
Bimotal offers an innovative solution for riders seeking electric assistance who don’t want to invest in another bike in their fleet. Founded by Toby Ricco, a former Tesla engineer, Bimotal is redefining how cyclists approach e-bike technology. With its lightweight and modular Elevate drive system, the company is expanding the possibilities of cycling, from recreational mountain biking to adaptive applications and even search and rescue missions.
“We’re setting out to build the world’s best micro-electric powertrains, governed only by the limits of physics.” – Toby Ricco, Bimotal Founder
Ride the Bike You Love with Bimotal
Bimotal is redefining what’s possible in the e-MTB space. The Elevate drive system offers a lightweight, modular, and versatile solution that empowers riders to enhance their bikes without limitations. Whether for recreational use, adaptive cycling, or professional rescue operations, Bimotal is expanding the boundaries of what an e-bike system can achieve.
With a price of $1,995 for the system, $450 for additional mounting kits, and $325 for extra batteries, the Elevate drive system offers an economical way to electrify an entire fleet of bikes.
For instance, riders can attach the Elevate system to their commuter bike to speed up office commutes, swap it to their mountain bike for weekend shuttle laps, and swap it to their family bike to assist with trail-a-bikes or setups like Kids Ride Shotgun. The system can also help children’s bikes tackle longer rides, ensuring they can keep up with parents on longer outings. In short, riders can enjoy the benefits of electric power while continuing to use the bikes they already own and love.
The Elevate Drive System: Key Features and Benefits
At the heart of Bimotal’s innovation is the Elevate drive system—one of three electric drive systems the company has developed. Compact and powerful, this 750-watt motor produces 50Nm of torque while weighing just 3.3 pounds. This is about three to four times the continuous torque per weight compared to traditional hub motor technologies.
The motor attaches directly to a bike’s disc brake mounts and drives a custom disc brake rotor. This design allows riders to transform their traditional bikes into high-performance e-MTBs in minutes.
The Elevate system is designed with usability in mind. Installation and removal are quick and straightforward, giving riders the flexibility to switch between traditional and electric modes as needed. Unlike permanent e-MTB systems, the Elevate drive system is portable, allowing users to easily swap batteries and transfer the drive unit between bikes—features that make it an ideal solution for cyclists who own multiple bikes and want to avoid the expense of purchasing separate e-bikes for each one.
As an added bonus, Elevate adds power directly to the wheel, which avoids extra wear and tear on chains and cassettes experienced by mid-drives and leads to significantly smoother shifting under E-assist power.
Adaptive Cycling: Expanding Accessibility
Bimotal is committed to making cycling accessible for all. The Elevate system provides an opportunity for individuals with physical limitations to enjoy the freedom of riding. By reducing the physical barriers to cycling, Bimotal helps riders of all abilities experience the outdoors and maintain an active lifestyle.
The lightweight design and powerful assist of the system make it particularly valuable for those who may have struggled with traditional bikes. Bimotal has worked with adaptive brands to incorporate its drive system into hand-cycle platforms such as the Bowhead Rogue to give riders an extra boost of power, which is especially useful for riders with limited upper body strength.
Search and Rescue Applications
The Elevate system is not limited to recreational use. Its lightweight, highly adaptable design has made it an asset for search and rescue teams operating in challenging terrain. The Monterey County Search and Rescue team has already incorporated Bimotal’s technology, demonstrating its practical applications and life-saving potential.
The increased range and speed provided by the system allow responders to cover more ground efficiently, which can be critical in time-sensitive situations. According to Monterey County Search and Rescue, adding the Elevate drive system to their wheeled litter has enabled them to reach injured individuals in the field three times faster than hiking alone.
Looking Ahead: Bimotal’s Roadmap
Bimotal continues to innovate and refine its offerings at its headquarters in Berkeley, California. Future developments include upgrades to the Elevate system, such as a torque-based pedal-assist system, similar to a high-end power meter, to achieve Class 1 compliance, which would expand its appeal to an even broader audience.
The company is also diving deep into software and controls, with over-the-air updates coming to their systems soon, an improved battery, and more. Other products, including a mid-drive system for dedicated e-bikes, and a drive unit for wheelchairs are also in development.
Visit Bimotal’s website to learn more about the Elevate drive system and explore how it can transform your riding experience.
Bimotal offers an innovative solution for riders seeking electric assistance who don’t want to invest in another bike in their fleet. Founded by Toby Ricco, a former Tesla engineer, Bimotal is redefining how cyclists approach e-bike technology. With its lightweight and modular Elevate drive system, the company is expanding the possibilities of cycling, from recreational mountain biking to adaptive applications and even search and rescue missions.
