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Welcome to Flywheel, a weekly exploration of owned and used micromobility. Each newsletter will highlight an observation of trends emerging in the industry and feature a few of the most interesting vehicles/hardware in micromobility.

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The observation of the week is an interview with Som Ray about CLIP, the plug & play ebike tech for all bicycles. This week’s featured vehicles are two performance scramblers/emopeds and a compact cargo/utility bike.

Observation of the Week

Amplifying Analog Bicycles with Som Ray @ CLIP

The micromobility revolution is undoubtedly built upon the electrification of traditional two-wheelers, and the growing demand for light vehicles that can serve daily utility has led to more and more battery-powered vehicles that are heavier and increasingly complex. However, in the race to build vehicles with the highest power outputs/torques and longest ranges, some riders fear that the movement has left behind the humble elegance of a bicycle that makes it so delightful to ride in the first place. This week on Flywheel, I had the privilege of chatting with Som Ray, who started CLIP to build a plug & play electrification platform that provides the convenience of an ebike by amplifying and celebrating analog bicycles. Please welcome Som:

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Puneeth: “Hi Som, thanks for taking the time to chat today. To start off, could you share a little bit about your background and what led to you starting CLIP?”

Som: “Thanks for having me! I'm originally from India where I trained and practiced as an architect. I first came to the US in 2002 to do a master's in architecture in New York City. After working in New York for a bit, I went to MIT to study urban mobility. That's where I really got involved in this space through a group called Smart Cities that was run by William Mitchell and funded by GM. A lot of the projects were car-centric but also looked at reducing urban footprint through ideas like folding and stackable cars.

Post-MIT, I went back to India to start an electric auto rickshaw company in 2009 but it was too early - battery tech was just starting to come online. I stayed in India working on urban mobility consulting projects before coming back to the US a few years later. At that time, I was living in Park Slope, Brooklyn and riding my bike back and forth to work at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The first month was great but soon it became painful going up hills on Vanderbilt Ave. I started thinking about ebike conversion kits but most were expensive or required replacing the wheel.

So the idea formed to create something you could easily attach and detach to augment a regular bike. I wanted it to be completely plug-and-play without any tools needed. Those were some of the key vectors that shaped the initial concept for CLIP.”

Puneeth: “You've mentioned a variety of ebike conversion kits (i.e. the Copenhagen Wheel). What makes CLIP unique and who is the ideal customer for it today compared to the broader ebike market?”

Som: “To be perfectly honest, we're still trying to pin down the ideal user profile. We have a variety of customers - young artists and photographers using it to get around Brooklyn, suburban commuters who ride it from the train to the office, couples who share it on the weekends, seniors who appreciate the pedal assist on a lighter weight bike, and bikeshare riders using CLIP in shared pedal bikes when shared ebikes aren’t available or cost too much.

What we're seeing is there's a group that wants the benefits of an ebike for certain situations but also appreciates the simplicity of a traditional bike experience. CLIP lets them have both and easily switch between them.

As far as other conversion kits go, most require significant installation and aren’t easily removable. This means that you mostly have a semi-permanent ebike without the efficiencies of a permanent ebike. CLIP is the world’s only “no-tools” ebike conversion kit, and it can be attached and detached to almost any bike in mere seconds.”

Puneeth: “Could you elaborate a bit more on how the product works?”

Som: “CLIP is designed to be simple yet sophisticated in its output. It's a friction roller drive that engages the front wheel. We have a unique drive control system that doesn't use a cadence sensor on the pedal. Instead, through the hall sensors in the motor itself, CLIP can detect when the bike is in motion and how much pedaling effort the rider is providing. It then supplies a small current to make it feel like you're riding a very light bike.

You also get a remote with a boost button that magnetically attaches to the handlebar. When you press the remote, the motor kicks in at a higher torque to give you an additional boost when you’re going up hills or need to overtake someone. The more you pedal, the more it helps - up to 15mph. But the acceleration is smooth and gradual, not sudden and abrupt like some ebikes. CLIP is also capable of regenerative braking.

