x 2.3 feet (123 x 83 x 69 cm) when folded

While HP believes that the 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed of the S-Pedelec is an advantage on traffic-filled roadways, it also offers a Scorpion fs 26 e-bike with a top speed of 15.5 mph (25 km/h) and an fs 26 recumbent with no motor, providing options for different types of riders and legal restrictions. In its home country of Germany, the fs 26 S-Pedelec requires an auto license and insurance.

The Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec will hit the market early next year at a cost of €6,990 in Europe and US$7,495 in the United States.

Source: HP Velotechnik

View gallery - 20 images
8 comments
8 comments
jeffrey
Why are they still using fat tires? If this bike has spring suspension, it would roll a lot easier and still have a comfortable ride with skinny high pressure tires, (like racing bikes use). also if it has regenerative braking, I think hydraulic brakes are overkill. Well, if you are going to spend seven grand on a bike, you might as well have all the bells and whistles possible
Bert Ober
Actually wide tires give less roll resistance than narrow tires.
The whole package weighs quite a bit and having to be able to slow it down from stretches of downhill at high speeds those brakes will come in good use. Also the regenerative braking bit isn't that much of a brake force.
kellory
I wish I could afford one, I like it.
YouAre
it's a great trike, but you can get a carbon-fiber version of Quest velomobile for this much. The latter isn't folding, but it's flying easily over 45kph and keeps you much safer.
Roderic Langer
In what universe are wide tires offering less roll resistance than narrow tires? I guess that's why Tour riders ride on those big fatty tires... oh, wait,... they don't? Hmmmm. I love trikes and having an electric one would be fun - but I notice they don't talk about the weight. Curious as to how heavy this monster is.
Thomas Lewis
yes they are right,fatter offer less rolling resistance,road racing is all about narrow,aerodynamics.90 percent of all your energy is wasted on overcoming air resistance,hence the narrow tires.Do a little research,their is a lot to know and yes people still argue about this one.Its easy to see why.
YouAre
duh3000 - it's left to define what the Ferrari is for recumbents incl. velomobiles. HP has given us this one (I think they have other alike pricey machines). And I welcome it a lot even if I am sure I won't buy it. And I will welcome any other new offering that can make people buy fewer cars and start pedalling, even with big batteries.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
It is easy to tell which tires have the lowest rolling resistance by rolling down low grades or by pedaling. The confusion lies in matching the tire to the surface.