A near-silent electric wheel system available in 26" or 700c size, it converts traditional bicycles into ebikes and uses a smartphone app compatible with iOS or Android devices
No wires to deal with (uses Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity), activates with a secure connection to only your account, offers three levels of assist and a regeneration mode as well as regenerative braking (pedal backwards to activate)
Has been on pre-order for nearly two years at the time of t his review (no confirmation on delivery date), not compatible with disc brakes (only rim brakes), only available in red color, no smartphone mount included, no way to charge your phone while using it as a display panel
10
Single Speed or 7, 8, 9 or 10 Speed Free Hub (SRAM or Shimano compatible)
Brake Details:
Regenerative Braking and Rim Brake Compatible
Spokes:
Proprietary Curved
Wheel Sizes:
26 in (66.04cm)28 in (71.12cm)
Other:
Compatible with Single Speed 120 mm Dropout or 7, 8, 9, 10 Speed Free Hub for 120 and 135 mm Dropout, Back-Pedal Regenerative Braking, Developer Kit with Open API for Creating New Apps, Cafe Style Motor Lock Using the App
In mid 2014 I traveled to Massachusetts and met with Assaf Biderman, Accociate Director of the MIT SENSEable City Lab. This group has landed some patents and received funding to develop smart transportation which has lead to the development of the Copenhagen Wheel and formation of Superpedestrian. There’s a lot more to say about this group and you can hear some of the backstory from Assaf himself in this video interview I shot at the same time I was filming this review. In short, the Copenhagen Wheel is an “all in one” electric bike kit that’s compatible with 26″ and 700c (~28″) wheel sizes. Inside there’s a motor, controller, wireless communications systems (compatible with low-energy Bluetooth 4.0) and a battery pack. Weighing around 15 pounds with the spokes, rim and tire this thing is fairly light and extremely clean… though bold. It only comes in red right now and is actually still on preorder though I’m told a handfull of units have been delivered. In my opinion the wheel works very well, it’s smooth and quiet but surprisingly zippy and fast (up to 20 mph in the US and 15.5 mph in Europe). While it’s not compatible with disc brakes, you are able to use a traditional rim brake and there’s a neat backwards-pedal activated regeneration feature. The biggest complaint I hear about this thing is lack of availability. There are people who have been waiting in pre-order status for nearly two years… The Superpedestrian team isn’t just sitting around though, I’m told that nearly everything I saw on this 2016 version has been updated since the last review. To me it seems narrower and sleeker, there’s no longer a keyed battery door on the side of the wheel and instead you’ve got a magnetic charging port, on/off dial and LED charge level indicator.
Driving the Copenhagen Wheel is a gearless, direct drive hub motor encased in a magnesium shell (along with the battery and electronics). It’s rated at 350 watts nominal in the US and stepped down to 250 for the UK and other European markets with corresponding top speeds as mentioned earlier, 20 mph and 25 kph respectively. Being gearless, there’s hardly any noise produced but there is a bit of drag when coasting because there’s no freewheel built in. Instead, the Neodymium magnets mounted along the interior wall of the hub motor repel on electromagnetic staters as it coasts and a bit of regeneration electricity is harvested. This is design feature that all direct-drive motors are capable of executing but few seem to leverage, it’s mostly higher end ebikes like the Specialized Turbo and Stromer ST2 that really do it well. I’m happy to report that the Copenhagen Wheel also delivers in this way and that you can choose from an “Exercise Mode” where light regen is constant as you pedal (allowing you to charge the battery manually at ~15% efficiency), and a “Regenerative Brake” where you pedal backwards to stop the bike using regen. Note that the braking feature does not completely stop the bike, it works best at higher speeds and in conjunction with rim brakes for a final stop. I really enjoyed the backwards pedal feature because it doesn’t distract from steering and spotting the way that a button pad adjustment might. Lots of electric bikes have regen built into brake levers but that wasn’t possible here due to the completely wireless nature of the wheel. This is a very clean, minimalist kit that’s quick and easy to swap on and off the bike and this unique back-pedal regen thing isn’t completely unique (the FlyKly offers the same sort of functionality) but I really enjoyed it and was surprised how quickly and smoothly it activated.
Powering the Superpedestrian Copenhagen Wheel is a small Lithium-ion battery pack spread out inside the shell to balance weight. I wasn’t able to see it and I don’t believe it’s meant to be easily removable for off-bike charging but it sounds like replacements may be available someday. This is one of the big changes I noticed from the prototype wheel reviewed in mid 2014, there isn’t a door on the side of this new Copenhagen Wheel, you have to use a star driver to open this thing up and that would take time and possibly void the warranty. I’m told that the motor and battery have been specially designed and tested to endure heat (which would presumably be higher in an enclosed space together like this). I can’t speak to the performance in extremely hot environments where maybe your bike has been parked at a rack all day in the sun and then pedaled up a steep hill in Turbo mode but let’s assume it just works. The company is offering a year long warranty with 500 cycles on the battery (at 70% end of term capacity potential). While I can’t say a lot about the chemistry or brand of cells used here I can say that it’s a 48 volt 5.5 amp hour pack (231 watt hours) which is on the small side. I’m estimating 20 to 30 miles range here per charge because this is a pedal assist only system. You’ll always be helping out so the battery can last longer and go further but best results will be achieved in the lower Eco mode which requires harder pedaling by the rider before really kicking in. That said, when it does kick in it feels pretty good…
The sensors inside the Copenhagen Wheel measure something like twelve dimensions including wheel speed, pedal torque, pedal cadence and acceleration. It sounds like there’s also gyroscopic measurement system that can respond to changes in bicycle orientation (ie. climbing or descending hills) and automatically help out or regen to maximize power use and extend range while also creating a “flat ride” experience. Other companies have made claims like this but I feel like the Copenhagen Wheel is the closest to delivering. It really is advanced, refined and intuitive to use. The display panel (your phone) is also quiet intuitive and has been improved since my last test. There are some advanced options buried deeper in the system (under the gear icon) but they stay out of the way for actual riding which is perfect. Once you’ve charged the wheel, turned it on using the little silver dial near the battery port, downloaded the app a nd paired it with your wheel it’s time to choose an assist level or enter regen mode. We go from regen at the lowest to off (which lets you ride like a traditional unpowered bicycle) up to Eco, Standard and Turbo. On most ebikes the lowest level has a top speed and power output which is clearly delineated. This is because most other kits and systems use cadence sensors. What I love about the Copenhagen Wheel is that you can still get a lot of power and speed out of Eco mode… if you pedal hard. It’s a lot more dynamic and that makes it fun and easier to use without thinking. Eco mode is more like a “use less power but still give me control” mode. Coming back to the app, it works with iOS or Android and automatically syncs with the bike (once you’ve established a secure link during setup). Basically, you can leave your phone in your pocket, approach the bike and it will recognize you and enter into the last mode you used… as long as Bluetooth is left on for your p hone and the wheel on/off switch is on. Note that the Copenhagen Wheel does enter a sleep mode if left on but that it won’t pair with anyone else’s phone, it’s connected to your online account so you could re-activate a new phone if yours is lost or damaged.
I had a lot of fun testing the updated Copenhagen Wheel and hope it’s the finalized production ready version because a lot of advancement has been made by other ebike companies in the years since preorders began. I feel like the original Copenhagen Wheel was pretty sweet for its time and that this could almost be a V2. Yeah, it’s a lot better but so is the newer Electron Wheel, BionX D-Series and e-RAD BBS02. None are quite as sleek or minimalist as the Copenhagen Wheel and most cost more money but they all deliver a similar end result… empowering you to go further, fight the wind or climb easier. I love that the Copenhagen Wheel can be used as a single speed, 7, 8, 9 or 10 speed with either Shimano or SRAM drivetrain components and I can’t say enough about how responsive and smooth it is. I’m still not a superfan of the bright red casing but hey, spray paint exists for a reason right? The price is still very impressive and seeing the team at Interbike this year with a hand full of test bikes really inspired confidence. I asked again and again for a release/delivery date and got that feedback about “some having been delivered” but no information about who, when or next steps. It’s difficult to do a review like this where so much is unknown but I hope the qualitative feedback about ride quality helps inform your decision and that we begin seeing these amazing wheels more and more out in the real world ;)
Pros:
It rides quiet, smooth and feels very fluid when power is applied, stronger than I would have expected having tested other all-in-one conversion kits
The 350 watt motor size (250 in Europe) strikes a good balance between efficiency and light weight, it is zippy thanks to the 48 volt battery
Still relatively affordable at the preorder price of $950 considering it includes everything you need to get going aside from an Android or iOS smart phone (motor, battery, Bluetooth app), the full retail price will be ~$1,200
Open software API and developer support for creating your own apps or downloading those made by others, in particular this could be social apps or systems that allow the city to gather feedback about rider trends
Flat City model provides a little assist on flat terrain and automatically kicks in to “flatten” hills conserving battery while providing a consistent ride, it reduces complexity of use and lets you focus on riding
Drive system is available spoked into 26″ and 700c wheel sizes, includes spokes, rim and a tire (which you can swap with your own if you’d like the front and rear to match on your bike)
The batteries, controller and motor are all contained in the rear hub so you don’t have to run wires around the bike, the hub is also designed to be water resistant for easy cleaning and use on rainy days
System is basically hands free once turned on (pedal forward to get assistance and pedal back to activate regen), there is no throttle mode here so you always have to pedal to get assistance
Remote diagnostics feature, if you have any issues with the bike Superpedestrian will be able to identify your individual wheel and check on its status through your smart phone app wirelessly, this also allows for software updates over time
Very easy to install compared with other kits I’ve tested, even some all in one kits like the Electron Wheel which rely on a pedal sensor attachment in addition to the wheel
Solid one year warranty provided by Superpedestrian including motor and battery, the battery is advertised as getting 1,000+ cycles and is warrantied at 500 cycles with 70% capacity
The app is easy to use when riding if you’ve got a smart phone handlebar mount (swipe up or down to change modes), I like that you can also stow your phone and it will run with less energy in the background, you don’t even have to launch the app to get the bike to recognize you and start, when you walk away from the bike it automatically goes to sleep when the app is out of range but there is also an on/off dial on the wheel
Cons:
Because the Copenhagen Wheel relies on smart phone devices instead of having a wired-in display, it may drain your battery more quickly (especially if you leave the app open and running for realtime feedback), you can reduce power consumption by closing your phone and just keeping it in your pocket or backpack
Currently the wheel is only available in primary red, for those who wish to have a more discrete electric bike solution this may not be ideal, I would love to see silver, gray, black or white someday
Because everything is included in the wheel, it weighs a bit more than some other motor-only kits at ~13 lbs vs. 6 to 9 lbs and will increase unsprung weight if you’ve got a rear suspension
The battery is not easily removable so you’ve either got to park near a charging outlet or take your bike or wheel inside to charge, this might also expose the battery inside the wheel to extreme temperatures if left outside which can wear the cells out more quickly
The unique spokes can be trued and replaced if they get bent but the proprietary design can only currently be purchased from Superpedestrian
Because this is a direct drive motor and offers regeneration, it also produces some cogging while coasting (drag produced by magnets repelling staters as the wheel spins)
Due to the larger diameter of the hub casing this kit is currently only available in 26″ and 700c (~28″) wheel sizes which will work for the widest audience of bicycle owners but will not be compatible with most compact and folding ebikes
Not compatible with disc brakes, you’ve got to use rim brakes (linear pull or v-brakes), the regeneration braking backwards pedaling thing is a cool but not as immediate as you might need in some situations, because the wheel is completely independent, traditional brakes won’t be wired in and will not send a cutoff signal to the motor when pulled
The kit does not include a phone mounting system, you’ll either have to carry your phone along in your pocket or bag or consider buying one after market, I was using a Quad Lock mount from Annex in the video review
An advanced all-in-one electric bike wheel with the motor and battery combined in a sturdy red case, provides near-silent pedal assist based on four signals, measures rider input 100+ times per second. Offers three levels of assist with adjustable speed from 10 to 25 mph (in some…...
