Bill Wishon’s News and Views

Before you ask, it comes out in May 2008 and will cost about $2000. The Giant Twist Freedom DX works pretty much like a regular bike, except that a torque sensor monitors your pedaling and controls a 250-watt DC motor located in the front wheel. Power comes from two 26-volt lithium-ion batteries (range of up to 75 miles/120 kilometers). The motor supplements your muscles and help you keep a steady pace; "pedal harder and the motor settles down, take a rest and it kicks into overdrive." There's a controller on the handlebar that allows you to switch between three modes, each with different ratios of emphasis of muscle vs. motor. The manufa...