The recent effects of the high cost of petroleum and an increased awareness of the environment and personal health have resulted in increased popularity in motor-assisted bicycles, with demand in 2010 at 5% above the previous year (Bicycle Association statistics) and additional demand expected for 2011.
The Assista motor-assisted bicycle series have an extensive lineup of bicycles for housewives and elderly people, and last year we released the Assista polku with additional practical functions and the emphasis placed on design to provide a bicycle that can be used for commuting to school and that will appeal to fashionable housewives.
The main functions of the Assista polku include an easy-to-pedal, finely curved aluminum frame, lamp, carrier, mudguard and chain case that are color-coordinated with the frame, a lock that simultaneously safeguards the front and rear, and the Miharu-kun function that notifies the user when tire pressure is low, and it is also equipped with the latest assistance functions, including a long-life battery that can be recharged approximately twice the number of times of conventional batteries, a handlebar switch fitted with detailed displays on remaining battery power and speed, three assistance modes that can be selected in accordance with prevalent cycling conditions, and S.P.E.C.3, which provides finely-tuned assistance to match up with the gear in use.
The 2012 Assista polku mode uses a large-capacity 6.6AH long-life battery instead of the conventional 4.3Ah battery, and this has increased the distance that can be traveled on a single charge and increased the assistance power. It is fitted with a chain case that is more closely coordinated with the frame color than is usual, and a compact, ear-cleaner style stand that operates on the principle of leverage to make it easy to operate, and by concentrating on both design and practicality, we have developed a motor-assisted bicycle that is easy to use for students to have to cycle long distances every day.
<Overview of Sales for the Assista polku>
Sales Area: Nationwide
Annual Sales Target: 2,500 units
Standard Cash Retail Price: 112,800 yen
Date of Release: February 03
Product Configuration
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< New Features of the Assista polku>
1. 6.6Ah Long-Life Battery
Using a large-capacity 6.6AH long-life battery instead of the conventional 4.3Ah battery has increase the distance that can be traveled on a single charge and increased the assistance power. This long-life battery has doubled this life-span to between 700 and 900* recharges (until replacement,) which means that the total distance that can be cycled with a single battery has been doubled, providing an economical purchase from the point of view that the extra life represents a full replacement battery with conventional models.
* This figure is a yardstick. The conditions under which this yardstick were established involve an annual recharge count of 200 cycles when used in the standard pattern at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. (1 cycle = a full charge after the battery has been allowed to run out.)
2. New Steel Chain Case Color-Coordinated with the Frame
Changing the chain case from resin to steel has enhanced the sense of unity with the frame color to greatly improve the sense of design.
3. New Lever Stand
Equipped with a stand designed to exude the same smart style of a compact ear cleaner.
This stand operates on the principle of leverage to make it easy to operate.
4. New Grip Shift Manufactured by Shimano
This Shimano-made grip shift enables the gears to be changed easily with a twist of the wrist, and not only does it smarten up the appearance of the bicycle, it is also designed in a shape that makes it difficult to damage in the event of the bicycle toppling over.
<Features of the Assista polku>
5. Easy-to-pedal, Finely-curved Aluminum Frame
The easy-to-pedal, finely-curved aluminum frame is very durable and has been designed with approximately 30% more rigidity *
than normal frames to minimize warping and prevent wobbling.
* In comparison with normal Class 18 frames manufactured by Bridgestone.
6. Pipe Rear Carrier Color-Coordinated with the Frame
The pipe rear carrier is color-coordinated with the frame and can carry heavy loads up to a maximum of 27kg.
7. White Flash Mini 1W Tentomushi Lamp Color-Coordinated with the Frame
A bullet-shaped lamp powered by the assistance battery.
A lamp that does not require batteries to be replaced and that uses an LED to eradicated worries over bulbs blowing. The 1W lamp is bright enough to clearly illuminate road surfaces.
8. Ippatsu-Nijo Lock to Secure the Front and Rear Simultaneously
By locking the rear wheel, the wire leading to the head of the frame simultaneously locks the handlebars to provide double security. A dimple key that is very difficult to pick has been used to enhance anti-theft performance over conventional bicycles.