All in one smart wheel electric bike kit for 26" or 700c wheels, works with single speed or cassette. Removable Lithium-ion battery for convenient charging or extended rides (with optional second pack)...
I was surprised that the Copenhagen wheel was rated only a half point higher than the Electron wheel. To me, the Copenhagen wheel is in a different league entirely. Not just the obvious spec – 350 versus 250 watts – but the quality of the casing, the number of sensors, the overall engineering and robotics, etc. Oh … and there is the ugliness factor. No, not the red wheel, the Electron wheel.
The BionX and eRad comparison is like comparing apples and oranges. Much more expensive systems and requires installation that is beyond the vast majority to do on their own – or at least my ability – so there will be installation costs. If it were in black, the Copenhagen wheel would look like the BionX on the bike without the addition of the battery pack on the downtube.
I rated it higher a year ago but took it down a half step here due to the long delay and lack of launch information. I agree with all of the points you made though, it’s an amazing and very refined product. I drew comparisons the best I could but the CW is quite unique and offers a lot of benefits that other kits don’t… thanks for sharing your input :)
1/31/16 and still not generally available, and only one person has been referenced as actually receiving their pre-order wheel. Yes, yes, they care about quality, but how is that different than any other quality product that actually ships in less than, what, five or six years after accepting pre-orders?
Another very important note, the stated warranty doesn’t cover damage due to water…so if you actually commute in the rain, the wheel dies…
Thanks for the update, sorry to hear you still haven’t received the product you paid for :/
embra
8 years ago
FWIW, we received our Copenhagen Wheel in January 2017 (ordered at the end of 2013). Superpedestrian was sending out a lot of wheels late 2016 and early 2017; I think they have caught up and are relatively current (according to their Facebook page orders placed in January this year were expected to be filled in 1 month). It was a long wait on the preorders, and some people were very frustrated by the delay. But the product seems to be good design and execution. Easy installation on my wife’s recumbent trike.The preorder price is history, it now costs $1499.
Thanks for the update Embra, do you like the way the wheel performs? It sounds like it’s meeting your expectations. Great that you can keep a thoughtful perspective given the 3+ year long wait. Good for you :)
Copenhagen Wheel
7 years ago
We are now actively shipping across the US and Europe. That said, we appreciate all patience from customers that ordered and were waiting. And, quite simply, we are sorry. The team here is ready, willing and able to help anyone with any issues related to shipping or the Wheel. We want to make it right. It’s as simple as that.
Please feel free to email me directly at jon dot otoole at superpedstrian dot com and I can direct things in the right direction.
Wow, fantastic reply guys, thank you so much for being honest, humble, and trying to help people out with this!
Curt
9 years ago
Don’t buy they will never send it to you. I paid my $839.00 deposit. I have waited over a year and never heard anything. They just use your money and never deliver.
Sounds like they’re still working to deliver on preorders (even from years ago) and only a small number have actually gone out. I couldn’t get much info from the team during my review, I’m sorry they haven’t been very responsive for you and I appreciate the feedback you’ve shared. Please do check in if/when you do get your Copenhagen Wheel.
It is coming up on 3 years since I ordered and paid for a Copenhagen wheel. My order is number 55 in the queue. The only thing they are delivering is disappointment. They are not shipping the wheels in small quantities unless you believe 3 wheels a year is actually considered shipping.
Wow… that’s really sad Cheryl, thanks for reporting the situation and providing details about your order number. I wish Superpedestrian well in figuring out their business but feel that you and other customers deserve to get your product :( please do chime in again if/when it eventually comes.
Dan R
9 years ago
I saw the interview with the CW main guy, and how they have invested a heavily into the design. This is advances power electronic design. It is advances because it is integrated, a higher power density, wireless vs the cheaper, modular designs. It is impressive. Only feedback : please offer a different color! Simple fix and unfortunately will cost sales if only left as red.
Great questions Andrew… unfortunately I have no idea! I’ve asked to see the inside of the wheel and take pictures but they are concerned about the proprietary design right now since it’s still not fully released. Once it comes out for real and in full maybe I’ll dissect one or you can share if you find out :)
Hi Court. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your reviews since I began researching e-bikes over the last month or so. You have a most excellent job my friend! I’ve been trying to build up my own Faraday Porteur-like bike and wonder if the Superpedestrian wheel can make my dream a hassle-free reality? I’m thinking of marrying one of these up with a Long Haul Trucker and give it some swept back bars for a nice upright riding position… a la Porteur. It looks like I can just have the rear cog incorporated into the SP wheel, right? The derailleur and other bits stay on the bike and I just swap out the rear wheel? That’s it??? No wires, etc. Sounds like bliss to me. Keep the videos coming and keep up the great work!
Hi Johnnie! Thanks man, I’m doing my best with the reviews. Yeah, your dream setup sounds great… I like the aesthetic and ride that the Faraday Porteur offers and am also a big fan of the Surly Long Haul Trucker (steel frame baby!) and with those larger bars it could be great. My only hesitation is the Copenhagen Wheel itself… I like what I’ve tried but as you can see from some of the other comments here, people have been waiting over a year for their pre-order and there’s no guaranteed delivery time. You might be riding your Long Haul Trucker for a while with pedal power ;) anyway, you can use a cassette with the Copenhagen Wheel so you’ll still have speeds (including multiple chainrings on the front). The bike I tested had a ten speed I think? That’s one of the big upgrades of this kit vs. the FlyKly which I also really like… and which has also had some delivery delays. Would love to hear how you like your bike (whatever you choose) when it finally arrives :)
Court, I could not determine if the wheel can operate in a default mode – ie. without a smart phone, or if the smart phone battery dies. Is there an override key? Some default operation? Dan
Hi Dan! The impression I got is that yes, you can ride it just like a regular bike unpowered if you don’t have the app but you will need your phone with the app in order for it to power on and run, it’s dependent on your unique digital ID to boot up. Great question :)
Thanks for a detailed review and video. Much better than the limited Superpedestrian information. I suggest adding a review date so we know if does not refer to the 2014 version
Great suggestion John! I’m working on a redesign for ElectricBikeReview.com and review date is something I’ve added for this exact reason. For the time being, you can approximate the date by looking at the videos on YouTube where they include a post date :)
I pre-ordered in December of 2013 and waited patiently for almost 2 years. Superpedestrian initially promised delivery for Spring 2014, then Summer, then end of year 2014. After missing 2014, they put out a flashy video promising Spring 2015. They missed that deadline and didn’t even have the courtesy to communicate with their customers until several months after the missed deadline, indicating the release was imminent, then nothing again. Now they claim they are in production; however the only evidence is a handful of users on social media, one is a Superpedestrian Investor the others seem to be complete novice cyclists to the point where they do not know how to put on a helmet properly. The general reaction to the design has been very positive; however the execution on their delivery commitments and overall communications have been horrid. I would suggest you knock the rating down lower for poor execution more than one point. Time will tell if they ever make good on their deliveries, even if they do get it out, dealing with this company for a warranty issue is guaranteed to be an issue. I would strongly recommend not placing an order for this product until at a minimum they clear their pre-order deliveries and get some real world performance and reliability results.
