Uploaded November 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Our next Grin customer profile takes a close look at Tig Cross, that's the son of the recently featured Leigh Cross. Tig's current project of passion is a series hybrid drive electric bicycle that stretches our understanding of what a practical transport mode of the future could look like. The Electrom as it's called is in a category of its own; not quite a velomobile, not quite a bicycle, not quite a scooter, but sharing some of the best traits of each.
We've been lucky to see this project evolve over the years as Tig has frequently ridden prototypes to our shop (aboard the ferry from Vancouver Island) and exhibited it at various electric vehicle shows in the area.
There are many things that make it stand out but one of the neatest for us is the use of a pedal generator for the human input with a backup chain. At low speeds, your pedaling turns the rear wheel directly for efficient propulsion even in the absence of any electricty, while at higher speeds the pedaling turns a generator which charges the batteries, and all propulsion is through the motor.
This enables the rider to choose their preferred pedal resistance and cadence electronically regardless of the terrain and speed of travel, and it eliminates the complexity of multi-speeed transmission and gear shifting in a fast pedal vehicle like this.
Have a look at this endless-sphere thread for more technical details and build pictures.
endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=88612
Our next Grin customer profile takes a close look at Tig Cross, that's the son of the recently featured Leigh Cross. Tig's current project of passion is a series hybrid drive electric bicycle that stretches our understanding of what a practical transport mode of the future could look like. The Electrom as it's called is in a category of its own; not quite a velomobile, not quite a bicycle, not quite a scooter, but sharing some of the best traits of each.
We've been lucky to see this project evolve over the years as Tig has frequently ridden prototypes to our shop (aboard the ferry from Vancouver Island) and exhibited it at various electric vehicle shows in the area.
There are many things that make it stand out but one of the neatest for us is the use of a pedal generator for the human input with a backup chain. At low speeds, your pedaling turns the rear wheel directly for efficient propulsion even in the absence of any electricty, while at higher speeds the pedaling turns a generator which charges the batteries, and all propulsion is through the motor.
This enables the rider to choose their preferred pedal resistance and cadence electronically regardless of the terrain and speed of travel, and it eliminates the complexity of multi-speeed transmission and gear shifting in a fast pedal vehicle like this.
Have a look at this endless-sphere thread for more technical details and build pictures.
endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=88612
