Electric bike alternative: The Super Wheel uses mechanical energy, like a pogo stick

• The SuperWheel is designed to convert the rider’s weight into propulsion energy.
• Motor and battery are not necessary.
• The wheel is available in different sizes. It replaces the existing rear wheel.
• The SuperWheel should also help e-bikes to reach a greater range.

There are already e-bikes with “infinity drive”, but of course these have a catch, they are not perpetuum mobile. This also applies to the SuperWheel, which, like the well-known Copenhagen Wheel, replaces the rear wheel. It promises advantages that will make cycling much more comfortable and also significantly increase the range of modern e-bikes. But question marks remain.

The power is in the springs

The manufacturer names the so-called weight (mass) to energy conversion technology (WTECT) as the key to the non-electric system, in which the driver’s weight is converted into kinetic energy while driving and efficiency is increased by around 30 percent. Cycling should feel like you have a constant tailwind.

Springs are attached between the spokes of the SuperWheel. While driving, the springs in the upper part of the wheel compress while they decompress in the lower half of the wheel. A video suggests the basic functionality.

Test with an e-bike: double the range?

SuperWheel inventor Simon Chan documented an experiment on LinkedIn in which he wanted to know how his invention would change the range of an e-bike.

He assumed that he could double a range of 100 kilometers by using the SuperWheel. The experiment shows that the gain in range was not that great. According to the report, the battery died after 160 kilometers.

Buy SuperWheel: price and availability

The SuperWheel, which has been in development for over ten years, is available in different generations and sizes. The price is 475 euros. Real, independent testimonials are hard to find, so a certain amount of skepticism is warranted. The Super Wheel won’t be able to circumvent the laws of physics.

So that the system can work efficiently and the springs are optimally tuned, you must specify your weight when ordering. Versions with different tires and with 7, 8 or 9 gears are available. We will introduce you to other e-bike innovations here. We have tested the latest city e-bikes for you here.

We updated the article at 7:20 p.m. “Cycling feels like you have a tailwind” has been changed to “Cycling should feel like you have a tailwind. The subjunctive is now used in other places because the original version could have given the impression that it was to advertising claims of the manufacturer.