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Beware the bomber!


GiantNut's picture

By GiantNut - Posted on 14 May 2010

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Was riding Manly Dam on the cobble stones near the golf course and got nuked by a guy on a white downhill bike - he was travelling double my speed. Went WTF - somthing wasn't right though weird looking downhill bike with huge rear hub. A bit of Googling and voila the bomber! - coming soon to overtake you!

http://www.stealthelectricbikes.com.au/stealth_b...

specs -

Electrical output:
3kW

Mechanical output:
How hard can you pedal?

Top Speed: (no pedaling)
up to 80km/h

Range: (no pedaling)
up to 70km

Frame:
ChroMo/Steel monocoque

Brakes:
Front - 6 Pot Hydraulic 8"
Upgrade - 8 pot Hydraulic 8"

Rear - 6 Pot Hydraulic 8"
Upgrade - 8 pot Hydraulic 8"

Suspension:
Front - RST 203mm

Upgrade - White Brothers Groove 200

Rear - 250mm DNM 4way coil/air

Transmission:
9 speed sequential gearbox

Weight
57kg

Tags
herzog's picture

Quickest way I can think of to get us all banned again. 3kW FFS!

brakeburner's picture

and to be honest, what a totally crap purchase, if your not going fast enough on your bike, ride more,if you want to go faster than your bike buy a proper motorbike. with all the politics that annoyingly surrounds this sport,we just don't need some moped ruining it for the rest of us!!!
shot mate

Rob's picture

... electric or petrol powered, doesn't make any difference to the fact this is a motor bike plain and simple and should not be allowed anywhere a motor bike is not allowed (eg. the bicycle tracks at Manly Dam)! Don't suppose you noticed if this bike was registered? I would highly doubt it.

For the record, the RTA states (bold is mine):

Motor assisted pedal cycles with electric or petrol engines are exempt from registration, provided the maximum engine output power does not exceed 200 watts. These vehicles must have been designed as a bicycle - that is, to be propelled by human power, with the motor attached as a supplementary aid only. Riders must follow the same road rules as for pedal cycles without motors, including wearing a helmet.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/otherinfo...

noddman's picture

When he crashes and hits somebody there will be hell to pay as the motorbike he is riding weighs 53 kg plus rider weight and is travelling much faster than most MTB's .When this happens I hope the powers to be don't get the motorbike confused with a proper bicycle .

hawkeye's picture

... rrridiculous! Sad

I can't think of anything worse - that's definitely going to make trail advocacy tougher. The testimony of the guy riding Oxford Falls ... what a goose. (I'd use stronger words but I'd prefer the site stay G-rated!)

CB's picture

My head hurts just trying to list the number of ways this is wrong.......

CB

hawkeye's picture
From:Stealth Electric Bikes [info@stealthelectricbikes.com.au]
Here's the prices for you.

Standard Fighter - $5490
Standard Bomber - $6990
White Brothers Fork upgrade - $1000
8 Pot brake upgrade - $400

I'm not sure where you are but if you're in Melbourne you can get one directly from us.

Strictly speaking they're classed as a motorcycle so the same laws apply. The advantage of these bikes is that they typically go unnoticed as the pedals and silent running make it just look like a strange mtb to those who don't know.

I'll leave that with you to ponder.

Regards,

John

Trev's picture

With one of these babies Gordo should watch out at the 24hr world champs. Here I come Smiling Do they come with a fast charger?
But seriosly, silent or not these are a motor bike and as I come from an off road dirt bike back ground I can't see where these things can fit into the market place. ( exept for lazy clowns with no bike skills) and I agree these things could set all the good work done by all the trail advocausy back about a thousand years.

Rob's picture

Sounds like riding this kind of machine anywhere but private property is illegal, got this directly from Stealth Electric Bikes:

The bikes are basically classified as a motorcycle. Which is why they are sold for private or off road use only.

The same laws then apply. To ride them on a public road or a public areas they need to be registered... not possible without the addition of lights and a lot of other things. We are working on it but you will also need to be licensed.

If you're riding on public trails then strictly speaking you are again riding a motorcycle.

Having said that, they do keep a very low profile and are virtually silent.... but the onus is on the rider at all times.

What he has failed to mention is that if you are riding on public trails then your motorcycle must be registered.

