The arrival of winter means the end of outdoor bike riding for cyclists living in cold regions. Thankfully, the new Arosno E-trace is explicitly designed for cycling in the snow, allowing cyclists to keep riding, regardless of the season.
The E-Trace, developed by French entrepreneurs Agathe Lebaron and Romain Faure, is described as a recumbent electric-assist tricycle. However, instead of wheels, it has a Camso snowmobile-style rubber track in the rear and two steerable polyethylene skis in front.
How does it work? A rear sprocket wheel spins via a chain routed through the vehicle’s aluminum alloy frame as the rider pedals. That sprocket engages the track, making it turn, thus moving the trike forward. A 250-watt Sachs RS motor, powered by a removable 48-volt lithium battery, augments the rider’s pedaling effort. According to the entrepreneurs, this arrangement delivers a top motor-assisted speed of 16 mph (25 km/h) and 28 miles (45 km) per charge battery range.
Watch the E-trace in action in the video below.
The entire vehicle reportedly weighs 45 kg (99 lb) and has a maximum rider weight of 120 kg (265 lb). Some other features include:
- 45 mm of front suspension;
- An Enviolo continuously variable gearbox;
- A Magura MT5 eSTOP hydraulic disc brake;
- A 550-lumen Supernova Mini 2 Pro headlight;
- A Supernova E3 tail light;
- And a rack for carrying a second battery is an optional add-on.
Should you be interested in the Arosno E-trace, you can pre-order one now via the company website. The total cost will be €6,690 (about US$7,904), with deliveries slated for next November.
Another unexpected device that drives on the snow is the Rig, an off-road wheelchair. It can move on hiking trails, sand, and snow. According to its creator Zack Nelson, the Rig is silent, allowing users to chat with a companion while riding next to them on a trail or beach.