“We’re setting out to build the world’s best micro-electric powertrains, governed only by the limits of physics.” – Toby Ricco, Bimotal Founder
Ride the Bike You Love with Bimotal
Bimotal is redefining what’s possible in the e-MTB space. The Elevate drive system offers a lightweight, modular, and versatile solution that empowers riders to enhance their bikes without limitations. Whether for recreational use, adaptive cycling, or professional rescue operations, Bimotal is expanding the boundaries of what an e-bike system can achieve.
With a price of $1,995 for the system, $450 for additional mounting kits, and $325 for extra batteries, the Elevate drive system offers an economical way to electrify an entire fleet of bikes.
For instance, riders can attach the Elevate system to their commuter bike to speed up office commutes, swap it to their mountain bike for weekend shuttle laps, and swap it to their family bike to assist with trail-a-bikes or setups like Kids Ride Shotgun. The system can also help children’s bikes tackle longer rides, ensuring they can keep up with parents on longer outings. In short, riders can enjoy the benefits of electric power while continuing to use the bikes they already own and love.
The Elevate Drive System: Key Features and Benefits
At the heart of Bimotal’s innovation is the Elevate drive system—one of three electric drive systems the company has developed. Compact and powerful, this 750-watt motor produces 50Nm of torque while weighing just 3.3 pounds. This is about three to four times the continuous torque per weight compared to traditional hub motor technologies.
The motor attaches directly to a bike’s disc brake mounts and drives a custom disc brake rotor. This design allows riders to transform their traditional bikes into high-performance e-MTBs in minutes.
The Elevate system is designed with usability in mind. Installation and removal are quick and straightforward, giving riders the flexibility to switch between traditional and electric modes as needed. Unlike permanent e-MTB systems, the Elevate drive system is portable, allowing users to easily swap batteries and transfer the drive unit between bikes—features that make it an ideal solution for cyclists who own multiple bikes and want to avoid the expense of purchasing separate e-bikes for each one.
As an added bonus, Elevate adds power directly to the wheel, which avoids extra wear and tear on chains and cassettes experienced by mid-drives and leads to significantly smoother shifting under E-assist power.
Adaptive Cycling: Expanding Accessibility
Bimotal is committed to making cycling accessible for all. The Elevate system provides an opportunity for individuals with physical limitations to enjoy the freedom of riding. By reducing the physical barriers to cycling, Bimotal helps riders of all abilities experience the outdoors and maintain an active lifestyle.
The lightweight design and powerful assist of the system make it particularly valuable for those who may have struggled with traditional bikes. Bimotal has worked with adaptive brands to incorporate its drive system into hand-cycle platforms such as the Bowhead Rogue to give riders an extra boost of power, which is especially useful for riders with limited upper body strength.
Search and Rescue Applications
The Elevate system is not limited to recreational use. Its lightweight, highly adaptable design has made it an asset for search and rescue teams operating in challenging terrain. The Monterey County Search and Rescue team has already incorporated Bimotal’s technology, demonstrating its practical applications and life-saving potential.
The increased range and speed provided by the system allow responders to cover more ground efficiently, which can be critical in time-sensitive situations. According to Monterey County Search and Rescue, adding the Elevate drive system to their wheeled litter has enabled them to reach injured individuals in the field three times faster than hiking alone.
Looking Ahead: Bimotal’s Roadmap
Bimotal continues to innovate and refine its offerings at its headquarters in Berkeley, California. Future developments include upgrades to the Elevate system, such as a torque-based pedal-assist system, similar to a high-end power meter, to achieve Class 1 compliance, which would expand its appeal to an even broader audience.
The company is also diving deep into software and controls, with over-the-air updates coming to their systems soon, an improved battery, and more. Other products, including a mid-drive system for dedicated e-bikes, and a drive unit for wheelchairs are also in development.
Visit Bimotal’s website to learn more about the Elevate drive system and explore how it can transform your riding experience.

Bimotal offers an innovative solution for riders seeking electric assistance who don’t want to invest in another bike in their fleet. Founded by Toby Ricco, a former Tesla engineer, Bimotal is redefining how cyclists approach e-bike technology. With its lightweight and modular Elevate drive system, the company is expanding the possibilities of cycling, from recreational mountain biking to adaptive applications and even search and rescue missions.
“We’re setting out to build the world’s best micro-electric powertrains, governed only by the limits of physics.” – Toby Ricco, Bimotal Founder
Ride the Bike You Love with Bimotal
Bimotal is redefining what’s possible in the e-MTB space. The Elevate drive system offers a lightweight, modular, and versatile solution that empowers riders to enhance their bikes without limitations. Whether for recreational use, adaptive cycling, or professional rescue operations, Bimotal is expanding the boundaries of what an e-bike system can achieve.
With a price of $1,995 for the system, $450 for additional mounting kits, and $325 for extra batteries, the Elevate drive system offers an economical way to electrify an entire fleet of bikes.
