Lexus has launched its innovative Hybrid Bicycle Concept in the UK.
The bike, first seen at last year's Tokyo motor show, is being used to promote the firm's sponsorship of the four-day Great British Bike Ride charity event from Land's End to Twickenham.
See pictures of the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle Concept
The firm's 'L-finesse' design language has inspired the design of the frame, which is made from carbonfibre. The rider powers the rear wheel, while the 240w electric motor and 25.9V lithium-ion battery power the front wheel.
The electric motor can be switched between Eco and Power modes; an energy recuperation system helps recover energy lost under braking. The bike also uses an eight-speed Shimano internal gear system, which references the eight-speed shift-by-wire system found in the LS600h.
Just two of the concept bicycles have been made - there are currently no plans to put it into production.
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Re: Lexus reveals hybrid bicycle
I've ridden plenty of bikes, thanks, and driven plenty of cars. I'm well enough informed to tell you that you need to be married to an osteopath to ride a bike with a seating position like this. It's got nothing to do with efficiency or power from the legs. It just looks stupid, crushes your stomach and makes your back ache like hell. I have never pretended to be an expert on a car where I have no experience of it - sometimes I've condemned a car for its looks, or because someone I know well has found it to be unsatisfactory, but I have never claimed expertise where I haven't driven the car in question.
Re: Lexus reveals hybrid bicycle
Rover P6 - the expert on bikes that he's never ridden as well as cars that he's never driven. Frame on the Lexus bike looks pretty whacky, but the seating position looks pretty standard compared to other road bikes to me - you need a high seating position to get efficiency and power from your legs.
Re: Lexus reveals hybrid bicycle
Well, I can tell you, my road bike has a much more upright seating position - but then, it is slightly older than I am. I look at the majority of modern bikes and just think 'no, that's awful'. Stick to thin-tubed touring bikes with bull-horn handlebars, they're still the best. I tried a bike with a seating position like this one and my back ached for days afterwards, and others I've spoken to have said the same. Anyway, I'm still of the opinion that I'd rather spend 2k on an old luxobarge, like an E34 5-series or even an old E39...