Solar Powered Moof Bike, How?
On display at the CES this year and designed by Amsterdam-based designer Ties Carlier, the Moof bike is both fascinating and intriguing as it seems to have put us in a bit of a spin. This very Spartan-styled bike has clean and clear straight lines, looks very robust and is stylish enough to be taken out on the street.
Rather than using LED lights that stick out on the outside, it incorporates two solar powered lamps within the bike itself and and makes it look more classic than contemporary. But our interest is on functions and less on form.
However, where is all that solar energy going to come from? That seems to be a more compelling question when you look at the remainder of the bike and actually find no solar cells.
For a single-speed bike with leather on top of its handle bars and seat, this really does not look all that green. Considering that it will cost you $500, no matter how fashionable it looks we think the only green around is the cash you will shell out!
via Inhabitat
The solar panels are small units that surround the LED light in the front and rear. (The black square on the front and back of the top tube)
Yep, the solar panels are incorporated in the lights themselves. To switch them on you tap the frame by the light with a magnectic key fob. However they’re not very reliable- we got a bunch of these as company bikes when I worked in Amsterdam and they’re constantly being repaired. The lights don’t work for many people either and they only flash- no constant light- meaning they’re actually not legal in Holland! The handlebars don’t have leather on them either, they’re plastic grips.