All excellent points Tor, I really struggled with this review. I put a lot of thought into each score and do my best to be honest and transparent with the writeup. Super Pedestrian has never paid me, I’m not a marketing rep for them and I do this site to help people find the best product for their lifestyle and budget. I try to rate the products alone but service is a huge component and I agree it brings the Copenhagen Wheel down. I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long and I hope that ends soon, I also apologize for my initial review which was less focused on delivery and service.
Hi.. I’ve salvaged two right angle gear motors (24v) and electronic controler from an electric wheelchair / scooter… They seem to be crying out for me to find a way to use them on my bike… These motors are designed to propel a combined weight (scooter plus rider) in excess of 600 pounds, so i gotta assume they are pretty robust! So, has anybody out there figured out a way to marry this kind of motor to their bike? If so, i would love to hear from you! Thanx, don in south florida.
Hi Don! Sounds like a cool project… I think you’ll have better success getting feedback by posting in the Q&A section of the Community or heading over to the Endless Sphere forums where a lot of experimentation and tinkering goes on around EV’s :)
The missing phone mounting system is natural according to the overall architecture of the bike. You use your own frame with your own handle bar – and there are:
a) so many different types of handle bars
b) handle bar producer or smart phone producer offer mostly a smart phone mounting system
Very true Guenter, I sometimes list other information in the “cons” section that isn’t necessarily a big detractor or misstep by the company. I’m working on a site update that will change some of the wording and try to make this more clear. I want to help remind people that they will need a phone mount but also not be too critical of the company’s decision not to include one. Thanks for your input and thoughts.
I totally agree with Tor on the continuing delay of delivering the Wheel to the people who pre-ordered it and already paid for it. I also ordered mine in December 2013. The latest communication from Superpedestrian was that they first want to set up a complete separate production line in Europe before they can tell anything about the delivery time. This was again a whole new message for the early adopters from Europe, a total surprise! So how long this again will take is a question which is not answered by Superpedestrian. It probably will last until Summer 2016 before we can expect the final product in European countries (I hope!). In the meantime I bought a Smart Ebike in order to get used to riding an electric bike but it isn’t the same thing as riding my light-weight 30-speed racing bike with the Copenhagen Wheel mounted in the rear! I am still looking forward to that experience but my patience surely is being tested!
I hope it arrives soon for you and everyone else… It seems like a real product (given the demos I saw at their headquarters near MIT and at Interbike this year). Definitely chime in again here when you finally get the motor, your bike sounds awesome! I love light weight electric bikes and yours will be super clean and minimal from the sounds of it :)
Court, thanks for the detailed and updated review. Due to a whirlwind of financial/personal distractions, I had forgotten I pre-ordered the CW until they sent an email a year or so later. They have obviously discovered it is not a flat ride from concept to production. I can only imagine the non-production liability issues they have had to address. Also sounds like they are aiming for very large governmental markets like India. I am still very excited about this product, and while I enjoy the physical benefits of riding my human-only assisted bike for now, my aging bones will probably be more ready for the CW when it finally ships. Please keep us informed with your unbiased updates. Thanks again.
To their credit, they have also offered a refund to those who do not feel comfortable with the wait. This was from a 10/8/15 email communication: “To reward our supporters for the wait, units sold during this pre-order period are discounted well below their manufacturing cost. If you are uncomfortable with the wait, our policy remains unchanged: you can request a refund at any time”
Wow, that’s awesome! I wasn’t aware they were offering this sort of support. I hear a lot of negative feedback about the wait from others who have preordered but I really appreciate your data point on how they are handling their relationships and being good to customers. Thanks Ben!
Court Rye
9 years ago
I’ll do my best Ben! Excited for you to get the product, definitely chime in once it arrives. I see a lot of potential with this product and was glad to see the company present at Interbike this year with a number of employees and 5+ demo bikes with Android and iPhone to test out :D
Wondering: programmable security mode to lock the wheel (you want to steal it, you gotta CARRY it)? as much as i like the idea of program-ability and having a one-piece solution, my inner skeptic wants something that can be used as ped-elec without a mobile device….. Does it depend on the phone’s for speed braking input? How is it avoiding a brake level power interrupt?
I believe it is using either Android or iOS to connect with and authenticate before the wheel can be used. You don’t have to mount the phone or press anything once it’s setup, you can leave it in your pocket or backpack and it just communicates wirelessly to tell the wheel it’s okay to go. I think you can ride the bike without a phone and in non-powered mode just fine so the wheel isn’t necessarily going to apply the brakes if there’s an interruption (like if you dropped your phone or the battery ran out). The power might just stop and you’d be coasting like on a traditional pedal-power bike until you re-established a connection. I’m only guessing here but this was the impression I got during my tests and the talk with the founding and technical members of the team.
Hey , i tested the copenhagen wheel at interbike last Year, it does what you expect . Nothing more , Here is the bigger news about the Free Duck wheel , made by Ducati Energia in Italy . Since 2014 we tested the free duck ducati Energia wheel . Giving our feedback to the engineers in Italy . Since January 2016 we sell this wheel into the Netherlands , Belgium , Luxemburg! UK , and Spain comes with a full 2 years of warranty , replaceable battery, engine or controller in case of failure. Delivery time is 3 weeks !!!!! depending on actual stock . I invite everyone to test this wheel , we got them mounted on several bikes . Write at stefaan@bikeconcept.be or loco@bikeconcept.be
Hi Steff! The wheel looks pretty coo, I visited the official website at http://www.freeduck.it/en/#1 and it would be great to test and review, do you have any units in the USA? If you work for the company or can help me get a demo model please contact me here.
Is there any more information on the Free Duck Wheel? I was looking into the Copenhagen Wheel but I have been very put off by the company. I wanted to call and talk to a rep today about ordering and there is NO phone number listed for them. Maybe the idea is too good to be true. I am very sad about this because I would be ideal in my commuting world.
-Cycling Houston
Susan Glenn
9 years ago
Does anyone have a coupon code to bring the price of the wheel down?
Great question Susan! I haven’t seen or heard of one but that doesn’t mean it’s not out there. Keep in mind, the Copenhagen Wheel has frustrated a lot of pre-order customers because it’s taking a lot longer to ship than initially thought. Some people have been waiting for over a year… That said, it does look awesome and performed pretty well for me at Interbike in 2015 :D
Great review, well done. This thing could be a real game changer for commuters who don’t want to sweat! And you can swap it onto your regular ride – brilliant. Two questions – is the assist limited to 20mph max? Otherwise, strong legs plus a 350W motor should be able to produce double that speed easily. Even weekend riders can maintain 25mph+ on the flats so I’m curious if the thing just cuts out above 20mph. Second question is data privacy; my radar goes off anytime “sharing with the community” or connectivity back to a central server is involved. Is the mobile app component a data mining play to record users’ habits, travel, location, etc. to sell for marketing purposes? I know, “no personally identifiable data will be shared, etc.” but no one trusts that. Nowadays you spend $60K for a new car or hook up your smart appliances and the “connected” features basically report back everything you do. Otherwise this thing is perfect but sure would be nice if it went faster!
Hi Morgan! Yes, the motor (and most ebikes) cut out at 20 mph due to classification in the US. There are some higher speed electric bikes and speed pedelecs that go ~28 mph but they are rare and may be limited on use (like where you can ride them without breaking the law). I think as far as the app sharing your data… yes, it probably does send back your use records for “research” but also potentially for marketing. I can’t really say for sure but the team had mentioned how their data collection capabilities could be used to “reshape cities” and inform government and even create third party app opportunities. The biggest takeaway for the Superpedestrian Copenhagen Wheel to date has been that deliveries are very delayed and lots of early pre-order customers are frustrated.
Thanks Court, I figured it might cut out at 20MPH but that’s not really a huge deal. Think of it as a backup for those high humidity summer days when you don’t want to sweat on the way to work (or dinner!). But you know 1st thing engineer nerds like me are going to do is pull the thing apart and try and change the gear ratio (or speed sensor) so it can do 30MPH! Kidding. But the swap in and out is such a perfect approach to convert any bike to an easy commuter it really could be the “killer app” for bike transportation but the price point needs to be below that of a full elec bike. I will wait until the things actually start shipping before I put down any money. But that “inform govt” does make me nervous, “…Morgan, we clocked you at 32MPH drafting a car last week. That’s $100 fine for failure to adhere to the marked bike lane…” but worse would be my wife, “Honey, your bike log shows your bike was stationary at O’Brian’s pub for 6 hours, I thought you were riding a century!” Thanks again for the research and great article.
Holmes
9 years ago
Dear, how often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be trust.
In this particular case, no matter how much it hurts, we shall conclude without recourse that neither founders nor the staff from Superpedestrian have ever gotten the EECS from MIT, and much less a Masters or Sc.D. in Engineering or applied physics they have claimed. Yes, we been taken for a ride, but in this case without a bicycle.
Well Know graduates from MIT were able to get from theory to three functional nuclear bombs in less time that it has already taken those “scoundrels” to put a simple battery operated wheel together.
Yeah… the purchase experience has been underwhelming. I was able to visit their lab near MIT but don’t know much about their background. The product looks cool and people are excited but business is tough and perhaps the focus on engineering has taken priority over go-to-market ;)
Indeed, Holmes. I’m afraid I would have thought a response to this case to be below you, as time has already told its story with this project that has not sustained its life. Superpedestrian has strung an innocent crowd along and has not produced tangible results. As I often do once I’ve seen your analysis and conclusion, I do agree with you that this group deserves the title of “scoundrels.”
-John H. Watson, M.D.
