The Intelligent Drive Pod uses state-of-the-art technology and engineering to bring you the best and smoothest of electric bike experiences.
The ARCC electrical system uses both torque and cadence sensors at the bottom bracket to detect rotation, rotational direction, and torque (power put through the pedal cranks), but it also comes with an inclinometer and accelerometer sensor which detects hills and gradients, to provide compensation accordingly.
The Intelligent Drive system is controlled either by an iPhone app or a Bluetooth controller attached by a discreet cradle to your handlebars. This gives you complete control of the level of assistance received on-the-go, as well as an indication of battery level remaining. A special feature called Launch Control provides a three-second boost of full power to help you safely move away from traffic lights and crossings with other vehicles.
The system uses standard 36V 4.0 Ah or 6.0 Ah BOSCH batteries which are readily available online or your local hardware / tools store. This makes them a lot more affordable and accessible than most e-bike proprietary batteries; you can even buy spares when touring internationally!
We build the bikes and Intelligent Drive systems in the UK at our innovative manufacturing facility by Cambridge, so they can be made quickly to order and to customised requirements. You can drop off your bike to be converted or we can arrange a courier collection – it’s quick, simple and without the long wait times for overseas parts or components.
If you own a Brompton, our Intelligent Drive Pod system is compatible with virtually all Brompton bags (so you don’t need to buy a new one) and you can still take your folding bike on the bus, train or plane. The 4.0 Ah BOSCH batteries can be taken by most airlines, so you can take them on cycle trips overseas!
We’re confident in our products and offer a full 5-year warranty on the Intelligent Drive System, and we will also honour the remainder of your warranty with an existing manufacturer (like Brompton).
Find more detail here: Why chose the ARCC system?
You will find your bike has a black Pod unit attached to the front of the head tube, a motor within the front wheel, a new bottom bracket (which houses the torque and cadence sensors) and a Bluetooth remote control sitting within a cradle mount on the Handlebar. We also include a 36V 4.0 Ah BOSCH battery and the GAL3680CV 36volt Li-ion BOSCH battery charger.
You can buy a spare BOSCH battery, a spare battery holder and other accessories in addition.
The system will provide assistance up to a 20% gradient.
In A mode, the system will maximise assistance at 13%, and will provide a constant level of assistance on anything steeper than 13%.
However, you will still have to put legwork in yourself, so you would need to keep your bike in the lowest gear!
You can buy a spare BOSCH battery, a spare battery holder and other accessories in addition.
The speed is not limited, but the electric motor will not assist you when you’re travelling over 25 km/h (15.5mph).
The speed permitted abides by current UK legislation (harmonised with EU Directive 2002/24/EC), and we have not provided for modification for 'off-road' use.
Yes, although it might take slightly longer than the expected delivery time to arrive. Send the full specification to info@arcc.co.uk and we’ll sort it for you.
Our bike frames come in two standard sizes, Small/Medium and Medium/Large. If you are picking up your bike, our engineers will fit it to you to make sure the saddle and handlebars are the right height etc.
However, we can also build bespoke bikes on demand – either for accessibility or preference reasons. Contact us for specific information.
You can order e-bikes and conversions via our website, or email info@arcc.co.uk.
We have some partner shops around the country – find your closest one here: Test Rides and Purchases at Partner Stores
Yes, no strings attached. We want you to find the best bike or e-bike.
Fill out our Test Ride form and we will get in touch with you.
On the day, bring a piece of ID with you and wear clothes that you would normally be cycling in. We have a small supply of helmets and hi-vis tabards you can borrow. We will give you a thorough demonstration of the bike and, if electric, how the Intelligent Drive Pod system works. And we’ll also suggest some weather-appropriate routes around our beautiful Cambridgeshire site or the local villages!
It depends on the bike! We can certainly fit all Bromptons, Moulton TSRs, Airnimal Joeys and some recumbents. We have also previously converted a trike and a tandem!
Contact us at info@arcc.co.uk for bespoke enquiries, and please include close-up photos of your bike.
No - the system is fitted at the ARCC Bikes in Cambridge, by our team of technical and mechanical experts.
We will aim to have your bike turned around in 5 business days, but with prior notice we can offer same-day conversions for certain bike frames.
Collection and delivery of your bike will often add on a few extra days to organise. If you are in a rush, we’d recommend you dropped it off at our site by Cambridge.
