Here Brian Poncin, owner of our sister store My Bike of Tinley Park, IL., is on NBC 5's morning news. (This is actually "Off the Record" which was filmed after the actual segment that appeared on the news.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Schwinn Electric Bike on WMAQ NBC 5 Chicago!
Brian Poncin, owner of My Bike of Tinley Park, head of PR for My Bike Holdings Corp, Inc. was on NBC this morning giving the crew a ride on the Schwinn Campus Electric Bike. Want to ride in high heels and a skirt? Click on the image to watch the video!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
E-Bikes, Soon Everyone will be Riding One!
Riders say 'e-bikes' give them extra spark
By Joel Hood Tribune reporter
11:26 PM CDT, June 6, 2008
Dave Kennedy is part of a two-wheeled revolution. Or so it seems some days.
Fed up with $4 gas, the war in Iraq, America's automotive obsession and the seeming reluctance of leaders to fully embrace alternative energy, Kennedy bought an electric-powered bicycle for his 2-mile commute to and from work in Tinley Park. And if it were up to him, he'd probably never step on a gas pedal again.
Whether their reasons are financial, political or both, Kennedy and others are at the forefront of a new era in two-wheeled transportation: the "e-bike." Widely used in Europe and parts of Asia for a decade, battery-powered bicycles have found a home in America.
Cycling powerhouses such as Schwinn and Giant are reporting a surge in sales during the last year and have stepped up production to meet the demand. They're competing with small manufacturers in a suddenly crowded marketplace.
"We can't keep them in stock," said Nate Newton, assistant manager at Kozy's Cyclery on Milwaukee Avenue. "As soon as we get them in, we sell them. And then we have calls from 10 other people who want them."
It's a trend that has some in the industry thinking big.
"In some ways I think we're seeing the future of this business," said Patrick VanHorn, corporate communications manager for Giant Bicycles Inc. "I wouldn't have thought that a few years ago. America still might not be where Europe and Asia is yet. But with $4 gasoline, it gets closer every day."
While some cycling purists might be turned off by the notion of battery-assisted riding and others by the cost—starting at about $2,000—the e-bike's fans say they're practical, fun to ride and make it easier for non-cyclists to leave their cars in the garage.
"You don't know how great it feels to be able to hop on a bicycle and ride it to work," Kennedy said. "It's total freedom."
Yes, those statements could be said of a traditional pedal-power bicycle. But at 50, and admittedly heavyset, Kennedy is typical of a lot of e-bike customers in that he didn't want his physical limitations to dampen his enthusiasm for riding and for the outdoors.
The Schwinn model he owns looks like a typical recreational bike but is powered by a slim lithium-ion battery that fits on the rear-mounted rack above the back wheel. The battery, which can be fully charged within three hours at home or work, powers a small motor inside the front-wheel hub. Riders engage the motor by pedaling but must continue pedaling, even slowly, to keep the motor running. That's an important distinction that makes e-bikes different from scooters or mopeds, which are not allowed in bike lanes.
The motor makes the rider's legs feel supercharged; it takes the slightest effort to breeze past joggers and other cyclists. It's an unfamiliar sensation at first, but soon the rider settles in to enjoy the ride. The motor shuts off the instant the rider taps the brakes.
Similar to models made by Giant, the Schwinn has a top cruising speed of about 18 m.p.h., which is plenty fast on crowded streets, riders say. The battery has a range of 40 miles when fully charged, and can be charged only through a wall outlet.
But most riders can pedal without motor assistance, which increases the range, said Brian Poncin, owner of My Bike in Tinley Park, the top selling dealer for Schwinn e-bikes in the country. "We liked the technology from the beginning, and so we committed heavily to these early," he said. "We didn't know gas would do what it did. That's been a bonus."
Schwinn, based in Madison, Wis., had sold electric bicycles in Europe for nearly a decade before it rolled out a limited number of the bikes here last year. Schwinn declined to release overseas numbers, but Giant alone has sold 15,000 e-bikes in Europe.
Tom Mount, Schwinn's director of product, said there were questions about how the bike would be received in America. Many at Schwinn feared offending its core cycling customers. Another big concern was the price.