Patrick
8 years ago
Court, is there any update on SP actually delivering CW to anyone? Assuming this will actually occur at some point, do you know if SP provide the gear cassette for a multigear bike or is that something the end user removes from the existing rear wheel and installs on the CW? If SP provides a cassette, do you get to specify the cassette gears you want? Is there a quick release skewer? If not, I would assume you would have to carry a couple of wrenches to remove the tire if you flatted, is that correct?
Hi Patrick! I haven’t heard from people in the comments talking about receiving their units… it’s difficult to say whether they are shipping or not? It has indeed been a LONG time and many people seem frustrated, having paid already. I can’t really comment on the cassette questions or the quick release because I’m not sure the models I tested are truly final release. Sorry :/
I have to say the CW is a joke, I first saw it on and episode of “Weeds” 6 years ago when Andy Botwick used selling the CW as a front for a pot operation, and in reality, this project is up in smoke. As they belabor their product,, technology has passed them by and they make Sonders a paragon of dependability (Sondedrs still hasn’t delivered all of the bikes that were paid for and instead put out another offering instead..but at least he has delivered, though my feeling is that he is doing a Ponzi Scheme to keep the money flowing). When preordering is really ripping off customers, then someone needs to investigate what they are doing with the money. After all what they are doing is not rocket science and with the time they have invested they should have a wheel that would take you into space. I laugh when one of my customers ask about the CW as if its a reality, for the same money you can actually get a really good conversion kit that delivers much more than this fantasy does….just saying
Yeah, to me the sad part is that so many more people could be enjoying electric bikes… but they put money into a product that is taking a lot of time to deliver (or may never come) it hurts the industry and might disillusion customers :(
I received my wheel (after 25 months) last week (Mid-Sept 2016). I like it. During installation I had a bit of an issue adjusting the torque arm so that it could make contact with the bike frame at the point it needed to, but I sussed it out and got it out on the road. I like to use the CW to extend my bike rides – it allows me to venture further out, and then to turn on the wheel and have a nice and easy ride home.
My biggest complaint is there is no quick release. IT NEEDS ONE. I think this will be a common observation among owners. I find it very difficult to lift this bike over my head when the CW is installed so that I can place it on my Subaru’s bike roof rack. And I’d like to be able to take the wheel off to bring indoors to charge it. And on those occasions when I’m not planning on using the CW, I’d like to place my normal wheel on. I don’t want to monkey with a screwdriver every time I want to remove it. It could be that there is a manufacturer’s reason for not providing one because it seems like such an elemental option to offer.
I did contact support in reference to the difficult installation I had (the online manuals did not seem to address it, at least with the links a search for that issue provided), but had figured out how to increase the play in the torque arm before they got back to me. They DID get back to me very quickly though, were helpful, and let me know that my solution (loosening one of the bolts nestling against the torque arm) was the correct one.
Sweet! Glad your Copenhagen Wheel arrived, thanks for the tips about quick release for charging and lifting… Excellent points, I’ll remember them for future reviews. Sometimes I feel like companies don’t use QR because it makes their product easier to steal and maybe less tight when riding? Given the weight of the wheel and the price tag, I could understand why they would go with normal bolts (because the axle is fixed right, not a skewer?) there must be solutions, after all, the wheel itself is very refined and complex :)
The Copenhagen wheel doesn’t use quick-release because it doesn’t clamp as tightly, and there were problems with the wheel shifting under hard pedaling or with higher levels of motor assist. This isn’t a problem with normal bicycle wheels, but when the Copenhagen wheel shifts, the torque arm can’t read the pedal force properly.
I received my CW last week. I ordered in Dec 2014, I think, it was soo long. It was easy to install other than the torque arm. It is intuitive to ride. It sounds different than most bike wheels, particularly when in regen. The only thing I really do not like is that one needs to pair it with a phone. Once you pair it, you have to have the phone on and the app running to turn on the wheel – so if your phone is out of battery or you don’t have it with you, you can’t use the wheel. If you leave the wheel unpaired, anyone can walk up to your bike while locked somewhere, turn the wheel on, pair with their phone, and then you have a brick of a wheel. Without the pairing you also can’t change the settings.
Hmm, very interesting Peter. You feedback is appreciated and you presented it in a fair and objective way considering how long you’ve waited. Thanks again and I hope you’re able to enjoy the wheel and keep your phone charged. I’m sure you’ve see this sort of solution before but it could be worth tossing in your bag as a backup in case the phone runs down unexpectedly. If you have a newer iPhone they sell a slightly different version here with a different cable and of course… it costs more :P
I ordered and paid for the copenhagen wheel three years ago. It was delivered last week. I brought it to my local bike shop to mount on my 201x Trek 2000 with an aluminum frame. The shop told me the hub is too wide, that they would have to deflect the fork in a way that would be very dangerous for an aluminum bike. I told this to superpedestrian, they referred me to one of their “partners” in the bay area. The “partners” were unaware that they were partners with superpedestrian, and confirmed that the hub is too wide to install on an aluminum bike.
I think it is only responsible for me to share this with others planning to buy the copenhagen wheel. Maybe it will work well with steel forks, but it is not usable (or at least not safe) with aluminum forks.
Hmm… so sorry to hear this Siegel, would you mind sharing the width to help others who might want to measure their dropouts? Any details you’ve got are welcome. Maybe someone else will want to buy the Copenhagen Wheel from you second hand or another bike frame will become available. I appreciate your comment and wish it hadn’t taken so long to arrive :(
I really can’t get into electric bicycles that have to be plugged in and recharged. I like the Nexus and the NuVinci technology, however, because there is no need to plug in or to buy a new battery every year or two.
Hi Peter, if you do the math on cost of food to burn calories as a pedaler vs. electricity from solar, wind or even coal… ebikes are more efficient than the human body and it’s best to plug them in vs. trying to charge by riding. I hope I understood your question correctly, the Superpedestrian offers a unique ride experience and I do appreciate the regeneration that it offers (especially if you cannot plug in) but the efficiency going from kinetic leg power to electrical storage then back out to move the motor isn’t as amazing in reality as it sounds on paper :/
I want to buy one of these for commuting. I tested one in Boston last year at their HQ. Loved it. However I am trying figure out how fast I can make my commute. I know it is up to 20mph… but could I maintain that speed for 8 miles without being a sweaty mess showing up to work?
Also do you have any word on the bicycle they are selling it with? Thanks for the great article
Hi Austin! Great questions, in my experience it is difficult to maintain 20 mph nonstop on any electric bike that is Class 1 or Class 2 because of traffic, stop signs and lights, and handling. I tend to average closer to 17 mph and part of that is to keep from overheating (although I spend time riding in Austin, TX where it can be very hot out. The bikes that Superpedestrian is selling with the Copenhagen Wheel look basic and uncomfortable to me because they’re running narrow tires, don’t have suspension, use old-school linear pull brakes, and are single speed (which I realize is a requirement of the Copenhagen Wheel). I’d probably still opt for one of them vs. trying to install the wheel myself, but there are lots of great ebike options out there for ~$2k now that I feel perform more efficiently, distribute weight better, and are more comfortable to ride. I hope this helps, I admire the company and am glad the product is finally coming to market but it’s just not my favorite design.
Austin: Superpedestrian has just recently increased the top assist speed to 25MPH in the USA and Canada.
I don’t own one, so I can’t directly speak to the “sweaty mess” question , but I have a similar length commute on my Haibike Trekking and I generally average around 16-17mph. You are still pedaling even with electric assist, and if it’s warm to hot out, you can expect to sweat a bit if you keep your cadence up. Unless you sweat profusely, you’re probably not going to need to change clothing. Go for a brisk walk or light jog around the same time of day that you’d be riding; if you’re dripping with sweat after a few blocks, then you’re likely to sweat on the bike too.
I have followed you since like forever. I like your reviews and your very good knowledge in ebikes that got me court(?) in this area. Still follow all your reviews, even if I don’t need a e-bike (right now) …I have one…
I ordered my CopenhagenWheel for 3,5 years ago when my commute-range were 10 miles (x2) a day. I got mine European (swedish) equipped wheel for 3 weeks ago (250w and 25km/h, but I dont think it’s downgraded from 350W. Who will know? ). I got it fitted for a Nishiki cross bike the weight 8,8 kg with pedals and shimano ultegra 10-speed hub. The weight on the wheel is 7,6 kg that is almost like the bike without the backwheel in weight.
I loved it. Supersensitive even on turbo mode. And the limit on 25 km/h were a software limitation that only you index finger in the app could modify to 40 km/h. I ride for ~15 miles in turbo an Europe not legal-mode and had 25% left on the battery. The wait for 3,5 years had done a great deal of improvement. Compared for the Flykly, that is’nt bad but not worth 999$. (had it) But I would buy FlyKly again if the price is lower. Nice quiet help on a fixie whith low weigt. I also have a Add-e, my second one. Upgraded my 250w/ 25 km/h to 600W(not) unlimited speed one. The benefit with the add-e is the weight. My fixie weigh 12kg with battery and motor and I only use it when I really need it. But it is loud. Easy to carry up to you apartment compare to the +25kg monster with fat batteries. Aprox 1000$ I spend on each this 2 last e-bike concept but the Copenhagen wheel (800$ inlc tax =early kickstarter) is the best I have used, so if you need a wheel that could adapt on any (almost) cycle with sencitive feel and good range, not to long if you not want to pedal yourself, but 20 miles is not impossible in high modes. I loved it. The small backsides of the Copenhagen Wheel is the weight is all in the back, witch is the benefit when you are in a small elevator an have to lift the front wheel up. The weight does not bather you. If I recommend the Copenhagen Wheel? Yes. But for 1499$ you got to have more than 1 mile to commute (or to much money in your pocket) Because my commute pattern had change from 10 miles to 1 mile I did not need the wheel so I sold it. Otherwise it had been my favorite commuterwheel.
