It appears that building an electric bike that goes up to 50 miles on a charge and costs less than $500 is a really popular idea.



Our story on the Storm eBike Indiegogo campaign was viewed millions of times. More than 3,000 people forked over $500 apiece to get on the list to receive one when production starts later this year. The campaign blew past its $75,000 funding goal in a matter of hours; it currently stands at more than $2.4 million, with 26 days left to go.

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(Indiegogo.com)

It was a crowdfunding campaign successful beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. But dreams are not reality. And some things really are too good to be true.

Storm clouds

Earlier this week Storm eBike was hit with a cease-and-desist letter from Prodeco Technologies, a Florida-based maker of electric bikes. The company is claiming trade-name infringement and a lot more.

Prodeco has been selling a $1,300 electric bike named Storm since 2010, says CEO Robert Provost.

“About three days ago we started getting phone calls and emails from people asking, ‘Where’s your $500 e-bike?” says Provost.

Prodeco’s cease-and-desist letter, addressed to Storm eBike co-founder Storm Sondors, also accused the company of making “grossly inaccurate” and “false” claims in the Indiegogo campaign.

“What they are claiming is highly suspect,” Provost says. “We’re afraid a lot of people who think they got a great deal will be disappointed with the bike and it will reflect poorly on us.”

We spoke with other e-bike manufacturers, retailers, investors, and reviewers about the information provided on Storm’s Indiegogo campaign. Without exception, our sources say the claims being made about the Storm eBike are exaggerated at best.

Pedal to the metal

The Storm eBike promises impressive specs: the ability to run on sand or snow as well as pavement, a maximum speed of 20 mph, a range of 30 to 50 miles, and a recharge time of just 90 minutes.

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Storm eBike (Source: Indiegogo)

Those numbers just don’t add up, says David Santos, vice president of sales and business development for Big Cat Worldwide, a New York-based seller of e-bikes.

“Our first-generation bike used the same type of 36-volt, 10-amp-hour battery,” he says. “It got between 20 and 30 miles of range, and that’s riding with pedal assist. Using just the throttle you might get 20, less if you’re running on sand or up hills. The charge time is also problematic; with that kind of battery you’re looking at four to six hours, not 90 minutes.”

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