The new Copenhagen Wheel adds "Human-Enhancing Technology" to its e-bike wheel

The new version of Superpedestrian's drop-in e-bike wheel offers a seamless, wireless electric bike riding experience.

Components of the new "Superpedestrian's" drop-in e-bike wheel.

The number of different e-bike models on the market right now is impressive, and prices on some of those electric bikes are right in line with the price of a quality conventional bike, so electric personal mobility is becoming an increasingly viable option. But not everybody wants a purpose-built e-bike, as they like the bike they already have, in which case there are a number of drop-in electric bike options. 

However, many of those are for the front wheel, and are decidedly 'dumb' when it comes to integrating with the riding style of the cyclist.

A far better choice might be a drop-in e-bike wheel for the rear of the bike, where it can sense the rider's cadence and function as a pedal-assist motor to amplify the rider's efforts. However, whereas a drop-in front wheel is rather simple in execution, a rear wheel entails a more complex design, as it needs to include the gear hub and freewheel and correctly match the chainline of the bike, but it seems as if Superpedestrian's latest Copenhagen Wheel could be the 'smart' choice for a seamless e-bike riding experience.

Read the Treehugger story - "The new Copenhagen Wheel adds "Human-Enhancing Technology" to its e-bike wheel.”