For instance, riders can attach the Elevate system to their commuter bike to speed up office commutes, swap it to their mountain bike for weekend shuttle laps, and swap it to their family bike to assist with trail-a-bikes or setups like Kids Ride Shotgun. The system can also help children’s bikes tackle longer rides, ensuring they can keep up with parents on longer outings. In short, riders can enjoy the benefits of electric power while continuing to use the bikes they already own and love.
The Elevate Drive System: Key Features and Benefits
At the heart of Bimotal’s innovation is the Elevate drive system—one of three electric drive systems the company has developed. Compact and powerful, this 750-watt motor produces 50Nm of torque while weighing just 3.3 pounds. This is about three to four times the continuous torque per weight compared to traditional hub motor technologies.
The motor attaches directly to a bike’s disc brake mounts and drives a custom disc brake rotor. This design allows riders to transform their traditional bikes into high-performance e-MTBs in minutes.
The Elevate system is designed with usability in mind. Installation and removal are quick and straightforward, giving riders the flexibility to switch between traditional and electric modes as needed. Unlike permanent e-MTB systems, the Elevate drive system is portable, allowing users to easily swap batteries and transfer the drive unit between bikes—features that make it an ideal solution for cyclists who own multiple bikes and want to avoid the expense of purchasing separate e-bikes for each one.
As an added bonus, Elevate adds power directly to the wheel, which avoids extra wear and tear on chains and cassettes experienced by mid-drives and leads to significantly smoother shifting under E-assist power.
Adaptive Cycling: Expanding Accessibility
Bimotal is committed to making cycling accessible for all. The Elevate system provides an opportunity for individuals with physical limitations to enjoy the freedom of riding. By reducing the physical barriers to cycling, Bimotal helps riders of all abilities experience the outdoors and maintain an active lifestyle.
The lightweight design and powerful assist of the system make it particularly valuable for those who may have struggled with traditional bikes. Bimotal has worked with adaptive brands to incorporate its drive system into hand-cycle platforms such as the Bowhead Rogue to give riders an extra boost of power, which is especially useful for riders with limited upper body strength.
Search and Rescue Applications
The Elevate system is not limited to recreational use. Its lightweight, highly adaptable design has made it an asset for search and rescue teams operating in challenging terrain. The Monterey County Search and Rescue team has already incorporated Bimotal’s technology, demonstrating its practical applications and life-saving potential.
The increased range and speed provided by the system allow responders to cover more ground efficiently, which can be critical in time-sensitive situations. According to Monterey County Search and Rescue, adding the Elevate drive system to their wheeled litter has enabled them to reach injured individuals in the field three times faster than hiking alone.
Looking Ahead: Bimotal’s Roadmap
Bimotal continues to innovate and refine its offerings at its headquarters in Berkeley, California. Future developments include upgrades to the Elevate system, such as a torque-based pedal-assist system, similar to a high-end power meter, to achieve Class 1 compliance, which would expand its appeal to an even broader audience.
The company is also diving deep into software and controls, with over-the-air updates coming to their systems soon, an improved battery, and more. Other products, including a mid-drive system for dedicated e-bikes, and a drive unit for wheelchairs are also in development.
Visit Bimotal’s website to learn more about the Elevate drive system and explore how it can transform your riding experience.
Bimotal offers an innovative solution for riders seeking electric assistance who don’t want to invest in another bike in their fleet. Founded by Toby Ricco, a former Tesla engineer, Bimotal is redefining how cyclists approach e-bike technology. With its lightweight and modular Elevate drive system, the company is expanding the possibilities of cycling, from recreational mountain biking to adaptive applications and even search and rescue missions.
“We’re setting out to build the world’s best micro-electric powertrains, governed only by the limits of physics.” – Toby Ricco, Bimotal Founder
Ride the Bike You Love with Bimotal
Bimotal is redefining what’s possible in the e-MTB space. The Elevate drive system offers a lightweight, modular, and versatile solution that empowers riders to enhance their bikes without limitations. Whether for recreational use, adaptive cycling, or professional rescue operations, Bimotal is expanding the boundaries of what an e-bike system can achieve.
With a price of $1,995 for the system, $450 for additional mounting kits, and $325 for extra batteries, the Elevate drive system offers an economical way to electrify an entire fleet of bikes.
For instance, riders can attach the Elevate system to their commuter bike to speed up office commutes, swap it to their mountain bike for weekend shuttle laps, and swap it to their family bike to assist with trail-a-bikes or setups like Kids Ride Shotgun. The system can also help children’s bikes tackle longer rides, ensuring they can keep up with parents on longer outings. In short, riders can enjoy the benefits of electric power while continuing to use the bikes they already own and love.
