Reinventing The (Hubless) Wheel, E-Bike Version: However Why?

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In what appears to be like like yet one more misguided try to disrupt the electrical micromobility scene, a Korean firm has lately introduced its Prime Secret e-bike, which options hubless wheels and and airless tires. A fast caveat earlier than I start: I’ve not seen one in all these in individual, and possibly by no means will, however a lifetime of biking informs me that purchasing in to those sorts of ‘new and improved’ bicycle/e-bike designs are hardly ever a sensible selection. That being stated, let’s check out the Prime Secret e-bike, which isn’t a lot of a secret anymore, by way of the corporate’s personal promo video.

I imply, I’ll go forward and provides some factors proper now for the bold enterprise of constructing an organization round unproven expertise (hey, it’s 2024, so something goes perhaps?), and maybe award just a few extra factors for the audacity of calling it a “refined design,” however instantly just a few main points rear their ugly heads for me. Additionally, I’m curious if the Tron Gentle Cycle was a serious inspiration for this hubless wheel design, or whether it is attempting to emulate the Reevo hubless e-bike,

One of many lovely issues about fashionable bicycle wheels is their capacity to flex and take up shock, whereas additionally offering an environment friendly methodology of transferring the torque from the wheel’s hub to its rim, all whereas preserving the wheels gentle and sturdy. Moreover, the spokes may be tightened to true up the wheel, and as anybody who places a beating on their wheels from leaping curbs or bombing down some ugly singletrack can attest to, it’s good to have the ability to take the wobble out of your wheel from time to time. This begs the query of simply how inflexible the hubless wheel must be to be able to by no means be out of true, and supposing it does get out of spherical, how within the everloving world do you get it true once more?

Airless tires are one other bugaboo, as they might ‘resolve’ the difficulty of getting flat tires (though a tire liner and a few tire slime will go a great distance towards that very same finish), however do they journey in addition to pneumatic tires? Hmm. I’ve not seen any head-to-head assessments for this, however wanting on the Prime Secret web site, it nearly appears to be like like they’re foam-filled, which, except it’s some new space-age materials, is prone to break down over time. And in the event that they do break down or are in any other case broken, you may’t precisely roll as much as your native bike store and decide up a substitute, whereas conventional spoked wheels are tremendous straightforward to get changed or rebuilt. After all, I did lately cowl the NASA-inspired airless tires, that are in the identical boat when it comes to substitute availability, however not less than there’s some severe science behind these.

And final however not least, the relative simplicity and interchangeability of recent bike drivetrains implies that they’re often user-serviceable (or for the fumble-fingered, serviceable by any bike store), and any issues that they might develop don’t require particular coaching to deal with. Plus, the extra advanced the machine, the extra probabilities for elements to interrupt or put on out, often extra upkeep is critical, and once more, you in all probability can’t precisely cruise to your native bike store and get elements or service for niche-type bicycles, whereas your primary chain/cog/derailleur setup is bathroom customary and simply mounted or changed by your self or a motorcycle tech.

Now, I could get panned for being a Debbie Downer about new and revolutionary micromobility choices, however I do admire these entrepreneurial souls who’re taking huge dangers and attempting new issues. Nonetheless, let’s be actual right here. Does reinventing the wheel actually profit anybody aside from the producer at this level?