No, we will only arrange insurance if we arrange courier collection and if we have supplied the packaging material or packed it ourselves.
If you choose to use your own packaging material or shipping option, we are unable to insurance the bike during transit and the delivery is at your own risk.
For the 4Ah battery, up to 35km. For the 6Ah battery, up to 52km.
For both batteries, it depends on the power assistance given and the riding style (among other factors).
You can see some customer reviews and stories about how far their e-bike battery got them here: Customer Testimonials
There are multiple factors that can affect battery range, including but not limited to user weight, cadence, weather conditions and power level used.
BOSCH have a handy interactive calculator for helping determine how your journey will affect your battery life.
According to BOSCH documentation, using the GAL 3680 CV charger that we sell, the 4.0 Ah will take 25-35 minutes and the 6.0 Ah battery will be fully charged between 40-55 minutes.
BOSCH have a handy interactive calculator for helping determine how your journey will affect your battery life.
If it's completely discharged, it should recharge between 1-2 hours.
Yes, up to two 4Ah batteries are currently allowed for travel with most airlines. Enjoy cycle-touring with your ARCC e-bike overseas all year round!
However, for up-to-date information, please check the restricted items list for the specific airline you are travelling with.
Payment can be made via BACS, Credit/Debit cards, PayPal, or ApplePay. We also accept payment from several Cycle to Work Schemes (see below).
Yes, we accept the following Cycle Schemes.
Bike2Work Scheme, CycleScheme, Green Commute Initiative, Cycle2Work (Halfords)
If you wish to purchase through a Cycle Scheme or enquire about whether we could accept a different scheme, please email us at info@arcc.co.uk.
Yes, we have partnered up with Klarna, you can select this option on check out.
To enquire about returning an item, please first refer to Section 19 of our Terms of Service and email info@arcc.co.uk.
Yes! We can retrofit our system to any Brompton frame.
No. Our system does not interfere with the Brompton forks at all. We make three tiny holes (1x 10mm and 2x 3mm) to allow us to fit the bottom bracket terminal box.
The exception is with the ARCC Converted T-Line, where we will match your titanium frame with titanium forks.
ARCC will take on the existing warranty remainder of your Brompton.
More information on our warranties can be found in Sections 15-19 of our Terms of Service.
You can find all up to date information and user guides here. If you have any further questions please email info@arcc.co.uk.
To activate Launch Control from a standing start, bring your left pedal up and apply pressure on it, and simultaneously apply both brakes – you’ll notice a yellow flashing on the Intelligent Drive Pod at the front of your bike. When you release both brakes and pedal at the same time, maximum power is delivered to the motor for a period of three seconds. (Once pressure is applied to the left hand pedal the "A" LED will turn to a solid amber light - If you only pull the brakes on without putting pressure on the pedals then you will get a green/amber flashing light.
You can watch a video on how Launch Control works here on YouTube.
If this happens, you will not be able to change the assistance setting until the blue light is back on. However, this will not interfere with your ride, and you will be able to continue with the same setting as previously selected.
When you have stopped again, you’ll just need to restore the Bluetooth pairing connection between the remote and the pod.
Lighting systems that do not interfere with the position of the Intelligent Drive pod, and don’t use a front hub dynamo, can be used with the system.
You can use any of the USB-C ports on the pod to charge battery-powered lights which charge through USB. You can use the USB cable supplied for charging the Bluetooth Remote, if the lights have a USB Micro-B connector.
For our Brompton customers, we recommend the Cateye Volt400, available from Brompton. We are working on several new developments to complement the ARCC Intelligent Drive Pod. However, there are no immediate plans to release any lighting options, and we recommend that anybody who needs lights should purchase an independent product.
The first generation, Gen1, can be removed from the bike, and has physical red control dials located on the top of the Intelligent Drive Pod.
The second generation, Gen2, is fixed to the bike, and is controlled by a removable Bluetooth controller or an iPhone app.
The Bluetooth controller can be bought as an optional extra for the first generation of the ARCC Intelligent Drive Pod. It is included as standard with the second generation of the Intelligent Drive Pod. However, you can also opt to purchase the system without the controller, simply mention this when enquiring.
Please email info@arcc.co.uk and we will arrange courier collection.
To transfer the warranty of your bike to a new owner, the new owner would be required to send us proof of purchase from you (its original owner). Once we have received this, the bike needs to be returned to ARCC for a service, costing £50.00. The warranty date for the ARCC system and bike will not change.