The Elevate Drive System: Key Features and Benefits
At the heart of Bimotal’s innovation is the Elevate drive system—one of three electric drive systems the company has developed. Compact and powerful, this 750-watt motor produces 50Nm of torque while weighing just 3.3 pounds. This is about three to four times the continuous torque per weight compared to traditional hub motor technologies.
The motor attaches directly to a bike’s disc brake mounts and drives a custom disc brake rotor. This design allows riders to transform their traditional bikes into high-performance e-MTBs in minutes.
The Elevate system is designed with usability in mind. Installation and removal are quick and straightforward, giving riders the flexibility to switch between traditional and electric modes as needed. Unlike permanent e-MTB systems, the Elevate drive system is portable, allowing users to easily swap batteries and transfer the drive unit between bikes—features that make it an ideal solution for cyclists who own multiple bikes and want to avoid the expense of purchasing separate e-bikes for each one.
As an added bonus, Elevate adds power directly to the wheel, which avoids extra wear and tear on chains and cassettes experienced by mid-drives and leads to significantly smoother shifting under E-assist power.
Adaptive Cycling: Expanding Accessibility
Bimotal is committed to making cycling accessible for all. The Elevate system provides an opportunity for individuals with physical limitations to enjoy the freedom of riding. By reducing the physical barriers to cycling, Bimotal helps riders of all abilities experience the outdoors and maintain an active lifestyle.
The lightweight design and powerful assist of the system make it particularly valuable for those who may have struggled with traditional bikes. Bimotal has worked with adaptive brands to incorporate its drive system into hand-cycle platforms such as the Bowhead Rogue to give riders an extra boost of power, which is especially useful for riders with limited upper body strength.
Search and Rescue Applications
The Elevate system is not limited to recreational use. Its lightweight, highly adaptable design has made it an asset for search and rescue teams operating in challenging terrain. The Monterey County Search and Rescue team has already incorporated Bimotal’s technology, demonstrating its practical applications and life-saving potential.
The increased range and speed provided by the system allow responders to cover more ground efficiently, which can be critical in time-sensitive situations. According to Monterey County Search and Rescue, adding the Elevate drive system to their wheeled litter has enabled them to reach injured individuals in the field three times faster than hiking alone.
Looking Ahead: Bimotal’s Roadmap
Bimotal continues to innovate and refine its offerings at its headquarters in Berkeley, California. Future developments include upgrades to the Elevate system, such as a torque-based pedal-assist system, similar to a high-end power meter, to achieve Class 1 compliance, which would expand its appeal to an even broader audience.
The company is also diving deep into software and controls, with over-the-air updates coming to their systems soon, an improved battery, and more. Other products, including a mid-drive system for dedicated e-bikes, and a drive unit for wheelchairs are also in development.
Visit Bimotal’s website to learn more about the Elevate drive system and explore how it can transform your riding experience.
News and reviews from Mtbr.
Slapping all of that weight on the swingarm can’t be great for suspension performance…
Novel idea, but if you’re serious about e-bikes, keeping the motor/drive units and batteries central and low in the front triangle is simply a much better solution.
Slapping all of that weight on the swingarm can’t be great for suspension performance…
Novel idea, but if you’re serious about e-bikes, keeping the motor/drive units and batteries central and low in the front triangle is simply a much better solution.
Slapping all of that weight on the swingarm can’t be great for suspension performance…
Novel idea, but if you’re serious about e-bikes, keeping the motor/drive units and batteries central and low in the front triangle is simply a much better solution.
Most of our customers do not notice the weight change. If they do, it only takes a few seconds to pop the drive unit off and stow in a pack for the rough section. I do notice the difference sometimes and remove the drive unit for maybe 20% of my descents – mainly on high speed chunky terrain. The rest of the time it is not noticeable.
Slapping all of that weight on the swingarm can’t be great for suspension performance…
Novel idea, but if you’re serious about e-bikes, keeping the motor/drive units and batteries central and low in the front triangle is simply a much better solution.
Most of our customers do not notice the weight change. If they do, it only takes a few seconds to pop the drive unit off and stow in a pack for the rough section. I do notice the difference sometimes and remove the drive unit for maybe 20% of my descents – mainly on high speed chunky terrain. The rest of the time it is not noticeable.
This is genius in so many ways. One thing not mentioned; is it capable of regenerative braking? It looks like it could be, but maybe isn’t in this version? Also, other than fork beefiness and wheel flop, is there anything keeping this from working on the front tire? Maybe it’s not practical, but you know someone is going to try an all-wheel drive setup.
This is genius in so many ways. One thing not mentioned; is it capable of regenerative braking? It looks like it could be, but maybe isn’t in this version? Also, other than fork beefiness and wheel flop, is there anything keeping this from working on the front tire? Maybe it’s not practical, but you know someone is going to try an all-wheel drive setup.