But it was the right time to take such a gamble, Mount said. Gas prices were hitting record highs; a green movement was under way, promoting healthier living and less dependency on automobiles. And perhaps more significant, he said, an entire generation of Baby Boomers who had incorporated fitness and recreation into their lifestyles were approaching an age when they could use a little boost in the bike seat.
"We're in our 50s now, and we wanted to remain active and outdoors," said Frankfort resident Joe Popik, who recently bought an e-bike after falling in love with the one his wife, Margorie, bought last year. "I've ridden bicycles all my life. But now, if we go on a long ride, I don't have to worry about how I'm going to get back."
The Popiks frequent the network of paved bike trails that wind through the south suburbs. They also use the e-bikes to run errands around town and have taken them along on trips.
"My first thought was, 'Man, these bikes are expensive,' " Joe Popik said. "But after riding one, I just thought it was great. These things are really going to take off."
Advancements in battery technology have made the bikes lighter and better equipped for longer distances. Giant, which has been building e-bikes since the late 1990s, will introduce a new model this summer called the "Twist Freedom DX" that will feature a sensor in the crankshaft to calculate the amount of torque a bicyclist is producing while pedaling. The sensor will relay that information to a motor in the front hub, which will adjust its speed to enhance the pedaling power. The idea is a type of hybrid that gives power when it's needed and removes it when it's not, VanHorn said.
The advancements are coming just in time to offer solace to car and truck commuters stunned by rising gas prices, VanHorn said. Sensing that, he joked that Giant's marketing campaign for its new e-bike could be: "Save $30,000 on your second car."
"The time isn't coming—it's here," he said. "We're just seeing the beginning."
By Joel Hood Tribune reporter
11:26 PM CDT, June 6, 2008
Dave Kennedy is part of a two-wheeled revolution. Or so it seems some days.
Fed up with $4 gas, the war in Iraq, America's automotive obsession and the seeming reluctance of leaders to fully embrace alternative energy, Kennedy bought an electric-powered bicycle for his 2-mile commute to and from work in Tinley Park. And if it were up to him, he'd probably never step on a gas pedal again.
Whether their reasons are financial, political or both, Kennedy and others are at the forefront of a new era in two-wheeled transportation: the "e-bike." Widely used in Europe and parts of Asia for a decade, battery-powered bicycles have found a home in America.
Cycling powerhouses such as Schwinn and Giant are reporting a surge in sales during the last year and have stepped up production to meet the demand. They're competing with small manufacturers in a suddenly crowded marketplace.
"We can't keep them in stock," said Nate Newton, assistant manager at Kozy's Cyclery on Milwaukee Avenue. "As soon as we get them in, we sell them. And then we have calls from 10 other people who want them."
It's a trend that has some in the industry thinking big.
"In some ways I think we're seeing the future of this business," said Patrick VanHorn, corporate communications manager for Giant Bicycles Inc. "I wouldn't have thought that a few years ago. America still might not be where Europe and Asia is yet. But with $4 gasoline, it gets closer every day."
While some cycling purists might be turned off by the notion of battery-assisted riding and others by the cost—starting at about $2,000—the e-bike's fans say they're practical, fun to ride and make it easier for non-cyclists to leave their cars in the garage.
"You don't know how great it feels to be able to hop on a bicycle and ride it to work," Kennedy said. "It's total freedom."
Yes, those statements could be said of a traditional pedal-power bicycle. But at 50, and admittedly heavyset, Kennedy is typical of a lot of e-bike customers in that he didn't want his physical limitations to dampen his enthusiasm for riding and for the outdoors.
The Schwinn model he owns looks like a typical recreational bike but is powered by a slim lithium-ion battery that fits on the rear-mounted rack above the back wheel. The battery, which can be fully charged within three hours at home or work, powers a small motor inside the front-wheel hub. Riders engage the motor by pedaling but must continue pedaling, even slowly, to keep the motor running. That's an important distinction that makes e-bikes different from scooters or mopeds, which are not allowed in bike lanes.
The motor makes the rider's legs feel supercharged; it takes the slightest effort to breeze past joggers and other cyclists. It's an unfamiliar sensation at first, but soon the rider settles in to enjoy the ride. The motor shuts off the instant the rider taps the brakes.
Similar to models made by Giant, the Schwinn has a top cruising speed of about 18 m.p.h., which is plenty fast on crowded streets, riders say. The battery has a range of 40 miles when fully charged, and can be charged only through a wall outlet.
