Electric Bikes - Charger Electric Bike?

I've been examining this bike at $750. Not too heavy for SLA technology and I like the pedal assist (like Bionx). I'd get the MTB standard version w/o front suspension fork. I think the assist would be real useful when running studded snow tires in winter and bump commuting speed up to an acceptable level during other seasons.

Does anyone have additional information about the bike [or own one]? I talked with Sam at their sales line and he says they are planning a LiFePO4 upgrade in spring.

http://abc.eznettools.net/D300013/X300109/ChargerModels.html

Good discount price and I like the way the battery is located lower within the frame rather than higher on the rear. Have you considered how a chain tensioner could be mounted if necessary?

Good discount price and I like the way the battery is located lower within the frame rather than higher on the rear. Have you considered how a chain tensioner could be mounted if necessary?

It has two chains. The hub is a 7-speed internal geared Shimano so the normal drive train has a nice straight line. I assume the frame has horizontal or semi-horizontal dropouts. I like the pedal assist [no throttle], and integrated charger features. The battery pack recharges 80% in the first hour (must be a whopping Amperage) and fully in 4 hours.

Funny you should mention this bike for winter usage because it's one I would have liked to get my hands on, non-slop fork version, if only I could have snapped up a used one for cheap. Do you know it's got a 12v pto for lights?

I recall posting a link to an image board full of maybe a dozen good close-up shots of this bike in the early days of BFPA, but somehow can't seem to re-find it, it's as if the search function won't go that far. Pretty sure there was a link to that site from the website you posted, but I can't seem to find it there either?

What I get from people who have one is they seem to like'em.

Boom, headshot! Found the charger gallery:

http://charger.renlabs.com/gallery/charger

I ordered my MTB version w/fenders on Tuesday - I'm hoping to ride it by the new year.

Initially, my visual impression was "yuck". Then, I looked a bit more closely..
65lbs, not bad considering the amount of lead.
The RockShox and Avid brakes speak to me that these bikes probably have some pretty decent parts on them after all, too.
And lastly, it looks like you could fit it with some racks with a seatstay adapter or a rack designed for brake boss mounting.

Aside from the big box 'o' ugly in the middle, they look pretty sweet actually. And i'm sure there's probably some way to make the box a little better looking, aesthetics aren't for everyone anyways.

Initially, my visual impression was "yuck". Then, I looked a bit more closely..
65lbs, not bad considering the amount of lead.
The RockShox and Avid brakes speak to me that these bikes probably have some pretty decent parts on them after all, too.
And lastly, it looks like you could fit it with some racks with a seatstay adapter or a rack designed for brake boss mounting.

Aside from the big box 'o' ugly in the middle, they look pretty sweet actually. And i'm sure there's probably some way to make the box a little better looking, aesthetics aren't for everyone anyways.
Yes but the battery and charger are all nicely contained in that removable box. Just pull it off and plug it in. When the new Toshiba or some LiFePO4 batteries get to a reasonable price they'll lower the weight by 10 lbs. From some other pictures the controls are 5 buttons on the case to set the assist level (1-4 and off).

I have the black MTB w/fenders Charger on order - hope to ride it before the new year!

I like the blue one :) The lumpy box in the middle is a bit naff looking, but on the plus side all the 'works' and wires are cleanly hidden out of harm's way.

Shipment exception by FedEx - they scraped up the label. I hope they didn't mess up anything else. I'll have to wait until Monday to receive the bike.

Edit - got the bike Monday and have it set up (except for fenders). I'm trying it out on my 9 mile commute home.

I work for the company that built the Charger, still here, at least I am, but not Charger Bikes.
Let me know if you have any questions about the bike. I own 9 of them, 5 are just frames but I have all part to put them together sometime in my future when I get one of those round tuits!
Take a look at my bike on the Austin web sight.

BRad

http://www.evalbum.com/1077

I'm thinking the speed limiter can be circumvented by installing the pickup/magnet on a crank instead of a wheel.

I'm thinking the speed limiter can be circumvented by installing the pickup/magnet on a crank instead of a wheel.

Yes that is correct!