No regen currently – we have a freewheel in the output gear so that the bike can have a normal feel when coasting. Could be added to a future version if there is enough interest.
We have a few customers with Elevate on their front wheel. Maintaining front tire grip going uphill on loose surfaces or in corners under power can be challenging but it can be done with some care. Works better on pavement and on a heavier bike (cargo/tandem). We do have a dual wheel drive fat bike at the office that is pretty wild to ride!
No regen currently – we have a freewheel in the output gear so that the bike can have a normal feel when coasting. Could be added to a future version if there is enough interest.
We have a few customers with Elevate on their front wheel. Maintaining front tire grip going uphill on loose surfaces or in corners under power can be challenging but it can be done with some care. Works better on pavement and on a heavier bike (cargo/tandem). We do have a dual wheel drive fat bike at the office that is pretty wild to ride!
Throttle only. No pedal assist. Doesn’t conform to ANY ebike laws or regulations.
.
Throttle only. No pedal assist. Doesn’t conform to ANY ebike laws or regulations.
.
“One reason people insist that you use the proper channels to change things is because they have control of the proper channels and they’re confident it won’t work”
Conforms to Class 2 rules as is. Will be class 1 when we release our pedal assist sensor.
Conforms to Class 2 rules as is. Will be class 1 when we release our pedal assist sensor.
Heavily con
sidering this option to help push the extra weight of the kids-ride-shotgun + toddler set up. I have no need for an e-bike when riding solo. This could be the move.
Heavily con
sidering this option to help push the extra weight of the kids-ride-shotgun + toddler set up. I have no need for an e-bike when riding solo. This could be the move.
Interesting idea.
Interesting idea.
Go ride something
I gotta say it looks pretty great to me and had a reasonable price tag I’d love to try one. Kudos to the company and I hope they have great success.
I gotta say it looks pretty great to me and had a reasonable price tag I’d love to try one. Kudos to the company and I hope they have great success.
Pretty cool to see this, don’t know if Toby will see this but we did a project together in ME 135 at UCB working on traction control on a go-kart. Pretty cool to see that collide with a hobby I have & this forum. Maybe I can get a free unit to test?
FWIW – Toby is an excellent engineer, I have no doubt behind the legitimacy how well this thing performs. I guess we will see if marketing, product reception work out well and more third party testing and reviews. Hope it makes it. Go bears!
Pretty cool to see this, don’t know if Toby will see this but we did a project together in ME 135 at UCB working on traction control on a go-kart. Pretty cool to see that collide with a hobby I have & this forum. Maybe I can get a free unit to test?
FWIW – Toby is an excellent engineer, I have no doubt behind the legitimacy how well this thing performs. I guess we will see if marketing, product reception work out well and more third party testing and reviews. Hope it makes it. Go bears!
Its really interesting to see the other use cases for this in the pictures above, I hadn’t con
sider that at all. Once the pedal assist feature comes in I’m most certainly going to try this.
Its really interesting to see the other use cases for this in the pictures above, I hadn’t con
sider that at all. Once the pedal assist feature comes in I’m most certainly going to try this.
Great for commuter, not so much for mountain bike. I foresee so many broken disc brakes tabs. Not from driving the wheel but from the inertial mass when things really start getting jostled at speed.
Great for commuter, not so much for mountain bike. I foresee so many broken disc brakes tabs. Not from driving the wheel but from the inertial mass when things really start getting jostled at speed.
Rotor gear costs $195 to replace, I wonder how often you’ll go through that. I’d expect the rotor to wear way faster than the gear itself especially since most people use the rear brake more. I wonder if they’d benefit from developing their own brake system with a thicker rotor to increase durability.
Rotor gear costs $195 to replace, I wonder how often you’ll go through that. I’d expect the rotor to wear way faster than the gear itself especially since most people use the rear brake more. I wonder if they’d benefit from developing their own brake system with a thicker rotor to increase durability.
From a different article on the bimotal:
“The removable motor features a hard plastic output gear, rated to around 1000 miles. That output gear drives a rotor gear that is fixed to the bike via your disk brake mounts. The output gear is rated to around 3000 miles. These gears mesh together, driving power to the rear wheel.”
From a different article on the bimotal:
“The removable motor features a hard plastic output gear, rated to around 1000 miles. That output gear drives a rotor gear that is fixed to the bike via your disk brake mounts. The output gear is rated to around 3000 miles. These gears mesh together, driving power to the rear wheel.”
These guys are local to me. I was hiking with my wife one day at our regional park, and they were riding adapted bikes, testing their system. We talked to them for a while, very cool what they are doing. I’m not sure it is for me, but I’m glad to see they are exploring various applications for the tech they are developing.