To use it, you just open the clamp, attach CLIP to the fork, and close it. The amount of clamping force is managed by internal springs to fit a range of tire sizes and forks. We've had customers successfully use the CLIP on everything from thin road bike tires up to thick mountain bike tires and bikeshare bikes.”

Puneeth: “I see that CLIP is offered in two variants, could you talk about the reasoning behind that and what the main differences are between the two?”

Som: “We kind of fell into the realization that we should offer two variants by accident. During testing and use of some of our very first units, we quickly realized that the original CLIP with two batteries on either side of the kit wasn’t necessary for every commuter. It was heavier than it needed to be, and charging time was slower.

So we decided to split the CLIP into two variants, a Commuter model for the on-the-go rider and the Explorer model for higher use riders like gig-delivery workers.

The Commuter retails for $499 and has a 96Wh battery pack that gives you a 6-8 mile range per charge, while the Explorer retails for $599 and has a second 96Wh battery pack (total capacity of 192Wh) that extends the range to 15-20 miles. The simplified Commuter is more portable, not only because it weighs a pound less but also because its battery capacity is low enough to allow you to legally travel with it as a carry-on on airplanes. Both have the same 250W (450W peak) motor, and all other specs and functionality are also effectively the same between the two models.

Over time, we want to continue to offer more variants that are optimized for different use-cases. One such option we’re currently developing is the Bolt, which is a lower-cost CLIP variant for emerging markets or bikeshare. It will have a semi-permanent mount and swappable batteries. By simplifying the design, we can bring the upfront cost down to around $100-$150. The battery will then be offered as a subscription. We'll be piloting this in Calcutta, India soon, and we think it could also work well for smaller scale bikeshare fleets in tier-2/tier-3 cities and campuses in the US. Later this year, we're also planning to launch a more powerful variant called Link for trail riding.

While the ebike market is maturing, we see a big opportunity in the conversion kit space to serve these different segments and grow bicycling overall by letting people adapt the bikes they already have.”

Puneeth: “What does maintenance and servicing look like for CLIP if a customer has an issue? Do they ship it back to you?”

Som: “Maintenance is quite easy. We really wanted to keep it simple from the user's perspective. If there is an issue, we first troubleshoot over a Zoom call. If it can't be solved, we ship them a new unit along with a return label to send the original back.

We refurbish the returned units at our lab here in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Fortunately, we have not had many defects in our production units. Early on, we had to iterate a bit and make some design improvements. But now we have a 95% confidence level in the product quality.

Everything can be put back in its original box which is quite compact and ships for a ~$15 flat rate anywhere in the US. We have the UN38.3 battery certification as well which makes the logistics straightforward.”

Puneeth: “Are there plans to add IoT capabilities, theft protection, or other accessories around the core drive unit?”

Som: “On the IoT side, CLIP already has Bluetooth connectivity and is an IoT device in that sense. We plan to build out a companion app this year to add more functionality. But we've intentionally prioritized getting the core hardware experience right first based on advice from other founders who said people often don't end up using the apps.

In terms of theft, the fact that you can quickly detach CLIP and take it with you is already a key deterrent. We're also testing an accessory lock that would let you secure CLIP to the frame if you need to make a quick stop.

Accessories are definitely part of the roadmap. I see CLIP as a platform to augment the bike experience in many ways beyond the motor. Some ideas we're exploring are integrated lights, GPS tracking, action cameras for video logging your rides, even smart helmets.”

Puneeth: “That’s really interesting! It feels like CLIP is a sort of Iron Man suit for the bike.”

Som: “Exactly! The approach is to identify pain points and opportunities to enhance the core biking experience. Personally as a product designer, I'm always tempted to create our own bike! But from a business perspective, the focus is on the modular accessories that can attach to any bike. We might do some experimental projects at some point though, like a "clippable" cargo bike attachment. But at the moment, that would be more of a fun side project vs a strategic priority.”