But most riders can pedal without motor assistance, which increases the range, said Brian Poncin, owner of My Bike in Tinley Park, the top selling dealer for Schwinn e-bikes in the country. "We liked the technology from the beginning, and so we committed heavily to these early," he said. "We didn't know gas would do what it did. That's been a bonus."
Schwinn, based in Madison, Wis., had sold electric bicycles in Europe for nearly a decade before it rolled out a limited number of the bikes here last year. Schwinn declined to release overseas numbers, but Giant alone has sold 15,000 e-bikes in Europe.
Tom Mount, Schwinn's director of product, said there were questions about how the bike would be received in America. Many at Schwinn feared offending its core cycling customers. Another big concern was the price.
But it was the right time to take such a gamble, Mount said. Gas prices were hitting record highs; a green movement was under way, promoting healthier living and less dependency on automobiles. And perhaps more significant, he said, an entire generation of Baby Boomers who had incorporated fitness and recreation into their lifestyles were approaching an age when they could use a little boost in the bike seat.
"We're in our 50s now, and we wanted to remain active and outdoors," said Frankfort resident Joe Popik, who recently bought an e-bike after falling in love with the one his wife, Margorie, bought last year. "I've ridden bicycles all my life. But now, if we go on a long ride, I don't have to worry about how I'm going to get back."
The Popiks frequent the network of paved bike trails that wind through the south suburbs. They also use the e-bikes to run errands around town and have taken them along on trips.
"My first thought was, 'Man, these bikes are expensive,' " Joe Popik said. "But after riding one, I just thought it was great. These things are really going to take off."
Advancements in battery technology have made the bikes lighter and better equipped for longer distances. Giant, which has been building e-bikes since the late 1990s, will introduce a new model this summer called the "Twist Freedom DX" that will feature a sensor in the crankshaft to calculate the amount of torque a bicyclist is producing while pedaling. The sensor will relay that information to a motor in the front hub, which will adjust its speed to enhance the pedaling power. The idea is a type of hybrid that gives power when it's needed and removes it when it's not, VanHorn said.
The advancements are coming just in time to offer solace to car and truck commuters stunned by rising gas prices, VanHorn said. Sensing that, he joked that Giant's marketing campaign for its new e-bike could be: "Save $30,000 on your second car."
"The time isn't coming—it's here," he said. "We're just seeing the beginning."
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Watch for the Schwinn Electric Bike on ABC News Channel 7 Chicago
In Tinley Park, a local bike shop has sold six electric bikes in the last week, and 60 since last June.
Battery, not pedal, power gives an electric Schwinn a top speed of 18 miles per hour and a range of 40 miles. The bicycle, which retails for $1,900, may save drivers money, but it requires a minimal amount of effort to turn the pedals.
"In the city we had a guy buy one and he lived five miles away and was using it to commute to work," said Brian Poncin, "My Bike of Tinley Park" owner.
Battery, not pedal, power gives an electric Schwinn a top speed of 18 miles per hour and a range of 40 miles. The bicycle, which retails for $1,900, may save drivers money, but it requires a minimal amount of effort to turn the pedals.
"In the city we had a guy buy one and he lived five miles away and was using it to commute to work," said Brian Poncin, "My Bike of Tinley Park" owner.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wheels of Fortune by Chicago Area's Newspaper Southtown Star
April 14, 2008
Bike + electricity + high gas prices = one really hot product.
Brian Poncin, owner of My Bike of Tinley Park, figured he was taking a gamble when he started carrying Schwinn's new line of electric bicycles last summer.
Brian Poncin, owner of My Bike of Tinley Park, talks about the battery on a Schwinn electric bicycle.
(Matthew Grotto/SouthtownStar)
(Matthew Grotto/SouthtownStar)
The battery sits above the rear tire on a Schwinn electric bicycle as seen in My Bike of Tinley Park.
(Matthew Grotto/SouthtownStar)
(Matthew Grotto/SouthtownStar)
"We figured the way gas prices were going, why not give it a shot?" Poncin said. "We were hearing a lot of good feedback about the bikes."
The move paid off.
Today, Poncin's store, 17344 S. Oak Park Ave., is the top seller in the country for Schwinn's electric bikes. No other south suburban store offers the product, considered a forerunner in the emerging E-bike field, according to a spokesman for Pacific Cycles, Schwinn's Madison, Wisc., manufacturer.