These guys are local to me. I was hiking with my wife one day at our regional park, and they were riding adapted bikes, testing their system. We talked to them for a while, very cool what they are doing. I’m not sure it is for me, but I’m glad to see they are exploring various applications for the tech they are developing.
simple & a pretty cool set up, Id have to try it out on a rental bike 1st being 2 bills & less then 30mph unless I can bypass “the governing” in the esc
simple & a pretty cool set up, Id have to try it out on a rental bike 1st being 2 bills & less then 30mph unless I can bypass “the governing” in the esc
At the other
side of the ocean, we have a different world; possibly there will be no more conversion kits in EU soon.
At the other
side of the ocean, we have a different world; possibly there will be no more conversion kits in EU soon.
Why is that?
Why is that?
1) EU allows only pedal assisted EPACs are being out of type approval regulations.
2) There is no guarantee that motor firmware cannot be modified or cheated.
3) Battery safety is the most important detail. Most of conversion kits are being sold with batteries cannot conform EN standards.
1) EU allows only pedal assisted EPACs are being out of type approval regulations.
2) There is no guarantee that motor firmware cannot be modified or cheated.
3) Battery safety is the most important detail. Most of conversion kits are being sold with batteries cannot conform EN standards.
That sucks. I hope they take off here because I’m thinking they will be very very good before too long.
That sucks. I hope they take off here because I’m thinking they will be very very good before too long.
If bimotal is still reading this thread, I have a question. When you guys introduce the pedal assist sensor version, will there be an option to still switch to throttle? At first I was thinking of course I would want the pedal assist so I never have to think about it or do anything to activate it. But then I was thinking having it throttle only might result in using it more sparingly, thus maybe extending the range. Will there be a switch to go to throttle control mode only?
If bimotal is still reading this thread, I have a question. When you guys introduce the pedal assist sensor version, will there be an option to still switch to throttle? At first I was thinking of course I would want the pedal assist so I never have to think about it or do anything to activate it. But then I was thinking having it throttle only might result in using it more sparingly, thus maybe extending the range. Will there be a switch to go to throttle control mode only?
This is a little bit TBD based on regulations. We may have to offer a class 1 version that is PAS only and a class 2 version that can be either. Either way, we intend to offer a throttle option as long as there is demand.
Regarding range – don’t forget that you can set max power output in the app for 3 different modes and easily change between modes or even tune the modes mid ride. Power output has a huge impact on range, so if you have a super eco mode setup with say 100W max power, it would give a small boost and allow for multiple hours of riding on a single battery pack. At the other end of the spectrum, using the full 750W max power, you can do quick self-shuttle laps, but the battery will drain quickly.
This is a little bit TBD based on regulations. We may have to offer a class 1 version that is PAS only and a class 2 version that can be either. Either way, we intend to offer a throttle option as long as there is demand.
Regarding range – don’t forget that you can set max power output in the app for 3 different modes and easily change between modes or even tune the modes mid ride. Power output has a huge impact on range, so if you have a super eco mode setup with say 100W max power, it would give a small boost and allow for multiple hours of riding on a single battery pack. At the other end of the spectrum, using the full 750W max power, you can do quick self-shuttle laps, but the battery will drain quickly.
Thank you for the reply. I kind of forgot about the setting the power level. I wouldn’t be able to go too low on power since I am a heavier than normal rider. I guess I should ask, any issues with heavier riders?
I would probably buy a second battery just in case, but it would be nice to only carry one battery on shorter rides. A lot of the vids about the Bimotal I have watched on YouTube are a little older, and they mention a possible new battery coming out. Is that the battery out now, or is something new still on the way?
I’m a potential customer. I’m even considering selling my current e-bike to try this out. If I’m able to just use my regular bike with the Bimotal, and Bimotal is close in performance, I’d rather have less bikes. Plus, as you guys point out, the bike I already love could be my e-bike.
Are there any more planned features with other websites such as the one here and on loamwolf in the works? With such a new and different product, I’m thinking the more positive exposure the better for your sales. I want to see you guys succeed because I may be a customer.
Lol, if you need a product ambassador in the middle of the country, I’d be happy to talk up your product and give demos on our local trails here around St. Louis. I would probably need a small discount and a Bimotal t-shirt of course.😉
Thanks again for the reply.
Thank you for the reply. I kind of forgot about the setting the power level. I wouldn’t be able to go too low on power since I am a heavier than normal rider. I guess I should ask, any issues with heavier riders?
I would probably buy a second battery just in case, but it would be nice to only carry one battery on shorter rides. A lot of the vids about the Bimotal I have watched on YouTube are a little older, and they mention a possible new battery coming out. Is that the battery out now, or is something new still on the way?
I’m a potential customer. I’m even considering selling my current e-bike to try this out. If I’m able to just use my regular bike with the Bimotal, and Bimotal is close in performance, I’d rather have less bikes. Plus, as you guys point out, the bike I already love could be my e-bike.
