Looks like a very innovative concept, I'm just leery of Kickstarter by default.

I've only had good kickstarter success. Sorry for your bad luck

Has anyone seen this one first hand yet?

What happens when you hit a bump/pothole and the rim gets bent?

I like that they are modifying the front wheel instead of the rear though.

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Strava

Yep. Here's my last Kickstarter experience:

https://3dprint.com/133842/peachy-printer-embezzlement/

Rim drives are generally not that efficient... there are a couple of other products out there that have a more conventional central bearing and motor assembly, even with embedded battery.

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Less is more.

Like what? What do you mean inefficient ?

Can you connect easily to an existing road bike without any mods ?

There are a couple of alternatives listed in this (somewhat fluffy) report. The rim drive uses friction between a roller and the inner surface of the road wheel, and that gives a relatively poor transfer of power especially considering that battery capacity is always at a premium in any electric vehicle.

If you really want to just drop in a front wheel replacement and go, then the choice is somewhat limited. If you have the option or motivation to attach a battery pack in the frame triangle and do some extra wiring then the cost/range/speed tradeoff becomes way better.

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Less is more.

I may be getting in over my head - but how hard is it to do?

The idea of being able to use my road bike, but have power to help me go faster up some of the crazy hills on my commute, is so appealing.

Depends on your level of mechanical / electrical ability. The all-in-one package is obviously easier to deal with from an installation point of view and it might let you get going in as little as half an hour plus battery charge time. At the other end of the spectrum, my brother built a 1 kW front drive fatbike from parts, including re-spoking his wheel, working out the mounting location for the battery, controller, sensors, and wiring, and then doing some simple setup work so it was not diabolical. But, it took some decent effort and problem solving on his part.

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Less is more.

It is made from aerospace aluminum, and we all know there are no potholes in space...smooth sailing...

I'm waiting for the day when they will allow those for IM and other races...One day our kids will get so weak they will need this to participate in the sport, and it will be ok.