If you want your Flying Pigeon to go faster, or maybe just get up over that hill without getting off to push there are a few solutions:
1. Install a gear hub. Making a single speed into a 3 speed is a time honored way...but It's been done. It will also require a fair amount of fettling to make it work right.
2. Install an engine like Dicer Bikes. Surely that's fun as all get out.
3. Maybe...just maybe, there is a way to get the same effect,but perhaps a little cleaner and quieter. Tono Rocamoro, the Spanish Flying Pigeon Importer had the desire to do just that. So he harnessed the power of lighting and gave it to his Flying Pigeon! No it's not some Frankenstein experiment, it's a highly practical and usefall installation of an electric motor!
For those who have been around Asia, or even New York, you know that electric scooters, mopeds and electrified bicycles are everywhere, but somehow the Pigeon had yet to join the club, until now.
The first bike Tono produced used a 5.5ah battery. That's the green bike you can see above.
The battery of course detaches so you can bring it in for charging. The effect of the small battery and the near hidden motor is super clean. A marriage that was meant to be. The rod for the rear brake does manage it's way even with the motor in place.
Tono then did his Mark I Electric Pigeon one better with a 9ah battery.
Thanks to computers and iphones, battery technology get's better everyday, so the Japanese manufacturer is now able to supply a battery of roughly the sames size with considerably more duration. Aesthetically, it looks great too. Black battery, black bike. If these batteries get any smaller it will almost look like a water bottle!
The battery is really the only noticable part, and it really looks at home, in this very well assemble piece of machinery.
If you are interested in Tono and his bikes, be sure to check out his blog or his website.
It looks like Tono is also working on some very cool path races...but that's for another post.
Hi. Great to find a web collection like this. I'm looking for someone who knows more than I do. I have a flying flower, which looks like an imitation flying pidgeon. Made in China, little women's bike(black), maybe even for kids. It has a great rear hub with an elephant on it, made in Shanghai. Can't find info on it online. Any clues? I thought I'd find it in your beautiful collection of Chinese badges, but no. I'd love to send a pic. -Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Michaela.
Posted by: Michaela | May 27, 2014 at 10:30 AM
Hi Michaela. The rear hub with an elephant on it is a local Shanghai brand making 3-speed gear hubs. The design is similar to that of the Sturmey Archer frequently seen on a Raleigh bike. I have two bicycles equipped with such hubs. Let me know your email address and I can send the pics to you.
Patrick from Shanghai
Posted by: Patrick Han | February 17, 2015 at 05:09 PM
Here's my Flying Pigeon in Beijing. I bought in 2005 for 15 USD (about 100rmb) Someone stole my first seat so i bought another and marked it up so it wouldn't be stolen. 10 years later still intact.. Only replaced a tire once and basket, although this basket wont last the winter. How to post a photo here? If you wanna see it go to my Beijing website
www.pinterest.com/chinalewis/beijing-china/
Posted by: Beijingmotorsports | February 20, 2015 at 01:34 PM