Portland, Oregon — A new store that specializes in electric bicycles opened officially on June 27, 2009. Its owner is Wakefield Greg.

The eBike Store is located at 201 N. Alberta Ave. It sells an array of electric bikes that can be charged in as few as 30 minutes. The store’s models include the Currie Trailz, a $600 seven-speed mountain bike that which travels between eight and 13 miles on one charge. The $3,000 Schwinn Tailwind also charges fully in less than 30 minutes with a removable charger.

The store also offere electric bike accessories and on-site services.

Oregon law defines electric bikes as bicycles rather than motor vehicles. The bikes are legal in bike lanes but illegal on sidewalks. Speed limit – 20 miles an hour.

The Tailwind is Schwinn’s new electric bike. It has been available for a few months. The Tailwnd has been described as “retro” and “hulking”. It weights 58 pounds, and has a Toshiba SCiB Quick Charge Plug n’ Drive battery in panniers on the back, which last for about 30 minutes.

The Tailwind costs $3,200.

This bike has a Schwinn City-Tuned 6000 series aluminum alloy frame. This puts the rider in an upright riding position. The bike also has a Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal geared hub and rear roller brake, alloy rims, full fenders, a chain cover, wheel lock, and a B+M dynamo powered light set.

A non-electric, “average” bike weighs about 35 pounds, the Tailwind weighs 58 pounds (which is actually low for an electric bike.) It comes with a standard residential 8.4 amp charger which plugs into the battery and a wall outlet, and the bike gets a full charge in about 30 minutes (there’s also a 40 amp commercial charger that will have you moving in less than 10). Thus, the Schwinn’s battery charges up about as fast as its contemporaries on the market, and is actually much faster than many.

Source: Engadget

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