Great update Leif! I enjoyed hearing your story about trying out the FlyKly and Add-E products before the Copenhagen Wheel. It sounds like you have done well buying and selling each one, adapting to your commute and feeling out the differences (price, noise, power). I think this comment will help others and I am glad to hear that now your bicycle commute is even shorter! Keep on riding, thanks again for saying hi :)
Good to know about Copenhagen Wheel (Superpedestrian) If you chose a fixie configuration you are stucked with one gear (12cm framesize). But with a multiple configuration you can convert to a single speed configuration, think you still got to have 13,5cm in the frame size for the wheel. I selected the multiple gear configuration because of this more flexible choice.
– Leif
Xander
7 years ago
Hi Leif.
I live in the UK and I’m really interested to hear about your European version of the wheel.
Due to the 250W motor and the 25kph speed restriction I was reluctant to get the European version of the wheel and was looking into trying to get a US version which is 350W and has a 20mph cap. However, from your post it looks like it may be possible to de-restrict the 25kph speed limit in the app to allow you to go faster?? Is this possible as it may sway my decision to get a European version.
Even when the wheel would be good (I don’t know as they do not deliver) this firm Superpedestrian is one great scandal. After two years pre order they still do not deliver. At the same time they are making publicity that the deliver within two months after ordering.
…..I’m waiting already over two years.
I’m afraid this whole wheel story is one great fraud. I hope I’m wrong.
MDW
Gosh, that sucks! I am so sorry to hear that you seem to have slipped through the cracks MDW… I had heard from many people that did not receive their Copenhagen Wheel for over a year after the crowd funding and initial orders. Have you been in touch with them? Are they trying to help you? I wish I could do more to help, I wish you the best and appreciate your word of caution here, I don’t know what to say :(
Hi, thank you for reply, At least since 1.5 year I have been insisting on a concrete delivery date. Always vague answers. (by the last one they even faked they had not understood my questions). Please find here: some of my emails and their vague answers.
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info@superpedestrian.com Hello Michel, Apologies for not making your shipping address clear. The address we have on file for you is: Michel De Wolf … Belgium. Please let us know if this is correct. We are unable to inform you of an exact delivery date at the moment but can assure you that we will be in contact with you soon once your Wheel is built since your Wheel is already queued at our facility as of this morning. We understand this is less than ideal and as a team take responsibility for any miscommunications and delays that occur while fulfilling our preorders. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. Warm regards, The Superpedestrian team
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And: that some one would take responsibility, would also make a good impression. Instead you sign with… the … team?? Congratulations, marvelous!!
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Hello, My questions were clear and simple and some way or another you try to give no answer. I want the answer NOW: Addresses;Date of delivery; How do you dare to explain your publicity with vague and non-issue answers and match them? All the rest is bs. I’m not so kind any more.
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info@superpedestrian.com Hello Michel, Thank you for your continued patience and support as we establish our global shipping network. We can see that your order has recently been picked to be built and we expect your Wheel to be completed and shipped from our Netherlands facility in the coming days. Once your order is shipped, you will receive a tracking number for your order with an exact delivery date. Please note, your Wheel will have to be signed for upon arrival. As always, let us know if you have any questions. We are excited to get you riding. Kindly, The Superpedestrian team
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support@superpedestrian.com Hi team, Your Ref. … Order … of 31 8 2015 When my wheel will be delivered on my Adress in Belgium? Meanwhile Summer has ended on August 31! Who can I contact in the Netherlands (name, phone, email, full address) about my order. This was ordered since two whole years!!!!!!!!!! On the moment your publicity mentions deliveries in one month for new orders, although I’m waiting since over two years and it is all paid. This waiting is not normal any more. I’m starting to think the whole Copenhagen wheel is one big fraud. Looking forward immediately for a precise delivery date within 5 days. Michel De Wolf. Belgium
Tom G.
7 years ago
If you pre-ordered two years ago, and haven’t received your wheel yet, get in touch with Superpedestrian and follow up with them. The wheel is in production, and my understanding is that they believe they have filled all the United States pre-orders. They may still be working on European pre-orders – the logistics of moving a product with a large LiOn battery pack from the United States factory to customers in Europe is complex. Doing it fast is almost impossible because most of the air-freight carriers won’t ship them.
(Full disclosure: I used to work at Superpedestrian, and I currently own a Copenhagen wheel.)
Great feedback Tom, thanks for the advice and for disclosing your credibility. I hope this helps some people :)
Xander
7 years ago
Can the European Version of the copenhagen wheel be de-restricted in the app to allow the assistance to go faster than the legal EU limit of 25kph (15.5mph)? I will occasionally be riding on private bridelways and would like to be able to derestrict the speed cap. Many thanks
Great question Xander, I was just wondering that (have been filming the latest CW in NYC recently). We were trying to figure out if there’s a hardware limit or if it has to do with the version of the app you download? I cannot say but maybe someone else will chime in or someone in the Superpedestrian forums could help.
Thanks for your quick response Court. Looking at some of the previous posts it looks as if LEIF FORSSTRÖM managed to alter the speed of the European in the app. “And the limit on 25 km/h were a software limitation that only you index finger in the app could modify to 40 km/h” Would love to know more from Leif and how they went about doing that. Thanks, -Xander
MLWilcox
9 years agoI was surprised that the Copenhagen wheel was rated only a half point higher than the Electron wheel. To me, the Copenhagen wheel is in a different league entirely. Not just the obvious spec – 350 versus 250 watts – but the quality of the casing, the number of sensors, the overall engineering and robotics, etc. Oh … and there is the ugliness factor. No, not the red wheel, the Electron wheel.
The BionX and eRad comparison is like comparing apples and oranges. Much more expensive systems and requires installation that is beyond the vast majority to do on their own – or at least my ability – so there will be installation costs. If it were in black, the Copenhagen wheel would look like the BionX on the bike without the addition of the battery pack on the downtube.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoI rated it higher a year ago but took it down a half step here due to the long delay and lack of launch information. I agree with all of the points you made though, it’s an amazing and very refined product. I drew comparisons the best I could but the CW is quite unique and offers a lot of benefits that other kits don’t… thanks for sharing your input :)
ReplyJames McClellan
9 years agoI’ll never buy this as long as its bright red. Black please!
Replytn
9 years ago1/31/16 and still not generally available, and only one person has been referenced as actually receiving their pre-order wheel. Yes, yes, they care about quality, but how is that different than any other quality product that actually ships in less than, what, five or six years after accepting pre-orders?
Another very important note, the stated warranty doesn’t cover damage due to water…so if you actually commute in the rain, the wheel dies…
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoThanks for the update, sorry to hear you still haven’t received the product you paid for :/
embra
8 years agoFWIW, we received our Copenhagen Wheel in January 2017 (ordered at the end of 2013). Superpedestrian was sending out a lot of wheels late 2016 and early 2017; I think they have caught up and are relatively current (according to their Facebook page orders placed in January this year were expected to be filled in 1 month). It was a long wait on the preorders, and some people were very frustrated by the delay. But the product seems to be good design and execution. Easy installation on my wife’s recumbent trike.The preorder price is history, it now costs $1499.
Replycourt
8 years agoThanks for the update Embra, do you like the way the wheel performs? It sounds like it’s meeting your expectations. Great that you can keep a thoughtful perspective given the 3+ year long wait. Good for you :)
Copenhagen Wheel
7 years agoWe are now actively shipping across the US and Europe. That said, we appreciate all patience from customers that ordered and were waiting. And, quite simply, we are sorry. The team here is ready, willing and able to help anyone with any issues related to shipping or the Wheel. We want to make it right. It’s as simple as that.
ReplyPlease feel free to email me directly at jon dot otoole at superpedstrian dot com and I can direct things in the right direction.
Court Rye
7 years agoWow, fantastic reply guys, thank you so much for being honest, humble, and trying to help people out with this!
Curt
9 years agoDon’t buy they will never send it to you. I paid my $839.00 deposit. I have waited over a year and never heard anything. They just use your money and never deliver.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoSounds like they’re still working to deliver on preorders (even from years ago) and only a small number have actually gone out. I couldn’t get much info from the team during my review, I’m sorry they haven’t been very responsive for you and I appreciate the feedback you’ve shared. Please do check in if/when you do get your Copenhagen Wheel.
ReplyCheryl
8 years agoIt is coming up on 3 years since I ordered and paid for a Copenhagen wheel. My order is number 55 in the queue. The only thing they are delivering is disappointment. They are not shipping the wheels in small quantities unless you believe 3 wheels a year is actually considered shipping.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoWow… that’s really sad Cheryl, thanks for reporting the situation and providing details about your order number. I wish Superpedestrian well in figuring out their business but feel that you and other customers deserve to get your product :( please do chime in again if/when it eventually comes.
Dan R
9 years agoI saw the interview with the CW main guy, and how they have invested a heavily into the design. This is advances power electronic design. It is advances because it is integrated, a higher power density, wireless vs the cheaper, modular designs. It is impressive. Only feedback : please offer a different color! Simple fix and unfortunately will cost sales if only left as red.
ReplyAndrew Norris
9 years agoAre the hub bearings and freewheel easily serviced? cup and cone or cartridge bearings? Quality of seals?
