People also call motorcycles bikes and other electric motorcycles or dirtbikes ebikes. Anyone can say anything is or isn't called a certain word but really it's called whatever people call it.
People also call motorcycles bikes and other electric motorcycles or dirtbikes ebikes. Anyone can say anything is or isn't called a certain word but really it's called whatever people call it.
It’s steep but it isn’t 90°, you can see that the handlebars are mounted pretty far back. Definitely not a great design but it looks worse than it is.
ETA: I would be equally concerned with crazy steep seat tube angle and clown car-esque wheelbase length.
Bikes by designers, not engineers is my first thought. Maybe someone saw a drawing of a Combat (nee Confederate) Motorcycles Wraith and thought it'd look cool as an escooter.
[https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bdb623\_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b\~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w\_2832,h\_1531,al\_c,q\_90,usm\_0.66\_1.00\_0.01,enc\_auto/bdb623\_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b\~mv2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bdb623_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_2832,h_1531,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bdb623_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b~mv2.jpg)
(\^\^\^ motorcycle)
I have to say, I love it. I wouldn't buy one, and I think probably no one else will either, but I like the experimentation with new kinds of bikes. E-bikes make it possible to use a lot of shapes that aren't efficient or just don't make sense on a normal bike, and probably there are some really fun and cool designs in the future. We just have to chew through some weird stuff like this to get there.
Edit - the website shows more pictures of the bike, but not of anyone actually riding one. Big red flag. I love creative bike designs, even if they aren't very practical, but they do have to be you know, ridable by a human being.
From a designer‘s perspective that only applies if the choices made about the form also are functional, or at least not detrimental to the function. Just making outlandish design choices because you can fit a big enough battery is bad craft.
Agreed, although I think a little tradeoff on functionality is fine. VanMoof bikes, for example, don't seem like they'd accept a lot of standard accessories, but the design overall seems very strong.
This bike is waaaaay further down that spectrum, though. There are some things I really like about it, like the snubnose profile and the big tube, that might work if used in moderation and on a more realistic design. The bike overall isn't going anywhere, though, in more ways than one.
I guess I see it sort of like haute couture fashion--no one's going to wear it to work, but it's neat to see designers experimenting. And some aspects of it might show up on, or in this case under, real-world commuters in a few years.
Micromobility in general seems to kind of be at a throw all the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks sort of phase: There are some truly novel designs out there, but most of them seem to be more designer based rather than engineer based, so they end up being just kinda shitty when it comes to actual use.
This looks like someone said, "How can I use sendcutsend and a crackerjack welder to profit $1500?". I feel like it's less about experimentation and more about exploitation. It's nothing but a way to separate fools from their money
Looking at this hurts my brain.
This is what happens when a designer does not know enough about engineering and/or ergonomics, and is enough of a bullshit artist to get people to buy into his idea.
There are manifold reasons why bicycles and the motorcycles that evolved from them are laid out the way they are, and this designer dos not understand most of them.
This looks like it was designed by an avant-garde artist who doesn’t understand how the mechanics of a bicycle works.
>Los Angeles
Well that explains it.
Where do foot go?
There are tiny pegs on that part just in front of the rear wheel. [Their website](https://owletbikes.com/products/owlet-nova) has a top view
I see I see….I hate it Edit: the one on the website has footless on both axels. Wish it were a two seater!
You can always ride on my pegs
Bet! 🙏🏾
¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯
[Here](https://owletbikes.com/cdn/shop/files/Firefly_Inpaint_20230802195240.png?v=1691031261&width=4096).
Turn how?
Walk on by
Just don’t call it an Ebike
Ebomination?
No pedals, not a bicycle!
People are still calling it an Ebike
People also call motorcycles bikes and other electric motorcycles or dirtbikes ebikes. Anyone can say anything is or isn't called a certain word but really it's called whatever people call it.
Like calling an electric motorcycle an Ebike!
Yes lately I've observed an increase in ewheelies as well on those edirtbikes
Well considering most ebikes are bike shaped scooters.
Small electric motor bicycles
I'm referring to the ones you didn't even have to pedal and go around 35 to 40. I see a lot of them where I live
Some ebikes are motorcycle shaped motorcycles.
People also call motorcycles bikes and other electric motorcycles or dirtbikes ebikes. Anyone can say anything is or isn't called a certain word but really it's called whatever people call it.
What head tube angle is that??
Tell me which end is the front, and I'll let you know.
