Cycling in water

[cgolvin]

Didn't find previous discussion of this NZ product, now being prepped for international delivery: e-powered hydrofoil bike. I'd ride it.

https://manta5.com/

[gasman]

Pretty cool looking. I bet it’s fun but at $7,500 I’d need to live next to a lake. Oh and be rich.

[Mark McM]

I think the expression "being prepped for international delivery" might be a bit optimistic. Currently, they are excepted pre-orders with claimed delivery window starting in April. In the section "How the pre-sale works" it says:

Any performance upgrades or new components developed during production will be offered free of charge.

You don't develop new components during production. This sounds like they are funding development with the money from the pre-orders - kind of like how kickstarter often works. But it also means that there is a significant risk that product may not be delivered (like how sometimes happens on kickstarter).

I also notice in the videos that the unit rides quite low in the water until you get moving - in fact, the rider has to pedal through the water the unit rises high enough above the water. I wonder if most people could actually get it started without the electric assist?

[cgolvin]

Fair consideration, though the timetable implies that they have already delivered initial products to NZ customers. Further, they are at least far enough along to have invested in a presence at CES, which is atypical for Kickstarter-type efforts IME.

My impression is that the design is not aimed at folks strong enough for full self-propulsion, if that's even possible (per your point on starting underwater), rather for always-on assist. But I'm just guessing since I long ago found reasons to avoid attending CES.

[buddybikes]

Much better solution to water: https://www.austinkayak.com/2020-Hob...ACK27724P.html

[Veloo]

Is it just a rebranded Chinese product or is this an IP counterfeit ripoff?

https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...032521643.html

[cgolvin]

No idea…if forced I'd guess the latter.
No mention of the motor but it does say "CE certification" so there are some electronics in there I guess.

[sitzmark]

Originally Posted by Veloo

Is it just a rebranded Chinese product or is this an IP counterfeit ripoff?

https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...032521643.html

Suspect the alibaba product is IP ripoff. I've been getting project milestone updates from Manta since 2017 - prior to proof of concept units or definite release to market objectives. The US price has escalated by ~$2k IIRC.

[skiezo]

But------ can you fish off of it?

[merckx]

Attach a pair of Corsa Controls to any bike and it becomes a water bicycle.

Ducking.......

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

Fair consideration, though the timetable implies that they have already delivered initial products to NZ customers. Further, they are at least far enough along to have invested in a presence at CES, which is atypical for Kickstarter-type efforts IME.

My impression is that the design is not aimed at folks strong enough for full self-propulsion, if that's even possible (per your point on starting underwater), rather for always-on assist. But I'm just guessing since I long ago found reasons to avoid attending CES.

There have been plenty of products shown at CES that have never seen the light of day.

There have been many human powered hydrofoils, some home built, and others sold commercially, going back until at least the 1980s (possibly earlier). Human powered hydrofoils currently hold the human powered watercraft record (previously held by 8-man shells). Most of these have had some type of float base (often surfboard shaped or a pair of pontoons) that hold the "rider" completely out the water when stationary, although I do remember an early prototype that had no float, and was launched up onto the foils with a catapault.

[chiasticon]

eh, it's been done...

[charliedid]

Cycling on water is so weird.

[smontanaro]

It's not clear if it's possible to use without the e-assist. What happens if your battery goes flat when you're across the lake? Will you be able to make it back under your own power?

[Patb095]

https://fbwat.ch/1dzG06sp44tli8Je

I believe this has been an Olympic event.