In a sign of rising U.S. ebike sales, Bosch eBike Systems has signed on as a the first “eBike Systems Sponsor” of the Sea Otter Classic, the consumer show that runs April 10-13 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, CA.


 

Bosch eBike Systems will have a 20' x 60' booth showcasing its new “Performance Line” pedal electric assist system (pedelec) on Felt, Haibike, Lapierre branded bikes, as well as on Nuvinci-equipped bicycles.


In addition to the company's main booth, Bosch will also have a demo booth with more than 25 Felt, Haibike, Lapierre and Nuvinci Performance Line equipped eBikes event attendees can ride on Sea Otter's eBike dedicated road and MTB courses. This spring, BH Bike, Currie Technologies with Haibike, Felt and Lapierre are scheduled to introduce ped-elecs featuring a version of Bosch’s new torque-sensing mid-motor drive system that has been optimized for the U.S. standard of 20 mph. 


 

“We introduced the Performance Line at Eurobike 2013, CES and other trade events, but this will be our first launch directly to U.S. consumers, and with nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 65,000 cycling fans, Sea Otter is the perfect event to do it,” said Claudia Wasko, future business unit leader of Bosch eBike Systems in the U.S.

 

 

Bosch will also host a media only event at its main booth on Friday night, April 11, 5:30-7 p.m. during which media attendees will be able to meet with Bosch and its OE partner principals, and ride pedelec road eBikes on the Laguna Seca race track, or MTBs on the famed Sea Otter Short Track Course with Beneke.

 

 

“Sea Otter's goal has always been to celebrate all things cycling, and as pedelec eBikes are gaining traction with cyclists of all types, we are looking forward to celebrating Bosch eBike Systems at the festival,” said Frank Yohannan, president and CEO of the Sea Otter Classic.


The models will include Bosch's Intuvia Performance on-board cycle computer and a PowerPack 400 frame-mounted battery.


 

“EBike manufacturers have increasingly requested a drive system designed especially for the United States. Around Memorial Day, they can offer one with the already known Bosch quality and service to dealers in the U.S. market,” says Claus Fleischer, Head of the Bosch eBike Systems product division.