With a wide range of sizes, styles, and specs to choose from, it's now easier than ever to find an e-bike to suit one's needs. If commuting is your number one priority, the Brooklyness CMYK 4.0 may be worth looking at. It bundles smart and safe features in a folding frame.
New York City-based Brooklyness is no stranger to bikes or crowdfunding, and the CMYK 4.0 improves upon previous designs while maintaining a universal appeal. It has an aluminum frame that weighs only 26 lb (12 kg) and folds down for carrying on public transit. It's compact, yet not so small as to sacrifice features like a backpack-sized e-bike or the curiously-odd A-Bike. Although the CMYK 4.0 keeps the chain, unlike the future-forward chainless JIVR e-bike, it packs smart technology that makes commuting easier.
Sensors within the CMYK 4.0 track cadence, heart rate, acceleration, and road conditions. All of this information is processed and then transmitted to a mobile device via Bluetooth. Not only does the Brooklyness app digest all the riding stats to view later on, but it provides users with bike lane information, train/bus schedules, traffic warnings, and step-by-step navigation to plan out the best routes. While road conditions are crowd-sourced from manual user input, city data and schedules are pulled from transit system APIs.
The CMYK 4.0 houses a 250-watt motor and 24V/5.5Ah Li-ion battery to provide users with approximately 30 miles (48 km) of assisted riding with each full charge. Since this e-bike is the pedal-assist type that adheres to US/EU regulations, there is no throttle and max speed caps out at 15.5 mph (25 km/h). The battery plugs into standard 110V/220V outlets with the included power supply, taking about two hours to fully charge.
But what is a smart bike without some smart features? The CMYK 4.0 features a USB output in the handlebar to charge mobile devices on the go. Even if the e-bike's battery is too low to run the motor, it will still have enough juice left to fully charge smartphones a few times over. The bike also has an electronic lock with a motion sensor and alarm to provide some added security against theft (bike locks are still recommended). Those who want to fully equip their CMYK 4.0 can opt to purchase a handlebar basket, bike cover, and/or laser safety lights.
The Brooklyness CMYK 4.0 smart folding e-bike project is currently seeking funding on Indiegogo, having raised 36 percent of its US$30,000 goal in two days, with another 38 days to go. Quantities are limited, so you'll have to act quickly if you want to pick up a CMYK 4.0 for $599, which is 62 percent off the estimated MSRP of $1,600 – assuming it reaches production. The color choices are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
Check out the video below to see the CMYK 4.0 in action.
Sources: Brooklyness, Indiegogo
