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For immediate release
Media contact: Paul Skilbeck
paul.skilbeck@bimotal.com, M: +1.415.516.1444
Bimotal Delivers First Elevate
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (2021.10.01) – Bimotal, the San Francisco based powertrain startup, began installing its Elevate removable ebike system on customer bicycles October 1, 2021.
This eagerly awaited milestone in the company history comes about a year after Bimotal announced its innovative approach to electrifying bicycles at the online Sea Otter Play event in September, 2020, when the company opened up for pre-orders.
Since then the response from consumers, the media, and industry veterans attending live demonstration rides has been uniformly enthusiastic. Many see Elevate as removing the final barrier to purchasing an ebike thanks to its versatility and quick removability.
Company founder Toby Ricco said, “In 2018 I had the idea to mount an ebike drive unit on the disc brake posts. That part of the frame is strong enough to handle this since drive torque is a fraction of braking torque. It’s been challenging with Covid-19 coming along at exactly the time I started hiring people, organizing financing, and getting product development and engineering underway. Thankfully I enjoy a challenge! But installing the first unit on a customer bike represents a huge accomplishment and milestone for all of us at Bimotal. In reality though, this is barely scratching the surface, it’s where we start.”
Limits on supply will continue as production ramps up during the pilot phase, with first units going to early adopters in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. Throughout this wide range field test in real-world conditions, Bimotal engineers will keep a close watch on hardware.
In 2022, production and distribution will ramp up, as trained regional installers come online.
Good tech
While innovation is a cornerstone of Bimotal’s philosophy, both versatility and lightweight are two of the three key product features of Elevate that put it at the very forefront of worldwide ebike technology. The third is power: Elevate produces the maximum legal power for an ebike in the USA.
Bimotal’s first customer is Brodie Gay, who said, “I’ve been following the tech development of the Bimotal Elevate: the sheer power, ease of use, and light weight are incredible. I’m stoked to use the Bimotal Elevate on my daily commute up the steep hills of San Francisco.”
Photo: Toby Ricco and Brodie Gay, the first customer to have the Elevate system installed.
Several other customer bikes are in the pipeline for October installations, and within the next few months journalists will be able to request test models.
For journalists attending the 2021 Sea Otter Classic, in California, October 7-10, Bimotal is presenting in booth B92 (south lawn). Demonstration rides and product introductions are offered throughout the four days, and Toby Ricco is available for interviews. Journalists can click here to reserve a 30-minute test ride slot.
Boilerplate & Resources
About Bimotal
Bimotal is a US company formed in 2019 to produce world-class electric powertrains for bicycles and other multimodal transportation. Bimotal systems seamlessly integrate human and motor power in small, convenient, lightweight, and removable form factors. In doing so, Bimotal follows its mission to transform the health of humans and the planet.
Media resources
Promotional images: Gallery
Product videos: YouTube
Company and product information: Website
