A LE/Mil Electric Bike: Tidal Force M750X

[Solo]

I am a lazy guy. But I also like to remain fit and think of me in terms of a "sports guy" :lol:

I like to think I can pedal my ass around here in Rome (provided I wear an antigas mask not to inhale the city's pollution) to go to the office and back home every day and what not.
So I started looking around for bikes. Got me a regular mountain bike first, then I realized that the ups and downs of the hills here would kill me instead of help me excercise.

So I started looking around for "more": I wanted to be "assisted" by a motor when uphill and I wanted a full throttle/accelerator to get me out of trouble at the freaking roman traffic lights, where every idiot seems to be willing to race with everyone and their dog around.

Given that, like many on this forum, I like military/LE "gear 'n' stuff", I posed my eyes on this lovely one at first:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7950/bike17rg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


This is a "Montague" Paratrooper Bike. Seemingly some US paratroopers got to use this?
Here you see it even better:

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/306/bike20rc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I loved that type of frame, but still id didn't have an electric motor.
To my surprise, I quickly found out that:

http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=549

http://www.tidalforce.com/products/m750x/index.cfm


i.e., these guys (WaveCrest) have used the Montague frame implementing a fully electric (though still regular pedal bike if needed/wanted) bike that was quickly liked by some US LE departments:

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/2791/tidal1fj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/3253/tidal1fy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I wanted it.
And I got it (from the US):

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/9616/bike64dy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Another reason to thank the Americans woot

Thanks for looking,

Solo

[Vandervahn]

Looking good, particularly in respect the usual looks of electric/hybrid bikes. But from the pictures I can tell that some of the components are of mediocre quality at best (cranks, brakes, shifters, derailleur, fork). That might not be a big issue for urban civil use and LE (apart from the brakes), but I doubt the endurance "in the field" for the paratroopers.

How much does it weigh (those wheel motors usually are HEAVY), how much does the battery weigh?

[martinexsquaddie]

bascially your a fat waster that needs to get fit.
hills = pain
pain= weakness living the body .

[Solo]

bascially your a fat waster that needs to get fit.
hills = pain
pain= weakness living the body .
Almost.
I dont really have fat to burn, Im rather fit. But the thought of riding a bike around in Rome instead of a car or the usual scooter (used a lot here) was a constant desire.
Rome has quite many hills though, and some are tough. Getting back home from my office has a couple of steep ones. Tried it with a regular bike: after a day of work, the thought of going uphill wasnt the best option.

So I wanted an electric bike that could assist me i.e., if I decide to be helped while pedaling I can be. Also wanted a slick looking one (as Vandervahn has correctly noticed traditional electric bikes are quite ugly or have an excess of gear on them).

I found this one. Since it's been used by US LE (apparently) I thought I'd share.
And Vandervahn, it is heavy indeed. Can't find specification of the exact weight in the manuals though I'd say that the bike - assembled in one piece as you see on those pics above - might weight around 40 kilograms.

[Vandervahn]

Two motors, Full suspension, folding frame... I´d also say that it definately has to be heavier than 32 kg. However for the intended use you describe it shouldnt be bad, hills are very nice to climb with these things. And even better is the great acceleration at traffic lights.

Usually I am faster than any car after a stop on the first 30-40 meters, but with the electrical engine you are even quicker with less sweat ;)

[maple.leaf]

That's pretty cool. I've been lusting after one of the non-powered Paratrooper models for years...

[Solo]

That's pretty cool. I've been lusting after one of the non-powered Paratrooper models for years...

Yes indeed (thank you) there is something about these frames - their simple and apparently no-nonsense shape - that attracts me to it.

Thanks for looking,

Solo ;)

[maple.leaf]

So - how is it to ride??

[Solo]

So - how is it to ride??
Just came back. Done a few hours/miles with it (around 10 miles).
It is definitely my kind of thing.


It's heavy (the Montague itself should be rather light or medium weight.
But with the addition of the motor and battery, it gets heavy).
You can still ride it without ANY motor assistance, but you won't be as fast (unless you're really used to riding the bike) as other bikers with lighter bikes.
But using the assistance of the "cruise" mode (you still pedal but the motor will assist you) or just pushing the "gas" it really shows its capability.

And it's amazing. It works like a charm. Totally silent. There is no difference between just pedaling and using the motor. It is totally silent.
When you brake, the recharging circuit becomes active and the battery is recharged (a led on the control panel gets lits up each time the recharging circuit becomes active).

Impressive ;)

In this pic I'm with my girlfriend and my other bike (Mercedes).
That was used as a comparison to see just pedaling what would be the obtainable speed, and obviously the Mercedes was a way faster given its light weight (just pedaling).

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/57/bikes9bv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[bluffcove]

Does it have panniers? trailers? how muc kit acan you carry - how rady can you be to ready a weapon whislt cycling. how effectively can you domiate ground when travelling fsat through it on bikes.

whats wrong with leather personnel carriers?

Any austrian or Swiss guys care to comment on cycle born ops?

[Solo]

Does it have panniers? trailers? how muc kit acan you carry - how rady can you be to ready a weapon whislt cycling. how effectively can you domiate ground when travelling fsat through it on bikes.

whats wrong with leather personnel carriers?

Any austrian or Swiss guys care to comment on cycle born ops?

Panniers: don't know what those are. Trailers might be an option. Just a standard, commercial trailer might work. You can transport up to 160 Kgs of weight on the M750x.
For the rst of the questions I wouldn't know

[Digital Marine]

Looking good Solo!:)


however.. real men go on racingbikesp-)

http://www.bikebitsuk.com/images/s9_frame.jpg

[Solo]

:lol:


1234567789545353

[singlesprocket]

you are a very brave person to ride a bike like that, here's a link to some older bikes...

http://www.benvanhelden.nl/Condorclub/Fiets/Germany/Army%20Bikes%20Germany.html

[TacoDelRio]

I'm gonna try and buy one of those Montauge's so I can save on gas. School is only 5 miles from here, so it's a real short ride.

Too bad they cost nearly $700. :(

[UNDERDOG1]

How much does it cost to you shipped to Italy?