I was at the Sea Otter Classic today (always a "kid in a candy store" adventure) where I test rode an electric-assist folding bike that was a blast to ride and could easily be folded and transported over short distance when needed. The best of three worlds! You could pedal with a 6-speed Shimano internal gears, have electric assist if desired or needed, and fold it for compact transport in a personal motor vehicle or on mass transit in under 15 seconds. The electric assist was from a robust hub motor powered from a re-chargeable (and removable) Li-Ion battery. The whole bike weighed under 49 pounds, including battery! You could fold it in well under 15 seconds. The battery was easily removable for recharging and, because it was Li-Ion, could be recharged many times without losing power and yet maintain a near-full charge even months between usage. The best part was the whole thing was selling for $1500.00 (the Li-Ion battery alone would cost $400.00). I am not a salesperson or shill for this product. I was simply impressed by its value for those who might bike-commute over long distances and/or hilly terrain. This is the manufacturer's product link:
http://www.ecobike-usa.com/vatavio.html
The BikeForums Team
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Looks good. The thing I like about the Bionx system is the 6o mile range and battery regeneration mode.
PattiJ39
Hi, This bike looks interesting. Where did you buy one? There is no price or link available for dealers. Also what kind of range did you get using this bike? How many hours will the battery last if you pedal also?
Thanks for the information.
metronycbike
http://d451392.sites80.storefront-hosting.com/detail.aspx?ID=234
offered for sale here,
nyce wheels in nyc has something that looks like it too , but for 1200
chainstrainer
Hi, This bike looks interesting. Where did you buy one? There is no price or link available for dealers. Also what kind of range did you get using this bike? How many hours will the battery last if you pedal also?
I haven't bought one yet, but only test rode it for a few minutes at a bike festival. There is more info here (scroll half-way down this page):
http://www.easyracers.com/
My general impression from an up-close inspection was of a generally good quality product - it's not some kind of slapped-together Frankenbike, though there is room for improvement in future versions. The hub motor is average in power but it was intended more for pedal assistance, not full-time power reliance. The Li-ion battery alone is $400 but for electric power that's the type of battery I'd want, expensive though it is.
BroadwayJoe
I don't normally make negative comments about businesses but NYCE wheels in NYC is probably the most EXPENSIVE and rudest eBike store I've been. They're in old York (upper east side) so they'll never offer low country prices - but their internet - in-store pricing (plus sales tax) penalizes the in-store shopper something fierce. Count on paying a ton for whatever you wish to buy and whatever you do, don't ask tough questions about ANYTHING. In their minds they KNOW IT ALL and love to argue! Probably LAWYERS in disguise...
Plus, what about all those TidalForce bikes they sold 2005-2006 at outrageous prices? My friend bought one from NYCE (over $3k) and when the company folded NYCE basically washed their hands of the machines they had sold. The place is just so NEW YORK I can't stand it - you've been WARNED...
chainstrainer
Don't drown the product with the dealer, dude!
Dahon.Steve
I don't normally make negative comments about businesses but NYCE wheels in NYC is probably the most EXPENSIVE and rudest eBike store I've been. They're in old York (upper east side) so they'll never offer low country prices - but their internet - in-store pricing (plus sales tax) penalizes the in-store shopper something fierce. Count on paying a ton for whatever you wish to buy and whatever you do, don't ask tough questions about ANYTHING. In their minds they KNOW IT ALL and love to argue! Probably LAWYERS in disguise...
Plus, what about all those TidalForce bikes they sold 2005-2006 at outrageous prices? My friend bought one from NYCE (over $3k) and when the company folded NYCE basically washed their hands of the machines they had sold. The place is just so NEW YORK I can't stand it - you've been WARNED...
Boy, you took the words out of my mouth.
I was looking for a E-Scooter last year in case my job relocated. They had on on the wall and when I asked if they could provide a test ride, the answer was no! Needless to say, I wonder how they stay in business! The last time I was in the store, it looked like they were selling more folding bikes (Bromptons) than E-bikes. It's just a bunch of young kids in their 20's operating the store. What do you expect.
I still may visit the store just to see what they have in stock. Not to buy anything of couse, but if something does look interesting, I will buy it on the internet and save a bundle of money!
jerryt
My experience with NYCE was OK.
I bought an eZee Quando from NYCE using the internet for the same price as all other internet stores.
It arrived in reasonable time but with a broken battery case. This was promptly replaced by NYCE when I returned the damaged battery.
I would buy from them again.
EDIT: The Vatavio which is the actual thread subject looks identical to my Quando except the Vatavio has better gearing but is basically same price.