The ShareRoller electric bike kit is a friction drive system designed to work seamlessly with bike share programs all around the world. In short, these bikes have a triangular metal bracket protruding from their head tube which lock into a computerized rack. This is how the bikes are checked in or out, the metal bracket is used to secure them… With the ShareRoller system, this metal bracket is repurposed for mounting a briefcase sized battery, control unit and motor that propel the bike forward. It’s an impressive system because it’s actually smaller than a briefcase at 11″ x 8″ x 2.7″, relatively light weight at 6.5 to 7.5 pounds (depending on the battery size you choose) and feature rich (integrated LED lights and USB charger). The thing folds and unfolds quickly and looks pretty unassuming when it’s not mounted up.
The unit shown here is a V1 prototype that’s a bit larger and louder than the new ones. It was used in a Kickstarter campaign and sold to a limited number of customers in 2013/2014. The really neat part about this and future iterations is that in addition to bike share programs they can also be used with Brompton folding bikes and kick scooters, which is shown in the video. I’m told that the standard mounting bracket is almost ready and should allow the ShareRoller to be used with ~50% of bikes. Beyond that, they can design custom brackets for a bit more. The bracket is designed to replicate the triangular metal piece mentioned previously and you also get a handlebar piece that supports the throttle clip. When testing the system I was amazed to find out that different clips can enable different top speeds… it goes slower with kick scooters because they tend to feel wobbly at 20mph. That kind of attention to detail and integration can be found throughout the product which is really something special in my mind.
The motor driving this thing offers 750 watts of power which is at the upper limit of what’s legal in the United States. That doesn’t mean it goes extra fast (it adheres to the legal top speed of 20mph), it just means it’s capable of moving heavier bikes and riders. That’s a good thing because the bicycles used in the bike share program weigh about 50 pounds! By contrast, most normal bikes weigh between 20 and 30 pounds… Instead of using a hub motor mounted inside the wheel or mid-drive motor design to pull the chain, the ShareRoller uses a friction drive. Basically, it’s a small outrunner motor (a bit smaller than a can of soda) that’s mounted horizontally. When it spins, the outside canister (which is rubberized to provide grip in wet or dry conditions) rubs against the top of the bicycle tire and propels you forward. In my experience it works pretty well.
The battery powering the ShareRoller system offers ~30 volts of power and ~14 amp hours of capacity (depending on the size you get). It’s enough to ride ~20 miles without pedaling which is pretty impressive! The cells are all contained inside the rectangular plastic case and are made with a Lithium-ion chemistry that’s designed to be light weight and long lasting. You don’t have to worry about taking the batteries out to charge because the entire ShareRoller unit is so small… You can take the whole thing inside and plug it in using the two-hour fast charger. You also don’t have to worry about bringing your bike inside or even owning a bike because the unit is so easy to install and remove. This is a really disruptive concept here… In the same way that people who live in a large city don’t have to own cars (they can rely on cabs or rentals instead) the ShareRoller means you no longer have to own a bicycle because you can rely on share programs.
The control panel interface on the ShareRoller is minimal and easy to use. Once the unit is mounted to the front bracket of your chosen bicycle you just clip the trigger throttle to your handlebar, toggle the on/off switch at the back of the main unit and you’re ready to go. There’s no speed or range indicator here as with some purpose built electric bikes, just a small trigger that provides variable speed output. Before it will activate however, you’ll have to pedal one or two strokes (for legal reasons to qualify as pedal assist). When I was testing the unit I found the throttle easy to reach and use which made riding feel relaxed because I wasn’t distracted. I used it mostly to get up to speed before resuming pedaling on my own at a more comfortable cadence.
In a world where bicycle share programs are popping up all over it’s awesome to have a way to add some electric assist. These bikes are designed to be rugged and durable but they just aren’t very nimble or light… the ShareRoller makes riding them easier. Sure, there may be electric bike share programs someday but the big challenge is keeping the units charged and dealing with even more maintenance issues at the program level. With the ShareRoller you bring your own electric drive system and you take it with you meaning the battery isn’t exposed to potentially damaging cold or hot conditions or persistent severe weather. It’s a brilliant idea executed very well in my opinion. The addition of LED lights, a USB charger and versatile mounts for use with scooters and folding bikes is just icing on the cake and while the unit shown here is a bit loud, the V2 units are even more polished and should become available in mid 2014.
