Scrooser: the most minimal scooter there is

from TWOWHEELSBLOG

Diminutive German manufacturer Scrooser presents the Scrooser, a modern and quite extravagant new mobility solution based on a classic scooter. As you can see at first glance from the pictures, the design of the model is reduced to the bare essentials: the product looks as simple as it can be and exploits the ‘intelligent impulse drive technology’. Basically, this system provides electric power support augmenting the amount of physical force the foot has pushed off the ground with: the ‘impulse drive’ kicks in automatically when a speed of 2 mph or greater is reached, and it pauses until you release another impulse (again with whatever amount of force your foot has pushed off the ground with). The interval between the pushing impulses depends on the riding situation you’re in, and whenever you apply the brakes, the motor is automatically disengaged.

Well, in light of all that, we reckon the Scrooser would hardly qualify as a proper scooter, but it must be pointed out that no license or helmet will be required to hang around with it. The engine (48 V; 1000 W; electrics 48 V; 20 Ah) is a direct drive motor integrated into the rear wheel rim, which means that there are no gear belts, linkages or any other additional elements that could break.

Apparently, a perfect pace for maneuvering through the city among pedestrian filled sidewalks is around 10 km/h (6 mph), but the Scrooser could even race some cyclists on bike paths at a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h (15 mph). The Lithium-Ion battery cells are stored in an external case underneath the footboard: it can be charged while attached to the Scrooser or taken out in order to plug it into an ordinary outlet.

The frame basically consists of two parts. Each half is formed from one piece by a process called “free-form 3D bending”. The enormous stability is generated through the short successive radii and a high-strength aluminum alloy. This also raises the degree of difficulty during the manufacturing process. Therefore the frame including the fork only weighs 2.7 kg, with the whole vehicle weighing in at 28 kg only.

The impressive width of the tires provides the Scrooser with its own characteristic look and style, plus they are so fat that when you step off, the Scrooser remains standing in place (hence no need for a kickstand). The Scrooser also comes with daytime running lights that consist of white LEDs in front and red LEDs in the back, which also act as rear reflector. It might have little or nothing to do with motorcycles, but we believe the Scrooser is actually brilliant.

Scrooser - Technical Data

• Weight 28 kg/ 61 lbs
• Capacity 125 kg/ 275 lbs
• Engine 250W (curbed) / 1000W hub motor
• Performance 48V/ 20Ah
• Battery Li-ion Battery Managament System
• Charging ca. 1 - 3,5 h - depending on the charger
• Speed up to 25 kmh/ 15 mph
• Range up to 35 km/ 22 miles
• Impulse Drive Range up to 55km/ 34 miles
• Frame Aluminium EN AW-6082
• Handlebar Stonglight Ahead “RAZ-Stahl”
• Stem custom made
• Front brake hydraulic disc brake
• Rear brake internal electric motor break
• Tires 18 x 9.5 - 8
• Seat height 700mm
• Spacing front to rear wheel: 1300mm
• Dimensions L/W/H: 1750mm, 750mm, 1100mm

Le circuit de Zolder fête son 50e anniversaire ce week-end

Le circuit de Zolder fête son 50e anniversaire ce prochain week-end. Les festivités de Zolder Grand Prix ‘50 Years’ débuteront dès jeudi et s’étaleront sur quatre jours.

Le Grand Prix du Limbourg en 1963 a donné le coup d’envoi d’un demi-siècle de compétition, incluant sports auto et moto, épreuves cyclistes et motocross. Aujourd’hui, le circuit accueille chaque année plus de 400.000 utilisateurs et visiteurs dans le cadre de formations, de compétitions et d’activités récréatives : « Le domaine a évolué pour devenir un site pluridisciplinaire, dans l’optique de créer une plus-value  sociale », explique son directeur général Thierry Deflandre. « C’est cette évolution que nous voulons mettre en avant pendant ces quatre jours, en proposant un éventail d’activités pour jeunes et moins jeunes, en hommage à 50 ans de passion automobile sur et autour de l’asphalte de Zolder. »

Un week-end haut en couleurs

Avant d’accueillir les courses du week-end, l’asphalte va chauffer sous les roues des participants au Track Day organisé jeudi par Curbstone. De 9 à 12 et de 13 à 17 heures, les propriétaires de bolides pourront s’en donner à cœur joie sur le circuit, à condition d’avoir au moins 300 chevaux sous la pédale. Le vendredi, le circuit sera réservé aux amateurs de sensations fortes qui, solidement harnachés dans le siège du co-pilote d’un bolide surpuissant, seront invités à faire un tour de circuit.

