The 2009 Schwinn
Tailwind Electric Bike
By: Gladys Avalos
What is the E-Bike?
• It’s like a regular bicycle, but with an
electric component that assists in
pedaling.
Schwinn Tailwind Link
How does it work?
The electric components
• The E-Bike’s electric
components consist of
the Battery Power
Pac and the Plug N’
Drive DC Brushless
Hub Motor
The electric components
•
The Hub Motor’s brushless
design uses “pulses” of
electricity sent from the
battery to create power.
•
These pulses are triggered
by the motor controller
located just in front of the
battery in the battery
junction box.
•
The controller is like the
fuel injection system in a
car metering out just the
right amount of power
efficiently at the right
time based on rider input
and road conditions
Power Dial
• The Power Dial
allows you to control
the power assist.
• It allows you to
choose the level of
pedal assist you
prefer.
• When turned off, the
E-Bike runs like a
regular bike.
What’s so innovative about
the E-Bike?
The Toshiba Super
Charge ion Battery (SCiB)
SCiB
•
Toshiba’s Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) makes
the Schwinn E-Bike the fastest charging E-Bike
with a standard charge time of under 30 minutes
•
Toshiba’s Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB)
Technology is capable of charging a laptop in as
little as 10 minutes.
•
The structure of the battery prevents thermal runaway
even if a short circuit is forced, making it one of the
safest batteries in the market.
•
It has minimal capacity loss so it’s capable of
recharging for more than 2,000 cycles which makes it
eco-friendly since battery replacement is reduced or
completely eliminated
Toshiba's SCiB Link
Why ride an E-Bike?
It’s Eco-friendly
It’s Eco-Friendly
• Reduces individual carbon footprint
(More about carbon footprint)
• Choosing to ride a bicycle instead of a
car reduces the amount of smog that
contaminates the air causing
detrimental damage to the ozone layer.
• Gasoline, the fuel used to run cars, is a
non-renewable resource
It’s economical
Save on gas...
• The E-Bike runs on
electricity, not gas.
Save on mechanic...
• Save on trips to the
mechanic, the EBike doesn’t need:
‣ Oil changes
‣ Smog checks
Save on DMV
• The E-Bike doesn’t
require:
‣ a driver’s license
‣ registration
‣ insurance
‣ plates
It’s healthy
It’s healthy
• The E-Bike can be used as a regular
bike, so you can use it as a workout as
you enjoy the scenery
• When you feel you need a break, turn
on the pedal assist to your desired level
The Benefits
The Benefits of Using the E-Bike
Miles per Month
Gas $ Savings*
Pounds of CO2
emissions saved
Calories burned
(for 150 lb person)
10 miles
$2
3.88
279
25 miles
$5
9.7
697
50 miles
$10
19.4
1395
100 miles
$20
38.8
2790
150 miles
$30
58.2
4185
200 miles
$40
77.6
5580
*Assuming the cost of one gallon of gasoline is 4 USD and the miles per gallon of your
vehicle is approximately 20.
Source: Schwinn CO2/$ Saved Calculator:
http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/Extras/Calculator.aspx
In Comparison
The E-bike compared to other modes of transportation
The E-Bike
Reg. Bicycle
Car
Motorcycle
No
No
Yes
Yes
For road trips (>25
No
mi)
No
Yes
Yes
To commute (<25
mi)
No
Yes
Yes
Uses gas (a
nonrenewable
resource)
Yes
Approx. money
spent* (per month)
Eco-friendly*
*Rated on a scale of 1-5 each icon representing 1.
Scale based on all the research.
Who is the E-Bike for?
Teenagers
• No license needed
• Less expensive than a car
• Good for commute to school
Seniors
• Cheaper than a car
• Entertaining
• Healthy
• Provides pedal assistance
Commuters
• No traffic
• Save on gas
• Some cities offer a tax credit
• No sweat
Everyone!!
The E-Bike is here to stay
Europe
• The “Electric
Bikes Worldwide
Reports – 2010
Update”
estimates that
1,000,000
electric bicycles
will be sold in
Europe in 2010.
China
• There were
roughly 120
million "e-bikes"
on the road in
China as of early
2010.
The U.S.
• Sales in the
USA will reach
roughly
300,000 in
2010, doubling
the number
sold in 2009.
Reviews
❖ Adam Aston of BusinessWeek gives the Schwinn Tailwind 3
1/2 stars and likes that “an electric motor makes pedaling a
breeze” and described it as a “commuter bike.” However, he
found the e-bike to be “heavy and cumbersome.”
❖Cnet’s Wayne Cunningham “found the assist useful, helping
the bike along with minimal pedal input required.”
Reviews
❖Laura June of engadget said the Tailwind can help you “get to and from work
without sweating profusely and horrifying your co-workers.” She also thought
“the little extras like the on-board lights really make it a feasible means of
transportation.”
References
1. "Technology." Schwinn Electric Bikes. Schwinn, 2010. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/Technology/ElectronicComponents.aspx>.
2. "2009 Tailwind." Schwinn. Schwinn, 2010. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Electric/Details/1367-s9_tail-Tailwind>.
3. "Testimonials." Schwinn Electric Bikes. Schwinn, 2010. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/News/Testimonials.aspx>.
4. "CO2/Dollar Saving Calculator." Schwinn Electric Bikes. Schwinn, 2010. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/Extras/Calculator.aspx>.
5. "Super-Charge Ion Battery (SCiB™) 12 & 24 V." TOSHIBA. Toshiba, 2010. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://www.toshiba.com/ind/product_display.jsp?id1=821>.
6. June, Laura. "Schwinn Tailwind electric bike review." n. pag. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/schwinn-tailwind-electric-bike-review/>.
7. Aston, Adam. "The Schwinn Tailwind: An E-bike for Commuters." n. pag. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/mar2009/id20
8. Cunningham, Wayne. "Schwinn Tailwind e-bike first take." n. pag. Web. 20 Apr 2010. <http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_710196210-48.html>.
9. "What is a carbon footprint- definition." Time for Change. Time for Change, 2010. Web. 19 Apr 2010.
<http://timeforchange.org/what-is-a-carbon-footprint-definition>.
10."Electric Bicycle." Wikipedia. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle>.