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoGreat questions Andrew… unfortunately I have no idea! I’ve asked to see the inside of the wheel and take pictures but they are concerned about the proprietary design right now since it’s still not fully released. Once it comes out for real and in full maybe I’ll dissect one or you can share if you find out :)
ReplyJohnnie
9 years agoHi Court. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your reviews since I began researching e-bikes over the last month or so. You have a most excellent job my friend! I’ve been trying to build up my own Faraday Porteur-like bike and wonder if the Superpedestrian wheel can make my dream a hassle-free reality? I’m thinking of marrying one of these up with a Long Haul Trucker and give it some swept back bars for a nice upright riding position… a la Porteur. It looks like I can just have the rear cog incorporated into the SP wheel, right? The derailleur and other bits stay on the bike and I just swap out the rear wheel? That’s it??? No wires, etc. Sounds like bliss to me. Keep the videos coming and keep up the great work!
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Johnnie! Thanks man, I’m doing my best with the reviews. Yeah, your dream setup sounds great… I like the aesthetic and ride that the Faraday Porteur offers and am also a big fan of the Surly Long Haul Trucker (steel frame baby!) and with those larger bars it could be great. My only hesitation is the Copenhagen Wheel itself… I like what I’ve tried but as you can see from some of the other comments here, people have been waiting over a year for their pre-order and there’s no guaranteed delivery time. You might be riding your Long Haul Trucker for a while with pedal power ;) anyway, you can use a cassette with the Copenhagen Wheel so you’ll still have speeds (including multiple chainrings on the front). The bike I tested had a ten speed I think? That’s one of the big upgrades of this kit vs. the FlyKly which I also really like… and which has also had some delivery delays. Would love to hear how you like your bike (whatever you choose) when it finally arrives :)
ReplyBike_On
9 years agoCourt, I could not determine if the wheel can operate in a default mode – ie. without a smart phone, or if the smart phone battery dies. Is there an override key? Some default operation? Dan
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Dan! The impression I got is that yes, you can ride it just like a regular bike unpowered if you don’t have the app but you will need your phone with the app in order for it to power on and run, it’s dependent on your unique digital ID to boot up. Great question :)
ReplyJohn
9 years agoThanks for a detailed review and video. Much better than the limited Superpedestrian information. I suggest adding a review date so we know if does not refer to the 2014 version
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoGreat suggestion John! I’m working on a redesign for ElectricBikeReview.com and review date is something I’ve added for this exact reason. For the time being, you can approximate the date by looking at the videos on YouTube where they include a post date :)
ReplyTor
9 years agoI pre-ordered in December of 2013 and waited patiently for almost 2 years. Superpedestrian initially promised delivery for Spring 2014, then Summer, then end of year 2014. After missing 2014, they put out a flashy video promising Spring 2015. They missed that deadline and didn’t even have the courtesy to communicate with their customers until several months after the missed deadline, indicating the release was imminent, then nothing again. Now they claim they are in production; however the only evidence is a handful of users on social media, one is a Superpedestrian Investor the others seem to be complete novice cyclists to the point where they do not know how to put on a helmet properly. The general reaction to the design has been very positive; however the execution on their delivery commitments and overall communications have been horrid. I would suggest you knock the rating down lower for poor execution more than one point. Time will tell if they ever make good on their deliveries, even if they do get it out, dealing with this company for a warranty issue is guaranteed to be an issue. I would strongly recommend not placing an order for this product until at a minimum they clear their pre-order deliveries and get some real world performance and reliability results.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoAll excellent points Tor, I really struggled with this review. I put a lot of thought into each score and do my best to be honest and transparent with the writeup. Super Pedestrian has never paid me, I’m not a marketing rep for them and I do this site to help people find the best product for their lifestyle and budget. I try to rate the products alone but service is a huge component and I agree it brings the Copenhagen Wheel down. I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long and I hope that ends soon, I also apologize for my initial review which was less focused on delivery and service.
ReplyDon
9 years agoHi.. I’ve salvaged two right angle gear motors (24v) and electronic controler from an electric wheelchair / scooter… They seem to be crying out for me to find a way to use them on my bike… These motors are designed to propel a combined weight (scooter plus rider) in excess of 600 pounds, so i gotta assume they are pretty robust! So, has anybody out there figured out a way to marry this kind of motor to their bike? If so, i would love to hear from you! Thanx, don in south florida.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Don! Sounds like a cool project… I think you’ll have better success getting feedback by posting in the Q&A section of the Community or heading over to the Endless Sphere forums where a lot of experimentation and tinkering goes on around EV’s :)
ReplyGuenter Hibsch
9 years agoThe missing phone mounting system is natural according to the overall architecture of the bike. You use your own frame with your own handle bar – and there are:
a) so many different types of handle bars
Replyb) handle bar producer or smart phone producer offer mostly a smart phone mounting system
Court Rye
9 years agoVery true Guenter, I sometimes list other information in the “cons” section that isn’t necessarily a big detractor or misstep by the company. I’m working on a site update that will change some of the wording and try to make this more clear. I want to help remind people that they will need a phone mount but also not be too critical of the company’s decision not to include one. Thanks for your input and thoughts.
ReplyPieter de Vries Lentsch
9 years agoI totally agree with Tor on the continuing delay of delivering the Wheel to the people who pre-ordered it and already paid for it. I also ordered mine in December 2013. The latest communication from Superpedestrian was that they first want to set up a complete separate production line in Europe before they can tell anything about the delivery time. This was again a whole new message for the early adopters from Europe, a total surprise! So how long this again will take is a question which is not answered by Superpedestrian. It probably will last until Summer 2016 before we can expect the final product in European countries (I hope!). In the meantime I bought a Smart Ebike in order to get used to riding an electric bike but it isn’t the same thing as riding my light-weight 30-speed racing bike with the Copenhagen Wheel mounted in the rear! I am still looking forward to that experience but my patience surely is being tested!
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoI hope it arrives soon for you and everyone else… It seems like a real product (given the demos I saw at their headquarters near MIT and at Interbike this year). Definitely chime in again here when you finally get the motor, your bike sounds awesome! I love light weight electric bikes and yours will be super clean and minimal from the sounds of it :)
ReplyBen
9 years agoCourt, thanks for the detailed and updated review. Due to a whirlwind of financial/personal distractions, I had forgotten I pre-ordered the CW until they sent an email a year or so later. They have obviously discovered it is not a flat ride from concept to production. I can only imagine the non-production liability issues they have had to address. Also sounds like they are aiming for very large governmental markets like India. I am still very excited about this product, and while I enjoy the physical benefits of riding my human-only assisted bike for now, my aging bones will probably be more ready for the CW when it finally ships. Please keep us informed with your unbiased updates. Thanks again.
ReplyBen
9 years agoTo their credit, they have also offered a refund to those who do not feel comfortable with the wait. This was from a 10/8/15 email communication: “To reward our supporters for the wait, units sold during this pre-order period are discounted well below their manufacturing cost. If you are uncomfortable with the wait, our policy remains unchanged: you can request a refund at any time”
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoWow, that’s awesome! I wasn’t aware they were offering this sort of support. I hear a lot of negative feedback about the wait from others who have preordered but I really appreciate your data point on how they are handling their relationships and being good to customers. Thanks Ben!
Court Rye
9 years agoI’ll do my best Ben! Excited for you to get the product, definitely chime in once it arrives. I see a lot of potential with this product and was glad to see the company present at Interbike this year with a number of employees and 5+ demo bikes with Android and iPhone to test out :D
Replyc w
9 years agoWondering: programmable security mode to lock the wheel (you want to steal it, you gotta CARRY it)? as much as i like the idea of program-ability and having a one-piece solution, my inner skeptic wants something that can be used as ped-elec without a mobile device….. Does it depend on the phone’s for speed braking input? How is it avoiding a brake level power interrupt?
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoI believe it is using either Android or iOS to connect with and authenticate before the wheel can be used. You don’t have to mount the phone or press anything once it’s setup, you can leave it in your pocket or backpack and it just communicates wirelessly to tell the wheel it’s okay to go. I think you can ride the bike without a phone and in non-powered mode just fine so the wheel isn’t necessarily going to apply the brakes if there’s an interruption (like if you dropped your phone or the battery ran out). The power might just stop and you’d be coasting like on a traditional pedal-power bike until you re-established a connection. I’m only guessing here but this was the impression I got during my tests and the talk with the founding and technical members of the team.
ReplySteff
9 years agoHey , i tested the copenhagen wheel at interbike last Year, it does what you expect . Nothing more , Here is the bigger news about the Free Duck wheel , made by Ducati Energia in Italy . Since 2014 we tested the free duck ducati Energia wheel . Giving our feedback to the engineers in Italy . Since January 2016 we sell this wheel into the Netherlands , Belgium , Luxemburg! UK , and Spain comes with a full 2 years of warranty , replaceable battery, engine or controller in case of failure. Delivery time is 3 weeks !!!!! depending on actual stock . I invite everyone to test this wheel , we got them mounted on several bikes . Write at stefaan@bikeconcept.be or loco@bikeconcept.be
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Steff! The wheel looks pretty coo, I visited the official website at http://www.freeduck.it/en/#1 and it would be great to test and review, do you have any units in the USA? If you work for the company or can help me get a demo model please contact me here.
ReplyCHRISTIAN HENSON
9 years agoIs there any more information on the Free Duck Wheel? I was looking into the Copenhagen Wheel but I have been very put off by the company. I wanted to call and talk to a rep today about ordering and there is NO phone number listed for them. Maybe the idea is too good to be true. I am very sad about this because I would be ideal in my commuting world.
-Cycling Houston
Susan Glenn
9 years agoDoes anyone have a coupon code to bring the price of the wheel down?