La journée de samedi démarrera avec les qualifications du Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux dont les concurrents s’affronteront lors de trois épreuves réparties sur le week-end. Des bolides contemporains aux oldtimers en passant par les youngtimers de la Belgian Historic & Youngtimer Cup… il n’y a qu’un pas ; quant aux amateurs de belles anglaises d’âge mûr, ils se régaleront devant le spectacle de la Triumph Competition & British GT.

Ceux qui préfèrent les deux-roues motorisés apprécieront le GP Youngtimers pour motos de 250 à 500 cc des années 60, 70, 80 et 90. Un week-end Grand Prix ne serait évidemment pas complet sans les incontournables monoplaces. Zolder se mettra donc à l’heure anglaise avec la populaire Formula 3 Cup pour monoplaces construits entre 1980 et 2008. Quant au spectaculaire Dutch Super Single Seater, il verra concourir des voitures de Formule jusqu’à 4.0 litres – de la F3000 à la F1 en passant par les formules Champcar, Worldseries et GP2. Elles s’affronteront pour la victoire… et pour le plus grand bonheur du public.

Découverte du circuit, expositions et rallye

Mais les festivités ne se limiteront pas à des activités dynamiques sur et autour du circuit. Les organisateurs ont également prévu plusieurs expositions, dont ‘50 jaar Circuit Zolder’ et ‘Ferdinand Porsche, The Heritage – frome electric to electric’. La journée de dimanche verra défiler environ 500 oldtimers qui rejoindront Zolder en empruntant les plus jolies routes du pays au départ d’Anvers et de Bruxelles dans le cadre du Beerens Classic Rally.

Les billets d’entrée généraux sont disponibles en prévente au prix de 7 euros pour le jeudi ou le vendredi et de 20 euros pour le samedi ou le dimanche. Les tickets ‘Grand Prix’ (entrée + accès au paddock, au  Gentleman’s club et au Gridwalk) coûtent 40 euros par jour de week-end ou 70 euros pour les deux jours.

from Turbo Magazine

THE PISTONE-PEDALI MOTORISED BICYCLE

I have a huge soft spot for motorised bicycles like this one – dubbed the “Pistone-Pedali” by its creator Chris Rindos. When motorcycles first appeared they looked far more like this than anything we’d consider a motorcycle in the modern day – in fact the first motorcycles were just bicycles with engines attached, much like the hand-built, 49cc machine you see here.

Chris used to own a Suzuki GN400 when he was a little younger, his brother had a Yamaha SR500 and the two of them spent countless hours working on their bikes and dreaming of turning them into proper cafe racers. As often happens, life got in the way and eventually the bikes were sold on.

Some time passed and Chris’ throttle wrist began to get a little itchy – so he began hatching a plant to build something that he could use to commute to work.

When he first saw the Giant “Simple Single” bicycle he knew he’d found his project chassis, he ordered a 26 inch model and set about acquiring an engine, transmission, fuel tank and new saddle. He opted for a 49cc Huasheng 142F four-stroke engine capable of 2.4hp, he then matched that to an EZ Motorbike Q-Matic single-speed gearbox with a centrifugal clutch, he then added a set of Felt Racing “Abraham Linkage” springer forks, a Sturmey Archer X-FD 70mm front drum brake, vintage replica “Jackhammer” throttle/grips, vintage replica quill pedals, a beautiful Brooks B67 sprung leather saddle, a drilled 56-tooth aluminum drive sprocket for #41 motorcycle chain and a four-litre fuel tank.

Chris then added custom lettering to the fuel tank, officially naming the bike “Pistone-Pedali” (it’s the Italian singular of “piston” and the plural for “pedals”), this tank was then clear coated to protect the vinyl decal from the elements.

When building the bike, Rindos planned to create a bike that looked for all the world like it was designed in 1903 – and I think the finished product looks exactly like the kind of thing you would have seen on the roads with penny-farthings and horse-drawn carriages.

The Pistone-Pedali is capable of a top speed of 41mph, though Chris says he usually sticks closer to 30 – he now uses the bike as his primary commuter and notes that it’s saved him a fortune as the bike has a MPG rating of 150+.

If you’d like to build something like this I’d recommend you shoot Chris an email – pistonepedali@yahoo.com – He’s a friendly guy who’s more than happy to chat with you and share advice, tips and tricks. If you do happen to build something cool, don’t forget to email us at Silodrome so we can show the world.

                                              via SILODROME 

aviateur !!