E-bike

[Gaz]

10 hours ago, malcster said:

Selling my wisper 905 torque with 575w battery £1000 

I'll do an advert for on here 

Also on pedelec forum

 

 

Malc, to say that I'm astonished it hasn't sold yet is an understatement!

 

Gaz

 

[malcster]

1 hour ago, V6TDI said:

 

Malc, to say that I'm astonished it hasn't sold yet is an understatement!

 

Gaz

 

Me too don't think the brand is trendy enough 

It's a damn good bike but my circumstances have changed for commuting 

[Ootohere]

Funding awarded for the Stirling area Electric Bike Schemes expansion.

http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-41761396 

http://stirlingcyclehub.org/hire#ebikes 

 

 

 

Stirling wins Scotland's first large-scale electric bike hire scheme - The Scotsman (1).mhtml

& Elsewhere in Scotland.

Using low-carbon electric bikes to replace car journeys in the Cairngorms _ Sustrans.mhtml

Edited 29 October, 2017 by Headinawayoffski

[Jon TDI]

I have also taken the plunge & bought myself a Pedal Assist bike.

I have been riding mountain bikes for nearly 30 years, but now don’t really have the time or motivation to do a lot of riding.

 

My local bike shop (and good friend) persuaded me to demo a Specialized Turbo Levo about 2 months ago.

I have to say it was amazing. I have never giggled so much going up hill!

It did feel a little different to my previous rig (Stumpjumper FSR with 26” wheels) as the bigger, fatter tyres felt weird.

 

Anyway, I bought a Turbo Levo Carbon Comp last month and loving it!

I never used a bike so much. Well not since I was about 16 years old! It allows to go further without getting to point where I’m am completely exhausted. You still get a work out - i can feel it the next morning !

 

With using a mixture of motor settings but mostly in Trail (medium) setting the battery lasts about 3.5 hours. For me that’s 3-4 rides.

Love the Mission Control app too. It makes me want to push myself further.

 

 

[Dr Zoidberg]

I saw a BMW E-Bike yesterday that looked superb. Can't see the exact model online now, but even their regular machines look great.

[Jon TDI]

3 minutes ago, Dr Zoidberg said:

I saw a BMW E-Bike yesterday that looked superb. Can't see the exact model online now, but even their regular machines look great.

It might have been the BMW edition Turbo Levo.

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.bmwblog.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F06%2FSPECIALIZED-for-BMW-Turbo-Levo-FSR-6Fattie-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bmwblog.com%2F2017%2F06%2F27%2Fbike-maker-specialized-launches-bmw-turbo-levo-fsr-6fattie%2F&docid=gv_nqQfHkt_xTM&tbnid=KGqf_buV8CX9JM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjHodWbz5XXAhVGvBoKHcbGBEIQMwhRKAQwBA..i&w=1900&h=1267&hl=en-gb&client=safari&bih=643&biw=1024&q=bmw turbo levo fsr 6fattie&ved=0ahUKEwjHodWbz5XXAhVGvBoKHcbGBEIQMwhRKAQwBA&iact=mrc&uact=8

[Ootohere]

Just away to head out for a 30 mile ride on my Specialized Turbo Levo Hardtail.

I will need to put the Pedal Assist down to 60% for much of the ride to get a 35-40 mile range out of the battery. Just to be sure incase of change of route.

If i leave it on 100 or 90% assist when doing a mixed ride with plenty uphills and downs and flat i get 20-25 miles and get home with about 10% charge left.

*Back as it is getting dark if i timed it right.....*

 

I have now used 42 full charge cycles and the Specialized Mission Apps shows that i have done 1092 miles.

My Tracker app has it at 1,166 miles.

(Left the tyre circumference as it was on the Mission App @ 2255mm)

Edited 29 October, 2017 by Headinawayoffski

[Dr Zoidberg]

9 hours ago, Jon TDI said:

It might have been the BMW edition Turbo Levo.