9. Miharu-kun Tire Air Pressure Checker
A red indicator informs the owner that there is insufficient air in the tires and that they need pumping up. Pump the tires until the red indicator disappears for the correct pressure. Maintaining appropriate levels of air in the tires prevents punctures and increases the life span of the tires.
10. Large-capacity, Anti-rust Stainless Steel Basket
The front basket is made of stainless steel, which is very resistant to rust, and can carry large amounts of luggage.
11. Solar-powered Solar Tail Lamp II
When cycling as it becomes dark, the light sensor and vibration sensors being to activate, and the red LED starts to flash. Both of the LED lamps begin to flash to provide improved visibility on both sides of the bicycle for additional safety on dark roads. The flashing will continue to approximately 40 seconds after the bicycle has stopped to guarantee safety when stopped at traffic lights. The batteries are recharged from solar panels, so replacing the batteries is not required for an extended period of time.
12. Main switch equipped with a digital meter
Battery capacity is displayed in units of 10% down until 20% remains, and then in units of 1% for the remaining 20%. The switch alternates between this and the speed display to eradicate anxieties over remaining battery capacity and estimated time of arrival to provide an even higher sense of security.
13. S.P.E.C.3 providing finely-tuned assistance in alignment with the gear
Uses the S.P.E.C.3 (Shift Position Electric Control) function to provide superior assistance power. The speed sensor enables the drive unit to detect the gear and speed.
This controls the ultimate level of assistance power in alignment with each of the three gears.
Simply change gears in accordance with road conditions, and this function will provide the ultimate cycling experience by providing the maximum amount of assistance power.
14. The Assistance Mode can be Selected from Three Modes to Match up with the Cycling Scenario Selecting the gAuto-Eco Mode Plush from the three assistance modes automatically detects the amount of pressure applied to the pedals in order to automatically control the assistance power. This provides the perfect support by applying power when needed and by saving battery power when not needed under all conditions, including when riding up steep gradients, when riding into head winds and when on extended journeys.
In addition, it is also possible to select either the [Strong Mode] for increased power and the [Standard Mode] that makes the best use of both power and distance.
15. Aluminum Housing Drive Unit
Equipped with an aluminum housing drive unit for durability, additional power and improved levels of silence.
16. Carefree Warranty on Main Parts
A warranty on main parts has been added for peace of mind, with a two-year warranty on the battery and a three-year warranty on the frame, the front forks and the drive unit.
17. Complete with Three-Year Theft Compensation Package
This motor-assisted bicycles comes complete with a three-year theft compensation package. In the event of the bicycle being stolen within three years of purchase, 70% of the standard cash retail price will be discounted off a new bicycle as compensation.
18. Fitted with the BAA (Bicycle Association Authorization) Mark
This model conforms to the BAA (bicycle safety standards) enacted by the Bicycle Association.
The new BAA standards enacted in 2008 require that no parts contain toxic substances that can have adverse effects on the global environment.
http://www.baa-bicycle.com/index.html
<Assista polku Specification Sheet>
1. 6.6Ah Long-Life Battery
2. New Steel Chain Case Color-Coordinated with the Frame
3. New Lever Stand
4. New Grip Shift Manufactured by Shimano
5. Easy-to-pedal, Finely-curved Aluminum Frame
6. Pipe Rear Carrier Color-Coordinated with the Frame
7. White Flash Mini 1W Tentomushi Lamp Color-Coordinated with the Frame
8. Ippatsu-Nijo Lock to Secure the Front and Rear Simultaneously
9. Miharu-kun Tire Air Pressure Checker
10. Large-capacity, Anti-rust Stainless Steel Basket
11. Solar-powered Solar Tail Lamp II
12. Main switch equipped with a digital meter
13. S.P.E.C.3 providing finely-tuned assistance in alignment with the gear
14. The Assistance Mode can be Selected from Three Modes to Match up with the Cycling Scenario
15. Aluminum Housing Drive Unit. Assistance level
(*) * Carefree Warranty Period on Parts
* Complete with Three-Year Theft Compensation Package
* Fitted with the BAA (Bicycle Association Authorization) Mark
(*) Indicates the assistant level and the assistance output. This may differ slightly between bicycles.
[Main Specifications]
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