Barcelona-based NUA Bikes have unveiled the titanium-framed Electrica e-bikes. It uses the Zehus motor system, that regenerates energy for unlimited range when used in a hybrid mode which just provides acceleration and climbing assistance.
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The hub motor and battery combo weighs just 3kg, and the bike weighs 13kg in total. there are no wires or a computer up front, as the battery, controllers and sensors are integrated into the motor. It can be used without any sort of computer, but you can also download the Zehus app to your smartphone and connect to Bluetooth to access more features. It's very simple to charge via a plug integrated into the wheel axle, but using the hybrid mode there's no need to charge at all; by opting to just use assistance when accelerating or climbing, the bike charges itself when braking or pedalling on the flats. Technically that means the Electrica has unlimited range, and NUA say no one else is offering this in such a lightweight package.
The rest of the spec is pretty high-end, with a Gates carbon belt drive to ensure maintenance-free pedalling and quiet operation. It also has a NUA titanium fork, stem, handlebar and seatpost for extra elegance, and according to Nua it makes the bike more comfortable "thanks to titanium’s superb fatigue-resistant and elastic properties."
The Electrica starts at €3995 with a made-to-measure frame - head over to the NUA website for more info.