Since June, My Bike of Tinley Park and a sister store in New Buffalo, Mich., have sold more than 50 of the bikes, including four in the last week. Customers from as far away as Oregon and California have paid as much as $500 for shipping.
Previous versions of electric bikes have come and gone, relegated to the scrap heap of bicycle history because of unreliable, hulking batteries that weighed close to 50 pounds.
"There have been a ton of electric bikes in the past," Poncin said. "But nothing like this."
The "this" Poncin referred to is a bike that looks no different than anything on the road today, other than a metallic battery the size of a Kleenex box strapped to a rack above the rear wheel.
The battery, which weighs about 10 pounds and slides out for charging, powers a noiseless motor inside the front wheel's hub.
Because of the motor, a ride at a leisurely 5 mph pace on a regular bike tops out at about 18 mph on an E-bike.
The bikes also come with a pedal assist feature, meaning as soon as you stop pedaling or start squeezing the brakes, the motor dies.
The batteries come with a life expectancy of three years. One charge lasts about 40 miles.
Schwinn's Campus is the cheapest E-bike model at $1,900. At $2,500, the Continental is the most expensive. A middle model, the World GSE, sells for $2,200.
Poncin said most buyers are not your conventional bike riders.
"Some want it for commuting to work. One guy had a DUI and couldn't drive. Another lady who bought one had asthma. Some people had knee replacements," Poncin said. "This is getting people on bikes who normally wouldn't be on bikes."
Richard and Anne Brandt purchased one of the models to use during a Florida vacation in January. The Palos Heights couple, both in the 70s, were frustrated with an earlier E-bike.
"It was awfully heavy. It took the two of us to put it on a bike rack," he said. "This one looks just like a regular bike."
Soaring gas prices have helped sales.
Tinley Park's Dave Kennedy bought one of them to save on gas. He also wanted get to his job two miles away without becoming a sweaty mess by the time he arrived at work.
"I can put it in second speed and not have to put forth the slightest exertion. I can go to work and back and not break a sweat," Kennedy said. "And it does give you a good feeling to save on the gas."
Smitten, Kennedy bought two more for the rest of his family.
His advice for anyone interested in getting an E-bike?
"Buy it," he said.
You can get these Electric bikes Here!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
2008 Schwinn World GSE Electric Bike
Men's-Green, Women's-Pearl White
N’Litened aluminum city frame with Comfort Tuned geometry. SR/Suntour suspension fork with lightweight alloy crown & lowers. Equipped for commuting; rack, fenders & bell. SRAM 24-speed SX-4 drivetrain with trigger shifters & SR crank set. Long range – Hi-tech patent-pending Protanium® lithium polymer battery is the lightest and most durable on the market. One charge will last approximately 60 miles(Depending on user weight, climate and terrain). Plug n’ Drive – The Protanium lithium polymer battery is easily removed for recharging due to our Plug n’ Drive system. There are no wires connected to this system. Lightweight – Schwinn Electric bikes set a new benchmark for electric bikes. Frame materials are aluminum while the electric drivetrain weighs in at about 10 lbs. Hybrid – Ride Schwinn Electric bikes as a conventional bike or as electric bikes. Fast recharge – Our Protanium battery charges fully in less than 4 hours and provides 100% power to the motor until the point when the battery is fully depleted. Internal electric cable routing – Clean looks and added protection. Easy wheel change – The front wheel can be disconnected without dealing with cumbersome wires
Technical Specifications:
Visit our stores for details
Harbor Country Bike
1-269-756-2000
MyBike of Tinely Park
1-708-444-(BIKE) 2453
N’Litened aluminum city frame with Comfort Tuned geometry. SR/Suntour suspension fork with lightweight alloy crown & lowers. Equipped for commuting; rack, fenders & bell. SRAM 24-speed SX-4 drivetrain with trigger shifters & SR crank set. Long range – Hi-tech patent-pending Protanium® lithium polymer battery is the lightest and most durable on the market. One charge will last approximately 60 miles(Depending on user weight, climate and terrain). Plug n’ Drive – The Protanium lithium polymer battery is easily removed for recharging due to our Plug n’ Drive system. There are no wires connected to this system. Lightweight – Schwinn Electric bikes set a new benchmark for electric bikes. Frame materials are aluminum while the electric drivetrain weighs in at about 10 lbs. Hybrid – Ride Schwinn Electric bikes as a conventional bike or as electric bikes. Fast recharge – Our Protanium battery charges fully in less than 4 hours and provides 100% power to the motor until the point when the battery is fully depleted. Internal electric cable routing – Clean looks and added protection. Easy wheel change – The front wheel can be disconnected without dealing with cumbersome wiresTechnical Specifications:
- Frame Schwinn 'N Litened aluminum with Comfort Tuned geometry, Epicenter seat stays, removable derailleur hanger, rack and WB bosses. Low step over Women's.
