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Caterham gets into Bikes with Full Suspension E-Fat Bike

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caterham-carbon-e-bike-01

If you liked the looks of yesterday’s Icon E-Flyer, then you will probably want to check out the new Bike division from the legendary Caterham motors. Known for their open air roadsters, Caterham seems to be joining Icon in automotive manufacturers getting into e-bikes. The Caterham bike division itself is considered a motorcycle division by the company, which probably more in line with what these actually are, but that doesn’t mean we don’t think they’re cool. The wild Carbon E-bike above is joined by a more retro themed Classic E-Bike very similar in style to the Icon E-Flyer.

Plug in after the break.

Carbon-Ebike

At first glance, I can’t help but feel that the Confederate Wraith had an inspirational role in the design of the Carbon E-Bike thanks to the girder parallelogram fork, with a bit of Tron thrown in for good measure. Both E-Bikes are the design work of Caterham’s Alessandro Tartarini. The limited edition bike claims to have “exclusive F1 input and materials” that are currently being developed. Powered by a 36v, 250 watt brushless motor with a 36v 12ah lithium battery, the Carbon E-bike (that’s the actual name) includes an 8 speed Shinamo Nexus internally geared hub. Information will be provided to the rider through the LED “dashboard” with battery status, speedometer, trip computer, and range indicator.

The modular frame is crafted from both carbon and aluminum, with three sizes to be offered with customizeable ergonomics including a “3 way adjustable seat”. Full suspension is achieved through the girder fork and a moto link rear end, and braking is performed by hydraulic discs with a motorcycle sized front rotor. The 4.8″ “ballon size tires are impregnated with carbon fiber for strength and integrity,” – ok, so that last part probably isn’t true. It looks like the Carbon E-bike will be running Surly Clown Shoe rims with 4.8″ Bud or Lou tires.

Classic-Ebike

On the other side of the fence is the Caterham Classic E-Bike. While the Carbon E-Bike is certainly futuristic, the Classic is just that, complete with fenders, an electric motor shaped to look like a V-Twin, and a springer fork. On the Classic, the 250w motor with torque sensor powers the chain which then propels the Shimano 3 speed internal hub. The “tank” offers additional storage and can hold the battery charger for the 36v battery pack which is capable of powering the Classic for up to 50 miles. The front wheel is stopped by a mechanical disc brake, while the rear is a lever actuated roller brake. Saddle height adjustability is limited to 3 positions offering a claimed range of 90 cm (mm?). The Classic has the same LED “dashboard” with battery status, speedometer, trip computer, and range indicator.

Pricing and availability TBD.

caterham-brutus-750

If you want to skip the e-bike/motorcycle ambiguity all together and go straight to a real deal motorcycle, Caterham also has the motorcycle equivalent of a fatbike with the Brutus 750. The 750cc monster puts the power down through a CVT transmission and massive tires. As an added bonus, apparently there will be a snowmobile conversion kit available as well.

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26 Comments
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Jake
Jake
11 years ago

If I bought a bike with a motor it would say Harley on the side, you should start another site called ebikerumor so we don’t have to look at these things.

wheelz
wheelz
11 years ago

This fat e-bike looks pretty sweet, but I’d really rather seem them on a pure human-powered bike website. e-bikes make me feel sad for some reason.

MikeC
MikeC
11 years ago

Love the “Carbon” logo on an alloy part…

Tartarini totally ripped off the JT Nesbitt Wraith design, but I’m happy to see it showing up in the bike world. Imitation/inspiration is flattery, right? Not plagiarism…

Ebikes shouldn’t try to emulate motorbikes with engine-shaped covers for e-parts. It looks stupid. Like the classic and yesterday’s slightly less worse abomination.

Brendan
Brendan
11 years ago

Wouldn’t the big one be really slow with a 250W motor?

CXisfun
CXisfun
11 years ago

@ Brendan: you also need to pedal. 250w may get you moving, but add 250w of your own power and it’d go down the trail. Maybe not too fast, but it’d go.

Ck
Ck
11 years ago

Caterham needs to just stick to building 7’s because they’re good at that. They don’t belong in this market with stuff like this abomination.

Will
Will
11 years ago

At what point do you just get a motocross bike. . . I mean. . . Big tires, electric. . . ??

rentedshoes
11 years ago

Congratulations…you just invented the moped.

Tom
Tom
11 years ago

My limited experience with fat tires is that they are completely unsuited to something that will go over 10 mph. Lousy balance, squirming knobs and lack of casing diameter consistency will lead to a horrible ride. Better to stick to a proper road or MTB tire.

mateo
mateo
11 years ago

That front rotor ought to appease all the people whining about the Icon’s 140mm.

WannaBeSTi
WannaBeSTi
11 years ago

These Caterham bikes are polar opposites of the 7. The 7 is an ultra-light car with a small displacement engine that’s ready to kill you without any notice (the way a fun car should be).
I wish Caterham would have done a super-light road or mountain bike.

chasejj
chasejj
11 years ago

One word…….BADASS!

NCMTB
NCMTB
11 years ago

@Mateo, whining is a little aggressive of a statement about putting comments in a comments section on BR.

And yes, I am appeased with the burly hugeness of that rotor. It probably serves no purpose better then the Icon setup but looks was cooler to me.

Michael
Michael
11 years ago

At what point do these eBikes start showing up on the trails and tearing them up as much as dirt bikes would??? This looks like a slippery slope to me.

ben
ben
11 years ago

This is the best thing that has ever happened to cycling.

Thumper McDonut
Thumper McDonut
11 years ago

Wraith? No. Well, king of no. The fork is a Confederate standard and is used on a few of their bikes, but the frame is blatantly ripped off from the Confederate Fighter. This is, as others have said, just pathetic and a terrible direction for Caterham to be going in.

edge
edge
11 years ago

I like how they plastered the “carbon” logo on the biggest piece of aluminum on the bike.

pfs
pfs
11 years ago

Who cares about the bikes, they are just meh. But I would love to hear more about that 750!!! That is one killer looking machine!

A.
A.
11 years ago

Can’t wait to ride one on my e-motion rollers to stay in shape through the winter. They’re compatible, right?

jimmy
jimmy
11 years ago

Can we talk about seat height here? I’m supposed to pedal with my knees at my chin?

Mortimer
Mortimer
11 years ago

Yes wonderful, great, amazing.

Now, keep you ebikes off my local trails!

Jack
Jack
11 years ago

I would take the “carbon” and throw the rims away and bring them back to something more everyday and slick. Bingo cool commuter! The price will make this impossible. They look good tho.

Jake
Jake
11 years ago

@A. LOL —well said

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.

Topmounter
Topmounter
11 years ago

Seriously, why is this stuff posted here?

These aren’t meant for real riding, just for a young prince to putt around on through the family compound in Riyadh.

Craig Ralton
10 years ago

I thinks they are all cool, but not innovative. I’d love a mat black brutus to take down the river or in the snow…..let’s be honest, it is simply a modern, cool looking and more powerful Suzuki Van Van http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/217834/images/van_van.jpg

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