I'm sure there might be a place for these machines, but it's not at Manly Dam or anywhere else on the Northern Beaches (remember the thread a while back about a clamp down on unregistered motor bikes - exactly what this is).

hawkeye's picture

In response to this question: "These things are going to really upset a few mountain bikers up here who will worry about losing trail access, particularly where they’re shared with walkers – what would you say to that?"

I got this:

There's not really too much to say about that. They're quieter than a normal mtb, they leave about the same sized foot print, and they're roughly the same size. So...what's the difference between riding one of these on an mtb trail or an mtb??

Walkers won't know the difference and if they're going to complain they'll probably complain anyway.

If mtb riders want to ride like idiots and buzz walkers then they're going to close down their own sport. It's all about riding within your limits and riding safely. The prices put them out of range of the average 16-18 year old (the demographic for pissing people off on mtb trails). So hopefully the owners have a bit more of a head on their shoulders and ride responsibly... so far there has been not one single negative response from these bikes... not from walkers, not when we were at the DH world titles, not when the police have stopped us.... or anyone else.

What else is there to say?

Regards,

John

This guy is in self-serving fantasy land.

Lenny_GTA's picture

Is it worth actually contacting the land manager of Manly Dam and letting them know the issue and our concerns.

At least then it is on the record early that there is a user that may be mistaken for a mtb, that is learly not and is also not condoned by the peak advocacy group of the area.

Get on the front foot and let the authorities know that this thing is for all intense and purposes a motorcycle, albeit built from mtb parts.

I really hope we don't see them things up here though, no option to throw spark plug leads into the scrub like we do with mini motos.

jdb's picture

The person representing the company has a business to run, he isn't going to stop sales. He has done enough in his responses to cover his arse.

nrthrnben's picture

I have no conection with these guys but i think some comments are far out of line, they should not be compared to motorbikes, we saw 3 of them at the world champs, and we even got to have a ride. I know some may disagree but until you have ridden them you cant really flame them.

They have an electric motor, and a smooth power curve so you cant sit on the trail and rip it up like high torque,high reving motorbikes.

The Stealth fighter is a great peace of equipment, doesn't weight much,and it makes exploring a breeze and yes you still have to pedal up hill, and it makes xc single track seem downhill!

They just take the flats as fast as a traditional mountain bike does the downhills.

They are nowhere near as bad as some are painting them.But having said that, just like everything else, they must be ridden responsibly.

Noel's picture

Hmm, interesting angle Ben.

However, I'm think it's a powered dirt-bike. I think it's socially irresponsible to distribute them as being for off road use, and I think the 3rd photo is environmentally naive. These are my opinions only but we all have one I guess, mine just come better after a coupe of beers.

I think the link to the website should be removed, and just post a photo of the device for reference, and not promote it.

60 kg! I don't you can get it registered through RTA?

FAQ fails to include FAQ'a one might easily imagine:
-Price?
-Warranty
-Can it be registered?
-Am I allowed to legally ride this in a National Park?

The website makes a claim that "Stealth Electric Bikes are the best way to get out and ride your favorite off road trails without destroying the environment." I don't think it is the 'best' way.

hawkeye's picture

I appreciate your view nrthnben, but the importer admits on his own site that it IS an electic motorbike.

Sure, it's comparatively low powered and supposedly a gentle torque curve, but Rob is correct and it has no place on any trail that is not open to motorbikes.

It has no place on any trail that is open to motorbikes either, for now, as it is incapable of being registered at the present time.

My concern is that these are being promoted as motorbikes that you can get away with being where you shouldn't becasue it looks like a mtb to the uneducated eye. Then, almost in the same breath, he carries on with "hopefully they'll be responsible".

Yeah, sure.

jdb's picture

Are these any quicker around the dam then a rider posting one of the top hot laps?

Rob's picture

@jdb... you have a good point there, about the speed of this versus speed of a very fit XC rider.

Their site says, "Top Speed: (no pedaling) up to 80km/h" - think it's safe to say these things go a lot faster that your average rider.

Dunno about anyone else but I would be absolutely flogging myself to hit even half of that and only be able to maintain it for a few seconds a lap (on the DH part and the last section behind the houses are my fastest points).

Or look at it another way: The power output thrown around about pro riders usually mentions around 500 watts. A quick Google seems to discover an elite track cyclist can put out maybe 1750 watts over a 5 second period and then they are toast. This machine has 3 kilo watt sustained output. That's probably over 10 times the output of most of us would have.