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.bmwblog.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F06%2FSPECIALIZED-for-BMW-Turbo-Levo-FSR-6Fattie-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bmwblog.com%2F2017%2F06%2F27%2Fbike-maker-specialized-launches-bmw-turbo-levo-fsr-6fattie%2F&docid=gv_nqQfHkt_xTM&tbnid=KGqf_buV8CX9JM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjHodWbz5XXAhVGvBoKHcbGBEIQMwhRKAQwBA..i&w=1900&h=1267&hl=en-gb&client=safari&bih=643&biw=1024&q=bmw turbo levo fsr 6fattie&ved=0ahUKEwjHodWbz5XXAhVGvBoKHcbGBEIQMwhRKAQwBA&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

It was a straightforward hybrid rather than full on mountain bike. That’s a nice bit of kit though. 

[Ootohere]

3,400 euro and still no indicators as standard.

 

Edited 29 October, 2017 by Headinawayoffski

[Dr Zoidberg]

£2k for that one on eBay, or £1690 for the older model which seems entirely reasonable

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-BMW-Cruise-e-Bike-2017/272837508954?hash=item3f8661ff5a:m:mOnIcWGq475-2esrdPhR2GA

[Ootohere]

Like the cars, the RRP is not the price you need to pay and the tech moves on, but if they do the job then bargains can be had.

 

Horses for courses. 

City / Shoppers / Commuter / Road Bikes of all sorts, Hybrid/ All Terrain -Off road / Mountain Bikes etc

 

 

Only $5,900, very nice, and smart BMW websites & vids online.

 

Edited 30 October, 2017 by Headinawayoffski

[Ootohere]

Handlebar remote control for changing the assist modes fitted as the bike did not have this as standard and reaching down to change on the downtube was a PITA and too easy to switch bike off at the time you least wanted that happening.

 

Edited 2 November, 2017 by Headinawayoffski

[Jon TDI]

I presume this works by Bluetooth?

Mine has the new standard remote which hard wired to the motor.

[Ootohere]

The same as Bluetooth, ANT+ as it is called from the Battery to a Smart phone like for the Mission Control,

which i had to do some googling to see what it was. 

 

I really need to get a 2nd battery for taking with me if heading away and transporting the bike as not always handy getting the battery charged.

Not quite ready to splash out £715 though.

Edited 1 November, 2017 by Headinawayoffski

[Jon TDI]

2 hours ago, Headinawayoffski said:

The same as Bluetooth, ANT+ as it is called from the Battery to a Smart phone like for the Mission Control,

which i had to do some googling to see what it was. 

 

I really need to get a 2nd battery for taking with me if heading away and transporting the bike as not always handy getting the battery charged.

Not quite ready to splash out £715 though.

 

Yes, they’re not cheap!

I priced up a spare battery before I bought mine.

Think I might borrowing one!

[Ootohere]

This is the best E-Bike article i have read.

Seven things I learned from riding an electric bike - Cycling Weekly.mhtml

[Ootohere]

Chains lasted about 500 miles. Bloody expensive as it is working out, and brake pads around 600 miles.

Stopped using the smallest rear cog as 2 now wrecked with torque on taking off with full power, so derailleur set to not let it go to it until after winter is over.

 

Gone for a KMC Chain this time and also carrying a spare, plus a missing link and chain pliers just so as not caught out needing to walk when out on a cold winter ride.

[Jon TDI]

Absolutely loving this bike. Been out at least once week since I got it.

 

One thing I’ve noticed is the cold weather affects the battery life. Could normally get around 25 miles on a full charge, but it almost halves that in the freezing temperatures.

Photo from today’s ride!

 

[Ootohere]

My range has been higher at around -4*oC. 

But then the assistance is at 30 or 60% only  on the icy surfaces and not been used at 100% or Race Mode.

Riding very very tippy toes.

Edited 19 January, 2018 by AwaoffSki

[Jon TDI]

17 minutes ago, AwaoffSki said:

My range has been higher at around -4*oC. 

