Crafty dad turns ordinary bicycle into an e-bike powered by 70 disposable vapes after being quoted £1,200 for new one

Mark Hopgood, 55, a software engineer and musician from Sevenoaks, Kent, came up with the idea earlier in 2024 after his electric bike broke down and he was quoted £1,200 to buy a new one. The advantages of mid-drive motors, though, mean that you’ll usually find them on higher-end electric bikes, whereas low-cost electric bikes tend to favor hub motors. The rest of Kent’s mid-drive e-bike fits more in line with the other budget models in its class.

kent electric bike

Anyone who takes the quiz, regardless of their score, is given the opportunity to order a free helmet, shipped directly to the rider’s home. Kent State University supports alternative mobility options to best serve the needs of our campus community. The safety of our campus community remains a top priority, and we encourage everyone to Share the Road and look out for their fellow Flashes. For a little more money, the Schwinn Coston DX provides a more complete spec list and a more powerful motor. Schwinn also offers a Mendocino cruiser, though this looks more vintage than beach styled.

In addition to serving college students and downtown visitors, Spin is a lifeline for people in Fort Collins who don’t have transportation. Now I ride mostly for recreation/activity (health), and when possible I commute. And yes, the Lectric XPremium is probably the best game in time now when it comes to mid-drives at affordable prices. For just a bit more at $1,799, the dual batteries, significantly higher power/speed, kent bayside cruiser hydraulic disc brakes, and a pile of other features blow this Kent bike away. But Lectric’s model is also a folding fat tire e-bike and won’t fulfill the trail bike role that Kent’s offering here claims to satisfy. With a price of $1,498, Kent’s mid-drive e-bike certainly isn’t competing with the several thousand dollar models that use German mid-drive motors, and so it likely opts for a Chinese motor.

With a fun e-bike like this, kids that may have never expressed an interest in cycling could be hopping onto the saddle and discover the joy of life on two-wheels. And at just $498, it’s easier for parents to afford than a typical adult e-bike. Now before I start getting disgruntled comments, let me start by saying this isn’t a small motorcycle – it’s a pedal-assist e-bike. (KTLA) – A group of E-bike riders near California’s Hermosa Beach Pier had nighttime revelers scrambling after launching illegal fireworks in the crowded entertainment district over the weekend.

“If the cell gets hot you know it’s not good, but I haven’t had that so far with these vapes, they are pretty good,” Mark said. By charging them up and draining them, he was able to determine how much power they could hold and confirm they were the right spec. Happy with his working prototype, Mark is in the process of developing “stage two”, in which he plans to buy a proper casing for the batteries, so the wires are not sticking out. After narrowly avoiding being questioned by a neighbour, he set off on his maiden voyage to Sevenoaks, a few miles away, on May 22. He bought an “ordinary bike”, a seven-speed pink Cannondale Adventure 2, online and decided to convert it into an e-bike himself. Mark had had an e-bike since 2017 which he used on a daily basis to cycle to and from his office in Canary Wharf.

“There must be millions of these vapes around, it’s just incredible,” Mark said. Excellent post, Kent, and thank you for sharing.I have a mid drive on my upright and am thing of fitting one to my Bacchetta ‘bent.I hope you are planning a post on your solar charging system. Students and community members around Kent’s campus will have a new way to get around starting March 7. Second, at $500 and with free shipping, these bikes are about half the price of every other similar brand. Reviews often mentioned bad batteries, broken bike parts, or other annoying setbacks. Because of this, having a 90-day return policy was extremely important for peace of mind.

The perfect choice for riders who are looking for a comfortable, and efficient ride. Crafted with a step-thru aluminum frame, this bike is lightweight and easy to mount and dismount. The removable semi-integrated battery ensures that you can charge your bike wherever and whenever you need to, and it’s lockable with a key to prevent theft.

S-100 is certified for all applicable safety and equipment standards, including CE, UL, KBA, EMC, and more. A dad has combined 70 disposable vape batteries to convert his “un-stealable pink ladies’ bicycle” into an e-bike capable of reaching speeds of up to 15mph. A new partnership with SPIN, an electronic bike and scooter service, kent electric bike will provide 100 electric bikes and 100 electric scooters within the city of Kent. The e-bikes and e-scooters will be available to the entire Kent community. Walmart has long offered an interesting array of low-cost electric bicycles. Some of the bikes have even dipped down into ultra-budget territory with prices below $400.

Even while pedaling and in the highest level of assist, the bike barely had enough torque to push me up the hill. At one point, I smelled burning plastic when it hit me that the smell came from the motor, which was burning hot from overuse. On my test ride, I chose a 5-mile path at Smithgall Woods State Park that alternated between asphalt and gravel. On the gravelly bits, the e-bike performed well, kicking in enough power to keep the momentum going on the climbs and cutting off on the downhills. SPIN shared eScooters and eBikes must park within one of the designated SPIN GeoZones to end any ride. When riders end a trip, they must park in the GeoZone that appears on the app or SPIN may issue fines for non-compliance.