Puneeth: “What are some of the major milestones CLIP has hit to date? What markets are CLIPs available in?”

Som: “We've sold over 2500 units so far through online D2C as well as 10-15 small retail partners (mostly bike shops) around the US. An exciting update is that we’ll be launching in Best Buy in the US and Canada in a few months, and we’ll be expanding to other similarly sized retail chains focused on sporting goods after that.

The design of our products has really resonated with the market. We were named one of the 100 Best Inventions in 2020 by Time Magazine, Best Product Design Honoree in 2020 by Fast Company, and were featured as a top product in Bicycling Magazine.

We’ll soon be completing our UL safety certification in the coming months, and we now have our own production line set up in India with a strategic manufacturing partner that gives us sufficient capacity to really scale this year with good margins.

Geographically, our priorities are to grow our presence in the US, expand to key European markets like France, Germany, Netherlands, and launch our lower cost Bolt model in India. We'll also be releasing the higher-powered Link version later this year.”

Puneeth: “Is there anything else you want to share about where you see the ebike conversion space going and CLIP's role in it?”

Som: “I think we're seeing a real inflection point in the ebike conversion kit category. Even 4 years ago, there wasn't much data or attention on this segment vs the complete ebike market.

But as ebike sales growth plateaus, there is huge potential to address the installed base of over 1 billion bicycles globally. Conversion kits let you electrify bikes at a fraction of the cost of buying a new ebike. They also give more flexibility to have both pedal and electric-assist options.

We think a thoughtfully designed kit with the right user experience can unlock this market. Our traction over the last year going from 5,000 to over 50,000 followers and generating strong organic interest shows we're connecting with unmet needs.

So we're excited to keep expanding the CLIP platform with new models to bring more people into bikes and micromobility overall vs competing for share of the ebike pie. We see a bright future making any bike "CLIPable".”

You can learn more about CLIP here. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

For more observations and resources on owned and used micromobility, check out rideflywheel.com/resources.

Featured Vehicles of the Week

1. Onyx RCR | $4,000 | Santa Barbara

The Onyx RCR is a class-2/class-3 emoped-style scrambler that blurs the lines between an electric bicycle and an electric moped, delivering performance that rivals some emotorcycles at a price point more in line with high-end ebikes. Its powertrain features a rear hub motor with a staggering 182Nm of torque and a massive 1.66kWh battery pack. The RCR can hit a blistering 60mph in its unrestricted off-road mode, but there’s street-legal class-2 and class-3 modes as well for riders using the RCR in the bike lane. To tame this speed and power, the RCR has a full suspension system with a mountain bike-style front suspension fork and a motorcycle-style dual coilover suspension in the rear.

The growing popularity of high-speed ebike scramblers like the RCR exposes important concerns about the regulatory gray area that these vehicles operate in. The RCR’s pedals and class-2 or class-3 ride modes technically make it a street and bike lane legal vehicle that is technically classified as an ebike, meaning that it can be ridden without the registration, insurance, or license requirements of a moped or motorcycle. However, there’s no easy way to enforce that riders keep these vehicles in their street-legal modes when using bike lanes or shared paths. A rider could easily switch to the unrestricted off-road mode and blast down a bike path at 60mph, presenting a serious safety risk to both themselves and those around them. I don't necessarily think that limiting the top speed of these vehicles is the answer. After all, cars are capable of speeds far in excess of legal limits, and we trust drivers to operate them responsibly. The key difference is that cars operate in dedicated lanes and require licensing, registration, and insurance.