But then the assistance is at 30 or 60% only  on the icy surfaces and not been used at 100% or Race Mode.

Riding very very tippy toes.

 

Mines usually at 50% with occasional blasts of 100% for the steep hills,

[Gaz]

Interesting.  We've only had a few minus figures days, but I'm still cycling to work (four miles each way) and mine seems to be unaffected by temperature. Stays outside in a cycle rack too - battery left on the bike.

 

Gaz

Edited 19 January, 2018 by V6TDI

[RichardatWakefield]

Hello everyone,

 

Thanks for your inspiration, I've joined the e-bike club!

 

Previous bike for c42years, Raleigh Record US export model road bike, drops, extension gear shifters and brake levers, all-steel frame and rims, so a heavy beast, but never had a bent rim. Rear set of 5 replaced by 7, making 14 rather than 10 gears.                            Toured East Anglia, south-east Ireland, Isle of Man.

Otherwise just tyres, tubes, lights, batteries, brake blocks. It's been in the shed unused for several years now.  Gather there's quite a following for retro stuff, some big annual bash in the Buxton area?

 

Did own an ancient tandem for some years, lady-back, make "The Bell", 3 french-made derailleur gears, hub brakes, found in a Suffolk garden shed in 1971 or 72 as a rusted ruin, professionally restored in the south Manchester/North Cheshire area, did a 250miles long-weekend (3 days and an evening) circuit from/to Sheffield via Langsett, York, Hull, Louth, Woody's Top (Lincs Wolds), Lincoln, Gainsborough, Maltby, Rotherham,  on it with a work colleague, inc crossing the Humber via the ferry (no bridge; just started building I recall???...), the rebuild included new rims and spokes, tyres, seat tubes saddles and bars, chain, probably all new bottom-bracket, pedals, and the frame shot-blasted and powder-coated in bright golden yellow.   Sold it eventually to a young couple in Timperley, fellow-members of The Tandem Club, via a small ad in the mag.  We did an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield prior to departure on that epic Yorkshire/Lincolnshire outing BTW.

 

Recently retired, happened upon the Briski Biking section, inspired by all of you active oldies with your varied e-assist kit, have been looking at EVs (drove and liked the Renault Zoe with 41kwh battery, but waiting till some used examples at more sensible money), fancied getting out and about more, driving less, exploring minor routes, getting fitter without getting all sweaty, and the ability to cover maybe up tp 50 or 60 miles in a day, started searching electric bikes, and specialist suppliers in my area. Uncovered various options , had previously noticed that Halfords did a variety of e-bikes, went in to look at their range, got to try the Carrera folder, looked online for other makes/models/specs..... folder seemed to tick more and more boxes, and would kind-of get me into owning an EV by stealth..... well, an E-ASSIST-V.

 

So have changed tack from rigids, gone for e-assist folder by Freego Electric Bikes, so can keep it warm and dry indoors, and can be fitted easily in the Roomster, either laid flat in the boot, or stood vertically folded, behind either side rear seat folded fully forwards, for taking it on holiday, or more remote away-days. The roof bike carrier that I used on the Fabia, and which could be used on the Roomie via the cross-bars left on by the previous owner, plus OEM roof rails, would just be too perilous and unreachable on the taller Roomster.

 

 Freego Folder has 6 gears, disc front and rim back, front suspension, 20" wheels with reflective-strip sidewalls, slime in tyres,  built-in lights and brakelight, think it's got 5 levels of assist, plus walk-mode throttle. Also solid rear pannier rack, propstand, and have opted for their biggest-capacity battery (they offer 8AH, 10AH, 16AH, all on 36v), gather range is circa 50+ miles. Batteries all look same, bigger range have more cells so slightly heavier.  Battery locks into frame. Bell built into LH brake lever. Comprehensive LED dashboard, has illumination too. Went for the metallic silvery-grey, rather than metallic wine red or zingy blue. Going to wrap the battery and adjacent seat-support frametube in something silver, as the dull blackish battery kinda spoils the look.  Battery can be charged on the bike, or when removed (carry-handle built-in to top). Charger and lead included.

