Immediately after the Second World War, “micromotors” helped to motorise Italy. They were small 2-stroke engines that hooked up to the bicycle frame and transmitted motion to a wheel through a rubber roller. They were called Garelli Mosquito or Ducati Cucciolo and after the initial success in the engine-only versions, “complete” versions were also offered, i.e. including the bicycle, which at that point becomes a moped (like the Velosolex, never sold as an engine only).
Today la start up Lithuanian Rubbee proposes something that is based on the same principle, but the electric motor transforms the bicycle into a pedal assisted eBike. A wireless sensor connected to the pedals reads their movement and activates the assistance. It is available in three different power levels based on the number of batteries installed, from one to three: Eco, Cruise and Power, with the latter developing 350W and not approved for road use, while the first two, with 250W, are “street legal”. The third can also be calibrated to 250W, excluding the Power mode. The first offers a range of 16 km, the second 32 and the third 48. They weigh 2.8, 3.4 and 4 kg and charge in one, two and three hours respectively.
The electric micromotor attaches to the rear wheel and also has the red position LED, which also works as a charge indicator. Hooking and unhooking are very quick and protected by a lock. There’s also regenerative braking adjustable and, as on all traditional eBikes, the assistance is adjustable. All the various info and settings are managed through an app.
