The hamster-on-the wheel power supply receives a 21st century upgrade via human-on-bicycle; the Atom is part bike generator and part rechargeable battery pack. It charges your mobile devices by converting the kinetic energy produced during cycling into usable electricity accessible via USB.
The Atom is sleek and sits unnoticeably near the back wheel
Power output
Power output is directly correlated to your riding speed. 3 mph generates 0.75W, 10 mph generates 3W, and 15mph or greater, reaches the output capacity of 4.5W. The charge rate itself is the same as that of a USB 2.0 computer output, more specifically 5V up to 500mA; the bike will charge the device as fast as if it were connected to your desktop or laptop.
The battery pack
A 1300mAh removable battery pack is integrated into the Atom's design to serve as battery bank that protects gadgets from any surplus power produced. The pack hosts a 1300 mAh battery with a 500mA output charge, meaning it has the capacity to charge a mobile phone up to approximately 70% depending on the battery type. When the bike is in motion the pack is fastened into place, but it can removed for convenience and security's sake once the bicycle is stationary. This allows you to transport the power you've harnessed with your own two legs and use it places lacking outlets or bicycle paths.
What's inside
Three moving parts are all that make up the Atom's internal construction, thus ensuring reliability based on simplicity. There is only a drive gear, an idler gear, and a magnet rotor. The entire object is very light and compact, weighing only 300 grams and measuring 7.5″ in length, 3.0″ in width, and 1.2″ in depth.
Bike Fitting
The Atom fits on the majority of bicycle styles: traditional, urban, performance, and touring bikes. There are only two pre-requisites for ensuring a proper set-up. First there must be a minimum of 20mm of space between the rear dropout and hub flange, the space with the spokes mount, and finally the hub flange must be less than 3.0″ in diameter.
Paint chipping is not an issue because the Atom does not make contact with the majority of bicycle frames; nevertheless, it is equipped with a foam surface to guard against this possibility in the event that contact was made.
Anti-theft
The Atom is fastened with the back wheel to prevent theft and guarantee stability. The only way to steal the device is by stealing the entire back wheel. The battery pack itself can removed when leaving the bike unsupervised.
The Atom is an excellent accessory to accommodate the energy needs of cyclist commuters, weekenders, and off-roaders alike – the issue of draining your phone's battery by using the GPS all day is virtually eliminated. You are producing your own sustainable energy through pure physical exertion. If going green is your conviction, than consider combining the Atom with a portable solar cell for additional sustainable energy. As a side note, Siva Cycle, the company designing the Atom, is donating one for every ten Atom's sold to energy starved people of third world nations.
Visit the Atom's kickstarter page to learn more.
By Maximilian Teodorescu
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