In a world obsessed with electronics, e-bikes have become omnipresent. But while there’s a lot to say in favour of such a mode of transport – especially when it replaces a less environmentally-friendly option – some of us have a normal bike they love and don’t want to part with. If that’s your case, but you’re still looking for a little assistance, CLIP might be the gadget you’re looking for.
How to turn your regular bike into an e-bike? It’s a question that many of us have pondered repeatedly, but for a long time, the answer seemed laborious and complex. This is precisely why CLIP co-founder Som Ray created this ingenious gadget.
“The idea was born from my own need – while living in Brooklyn I bought a bike to commute to work, but it became a pain because of a long uphill gradient. An obvious solution was to get an e-bike, but I’d already invested in my own bike and loved it, and an e-bike is a whole magnitude more expensive”, Ray told Dezeen.
When looking for simple solutions, it seemed like they didn’t exist. “I looked at e-bike conversion kits, but they are often painfully complex to set up. What I really wanted was the flexibility to easily move between analogue and e-bike”, Ray continues.
Som Ray decided to design such a device himself, with the main objectives being user-friendliness and flexibility. Consequently, CLIP can be attached to a wide range of standard bicycles in a matter of seconds, converting them into a temporary e-bike. The battery lasts for approximately 19 km (12 miles), enabling speeds of up to 24 km (15 miles) per hour. Once empty, CLIP can be charged in under an hour.
CLIP, which weighs approximately 4 kilograms and fits into most backpacks, features two arms that are designed like a fork over the front wheel of your bike. A motor drives a roller, powering the bike’s front wheel through friction drive. A red button activates the motor, and a white button enables regenerative braking, helping to extend CLIP’s range during downhill travel.
According to Ray, CLIP is the perfect option for those living in or making a short commute to the city who do not wish to invest in a regular e-bike. Due to its compactness and design, the device can easily be taken to the workplace and charged throughout the day. Furthermore, 30 CLIPs can be transported in the same space required for just one e-bike, and it is reported that the environmental impact is significantly less.
CLIP is available in two versions: Commuter (up to 10 km) and Explorer (up to 24 km), with prices respectively set at 450 and 550 euros.
