SAVAE: How to easily save eBikes from the trash bin
Electric bikes (e-bikes) will be the future stars of our recycling centers.
The main reason for this, in our opinion, is their design around an all-powerful central motor.
This motor technologically locks the bike frame to a specific brand and generation of motor (👉 left photo above).
E-bike frame without his motor.
The result is: if your motor is broken, out of warranty, irreparable, obsolete within the brand, or unavailable for purchase, your electric bike is theoretically ready for the recycling center alongside washing machines and televisions (yes, the e-bike is an electrical and electronic equipment).
Because an electric bike without a motor is like... a car without an engine, it's unusable.
And it's a real shame when you see how a "standard" bike ages gracefully.
Back to mechanical
Bullitt cargo bike from which the motor, a Shimano EP8, has been replaced by our cranckcase
Based on this observation, we have been developing and testing steel crankcases with crmo bottom bracket shells made in France for a year, intended to replace these motors (👉 right main photo above).
First with bicycle delivery companies (real graveyards for electric cargo bikes), like AppliColis, then with our partner Virvolt.
Some bikes have been de-electrified, others re-electrified with non-invasive solutions.
Our catalog is gradually expanding. We are open to your requests.
The number of broken e-bikes continues to increase. Shop owners say it, recycling centers (like our partner Envie Occitanie) confirm it, and "for parts" classified ads are multiplying.
While waiting for a change in internal design policy or on the second life, this is the simplest and most low-tech solution we have found to address this growing problem.
If you have a fleet of broken electric bikes or just one bike stored in your personal garage and you want to give them/it a new life, do not hesitate to contact us.
