Casco E.motion cycle helmets for pedelec electric bike riders launched at 50cycles

New for the 2009 Season: Casco E.motion pedelec helmets
These are gorgeous, definitely the best-looking and best-designed cycle helmets we've seen since the Yakkays arrived last year. Casco have designed the E.motion helmets specifically for electric bicycle riders. The result is a futuristic look, great ventilation, easy fitting and superb safety.

They're available in three styles and two sizes. Go to our Casco gallery to see larger pictures of each style, plus all-round views and what's on the inside, where your head will be. Limited stock for now, so first come first served. They're £120 each including UK delivery.

50cycles survive Zero Motorcycles 24-hour electricross

14th April 2009 We survived the Zero Motorcycles 24 hour Electricross challenge 50cycles made a flying visit to California last week to take part in the world's first all-electric 24-hour motorcycle race in the sunbaked heart of Silicon Valley. Our bike lasted the distance, completing 879 laps or about 450 miles in the 24 hours, up to a mile of which was off the ground (yes, these bikes can jump!). The Zero X turned out to be an incredible machine, all we hoped for and more - a satisfyingly chunky 3kW battery pack, a motor that can be cooled by pouring water into it, a stupendous turn of speed and a lightweight, futurisitic design. Our riders loved it (that's Lloyd, pictured left, taking to the air on one of the final laps) and no doubt you will too when you come and try out our demo motorbike. We'll publish a full account of our trip soon - our initial reports and videos are already online on the 50cycles electric motorbikes website. New motorbikes around the corner The Zero X is only the first machine out of the Zero Motorcycles stable. Next up is the road legal Zero S offering the same instant torque and acceleration from a standstill, with a top speed of 60mph, a range of up to 60 miles and a total weight a touch over 100kg including onboard charger, it's a uniquely powerful all-electric Supermoto machine. We'll have both models available to see and test-ride soon. Read more on our website or get in contact with our Zero team. A $1,000 deposit reserves your bike and you can claim $50 off using promotional code MSR-UK-0101. Things can only get Twitter II If you visit our 24-hour race page, you'll notice that there is a twitter feed below the text and video. We update this several times a day. The moment something interesting or important happens at 50cycles, in the field of electric vehicles, or in the world in general, we will post it here first. All you need do is sign up to Twitter with your email, then find us at http://twitter.com/50cycles and click to say you want to follow us. We were all sceptical at first, but it's turned out to be worthwhile and fun to use, especially with something like Tweetdeck running. Actually, you don't even need to sign up oe login to see the news from 50cycles, take a look. Agattu F promotion continues Kalkhoff's Agattu F is the first electric bike in the world to feature Panasonic's new hub motor system. The Agattu F looks like an Agattu pedelec, rides like an Agattu pedelec and comes with everything you get - lights, mudguards, rack, suspension, built-in lock - you get with an Agattu pedelec. And it also comes with a European-style coaster brake as well as the usual excellent V-brakes. We have a small number of these bikes earmarked for UK customers left at the introductory price of £1395 - that's £100 off the current web price and £500 off the manufacturer's recommended price! Use promotion code agattuf100 when calling 0844 800 5979 or when checking out online. This offer is valid until midnight on 30 April 2009, or until we sell out of them! Specialist electric bike helmets from Casco We've had our eye on these new helmets - designed for electric bike riders and only electric bike riders - for some time. The Casco E.Motion helmets benefit from a unique sandwich structure (yum) making them extremely lightweight and comfortable, even in warm weather. Like our famous Yakkay helmets, they can be fitted with optional ear covers and come in two sizes: Small / Medium = 52 - 57 cm (20½ - 22½ inches) - head circumference Large / X-Large = 58 - 62 cm (22½ - 24½ inches) head circumference As Casco put it "Pedelec - the new lifestyle of cycling - fast, comfortably and sweat free from A to B" • New shape & function especially designed for the needs of pedelec cyclists • Extremely compact and attractive design by Casco with patent pending helmet technology • Ideal climate regulation all year-round (minimized risk of colds in winter and increased UV-protection during summer) • Optional earpads for cold season’s use • Comfortable high-quality interior • Easy fitting with ergonomic disc control • Features anti-theft ring for attaching to a lock. Available in three colour combinations, we're selling them at the recommended price of £119.99 including UK postage and packing. If you'd like to order or learn more, just send us an email (no need for a message, a blank email will do) and we'll notify you the moment we publish the details on our website. Kalkhoff Panasonic batteries perform very well in long-term battery test Finally, some great news from A to B magazine's rigorous battery testers in the current issue: "After six months of fairly intensive all-weather use, our Kalkhoff Agattu battery hasn't deteriorated at all. We estimate the capacity to be 272Wh today, which is slightly ahead of Panasonic's claimed capacity [260Wh] and exactly the same as when we tested it last October" This is excellent news for Kalkhoff pedelec owners - your batteries are all that we and Panasonic claim them to be and more. That's it for now - further news about the Zero motorcycles event and much more to come... The 50cycles Team