Are there any more planned features with other websites such as the one here and on loamwolf in the works? With such a new and different product, I’m thinking the more positive exposure the better for your sales. I want to see you guys succeed because I may be a customer.
Lol, if you need a product ambassador in the middle of the country, I’d be happy to talk up your product and give demos on our local trails here around St. Louis. I would probably need a small discount and a Bimotal t-shirt of course.😉
Thanks again for the reply.
Rider weight does not have any impact on the system, but it will have an impact on your perceived benefit from the system – particularly when climbing – and battery life based on how fast you are going.
What kind of ebike do you currently have? I weigh ~200bs and regularly ride with people on “full power” ebikes. My energy consumption similar to those bosch/Shimano/Specialized-brose bikes. Range is dependent on which mode those guys are using and I adjust throttle position accordingly. These bikes typically have 2-2.5x the energy of our battery pack, so I always have a spare in my hip pack and possibly stash one somewhere if we’re going on rides that kill the larger 7-800Wh packs. Occasionally I’ll carry two spare packs in my hip pack for longer loop rides. When we’re doing big 7-8000ft gravity lap days and those guys are swapping out their large battery packs, I’ll trade out my packs at the car and run through 5-6 packs.
Compared to an “SL” ebike, our battery pack has about the same amount of energy, and if you limit the max power to a similar level to an “SL” bike, you will also get a similar range.
Yes, more content is on the way, including longer term reviews.
Most of our initial customers are ambassadors 
Rider weight does not have any impact on the system, but it will have an impact on your perceived benefit from the system – particularly when climbing – and battery life based on how fast you are going.
What kind of ebike do you currently have? I weigh ~200bs and regularly ride with people on “full power” ebikes. My energy consumption similar to those bosch/Shimano/Specialized-brose bikes. Range is dependent on which mode those guys are using and I adjust throttle position accordingly. These bikes typically have 2-2.5x the energy of our battery pack, so I always have a spare in my hip pack and possibly stash one somewhere if we’re going on rides that kill the larger 7-800Wh packs. Occasionally I’ll carry two spare packs in my hip pack for longer loop rides. When we’re doing big 7-8000ft gravity lap days and those guys are swapping out their large battery packs, I’ll trade out my packs at the car and run through 5-6 packs.
Compared to an “SL” ebike, our battery pack has about the same amount of energy, and if you limit the max power to a similar level to an “SL” bike, you will also get a similar range.
Yes, more content is on the way, including longer term reviews.
Most of our initial customers are ambassadors 
I have a Specialized
levo right now. It has three power levels and I only use the middle one. It’s plenty powerful enough there and I don’t ever feel the need to put it into the most powerful assistance mode. I’m hoping the Bimotal isn’t too far off from that power level.
I have a Specialized
levo right now. It has three power levels and I only use the middle one. It’s plenty powerful enough there and I don’t ever feel the need to put it into the most powerful assistance mode. I’m hoping the Bimotal isn’t too far off from that power level.
Lol. I saw that. He was responding to me.
Lol. I saw that. He was responding to me.
With a price of $1,995 for the system, $450 for additional mounting kits, and $325 for extra batteries, the Elevate drive system offers an economical way to electrify an entire fleet of bikes.
With the cost of e-bikes being more approachable now, those numbers are more expensive than building a fleet of new Velotric Summit 1 mountain bikes ($1999 whole bike price). I think the product was good idea back when it first came on the scene. But with the current trend in prices in e-MTBs dropping, it just doesn’t make sense anymore. Current consumer expectations are now higher than what this kit can offer.
With a price of $1,995 for the system, $450 for additional mounting kits, and $325 for extra batteries, the Elevate drive system offers an economical way to electrify an entire fleet of bikes.
With the cost of e-bikes being more approachable now, those numbers are more expensive than building a fleet of new Velotric Summit 1 mountain bikes ($1999 whole bike price). I think the product was good idea back when it first came on the scene. But with the current trend in prices in e-MTBs dropping, it just doesn’t make sense anymore. Current consumer expectations are now higher than what this kit can offer.
Inbred. Steel is Real.
Totally fair point, but if someone has a performance-focused pedal bike that cost $3-10k, a comparable ebike is in the $5-15k range and they are unlikely to be looking at the Velotric lineup.
The cost difference between a pedal bike and an ebike from a typical brand is in the $2-2.5k range, so Elevate is cost competitive from this perspective – and of course cheaper than buying a $5-15k ebike.
Totally fair point, but if someone has a performance-focused pedal bike that cost $3-10k, a comparable ebike is in the $5-15k range and they are unlikely to be looking at the Velotric lineup.
