# Pedal-Powered E-Bikes The Mando Footloose Drivetrain Relies on the Rider's Pedal Power By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-05-14 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mando-footloose References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/mando-footloose-im/37494/) & [mandofootloose](http://www.mandofootloose.com/) The Mando Footloose IM is the latest entrant to the increasingly crowded field of [electric bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-bicycle-model). That being said, it still manages to stand out from competitors largely because of its unique drivetrain. Like its predecessor the Footloose, the Footloose IM doesn't have either a chain or a belt drive. Unlike the Footloose however, this e-bike is not [foldable](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiido-x-2025). This e-bike was first unveiled in prototype form at Eurobike 2013, and features a drivetrain wherein the rider's pedaling power is used to charge up the bike's 36-volt 8.2-Ah lithium-ion battery via a crank alternator. The battery also powers a 250-watt [rear hub motor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mahle-xs-system). While the Mando Footloose IM doesn't fold, that's not a bad thing because it actually makes the e-bike lighter, sleeker and shorter. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Pedal-powered E-bikes:** The increasing trend towards pedal-powered E-bikes presents an opportunity for companies to innovate in drivetrain technology, improving efficiency and battery life capabilities. - **Alternative Transportation:** As society grows more conscious of eco-friendly transportation, companies in the alternative transportation industry have the opportunity to innovate and capture a market share with new, innovative products. - **Sustainability:** The sustainability trend is creating opportunities for companies to adopt new technology and materials in order to create more efficient, environmentally friendly transportation solutions. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Bike Manufacturing:** The development of innovative, eco-friendly pedal-powered e-bikes presents new opportunities for companies in the bike manufacturing industry. - **Electric Vehicle Manufacturing:** As electric transportation continues to grow in popularity, companies in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry have an opportunity to innovate and capture market share with more efficient and innovative products. - **Consumer Electronics:** With the integration of technology into transportation, the consumer electronics industry has an opportunity to innovate and create new, high-tech products for the eco-conscious consumer. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Shaft-Driven Folding E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shaftdrive-folding-ebike.md) - [Rider-Focused Electric Bike Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lemmo-one.md) - [Open-Frame Electric Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/issimo-45.md) - [Diminutive E-Bike Drive Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebike-drive-system.md) - [Chainless Electric Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honbike-hf01.md) - [Self-Charging E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vello-bike-design.md) - [Unconventional E-Bike Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pendler.md) - [Minimalist X-Frame E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honbike-uni4.md) - [Mid-Drive Automatic E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fuell-flluid-2.md)