Ditch the Segway, check out the YikeBike Fusion!

The Gadget Show  Tuesday 17 May 2011

The YikeBike has been around for a little while now, offering an effortless way of getting around the city, which being able to fold it up and stick it under your desk when you get to work. This carbon fibre beauty comes at a hefty price, however, which is where the new YikeBike Fusion comes in.

The original YikeBike really does stand out from the crowd. Designed like a modern day Penny Farthing, it has one large wheel at the front, one tiny wheel at the back, and slimline carbon fibre components.

There’s an electric motor hidden within the front wheel, powering you along at up to 12mph, and the whole thing folds in several places, letting you pack it neatly into a bag and take it on the train with you, or stick it under the desk at work.

The latest YikeBike Fusion features a near identical design – the same folding chassis, same electric gubbins and the unusual standing up riding position – we dread to think what would happen if you hit a large bump front wheel first!

The Fusion cuts down on the liberal use of carbon fibre, however, and chops the price of the YikeBike nearly in two. At $1,995 dollars, it’s still expensive, but it’s a lot more palatable than the all-carbon £3,795 original.

It’s still lightweight too, with carbon fibre still used where it matters, and the overall weight is just 3kg more than the original bike.

What do you think of the YikeBike Fusion? Can you imagine trading in the London Underground for this? Sure, it’s expensive, but you could make up the asking price in one year of commuting alone! Leave a comment and let us know what you think.