California is now taking a fairly hard stance on this point. CA Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB-1271 last September, which, among several other new regulations, updates the three-class system used to categorize ebikes. The current three-class system allows for class-3 ebikes to have a throttle as long as throttle-only riding cuts out at 20mph. However, California’s new classification codifies that class-1 and class-3 ebikes cannot have a throttle at all, barring a walk-mode button/throttle with a max speed of 3.7mph. Throttles will still be legal, but only on pure class-2 ebikes. The law also redefines the max power output of ebikes from 750W of nominal (continuous) power to 750W of peak power. This is another significant change because many ebikes output several 100Ws of power beyond 750W as a way to boost the vehicle when climbing hills or accelerating are no longer street-legal. SB-1271 is going to have major ramifications for the California and greater US ebike market as a whole. As Micah Toll aptly put it: “Unlike in Europe, the US e-bike market is dominated by throttle-controlled electric bicycles. And unlike Europeans, Americans largely operate e-bikes by throttle.”

In the meantime, the Onyx RCR remains a thrilling and boundary-pushing machine that challenges our notions of what an ebike can be. It's a testament to the rapid evolution of electric vehicle technology and a glimpse into a future where the lines between bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles are increasingly blurred. This listing has been driven for 12 months and is being resold by a bike shop. The shop has completed minor repairs to the pedals and charger. Listing can be found here.

2. CERO One | $800 | LA

The CERO One is a compact class-1 cargo/utility ebike that takes inspiration from the classic Japanese Mamachari bicycles that were known for their practicality and versatility. Think of it as the electric bicycle equivalent of a small but mighty pickup truck - nimble in size but built to haul serious cargo. At just 70 inches in length, the One is even more compact than a typical commuter ebike. The smaller front wheel compared to the rear gives it agile handling, almost like how the short nose of a pickup helps with maneuverability and parking in tight spaces. This compact size also makes the One highly portable, so you can easily take it with you on public transit or store it in smaller spaces. Its powertrain features a 60Nm Shimano STePs E-6100 mid-drive motor and a 504Wh battery, which gives it up to a 300lbs payload capacity. The integrated cargo racks, one in front and one in rear, are each rated for 55lbs. Arguably, CERO’s standout feature is the modular design of its racks. With multiple built-in mounting points, you can mix and match all sorts of cargo accessories to suit your specific hauling needs. There are also several other thoughtful features like frame-integrated lights and built-in locks that make the One ideal for urban cargo hauling. This listing was bought in 2018 but has less than 3mi of usage. Listing can be found here.

3. ASYNC A1 Pro | $1,699 | Washington DC

The Async A1 Pro is a one-of-a-kind class-2/class-3 performance scrambler ebike that looks like it just rolled out of a sci-fi movie. The A1 Pro’s powertrain packs a serious punch, featuring a beefy 100Nm (1200W) rear hub motor and a whopping 1920Wh battery pack. The battery pack is removable and made of automotive-grade 21700 Samsung cells. All this power is channeled through a simple and easy to maintain single-speed carbon belt drive transmission given that the high-torque motor mostly removes the need for extra gears. The A1 Pro can hit a max speed of 35mph in its off-road mode, but Async has both a class-2 and class-3 ride configurations to make sure it’s street legal - see my comments about the Onyx RCR above regarding the gray area that these soft class modes/limitations pose. ASYNC has put a significant emphasis on the A1 Pro’s chassis design, which not only gives it a striking outer space aesthetic but also gives it an incredibly sturdy and comfortable ride. The frame is fully integrated to make it as durable as possible, and the full suspension suite features a front suspension fork and a unique mid-frame monoshock rear suspension to smooth out bumpy rides. There’s even 20”x4” fat tires to further absorb shocks when riding. Rounding out the A1 Pro are industry-leading software and UX features: a full-color digital dashboard, digital keys, a sophisticated vehicle alarm system, and integrated navigation. The A1 Pro was initially launched via Indiegogo and has since transitioned to selling D2C on ASYNC’s website after a successful campaign. Both A1s and A1 Pros are currently sold out on their website, so this listing for an effectively new A1 Pro (only been charged once) is a great way to avoid waiting for new shipments. Listing can be found here.

That’s it for this edition. Thanks again for joining, see you next time!

- Puneeth Meruva