Another point to consider is that someone said that these things cannot rip up the ground like a petrol powered bike, lack torque was mentioned. I find that odd as electric motors are able to provide maximum torque from basically zero revs. I can imagine it would be rather easy for a rider on one of these to spin the rear wheel trying to climb uphill and as it is 4-5 times (57kg) the weight of a regular XC bike you can imagine the damage that would do. OK, the weight would add more grip, but when the limits of traction are reached think bad things would happen to the track pretty fast.

Forget all that though and cut to the chase: It's an un-registered motor bike for use on private land only.

nrthrnben's picture

This is the bike that caught my eye a while back, not saying it would be suitable everywhere, or in anyway replace the mountain bike, but it would be a worthy addition to the fleet and i could think of many places that it would be very suitable. Again i have ridden the fighter, its silent, smooth and really capable


http://youtu.be/MrZY35zaDLM

They have 2 main models, stealth fighter and bomber.
This is the fighter specs.

Electrical output:
2kW

Mechanical output:
2kW + How hard can you pedal?

Top Speed: (no pedaling)

55km/h

Top speed: (pedaling)

60km/h

Range: (no pedaling)
35-40km

Frame:
ChroMo/ Hi tensile steel monocoque

Brakes:
Front - 6 Pot Hydraulic 8"
Upgrade - 8 Pot Hydraulic 8"

Rear - 6 Pot Hydraulic 8"
Upgrade - 8 Pot Hydraulic 8"

Suspension:
Front - 160mm RST Storm Air

Rear - 200mm DNM 3way coil/air

Transmission:
2 speed internal BB

Weight:
42kg

A video of the stealth Bomber at Oxy


http://youtu.be/h41Q3-xOcgk

Just stumbled upon this
http://www.m55-bike.com
wow!

Flynny's picture

Doesn't change the fact that is an unregistered motor bike (Anything over 200W is considered a motor bike) and as such, like Rob points out should not be ridden anywhere but private land

herzog's picture

You can lose points off your drivers licence too.

hawkeye's picture

so that they'll be legal as power-assisted bicycles under Australian Road Rules from 1 June, according to his emails.

Of course, that's as they come out of the box in the customers hands. He hinted it's being done with software and electronics tweaks.

My concern is that it won't take long for the info to get out on forums on how to reverse those tweaks, then we're back to square one. Sad

That M55 youtube link cracks me up - all sizzle, no steak! Laughing out loud

philberesford's picture

One of these things has turned up at my workplace. The new owner is fully stoked with it. That's all I'm sayin'.

Matt P's picture

Black, white or Orange?

Apparently the orange one is much lighter.

I had a spin on the black one and it really is a heavy beast!

philberesford's picture

Looks very Military!

ChopStiR's picture

Went to the stealth homepage and first pic i see is a bloke smoking up the back wheel in a car park.

The comment about walkers not being able to tell the difference is Bulls#!+.

As for National Parks. It has a motor so its not allowed on management trails etc

I agree to the idea of being pre-emptive with the council.

samrichards's picture

jeez man you sound like such an annoying goody goody 2 gay shoes.. i havent tried a bomber but spoke with a guy riding one. Its the ultimate mode of transportation for the future.. if you see somone acting like a douche just try and tell him to cool it.. stop with all your whinging. most riders will be responsible if its electric or not.. occasionally some goose comes along and causes a stir but that might be on any type of bike.. sounds like you haven't had any personal issues with it so don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. think you have the personality suitable for law enforcement so maybe give that a whirl.. those bikes are slient.. clean green and top quality and made down in melbourne so support aussie companies. im saving to buy one myself.. i know i am a very responsible rider and i also will be when i get a bomber.. your blowing things out of proportion.. someone said on this forum beware of the bomber.. and look how far you have taken it.. a full out attack on the bikes.. calm the F**K down and go join the fun police

GAZZA's picture

Look at the date of the first post.
This thread was long dead and buried before you sparked it up again.

hawkeye's picture
samrichard wrote:
.. if you see somone acting like a douche just try and tell him to cool it..

