This little accessory brings electric power to your bike

By Courtesy of Livall

A specialist in cycling accessories, American company Livall presents an amazing module that can transform a regular push-bike into an electric model, capable of reaching 35 km/h. The device can be installed and removed in just a few seconds.

A specialist in cycling accessories, American company Livall presents an amazing module that can transform a regular push-bike into an electric model, capable of reaching 35 km/h. The device can be installed and removed in just a few seconds.

Rather than investing several thousand dollars in an electric bicycle, sometimes it might be better to opt for a conversion system. More and more initiatives of this kind are emerging, from the likes of Elemoove and clip.bike. Meanwhile, an e-bike conversion kit made by an Indian inventor is particularly weather-resistant.

The originality of the Livall PikaBoost, which weighs less than 3 kg and is easily transported -- even without a backpack -- is that it adapts to all bikes, so it can be installed on all kinds of frames.

The device attaches to the frame's seat post and adjusts to meet the rear wheel of the bike. It offers different riding modes, one of which is based simply on the user's pedaling pace, and kicks in to help them maintain the same speed regardless of their efforts. The others either boost slower speeds or maximize the performance of more experienced cyclists, up to a limit of 35 km/h. In all cases, the device acts directly on the rotation speed of the rear wheel and therefore the speed of the bike. The concept also involves converting the kinetic energy emitted by the moving wheel to power up the battery. Finally, a Bluetooth connection lets the rider monitor the remaining battery level.

This project is being launched via a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, where the PikaBoost is available to buy for a limited time for $309 (instead of $599 at its upcoming official launch).

See also: The e-bike converter that clips on and off, preventing theft.

© Agence France-Presse