The cost difference between a pedal bike and an ebike from a typical brand is in the $2-2.5k range, so Elevate is cost competitive from this perspective – and of course cheaper than buying a $5-15k ebike.
1000 miles to replacement of the drive cog is not much. Haven’t looked in detail, but how much effort is required to swap to another bike? Does each need a proprietary disc/drive rotor permanently installed to be practical? I can see issues with centerlo
ck hubs and reversal of torque input to the hub/disc interface. What do the bike manufacturers have to say about frame warranty?
I can see this being a great solution for niche applications like SAR, adaptive that may not be so cost sensitive. Has the advantage that you only need to provide standard brake tabs to offer a version with or without assist. For the broader e-bike market, may be tough to keep up as companies continue to improve their products.
1000 miles to replacement of the drive cog is not much. Haven’t looked in detail, but how much effort is required to swap to another bike? Does each need a proprietary disc/drive rotor permanently installed to be practical? I can see issues with centerlo
ck hubs and reversal of torque input to the hub/disc interface. What do the bike manufacturers have to say about frame warranty?
I can see this being a great solution for niche applications like SAR, adaptive that may not be so cost sensitive. Has the advantage that you only need to provide standard brake tabs to offer a version with or without assist. For the broader e-bike market, may be tough to keep up as companies continue to improve their products.
Have you thought about using a belt? Quiet, not affected my dirt, mud, etc. No maintenance. This drive would be perfect for the front of my fatbike to break trail and actually make the climbs.
Have you thought about using a belt? Quiet, not affected my dirt, mud, etc. No maintenance. This drive would be perfect for the front of my fatbike to break trail and actually make the climbs.
A belt would definitely be interesting. Seems like it could be a good idea. Wonder if there is a reason they didn’t go that route? Maybe it makes it too difficult to take on and off
A belt would definitely be interesting. Seems like it could be a good idea. Wonder if there is a reason they didn’t go that route? Maybe it makes it too difficult to take on and off
That is correct – one of the key design goals was to create a system that was fast and easy to take on/off the bike.
That is correct – one of the key design goals was to create a system that was fast and easy to take on/off the bike.
1000 miles to replacement of the drive cog is not much. Haven’t looked in detail, but how much effort is required to swap to another bike? Does each need a proprietary disc/drive rotor permanently installed to be practical?
1000 miles for the plastic output gear is a conservative estimate. It is expected to have a similar lifespan to a set of disc brake pads and cost about the same.
Moving from bike to bike takes about a minute, assuming each bike has a mounting kit installed(rotor-gear, mounting bracket, battery tray/wire harness, and throttle). The drive unit has a couple of levers to flip open before pulling off, battery need to be unplugged and velcro strap holding it needs to be undone.
I can see issues with centerlock hubs and reversal of torque input to the hub/disc interface. What do the bike manufacturers have to say about frame warranty?
We have not seen any issues with Centerlock hubs to date. We have a mix of CL and ISO hubs in service on internal bikes and customer bikes.
We have seen no frame issues with 3+ years of regular hard use and are working with bike brands to get official endorsement.
I can see this being a great solution for niche applications like SAR, adaptive that may not be so cost sensitive. Has the advantage that you only need to provide standard brake tabs to offer a version with or without assist. For the broader e-bike market, may be tough to keep up as companies continue to improve their products.
Elevate will also get better over time like a smart phone or an EV. Since it is not built into the bike, upgrading to future versions is easy. The bike is also does not become obsolete if the drive system is retired.
1000 miles to replacement of the drive cog is not much. Haven’t looked in detail, but how much effort is required to swap to another bike? Does each need a proprietary disc/drive rotor permanently installed to be practical?
1000 miles for the plastic output gear is a conservative estimate. It is expected to have a similar lifespan to a set of disc brake pads and cost about the same.
Moving from bike to bike takes about a minute, assuming each bike has a mounting kit installed(rotor-gear, mounting bracket, battery tray/wire harness, and throttle). The drive unit has a couple of levers to flip open before pulling off, battery need to be unplugged and velcro strap holding it needs to be undone.
I can see issues with centerlock hubs and reversal of torque input to the hub/disc interface. What do the bike manufacturers have to say about frame warranty?
We have not seen any issues with Centerlock hubs to date. We have a mix of CL and ISO hubs in service on internal bikes and customer bikes.
We have seen no frame issues with 3+ years of regular hard use and are working with bike brands to get official endorsement.
I can see this being a great solution for niche applications like SAR, adaptive that may not be so cost sensitive. Has the advantage that you only need to provide standard brake tabs to offer a version with or without assist. For the broader e-bike market, may be tough to keep up as companies continue to improve their products.
Elevate will also get better over time like a smart phone or an EV. Since it is not built into the bike, upgrading to future versions is easy. The bike is also does not become obsolete if the drive system is retired.