Zero Motorcycles Sets World Record This Weekend at 24 Hours of Electricross

Santa Cruz Company Makes History With All-Electric Vehicle Endurance Race

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Motorcycles made history today, after hosting their 24 Hours of Electricross this past weekend. The event was the first international endurance competition for off-road all-electric vehicles and included teams from around the world. Setting several world records including a Guinness World Record, over 50 competitors raced for 24 hours straight, only stopping to change out batteries and riders. In total, more than 4000 miles were completed by the field of 10 teams. The winning team was HotChalks MDV and completed more than a 1000 laps and 500 miles.

"This event proved that electric technology can endure the same level of competition as their gas-powered counterparts, however, the power resources to compete are drastically different. The total cost to power all 10 motorcycles for 24 hours was approximately $100," said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder, Zero Motorcycles. "From New Mexico to Canada to the UK, teams traveled from across the globe to participate in this record-setting race and to be a part of history."

"The 24 Hours of Electricross, hosted by Zero Motorcycles, was the perfect event to showcase what electric motorcycle technology can accomplish. Our team worked very hard to win this race and we couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome," said Edward Fields and Bryan Stolle, co-captains, Team HotChalks MDV.

Created by company founder, entrepreneur and former NASA engineer Neal Saiki, the 24 Hours of Electricross took place in the heart of the Silicon Valley at the 408MX Motocross Track in San Jose, California. This grueling 24-hour endurance race tested the limits of both the competitor's skills and their electric vehicles as they battled it out to set a Guinness World Record.

Collaborative efforts between Zero Motorcycles, Blue Ribbon Coalition, California State and Private Parks and numerous industry sponsors have made this seminal event possible.

Event Sponsors: Hi-Ball Energy Drink, Fox Racing Shox, Alpinestars, We All Ride Motorcycle Shop, Scotts Valley RV, Custom Culinary Concepts, Watchwear.com, Acerbis, Bell Helmets, Tiger Balm, Akeena Solar

For post event coverage, please visit http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/electricross/.

We're also covering on our own site at http://www.50cycles.com/zero

Zero Motorcycles 24hr Electricross endurance race starts in San Jose

The 50cycles team is out on the track in the bright sunshine and dust of San Jose's 408mx motocross track. Ten teams are competing right now for the bragging rights of winning the world's first all-electric 24-hour endurance race. Pictured are Lloyd and Dan from 50cycles, the only team to join the event from outside North America.

We're posting regular updates from the race at

And here's the view from the 50cycles.com team's Zero X as 2009 Zero Motorcycles 24-hour Electricross Endurance Race starts in San Jose, California 4th April 2009. Watch the initial hair-raising laps of the first race of its type in the world. Hear that? No motor noise at all - that's just the wind and the sound of the chain.

UK TEAM FLIES OUT FOR WORLD RECORD ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE

50cycles to Ride Revolutionary Zero X Electric Motorcycle

British electric bike specialist 50cycles sends a team to compete in the world's first 24-hour electric dirt bike endurance race on 2nd April. 50cycles will compete against 10 other teams, all from North America, and World records will be set at San Jose's 408MX Motocross Track on 4th and 5th April.

The 50cycles team (including founding brothers Scott and Tim Snaith plus sales manager and all-round Eco Knievel, Lloyd Clarkson), will also meet the people behind Zero Motorcycles, the Californian manufacturer who built their bike and will run the 24-hour Electricross event.

One of the most popular bikes on the grid will be Zero's own 'X' - a 150-pound (68 kilogram), 23 horsepower, 50 foot-pound motocrosser with an advanced lithium battery pack that can deliver up to 2 hours of thrills. The bike itself costs USD$7,450 and additional battery packs, which charge in less than two hours, are just under USD$3,000. 50cycles will be bringing their bike back to the UK for demos and test rides this Spring, see www.50cycles.com/zero for more information.

Granted, the Zero X is a bit more expensive than a regular petrol-powered 250cc but basically requires no servicing, and can be upgraded with new batteries and software as they become available. It's also virtually silent, which addresses a huge complaint that people often have when it comes to dirt bikes, and it looks like a hell of a fun ride.

Customers should use the 50cycles promotion code MSR-UK-0101 when ordering their bike to earn a $50 saving. The first Zero Xs will be shipped to UK customers later this month, with the road legal Zero S street bike due later in Summer

Follow the action online at
www.50cycles.com/zero
twitter.com/50cycles

Contact:

Scott or Tim Snaith

50cycles@50cycles.com

9 Prince William Road
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 5GU
United Kingdom

Tel: 0844 800 5979 / +44 203 355 8850
Mobile: +44 7779 266953
Skype: fiftycycles