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoGreat question Susan! I haven’t seen or heard of one but that doesn’t mean it’s not out there. Keep in mind, the Copenhagen Wheel has frustrated a lot of pre-order customers because it’s taking a lot longer to ship than initially thought. Some people have been waiting for over a year… That said, it does look awesome and performed pretty well for me at Interbike in 2015 :D
ReplyMorgan
9 years agoGreat review, well done. This thing could be a real game changer for commuters who don’t want to sweat! And you can swap it onto your regular ride – brilliant. Two questions – is the assist limited to 20mph max? Otherwise, strong legs plus a 350W motor should be able to produce double that speed easily. Even weekend riders can maintain 25mph+ on the flats so I’m curious if the thing just cuts out above 20mph. Second question is data privacy; my radar goes off anytime “sharing with the community” or connectivity back to a central server is involved. Is the mobile app component a data mining play to record users’ habits, travel, location, etc. to sell for marketing purposes? I know, “no personally identifiable data will be shared, etc.” but no one trusts that. Nowadays you spend $60K for a new car or hook up your smart appliances and the “connected” features basically report back everything you do. Otherwise this thing is perfect but sure would be nice if it went faster!
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Morgan! Yes, the motor (and most ebikes) cut out at 20 mph due to classification in the US. There are some higher speed electric bikes and speed pedelecs that go ~28 mph but they are rare and may be limited on use (like where you can ride them without breaking the law). I think as far as the app sharing your data… yes, it probably does send back your use records for “research” but also potentially for marketing. I can’t really say for sure but the team had mentioned how their data collection capabilities could be used to “reshape cities” and inform government and even create third party app opportunities. The biggest takeaway for the Superpedestrian Copenhagen Wheel to date has been that deliveries are very delayed and lots of early pre-order customers are frustrated.
ReplyMorgan
9 years agoThanks Court, I figured it might cut out at 20MPH but that’s not really a huge deal. Think of it as a backup for those high humidity summer days when you don’t want to sweat on the way to work (or dinner!). But you know 1st thing engineer nerds like me are going to do is pull the thing apart and try and change the gear ratio (or speed sensor) so it can do 30MPH! Kidding. But the swap in and out is such a perfect approach to convert any bike to an easy commuter it really could be the “killer app” for bike transportation but the price point needs to be below that of a full elec bike. I will wait until the things actually start shipping before I put down any money. But that “inform govt” does make me nervous, “…Morgan, we clocked you at 32MPH drafting a car last week. That’s $100 fine for failure to adhere to the marked bike lane…” but worse would be my wife, “Honey, your bike log shows your bike was stationary at O’Brian’s pub for 6 hours, I thought you were riding a century!” Thanks again for the research and great article.
Holmes
9 years agoDear, how often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be trust.
In this particular case, no matter how much it hurts, we shall conclude without recourse that neither founders nor the staff from Superpedestrian have ever gotten the EECS from MIT, and much less a Masters or Sc.D. in Engineering or applied physics they have claimed. Yes, we been taken for a ride, but in this case without a bicycle.
Well Know graduates from MIT were able to get from theory to three functional nuclear bombs in less time that it has already taken those “scoundrels” to put a simple battery operated wheel together.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoYeah… the purchase experience has been underwhelming. I was able to visit their lab near MIT but don’t know much about their background. The product looks cool and people are excited but business is tough and perhaps the focus on engineering has taken priority over go-to-market ;)
ReplyDr. Watson
8 years agoIndeed, Holmes. I’m afraid I would have thought a response to this case to be below you, as time has already told its story with this project that has not sustained its life. Superpedestrian has strung an innocent crowd along and has not produced tangible results. As I often do once I’ve seen your analysis and conclusion, I do agree with you that this group deserves the title of “scoundrels.”
-John H. Watson, M.D.
Patrick
8 years agoCourt, is there any update on SP actually delivering CW to anyone? Assuming this will actually occur at some point, do you know if SP provide the gear cassette for a multigear bike or is that something the end user removes from the existing rear wheel and installs on the CW? If SP provides a cassette, do you get to specify the cassette gears you want? Is there a quick release skewer? If not, I would assume you would have to carry a couple of wrenches to remove the tire if you flatted, is that correct?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Patrick! I haven’t heard from people in the comments talking about receiving their units… it’s difficult to say whether they are shipping or not? It has indeed been a LONG time and many people seem frustrated, having paid already. I can’t really comment on the cassette questions or the quick release because I’m not sure the models I tested are truly final release. Sorry :/
ReplyMichael Weatherby
8 years agoI have to say the CW is a joke, I first saw it on and episode of “Weeds” 6 years ago when Andy Botwick used selling the CW as a front for a pot operation, and in reality, this project is up in smoke. As they belabor their product,, technology has passed them by and they make Sonders a paragon of dependability (Sondedrs still hasn’t delivered all of the bikes that were paid for and instead put out another offering instead..but at least he has delivered, though my feeling is that he is doing a Ponzi Scheme to keep the money flowing). When preordering is really ripping off customers, then someone needs to investigate what they are doing with the money. After all what they are doing is not rocket science and with the time they have invested they should have a wheel that would take you into space. I laugh when one of my customers ask about the CW as if its a reality, for the same money you can actually get a really good conversion kit that delivers much more than this fantasy does….just saying
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoYeah, to me the sad part is that so many more people could be enjoying electric bikes… but they put money into a product that is taking a lot of time to deliver (or may never come) it hurts the industry and might disillusion customers :(
ReplyDaveMac
8 years agoI received my wheel (after 25 months) last week (Mid-Sept 2016). I like it. During installation I had a bit of an issue adjusting the torque arm so that it could make contact with the bike frame at the point it needed to, but I sussed it out and got it out on the road. I like to use the CW to extend my bike rides – it allows me to venture further out, and then to turn on the wheel and have a nice and easy ride home.
My biggest complaint is there is no quick release. IT NEEDS ONE. I think this will be a common observation among owners. I find it very difficult to lift this bike over my head when the CW is installed so that I can place it on my Subaru’s bike roof rack. And I’d like to be able to take the wheel off to bring indoors to charge it. And on those occasions when I’m not planning on using the CW, I’d like to place my normal wheel on. I don’t want to monkey with a screwdriver every time I want to remove it. It could be that there is a manufacturer’s reason for not providing one because it seems like such an elemental option to offer.
I did contact support in reference to the difficult installation I had (the online manuals did not seem to address it, at least with the links a search for that issue provided), but had figured out how to increase the play in the torque arm before they got back to me. They DID get back to me very quickly though, were helpful, and let me know that my solution (loosening one of the bolts nestling against the torque arm) was the correct one.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoSweet! Glad your Copenhagen Wheel arrived, thanks for the tips about quick release for charging and lifting… Excellent points, I’ll remember them for future reviews. Sometimes I feel like companies don’t use QR because it makes their product easier to steal and maybe less tight when riding? Given the weight of the wheel and the price tag, I could understand why they would go with normal bolts (because the axle is fixed right, not a skewer?) there must be solutions, after all, the wheel itself is very refined and complex :)
ReplyTom G.
7 years agoThe Copenhagen wheel doesn’t use quick-release because it doesn’t clamp as tightly, and there were problems with the wheel shifting under hard pedaling or with higher levels of motor assist. This isn’t a problem with normal bicycle wheels, but when the Copenhagen wheel shifts, the torque arm can’t read the pedal force properly.
And yes, the axle is fixed and solid.
ReplyPeter Carlin
8 years agoI received my CW last week. I ordered in Dec 2014, I think, it was soo long. It was easy to install other than the torque arm. It is intuitive to ride. It sounds different than most bike wheels, particularly when in regen. The only thing I really do not like is that one needs to pair it with a phone. Once you pair it, you have to have the phone on and the app running to turn on the wheel – so if your phone is out of battery or you don’t have it with you, you can’t use the wheel. If you leave the wheel unpaired, anyone can walk up to your bike while locked somewhere, turn the wheel on, pair with their phone, and then you have a brick of a wheel. Without the pairing you also can’t change the settings.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHmm, very interesting Peter. You feedback is appreciated and you presented it in a fair and objective way considering how long you’ve waited. Thanks again and I hope you’re able to enjoy the wheel and keep your phone charged. I’m sure you’ve see this sort of solution before but it could be worth tossing in your bag as a backup in case the phone runs down unexpectedly. If you have a newer iPhone they sell a slightly different version here with a different cable and of course… it costs more :P
Replysiegel
8 years agoI ordered and paid for the copenhagen wheel three years ago. It was delivered last week. I brought it to my local bike shop to mount on my 201x Trek 2000 with an aluminum frame. The shop told me the hub is too wide, that they would have to deflect the fork in a way that would be very dangerous for an aluminum bike. I told this to superpedestrian, they referred me to one of their “partners” in the bay area. The “partners” were unaware that they were partners with superpedestrian, and confirmed that the hub is too wide to install on an aluminum bike.
I think it is only responsible for me to share this with others planning to buy the copenhagen wheel. Maybe it will work well with steel forks, but it is not usable (or at least not safe) with aluminum forks.
buyer beware.
eric
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHmm… so sorry to hear this Siegel, would you mind sharing the width to help others who might want to measure their dropouts? Any details you’ve got are welcome. Maybe someone else will want to buy the Copenhagen Wheel from you second hand or another bike frame will become available. I appreciate your comment and wish it hadn’t taken so long to arrive :(
ReplyPeter Piper
8 years agoI really can’t get into electric bicycles that have to be plugged in and recharged. I like the Nexus and the NuVinci technology, however, because there is no need to plug in or to buy a new battery every year or two.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Peter, if you do the math on cost of food to burn calories as a pedaler vs. electricity from solar, wind or even coal… ebikes are more efficient than the human body and it’s best to plug them in vs. trying to charge by riding. I hope I understood your question correctly, the Superpedestrian offers a unique ride experience and I do appreciate the regeneration that it offers (especially if you cannot plug in) but the efficiency going from kinetic leg power to electrical storage then back out to move the motor isn’t as amazing in reality as it sounds on paper :/
ReplyAustin
7 years agoI want to buy one of these for commuting. I tested one in Boston last year at their HQ. Loved it. However I am trying figure out how fast I can make my commute. I know it is up to 20mph… but could I maintain that speed for 8 miles without being a sweaty mess showing up to work?
