Peugeot have shown three new concept bikes in the unusual surroundings of the Paris Motor Show, and BikeRadar were there to take a look.
The choice of venue for the unveilings isn't so surprising given that two of the three models are likely to be sold through the company’s car showrooms when production versions appear over the next 18 months.
The odd one out is the Onyx, a prototype TT and triathlon machine. When the production version emerges – probably in the spring of 2014 – it will be sold through regular bike shops rather than alongside Peugeot’s four-wheeled lineup.
Onyx super bike
The most eye-catching feature of the TT/tri Onyx is its stunning matte black and copper finish, although we can expect the latter plating to be ditched in favour of a more conventional look on the final model.
Peugeot Cycles product and marketing manager Sandrine Bouvier told BikeRadar that there’s still work to be done in the wind tunnel before the bike is ready. But if looking fast counts for anything, the Onyx should cut through the air pretty quickly.
The stem sits flush with the top tube and neatly integrates with the elongated aero head tube. The front brake is concealed within the fork, like that on a Boardman AiR/TT machine. The fork exceeds the UCI’s 3:1 aspect ratio limit, but Peugeot have no plans to make a UCI-legal version, focusing instead on the global triathlon market.
We’ll have to wait and see how fast the Onyx is
The concept bike had been decked out with some serious kit for the show, including Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Enve wheels and Rotor elliptical chainrings. Peugeot wouldn’t comment on the likely price of a production version.
The electric bike market
The other two machines on show were both e-bikes. And while the eDL 132 might have a clunky name, it’s a stunning bike. Designed for fast urban commuting, the production version is 18 months away, and will change significantly from the carbon fibre prototype we saw.
Expect the finished machine to get an aluminium frame and a much higher front-end for a more relaxed riding position. Bouvier said the carbon fibre fork might be replaced with front suspension for greater comfort.
The eDL 132’s appearance doesn’t disguse its speedy aspirations
Production bikes are likely to use a Panasonic or Bosch battery and motor with a 250W output, and Bouvier expects the final design to be bulkier than the slim-line prototype. However, the battery and motor should still be concealed within the frame to preserve the clean lines.
The eDL 132 uses an 11-speed Alfine hub gear with Di2 electronic shifters, with power reaching the back wheels via a belt rather than a chain. “The belt is clean, quiet and very low maintenance,” said Bouvier.
Again, no price has been set but Bouvier seemed unsurprised by our off-the-cuff estimate of at least 2,000 Euros (around £1,600 or US$2,590). Given the high-end spec we wouldn’t be surprised to see an even steeper price tag come launch.
Peugeot’s third concept, the eDL 122, is rather more utilitarian but shows some interesting thinking. The frame is part aluminium, part wood, with space between the spars of the frame for a briefcase and Abus lock to fit snugly.
The clever solution to luggage and lock transport, as posed by the eDL 122
Bouvier said the luggage and lock will come with the production bike, although the frame will be all aluminium. Again, transmission is by belt rather than chain, and gear shifting is taken care of by a Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub. Expect a price of 1,500 Euros (£1,200 or US$1,940) or more towards the end of 2013.