Keith
9 years agoWe’re launching V3 on indigogo tonight at 12AM NYC time.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Keith! That’s awesome, so glad you guys are keeping with it and improving the design. I just visited your website and saw the link to pre-order. I’d love to check out the new model and do another review. Reach out to me with the contact form if you guys have a demo unit or will be in or around Los Angeles :)
ReplyJeff Guida
9 years agoThanks Court! We’ll definitely find a way to get you to review the new ShareRoller soon. Or at least a V2! And here is the link for the ShareRoller V3 Indiegogo campaign – we’re offering some amazing limited-time only deals, so please be sure to visit soon: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/shareroller-world-s-best-bike-scooter-motor#/
ReplyJack
9 years agoThis review illustrates one of Court’s special qualities: He digs up an amazingly eclectic collection of bikes & bike systems and even manages to get to them, ride them and video them for us. And here he is in downtown Manhattan!
This review is now way-dated given the current maturity of Shareroller’s V3 design. The feature evolution (e.g. Bluetooth throttle control) and fresh packaging are both impressive. Biggest issues for me are the noticeable presence of motor noise heard in the review and the suspected difficulty of a spring-loaded throttle switch, with perhaps 1/2″ of throw, to offer discrete enough positioning to provide a steady ride pace. Especially given the movement of the handlebars when riding on uneven surfaces. (Notice how Court, in his very brief ride, was either going ‘full steam ahead’ or releasing. I wonder how inevitable an issue this might be in the production version).
One big attraction of this system not mentioned is the reality that many of us who want to ride our bikes but also want to augment our bike’s capability electrically can’t find an ebike store. Many ebike owners mention how local non-ebike stores don’t have an interest in supporting ebike bikes, lack the skills and want to avoid warranty issues. And on-line ebike ordering, coupled with product quality issues, seems a mixed blessing. It’s an appealing option, for me at least, to consider supporting a local bike shop, get all the mechanical support there which I need, and yet can augment my bike’s (and my!) capabilities with a self-contained Shareroller. A smaller unmentioned benefit is how much easier it would be to load a non-ebike on a car bike rack, needing to only lift perhaps half the weight. Clever if unusual idea, I’m thinking.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoThanks for the props Jack! I’ve been doing my best to include all kinds of ebikes in my reviews. The ShareRoller is such a cool concept and I’m hoping to review their latest version next year… There are many benefits but the ride for V1 wasn’t as fluid or quiet as many purpose-built models I test. You make great points about ebike shop availability (or lack thereof) and the reluctance of traditional bicycle dealers to service. Kits are one way to overcome this and the ShareRoller is one of the simplest “kits” if you could even call it that. The new version is supposed to be even smaller, lighter and quieter than the one shown here. Still, it’s throttle-only and now you can buy decent 2016 complete bikes from companies like IZIP, Volton and GenZe for ~$1,500 with assist and still take the battery off to reduce weight. Lot’s of variables to consider but yeah, this kit is awesome especially for folding bikes.
ReplyNirmala
9 years agoHi Court,
The ShareRoller now does offer an add on PAS system for a little extra cost.
It also has an interesting built-in feature called Tailwind which adds a small but steady amount of power any time you are going above a preset speed of 8 mph. So it feels like you have a tailwind all of the time, and does not interfere with stopping as it cuts out once your speed drops below 8 mph. This can be overridden with the throttle also to work similar to how a low pedal assist level can work with added throttle for hills or passing other bikes. This may be enough for many people and would mean it was not necessary to buy or mount the add-on PAS unit.
I am really looking forward to trying this new friction drive and have preordered one.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoCool! I’m looking forward to testing out the new version, Jeff and I stay in touch about updates but right now I’m visiting the West coast so it’s not convenient to meet. I respect the guy a lot and also appreciate your update comment here to help people learn about the new features.
Replyjack thomas
9 years agoHow can I order one
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Jack, it appears that you can go to their official website here and either pre-order or get one on Indiegogo “in demand” which is a program that lets you purchase successfully funded products. Hope this helps, the ShareRoller is a neat product and the founder seemed smart and caring.
ReplyDavid
5 years agoJust to add an update. The product has changed dramatically since this review. They’ve moved away from a bike-share model, although it can still be used for that. And it’s now called OneMotor. They have adapters for all sorts of bikes, trikes, scooters, etc, a wireless controller and more.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoThanks David! Wow, I need to get back in touch and cover the latest version. Thanks for helping to keep this product alive and relevant given my outdated look. Have you tried the new OneMotor or are you thinking about purchasing one for yourself?
ReplyDavid
5 years agoHi Court, I’ve not tried it but it would address an issue I’ve had with aligning the bike I want with the kits available. The only downside as a Canadian is they’re shipping just 500w to Canada. Being a larger male, I’d prefer 750w for the hills, load, and my size.
Kailua
3 years agoWhen will Share Roller / One Motor deliver the kits to the backers from their Indiegogo crowd funding campaign.
Reply