- Fork SR NEX4000 Alloy crown with one piece alloy lowers, coil spring/ MCU and mini boots. 63mm travel
- Crankset SR/Suntour NCX-410, 48-38-28 with chainguard
- Bottom Bracket Truvativ XR sealed cartridge
- Pedals Nylon dual-compound comfort pedal
- Front Derailleur SRAM 3.0
- Rear Derailleur SRAM SX 4
- Shifters SRAM SX 4 8-speed rear, 3-index front
- Freewheel SR/Suntour CS-PF41-C8 11-30 8-speed cassette
- Chain KMC Z-72
- Rims Alex ACE 17 anodized alloy, 36H
- Tires 700C x 40 smooth rolling all weather tread
- Front Hub Schwinn Protanium Mini Motor with alloy shell, 24v, 180 watts continuous; 250 watts max
- Rear Hub Joy Tech sealed alloy cassette hub with alloy QR
- Spokes Stainless steel 14 gauge
- Nipples CP Brass
- Front Brake Pro Max alloy linear pull with linear spring & Multi-Condition pads.
- Rear Brake Pro Max alloy linear pull with linear spring & Multi-Condition pads.
- Brake Levers Pro Max alloy 3-finger with reach adjust and Kraton insert on lever blade
- Handlebar Alloy, 25mm rise, 27 degree bend, 620mm wide
- Spokes Alloy Adjustable, 55 degree movement with 180mm quill insertion and removable cap
- Grips Bio Tuned Ergonomic Components dual density anatomical design
- Headset VP 1 1/8" threaded, sealed
- Saddle Comfort Tuned Super Soft Plus with memory foam and special waterproof stretch cover
- Seat Post Alloy suspension with micro adjust head, pre-load adjust with 35mm travel 27.2 x 330mm
- Seat Clamp Alloy clamp and QR
- Battery Schwinn Protanium lithium polymer 10 AH battery, charger
- Extras Rear alloy Protanium Rack with integrated battery carrier and patented Plug-N-Drive system, front and rear full wrap fenders, alloy kick stand and handlebar mounted bell
Visit our stores for details
Harbor Country Bike
1-269-756-2000
MyBike of Tinely Park
1-708-444-(BIKE) 2453
Thursday, April 10, 2008
2008 Schwinn Campus Electric Bike
2008 Schwinn Campus Electric Bicycle-Men's-Plumb, Women's-Polished Aluminum
 | Stylish alloy frame with integrated rear rack. |
| | 21-speed Shimano drivetrain for accurate shifting performance. |
| | Comfort-enhancing suspension fork and seatpost. |
| | Equipped for commuting; rack, fenders & bell. |
| | Long range – Hi-tech patent-pending Protanium® lithium polymer battery is the lightest and most durable on the market. One charge will last approximately 60 miles(Depending on user weight, climate and terrain). |
| | Plug n’ Drive – The Protanium lithium polymer battery is easily removed for recharging due to our Plug n’ Drive system. There are no wires connected to this system. |
| | Lightweight – Schwinn Electric bikes set a new benchmark for electric bikes. Frame materials are aluminum while the electric drivetrain weighs in at about 10 lbs. |
| | Hybrid – Ride Schwinn Electric bikes as a conventional bike or as electric bikes. |
| | Fast recharge – Our Protanium battery charges fully in less than 4 hours and provides 100% power to the motor until the point when the battery is fully depleted. |
| | Internal electric cable routing – Clean looks and added protection. |
| | Easy wheel Change Price: $1,899.99 Visit our stores for details Harbor Country Bike 1-269-756-2000 MyBike of Tinely Park 1-708-444-(BIKE) 2453 |
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