A highly durable eight-speed hub and a shift position sensor
Yamaha Motor Co Ltd will release a hybrid electric bicycle that optimally assists the pedaling at all of its eight gear speeds Aug 8, 2008, in Japan.
The new bicycle, "PAS Brace," is a sporty model aimed at male users. Its assisting power is controlled according to the gear position and the speed, realizing a sporty ride.
The PAS Brace features an eight-speed gear for a smooth ride and a shift position sensor to detect the gear speed at which it is running. Furthermore, a system called "S.P.E.C.8" decides an optimal assisting power at any time in the ride including the starting up, accelerating and running phases of the ride.
Electricity supply begins to decrease after the speed reaches 15km/h (9.32mph), and no electricity is provided at the speed of 24km/h or more. At the speed of less than 24km/h, the S.P.E.C.8 efficiently assists the pedaling by minutely controlling the electricity supply according to the gear in use. Therefore, if the eight-speed gear is efficiently used, the bicycle can provide an even smoother and sportier ride.
The gears can be shifted even when the pedals are not moving, so the bicycle can be comfortably used in downtown areas.
The diamond-shaped frame of the PAS Brace is highly rigid and simply designed to be used for both commute and leisure. The stroke of the front suspension is best suited for riding in town, and its resilience can be adjusted by a preload adjusting function.
The stem part of the bar handle can be angle tuned by a rider, realizing the comfort for a long ride and a high running performance. The front and rear tires are 26-inch semi-slick tires that have a sporty running performance, a high grip force and durability.
For the use of commuting, the bicycle is equipped with a detachable white LED lamp that can brightly light a large area.
Yamaha Motor plans to sell 2,500 units of the PAS Brace per year in Japan. The price of the bicycle (including a battery charger) is set at ¥125,800 (approx US$1,168, including tax).
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