Pedals both fold.

 

Hoping to transfer the Karrimor panniers off the old Raleigh, great for carrying shopping (nearest small shop about a mile, budget supermarket 3 miles, neither good distances for a diesel, so usually fit shopping in at end of a longer trip by car).

 

Haven't ventured forth yet until insurance set up (car and house via Chris Knott; asked them to quote to add the e-bike).

Bought a rack-top lidded bag, mega security chain, bar-end rear-view mirror, and LED red/white light for atop my helmet. Got to fit all those, and attach some strings temporarily to the frame, to set the fore-and-aft position of the saddle, something I'd never come across in my nearly 65 years!!  

See Youtube "Art's Cyclery, "How to fit a bike"... doing a basic bike fit.              Recommended by John at SYEBC.                                 Already got assorted vis-vests.

 

Freego were doing £100 back offer during Dec and Jan on the 10AH and 16AH versions, so just caught that on its final day, cheque received today, also gets me 2years' warranty; also there's a free checkover/adjust cables after 6 weeks, from my supplying dealer at Rotherham (S. Yks Elec Bike Centre, they do various makes, inc their own "OXYGEN" range, also do SeaScooters, which look like a submersible electric pump crossed with a Dyson vac, but apparently are great fun to play at being Jacques Cousteau!).

 

Quality of engineering and finish look excellent, time will tell..... planning to do trips out to places like Leeds Bradford Airport, that's around 20miles each way and a shallow climb out of the Calder valley, down into the Aire valley, then c 600ft ascent.

 

Did try Halfords Carrera Crosscity-e, impressive amount of bike for just over half the price of the Freego, but smaller battery (albeit hidden inside the deep horizontal frame tube, and further forward so slightly better weight distribution, also shorter wheelbase), but only rim brakes, no lights or suspension.  Had 8 gears, only 3 levels of assist (plus walk-assist), rack, propstand; had it out for nearly 2hrs, impressive kit, though less responsive in assist kicking-in, gather fewer crank movement induction magnet thingumajigs than Freego. Ran it mostly on assist level 3.

 

Thoughts?

 

Richard.

Edited 3 February, 2018 by RichardatWakefield
Add more detail.

[Jon TDI]

Went over to my local trail centre yesterday. Dalby forest red route is a 22 mile loop of various singletracks & fire roads.

I’ve done this route before a few times on my previous (non assisted) bikes.

 

So in the Mission Control app, I set Eco to 25%, Trail to 50% & Turbo to 100%.

Motor current 100% & acceleration response to normal.

Also set the smart control to have 10% battery after 22 miles.

The bike felt amazing. The climbs were so effortless where previously I would have suffered a lot!

But......19 miles into the ride, I had only around 7% battery left! Something wasn’t right.

 

At the end of the ride I got chatting to a lad who had the same bike as me. He had way more battery life left. He checked my settings via the app & noticed that the motor current was at 100%. He suggested to reduce that to 70% & the acceleration response down a little. This will extend battery life.

He also discovered on his own bike that turning the Eco setting to 0% extends the battery life, as essentially this switches the motor off.

It seems I had been unnecessarily over working the motor.

On the sections where i didn’t need the assistance, he suggested switching it into Eco to save the battery.

 

I’m going to try this next time & see if it works.

[Ootohere]

Just now i have ECO @ 30%, & then 50% & 100% & 'Race Response' is left on.

Mostly just road use and trail and the range is lower just now because i have the tyre pressures lower in the icy or wet conditions.

It can reduce the range a good few miles on the regular routes i do when i have with the pressures not that much lower.

Edited 5 February, 2018 by AwaoffSki

[Jon TDI]

Nice scenery!

Where is that?