OK, I'll try that. Smiling

Cool it.

philberesford's picture

Don't feed the troll Hawkeye Eye-wink. Oh go on then I will…

@Samrichards
Boom! Straight in there! Tells us what you really think.
Awesome way to piss off the moderator and owner of this site who works tirelessly on behalf of the Sydney MTB community for trail access for all. Yes even for ungrateful people like you. You've certainly not made any friends by registering a new account just to say this here. Comments like yours are not constructive or welcome here.

Cool it yourself, douche.

jbsp1's picture

I think for the fact that these have been out for 3 or so years and we haven't had any issues with them at the dam or any other place, points towards the fact that the owners of these seem to be showing decent responsibilities.

Otherwise I'm pretty sure that we would have had multiple complaints from not just mtbers, but also trail walkers.

I wouldn't get on of these myself, but every mode of transport has a place.

As posted further up, it's up to the rider, be it on a mtb or a bomber to act responsibly. Which seems to be happening. If we start to have a go at these guys riding them when we are having no issues will only turn into problems for all. I'm not saying in anyway they should be on the mtb tracks, but they are entitled to their place in society.

MrMez's picture

Wow. Tons of comments.

Gotta agree this is wrong on the trails.

3Kw of power, put that in perspective. Cavendish generates ~1,400w during a sprint. This is more than double, if you don't pedal.
Up to 80km/hr. Easily over 100 if you pedal.

Don't tell me you wouldn't roost and rip up everything on one of those?
I know I would.
I don't know about you, but the Kalamunda Circuit is degrading fast enough without this added.

It's not a bicycle, its an electric motorbike. Please keep it off our trails.

nrthrnben's picture

not saying its suitable for all areas or trails, but i certainly want one, awesome electric mountain bikes..up their with the best in the work, if not the best..and made in OZ

DudeistPriest's picture

Here u go, convert your current bike: http://www.e-bikesrus.com.au/conversion-kits/

hawkeye's picture
I think for the fact that these have been out for 3 or so years and we haven't had any issues with them at the dam or any other place, points towards the fact they’re a market failure. There aren't very many owners of these because they fall into a market segment no-man's-land. Why would you spend so much on a gutless electric motorbike when for the same money or less you could buy a real motorbike with real power and performance?

There, fixed that for you. Eye-wink

I agree there hasn't been much of an issue ... so far. I disagree as to the cause. We might have more of an issue when Red Hill – Oxy mountain bike trails are opened officially and the motorbike ferals are displaced.

I more than agree motorbikes have their place. But they need to follow legal requirements and be registered unless used exclusively on private land. And let's be plain-speaking, with >10x the legal maximum output for electric assist, these things are motorbikes. So stay the heck off our trails, please.

Hop fiend's picture

that actually no is buying these lumps of turds?

amarkie's picture

In case you haven't noticed they appear to have shut down the stealth page .. or at a minimum renamed it.

Undue attention maybe.

hawkeye's picture

Yup

jbsp1's picture

Thanks for adjusting my wording.....much better.

+1 for spending that sort of dosh on a proper dirt bike. Then taking it to the moto x park and giving it stick! I do miss riding moto, by the body doesn't miss it. Leave it for the young kids, or at least until my kids are ready to ride, then I should get another.

GiantNut's picture

This was originally posted by me nearly 3 years ago...Off to pre-school me thinks

The only thing I will add to the original post - after he whooped me on the Paris / Roubaix bit near the golf course I caught him up and passed him on the single track before the rock slide. It is a big heavy bike and he was running wide....I was faster back then too

Never seen him since but want to borrow it for the Fling Eye-wink

option158's picture

Hi New here

I just want to say that i have bought one of these as I have had a injury that will not allow me to apply huge amounts of power with my right leg , i just think it depends on the person and maybe a some sort of liability insurance could help..

I mean my car is capable of 250km , I see "p" platers driving 4lt holdens, we have burn out marks on the streets in town..

if you see someone on a electric bike maybe just word of warning to them maybe enough.

cheers guys

hawkeye's picture

Don't want to discourage you, it's awesome that you're getting out and about and not letting your injury define your life.

Just be aware though that if it's one of these Stealth Bombers, you are riding an electric motorbike, and trouble will catch up with you if you ride it on trails on public land.

But if it's a proper e-Bike with a 250W limiter, and requiring you to pedal to engage the electric assist (in other words, meeting legal requirements), there's no problem and I look forward to seeing you on the trails.

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