# Is this smartwheel "FlyKly" hybrid bike assist motor device the next big thing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 7, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-smartwheel-flykly-hybrid-bike-assist-motor-device-the-next-big-thing/673343 "2013-11-07T17:58:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-smartwheel-flykly-hybrid-bike-assist-motor-device-the-next-big-thing/673343/1 "2013-11-07T17:58:12Z")
[Looks awesome.](http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/this-ground-breaking-invention-just-may-be-about-to-revolutionise-commuter-cycling-forever/) [More here - "FlyKly’s Smart Wheel snaps onto your bike for 20MPH pedal assist "](http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/16/flykly/) > [@](#): > > In retrospect, lower Manhattan probably wasn’t the safest place to try the Smart Wheel for the first time. Thankfully, the prototype wasn’t operating at top speed when I hopped on, for that very reason. The sensation’s a bit weird for those unaccustomed to riding with a pedal assist, kicking in only when you actually start pedaling and gradually reaching the speed you’ve entered in the app. In its final version, that speed will max out at 20 miles an hour, for up to a 30-mile range. The motor weighs about nine pounds, snapping onto the rear wheel of most bikes without much in the way of installation. Also of note is the ability to remotely lock the wheel using the app to prevent someone from riding off with the bike – and if they do, you can track the thief on your phone. > > All of this is still early stages. The motor you see above is still a prototype. The final version will be offered in a number of different sizes and colors, assuming the company is able to hit its $100,000 Kickstarter goal. A $550 pledge will get you the Smart Wheel, along with FlyKly’s Smart Light (which you can get as a standalone for $49). The light holds and charges your phone (via USB), while leading the way in the dark with an LED bulb. The company will also be opening up the app’s SDK for use with additional hardware like the Pebble smartwatch. Check out a quick video of the above after the break. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-smartwheel-flykly-hybrid-bike-assist-motor-device-the-next-big-thing/673343/2 "2013-11-08T15:08:50Z")
I haven’t looked at this particular one, but in general gee-whiz electric/pedal bicycles are like the Segway – neat engineering, but there are very very few people that it actually makes sense for. The problem is that electric drives are heavy enough to seriously affect pedaling the bike – much more effort to pedal and less fun to steer. So nobody who rides a bicycle (without a motor) much will use one long term. But at the same time, they don’t have enough power or range to let someone just ride all the way like a motorcycle; they’re going to have to pedal a fair amount. So nobody who doesn’t ride a bicycle much will use one either. There’s are certainly people who want to pedal seriously, but because of some health issue can’t pedal too much. But nearly all of those people can ride an exercise bike or just take a ride that’s the length they can do. There are possibly some of those people who have a particular ride they must do, but not very many. And they’re about the only real valid users of this. (Other than people who buy it and use it for a little while because it’s cool). ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-smartwheel-flykly-hybrid-bike-assist-motor-device-the-next-big-thing/673343/3 "2013-11-08T19:25:08Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong but I’ve always heard that most of these peddle assists devices are underpowered when going up steep hills. Any “next big thing” has to solve that problem. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-smartwheel-flykly-hybrid-bike-assist-motor-device-the-next-big-thing/673343/4 "2013-11-09T08:34:27Z")
PA bikes are more than a gimmick and are very practical for some specific uses. Newer models are quite capable of negotiating hills. For an example, consider this [OutsideOnline review](http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/urban-and-cruiser-bikes/Cargo-Bikes-The-New-Family-Wagon.html). This presupposes that one is willing to buy a purpose-built bike. Slapping an electric motor on any old bicycle you happen to have around is not likely to yield optimal results.