The Anod Ebike Turns the Road into a Charger

Another ebike with a supercapacitor. Another model from France. Is this now becoming a common pattern? Probably not. However, the new Anod may indicate that supercapacitor technology will be increasingly used on ebikes in the near future.

At the end of last year, the Pi-Pop was a first ebike htting the market that generates energy via recuperation to feed the ebike system. The Anod could possibly attract even more attention. At 3,499 euros, it costs almost exactly 1,000 euros more than the Pi-Pop. However, the design alone is much more innovative, so this price seems well worth it. In addition to the more modern look, the Anod has a decisive advantage over its competitor, especially in technical terms.

Anod featuring supercapacitor and battery

Quickly from zero to one hundred – and back to zero again

Supercapacitors are a great thing. If you hit the brakes on your ebike or roll downhill, they recharge in no time at all. Due to their high power density, they can generate many more watts from this storage than a lithium-ion battery, for example. And if required, they can release this energy again in a matter of seconds. This gives you a real boost from a standstill or on inclines.

The downside of the whole story is that the fun is over pretty quickly. In other words, as mentioned, supercapacitors discharge very quickly and can no longer power an ebike system from that moment on. Due to the relatively low weight of an ebike, no huge amounts of energy are generated when braking, idling or rolling downhill. With a car, weighing several hundred kilograms and travelling at a much higher speed, things look quite different.

Hybrid solution

The Anod team around company founder Arnaud Malrin was fully aware of this. That’s why the Paris-based start-up has gone one step further than the Pi-Pop ebike. The Anod is a hybrid ebike. It combines supercapacitors with a lithium-ion battery. This means that there is a second instance that takes over when the supercapacitors are exhausted and need to be recharged.

Arnaud Malrin, CEO at Anod

Both the supercapacitor and the battery naturally add weight to the bike. Consequently, the dimensions of the two must be well matched. This is based on the decision as to which energy storage system should be prioritised on the ebike. Anod has focussed on energy recovery through the supercapacitor. As a result, the battery is smaller than a standard ebike battery.

Useful on the ebike and at the desk

Even much smaller. Weighing less than 650 grams, it provides a capacity of just 80 watt hours. According to the manufacturer, this is sufficient for a range of five to ten kilometres. Only a longer test ride would show how effectively the supercapacitor can utilise this breather. Factors such as the profile of the route, the weather and the condition of the road surface certainly have a major influence. Anod promises ranges of between 30 kilometres and 70 kilometres for the entire system.

The solution with the additional battery is certainly practical. Firstly, it can be removed from the seat tube and reinserted in a matter of seconds. A narrow flap, inconspicuously painted in the frame colour, releases it with a short press. Secondly, with its flat shape and low weight, it even fits into many a handbag. Completely enclosed by the bike frame, it always stays clean. You can place it on your desk, for example, and charge it there via the USB-C port or use it as an external battery for your own mobile devices. According to Anod, a complete charging cycle takes a maximum of 75 minutes.

Powerful push from behind

The battery and supercapacitor alternately drive a motor integrated into the rear wheel. According to the manufacturer, seven years of research work have been invested in the MHR1. However, five of these years have already been spent developing the complete hybrid system. Several sensors are built into the motor which, among other things, detect the riding speed and the power you apply to the pedals. Depending on this, the level of motor assistance and therefore also the power consumption is controlled. In several riding modes, the motor provides you with a maximum torque of 60 Newton metres. This should feel extremely powerful due to the power applied directly to the rear wheel.

Rear wheel hub motor delivering 60 Newton metres of torque

Unfortunately, the available information does not tell us exactly how many support levels there are and how they can be accessed. In some pictures, we can make out a somewhat atypical control unit positioned on the right-hand side of the handlebars. However, this is not mentioned in the technical specifications of the ebike. As is usual these days, Anod offers an app for operating the system with the bike. But we don’t know any details about this either. All we can say for sure is that you can use the app to digitally lock and unlock the Anod, display its location and install updates for the model. The Anod can also be ridden completely without an app or smartphone. Nevertheless, there is a mount for your smartphone on the stem as standard, which is compatible with SP Connect and Quad Lock.

Quite a small sheet anchor

If the drivetrain should completely stop working while riding, you will have to rely on the fixed gear ratio of the single-speed drivetrain. At least the system runs smoothly via a carbon belt from Gates. We don’t know the size of the belt pulleys on the crank and rear wheel. Therefore, we can’t say anything more precise about the gear ratio from a distance. Given the weight of 20 kilograms for the Anod, there’s no need to worry. On flat terrain, the bike can certainly be ridden decently.

Uniform, but without uniformity

The low overall weight is largely due to the aluminium frame. The rigid fork is also made of this material. Intended as an ebike for the city, the Anod is characterised by a rather upright riding position that gives you the best possible view of what’s going on around you in traffic. You will have to make do with a one-size-fits-all frame. According to the manufacturer, the height-adjustable seat post and adjustable handlebars make it suitable for cyclists between 155 centimetres and 195 centimetres tall. The wheels measure 27.5 inches and are framed by mudguards. Racks can be attached to the front wheel and rear wheel to suit the urban orientation. Child seats and other standard accessories can be fitted as usual.

Racks for front and rear wheel available on request

The many smooth edges and angular shapes of the frame give the Anod a striking appearance. The rectangular head tube and the unconventional rigid fork remind us a little of the Moustache Lundi 27. The handlebars further emphasise this impression. The front and rear lights firmly integrated into the frame, on the other hand, are reminiscent of bikes such as the C4 from Cowboy and the V model from Vanmoof. Nevertheless, the Anod conveys sufficient independence and has its own features. You just have to like the look somehow.

The angle of the fixed integrated headlight cannot be adjusted.

You can take your time to find out whether you are a fan of this ebike. It is not yet available. At the moment, you can only pre-order the bike on the manufacturer’s website. The 99 euros due will be deducted from the total price later. Delivery of the first bikes is scheduled to start in spring.

Hybrid ebike Anod at a glance

• Frame: Aluminium
• Frame size: Onesize
• Motor: Anod MHR1
• Supercapacitor & electronics: Anod hybrid system
• Battery: 80 wh
• Drivetrain: single speed, Gates Carbon Drive
• Brakes: hydraulic disc brakes
• Weight: 20 kg
• Maximum permitted total weight: n.a.
• Price: 3,499 euros

Pictures: Anod SAS