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Rivian's TM-B electric bike

(www.theverge.com)
190 points hasheddan | 4 comments | | HN request time: 0.248s | source
1. yodon ◴[] No.45674011[source]
I have a 750W e-bike (which actually means 750W peak, 500W sustained).

There are hills near my house that my bike can not make it up without significant pedal assist.

If the motor and power electronics on this e-bike can only handle 750W peak, 500W sustained, as is common and I think is possibly even legislated in parts of the U.S., this bike will not be able to make it up serious hills.

With a normal e-bike, your pedaling is additive to the motor. That is not the case with this design.

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2. derekp7 ◴[] No.45674161[source]
If the motor is geared it could make a difference. For comparison, most people put out about 100 watts with their legs, but need to downshift to go up hills. This looks like a mid drive unit, which should be capable of varied gearing.
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3. bb88 ◴[] No.45674331[source]
I was looking for where the gearing was and it doesn't appear to be in the wheels. It looks like it's in the hub.

I have a bike with an automatic transmission and it handles steep hills just fine.

But generally speaking, I would expect the bike at this price point to have an automatic transmission.

4. masterj ◴[] No.45675191[source]
Given it can output 180Nm I expect this thing can get up whatever hill you point it at