I design and build the solar roofs, mounts, charge controllers and batteries for sola.bike, then ride them across Southeast Asia. This is where every version gets documented.
▶ Watch the buildsSee the designsEvery mount is a balance between shade, wind load, weight and the angle to the sun. These are the main design lines so far.
Semi-flexible panels bent over a tube arch: rain and sun cover plus charging, with a low profile in crosswind.
One rear-mounted arch carrying a long panel forward over the rider, with fewer tubes and less weight.
Extended rear frame for a second seat or an XXL basket, prepared to carry the panel mount.
Solar bike plus trailer for heavy loads, used for a plastic-recycling pickup run.
From a home-built charge controller to a complete kit. The newest entries go on top.
High-density lithium pack, up to 3× lighter than lead-acid, sized to fit under the seat and fully topped up by the roof.
A lighter mount: one arch, a longer panel, better shade for the rider.
Everything in one box: frame, panel, arch tubes, basket, controller. Assembly is documented step by step on video.
Extended rear for a passenger seat or cargo, and the base for the EU version with pedal assist.
Off-the-shelf controllers wasted too much of the panel's output, so I built my own to charge while parked and while riding.
Hosted on our own server in HD, with a smaller version for phones picked automatically. No YouTube tracking and no ads.
A European family rode the bikes across three countries with no charging stops planned, and the roof did the work.
"I like the small turning circle! I want one!"Michael, tourist from the UK
"These bikes are so cool! Where can I rent them?"Phanhphenh, local in Hoi An