Also do you have any word on the bicycle they are selling it with? Thanks for the great article
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoHi Austin! Great questions, in my experience it is difficult to maintain 20 mph nonstop on any electric bike that is Class 1 or Class 2 because of traffic, stop signs and lights, and handling. I tend to average closer to 17 mph and part of that is to keep from overheating (although I spend time riding in Austin, TX where it can be very hot out. The bikes that Superpedestrian is selling with the Copenhagen Wheel look basic and uncomfortable to me because they’re running narrow tires, don’t have suspension, use old-school linear pull brakes, and are single speed (which I realize is a requirement of the Copenhagen Wheel). I’d probably still opt for one of them vs. trying to install the wheel myself, but there are lots of great ebike options out there for ~$2k now that I feel perform more efficiently, distribute weight better, and are more comfortable to ride. I hope this helps, I admire the company and am glad the product is finally coming to market but it’s just not my favorite design.
ReplyNickS
7 years agoAustin: Superpedestrian has just recently increased the top assist speed to 25MPH in the USA and Canada.
I don’t own one, so I can’t directly speak to the “sweaty mess” question , but I have a similar length commute on my Haibike Trekking and I generally average around 16-17mph. You are still pedaling even with electric assist, and if it’s warm to hot out, you can expect to sweat a bit if you keep your cadence up. Unless you sweat profusely, you’re probably not going to need to change clothing. Go for a brisk walk or light jog around the same time of day that you’d be riding; if you’re dripping with sweat after a few blocks, then you’re likely to sweat on the bike too.
ReplyLeif Forsström
7 years agoHi Court.
I have followed you since like forever. I like your reviews and your very good knowledge in ebikes that got me court(?) in this area. Still follow all your reviews, even if I don’t need a e-bike (right now) …I have one…
I ordered my CopenhagenWheel for 3,5 years ago when my commute-range were 10 miles (x2) a day. I got mine European (swedish) equipped wheel for 3 weeks ago (250w and 25km/h, but I dont think it’s downgraded from 350W. Who will know? ). I got it fitted for a Nishiki cross bike the weight 8,8 kg with pedals and shimano ultegra 10-speed hub. The weight on the wheel is 7,6 kg that is almost like the bike without the backwheel in weight.
I loved it. Supersensitive even on turbo mode. And the limit on 25 km/h were a software limitation that only you index finger in the app could modify to 40 km/h. I ride for ~15 miles in turbo an Europe not legal-mode and had 25% left on the battery. The wait for 3,5 years had done a great deal of improvement. Compared for the Flykly, that is’nt bad but not worth 999$. (had it) But I would buy FlyKly again if the price is lower. Nice quiet help on a fixie whith low weigt. I also have a Add-e, my second one. Upgraded my 250w/ 25 km/h to 600W(not) unlimited speed one. The benefit with the add-e is the weight. My fixie weigh 12kg with battery and motor and I only use it when I really need it. But it is loud. Easy to carry up to you apartment compare to the +25kg monster with fat batteries. Aprox 1000$ I spend on each this 2 last e-bike concept but the Copenhagen wheel (800$ inlc tax =early kickstarter) is the best I have used, so if you need a wheel that could adapt on any (almost) cycle with sencitive feel and good range, not to long if you not want to pedal yourself, but 20 miles is not impossible in high modes. I loved it. The small backsides of the Copenhagen Wheel is the weight is all in the back, witch is the benefit when you are in a small elevator an have to lift the front wheel up. The weight does not bather you. If I recommend the Copenhagen Wheel? Yes. But for 1499$ you got to have more than 1 mile to commute (or to much money in your pocket) Because my commute pattern had change from 10 miles to 1 mile I did not need the wheel so I sold it. Otherwise it had been my favorite commuterwheel.
Regards..
ReplyLeif
Court Rye
7 years agoGreat update Leif! I enjoyed hearing your story about trying out the FlyKly and Add-E products before the Copenhagen Wheel. It sounds like you have done well buying and selling each one, adapting to your commute and feeling out the differences (price, noise, power). I think this comment will help others and I am glad to hear that now your bicycle commute is even shorter! Keep on riding, thanks again for saying hi :)
ReplyLeif Forsström
7 years agoGood to know about Copenhagen Wheel (Superpedestrian) If you chose a fixie configuration you are stucked with one gear (12cm framesize). But with a multiple configuration you can convert to a single speed configuration, think you still got to have 13,5cm in the frame size for the wheel. I selected the multiple gear configuration because of this more flexible choice.
– Leif
Xander
7 years agoHi Leif.
I live in the UK and I’m really interested to hear about your European version of the wheel.
Due to the 250W motor and the 25kph speed restriction I was reluctant to get the European version of the wheel and was looking into trying to get a US version which is 350W and has a 20mph cap. However, from your post it looks like it may be possible to de-restrict the 25kph speed limit in the app to allow you to go faster?? Is this possible as it may sway my decision to get a European version.
Many thanks
ReplyMichel De Wolf
7 years agoEven when the wheel would be good (I don’t know as they do not deliver) this firm Superpedestrian is one great scandal. After two years pre order they still do not deliver. At the same time they are making publicity that the deliver within two months after ordering.
…..I’m waiting already over two years.
I’m afraid this whole wheel story is one great fraud. I hope I’m wrong.
ReplyMDW
Court Rye
7 years agoGosh, that sucks! I am so sorry to hear that you seem to have slipped through the cracks MDW… I had heard from many people that did not receive their Copenhagen Wheel for over a year after the crowd funding and initial orders. Have you been in touch with them? Are they trying to help you? I wish I could do more to help, I wish you the best and appreciate your word of caution here, I don’t know what to say :(
ReplyMichel De Wolf
7 years agoHi, thank you for reply, At least since 1.5 year I have been insisting on a concrete delivery date. Always vague answers. (by the last one they even faked they had not understood my questions). Please find here: some of my emails and their vague answers.
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info@superpedestrian.com Hello Michel, Apologies for not making your shipping address clear. The address we have on file for you is: Michel De Wolf … Belgium. Please let us know if this is correct. We are unable to inform you of an exact delivery date at the moment but can assure you that we will be in contact with you soon once your Wheel is built since your Wheel is already queued at our facility as of this morning. We understand this is less than ideal and as a team take responsibility for any miscommunications and delays that occur while fulfilling our preorders. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. Warm regards, The Superpedestrian team
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And: that some one would take responsibility, would also make a good impression. Instead you sign with… the … team?? Congratulations, marvelous!!
**************************
Hello, My questions were clear and simple and some way or another you try to give no answer. I want the answer NOW: Addresses;Date of delivery; How do you dare to explain your publicity with vague and non-issue answers and match them? All the rest is bs. I’m not so kind any more.
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info@superpedestrian.com Hello Michel, Thank you for your continued patience and support as we establish our global shipping network. We can see that your order has recently been picked to be built and we expect your Wheel to be completed and shipped from our Netherlands facility in the coming days. Once your order is shipped, you will receive a tracking number for your order with an exact delivery date. Please note, your Wheel will have to be signed for upon arrival. As always, let us know if you have any questions. We are excited to get you riding. Kindly, The Superpedestrian team
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support@superpedestrian.com Hi team, Your Ref. … Order … of 31 8 2015 When my wheel will be delivered on my Adress in Belgium? Meanwhile Summer has ended on August 31! Who can I contact in the Netherlands (name, phone, email, full address) about my order. This was ordered since two whole years!!!!!!!!!! On the moment your publicity mentions deliveries in one month for new orders, although I’m waiting since over two years and it is all paid. This waiting is not normal any more. I’m starting to think the whole Copenhagen wheel is one big fraud. Looking forward immediately for a precise delivery date within 5 days. Michel De Wolf. Belgium
Tom G.
7 years agoIf you pre-ordered two years ago, and haven’t received your wheel yet, get in touch with Superpedestrian and follow up with them. The wheel is in production, and my understanding is that they believe they have filled all the United States pre-orders. They may still be working on European pre-orders – the logistics of moving a product with a large LiOn battery pack from the United States factory to customers in Europe is complex. Doing it fast is almost impossible because most of the air-freight carriers won’t ship them.
(Full disclosure: I used to work at Superpedestrian, and I currently own a Copenhagen wheel.)
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoGreat feedback Tom, thanks for the advice and for disclosing your credibility. I hope this helps some people :)
Xander
7 years agoCan the European Version of the copenhagen wheel be de-restricted in the app to allow the assistance to go faster than the legal EU limit of 25kph (15.5mph)? I will occasionally be riding on private bridelways and would like to be able to derestrict the speed cap. Many thanks
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoGreat question Xander, I was just wondering that (have been filming the latest CW in NYC recently). We were trying to figure out if there’s a hardware limit or if it has to do with the version of the app you download? I cannot say but maybe someone else will chime in or someone in the Superpedestrian forums could help.
ReplyXander
7 years agoThanks for your quick response Court. Looking at some of the previous posts it looks as if LEIF FORSSTRÖM managed to alter the speed of the European in the app. “And the limit on 25 km/h were a software limitation that only you index finger in the app could modify to 40 km/h” Would love to know more from Leif and how they went about doing that. Thanks, -Xander