plaitar
02-04-08, 06:11 PM
It sound like Strong Canada is gone (according to my local Canadian Tire sporting goods clerk). The ebike was de-listed and they only sell the Schwinn I-zip and folding bike now. Has anyone else heard this yet (not likely big news).
Too bad. I know it wasn't as well thought as some of the conversion kits but it filled a niche for those of us who wanted something less complicated. I have had mine since July and rode it almost every day to work until the snow fell in my area around the end of October. Only about 1000km all toll but so far I haven't had any problems with it. I was able to fit it with a bike trailer for my youngest child and also attached a trail-a-bike without issue.
Ultimately, my concern is the battery. I had hope Strong would have produced their lithium battery as once suggested in the literature but even getting a SLA replacement looks unlikely. Canadian Tire still lists it but the young clerk wasn't too sure if any were actually being shipped anymore.
What is the likelihood of taking the battery box apart when it comes to the point of poor charging and having me replace (what I assume to be) cells in the box (36v)? The battery is a fairly integrated part of the bike and I like it in the centre where it is instead of on the back as I carry my work stuff there. (web site is still currently active www.strongcanada.ca)
What is the likelihood of changing the SLA batteries to something else like Lithium Ion cells and getting a new charger?
Too bad about Strong...more competition and awareness is good...even for a mid-range quality bike. Although the clerk at CT did say they were looking at a bike to replace the Strong in the spring...maybe one with lithium batteries.
Too bad. I know it wasn't as well thought as some of the conversion kits but it filled a niche for those of us who wanted something less complicated. I have had mine since July and rode it almost every day to work until the snow fell in my area around the end of October. Only about 1000km all toll but so far I haven't had any problems with it. I was able to fit it with a bike trailer for my youngest child and also attached a trail-a-bike without issue.
Ultimately, my concern is the battery. I had hope Strong would have produced their lithium battery as once suggested in the literature but even getting a SLA replacement looks unlikely. Canadian Tire still lists it but the young clerk wasn't too sure if any were actually being shipped anymore.
What is the likelihood of taking the battery box apart when it comes to the point of poor charging and having me replace (what I assume to be) cells in the box (36v)? The battery is a fairly integrated part of the bike and I like it in the centre where it is instead of on the back as I carry my work stuff there. (web site is still currently active www.strongcanada.ca)
What is the likelihood of changing the SLA batteries to something else like Lithium Ion cells and getting a new charger?
Too bad about Strong...more competition and awareness is good...even for a mid-range quality bike. Although the clerk at CT did say they were looking at a bike to replace the Strong in the spring...maybe one with lithium batteries.