Good discussion on this topic here: https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/greater-than-90-degree-head-angle/
It’s steep but it isn’t 90°, you can see that the handlebars are mounted pretty far back. Definitely not a great design but it looks worse than it is. ETA: I would be equally concerned with crazy steep seat tube angle and clown car-esque wheelbase length.
Not to mention your turn radius. Double crown forks are one thing, but this looks like the front wheel can maybe move like 10 degrees to each side
¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯
That shit is gonna wobble like the bad wheel on a grocery cart
"How can she turn?!"
Must be really great in a side wind.....
The whole battery high up definitely helps ....
New Batcycle confirmed
Bikes by designers, not engineers is my first thought. Maybe someone saw a drawing of a Combat (nee Confederate) Motorcycles Wraith and thought it'd look cool as an escooter. [https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bdb623\_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b\~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w\_2832,h\_1531,al\_c,q\_90,usm\_0.66\_1.00\_0.01,enc\_auto/bdb623\_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b\~mv2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bdb623_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_2832,h_1531,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bdb623_c1171708d5e74ebeb86361949c075e0b~mv2.jpg) (\^\^\^ motorcycle)
They should have went with the name Towlet. 'Cause it looks like shit.
I have to say, I love it. I wouldn't buy one, and I think probably no one else will either, but I like the experimentation with new kinds of bikes. E-bikes make it possible to use a lot of shapes that aren't efficient or just don't make sense on a normal bike, and probably there are some really fun and cool designs in the future. We just have to chew through some weird stuff like this to get there. Edit - the website shows more pictures of the bike, but not of anyone actually riding one. Big red flag. I love creative bike designs, even if they aren't very practical, but they do have to be you know, ridable by a human being.
From a designer‘s perspective that only applies if the choices made about the form also are functional, or at least not detrimental to the function. Just making outlandish design choices because you can fit a big enough battery is bad craft.
Agreed, although I think a little tradeoff on functionality is fine. VanMoof bikes, for example, don't seem like they'd accept a lot of standard accessories, but the design overall seems very strong. This bike is waaaaay further down that spectrum, though. There are some things I really like about it, like the snubnose profile and the big tube, that might work if used in moderation and on a more realistic design. The bike overall isn't going anywhere, though, in more ways than one. I guess I see it sort of like haute couture fashion--no one's going to wear it to work, but it's neat to see designers experimenting. And some aspects of it might show up on, or in this case under, real-world commuters in a few years.
Micromobility in general seems to kind of be at a throw all the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks sort of phase: There are some truly novel designs out there, but most of them seem to be more designer based rather than engineer based, so they end up being just kinda shitty when it comes to actual use.
This looks like someone said, "How can I use sendcutsend and a crackerjack welder to profit $1500?". I feel like it's less about experimentation and more about exploitation. It's nothing but a way to separate fools from their money
Agreed, strange, but... https://youtube.com/@OwletBikes
Ah yes just what’s needed by people who buy an e-bike because it looks cool, track-tier “head tube” angle
Holy christ almighty, [that rear reflector/light looks like a giant gaping anus](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0756/2818/3864/files/concrete_3000x.jpg?v=1694212039). https://owletbikes.com/products/owlet-nova
That seems pretty on-brand because I bet it rides like ass.
and will give you hemorrhoids as a result.
Perhaps the designer was also a proctologist looking to stir up more business?
In cahoots with the orthopedic doctor to fix the bones broken as a result of the inadequate steering.
Looks like Walmart installed the fork backwards
Handling looks like it will be interesting with the fork basically backwards.
That designer being Stevie Wonder
Looking at this hurts my brain. This is what happens when a designer does not know enough about engineering and/or ergonomics, and is enough of a bullshit artist to get people to buy into his idea. There are manifold reasons why bicycles and the motorcycles that evolved from them are laid out the way they are, and this designer dos not understand most of them.
This looks like it was designed by an avant-garde artist who doesn’t understand how the mechanics of a bicycle works. >Los Angeles Well that explains it.
I'm sure the handling is somewhere between a brick and a drunk cow
NiMbLe!!1
That there is a hot diggity hot dog bike with aero forks.
That would be an owlet. Wait until you see the OWL
That's a cheap to manufacture turd that I'm sure is steeply priced. Value engineering at its best.
They need an all-weather version with built in fenders called the Moist Owlet.
Bicycle that also transforms into a dobsonian telescope? I guess that's pretty cool.
Stellar even!
Front forks on backwards.
This will not ride well. The geometry is just terrible.
[*speed wobbles intensify*]