Electric Bikes - ask a question, get no answers???

I ask a question about commuter electric bikes and got one answer in 2 days! not a very friendly like forum here.

looking for a commuter ebike with a throttle. don't want to use a kit. want the whole package and want something reliable, fast and light.

isn't there anyone out there who is willing to give me some direction???

I ask a question about commuter electric bikes and got one answer in 2 days! not a very friendly like forum here.

looking for a commuter ebike with a throttle. don't want to use a kit. want the whole package and want something reliable, fast and light.

isn't there anyone out there who is willing to give me some direction???

Cleveland, Ohio.

You must use kit. You wants the reliability and, the fast, and the light. Optimal is go for Trek bike - you has this. Then for Crystalyte kit (500W, 5300 series, 400W, 400 series). Bike shop installs the wheel(1) for front or back, you choices.

Then you ask for rack install (includes in kit). Then attaches battery (easy!)
Reliability. Fast.

Lightness by the battery chemistry for your choices. SLA is much heavy. Choices for NIMH is best.
More moneys. If you choices for fast, for light, is go for 48V. 48V bring fastness for bike.

Throttle choice: thumb switch(1),
half-twist(2),
or full twist(3).

I ask a question about commuter electric bikes and got one answer in 2 days! not a very friendly like forum here.

looking for a commuter ebike with a throttle. don't want to use a kit. want the whole package and want something reliable, fast and light.

isn't there anyone out there who is willing to give me some direction???

Well, the point is, you did get a perfectly workable answer, and it has only been 1 day and 5 hours between your posts.

You mentioned no mechanical ability, yet you want to get a kit, but want to buy a complete item and hand assemble it yourself. You really ought to just buy a Crystalyte kit from electricrider.com in Kansas, and put the thing together yourself. It is very reliable, and depending on your configuration, you can get it as fast as 50mph, unless that is too fast for you. The lightness will be determined by the type of batteries you choose to go for. NiMH is becoming a very good option for price and weight. Lithium is the lightest, but pricey.

Crystalyte has a throttle, and you can just let the motor and battery and controller do all the work if you want. That is fine. Keep in mind if you go this route, lightness will suffer, as you will need a bigger battery, to run the full length of your commute. Otherwise, pedal some way, take a break. Bike some more. The best value is to get a kit and install it on your already high quality bike. Otherwise you will be getting a cheap grade bike. You want reliable right?

Stick with a hub motor if you want stealthy.

Nuts! It's been 3 minutes, and the OP hasn't acknowledged my post! Nuts! ;)

so are you saying that even though i am not mechanically inclined, I can get a kit and bring it to my local bike shop and someone there could install it for me?

which kit and is there someone else on this board who lives close to Cleveland, Ohio such that I could drive over and have that person install it for me?

gmac

That is right, your bike shop can install it for you. If you can type on a keyboard, or tie your shoes, you can do the rest.

well, I'm far from an expert... I'll just tell you what I bought because I had similar wishes for an e-bike. I got an eZee Sprint 2 months ago. I tested several eZee modes and Giant also, decided to go with the eZee. As "ready to ride" ebikes go, it's relatively light (around 60# with battery), and it will go up to 20 mph. I've ridden about 300 miles on it & love the bike... That said, I've had some complications with the battery and charger that aren't entirely resolved yet. (the shop is helping me get it figured out.) The eZee bikes are evidently used alot more widely in the UK than in the US, and many people seem to regard them highly. Once I get my battery/charger issue solved, I expect it's going to be a great setup. You might want to check them out... Two places in the US that carry them are Electric Bikes Northwest and NYCEWheels, both have websites...

Good luck!

Crystalyte has been around for a long time, its reliability proven.
It is also cheaper than eZee.

eZee as you have seen already has problems. The batteries already dysfunctioning. It is offered as an "affordable" lithium solution.

eZee since being new to market still hasn't had its reliability tested.

Be sure to check out www.electricrider.com, since they are fairly close to you state wise, and have a good reputation.

well, I'm far from an expert... I'll just tell you what I bought because I had similar wishes for an e-bike. I got an eZee Sprint 2 months ago. I tested several eZee modes and Giant also, decided to go with the eZee. As "ready to ride" ebikes go, it's relatively light (around 60# with battery), and it will go up to 20 mph. I've ridden about 300 miles on it & love the bike... That said, I've had some complications with the battery and charger that aren't entirely resolved yet. (the shop is helping me get it figured out.) The eZee bikes are evidently used alot more widely in the UK than in the US, and many people seem to regard them highly. Once I get my battery/charger issue solved, I expect it's going to be a great setup. You might want to check them out... Two places in the US that carry them are Electric Bikes Northwest and NYCEWheels, both have websites...

Good luck!

+1

Giant is also introducing a new model the Giant Twist Freedom DX which should be available by the end of the month.

There isn't a huge number of people who come to this forum who have ever owned a complete, not-from-a-kit, ebike. In other words, it's likely that nobody who knew of a good answer to your question ever saw it in the space of 2 days, and the rest of us held back from posting "i heard such and such" or "i never tried this bike but it looks good", partly because those kinds of posts sometimes draw criticism, like "don't post if you don't know what you're talking about."

I have'nt read your previous post but have to disagree w/some previous comments regarding reliability.

Ezee bikes are very reliable and especially the motor, but has experienced problems with lithium batteries in recent months. They have since changed suppliers (Sanyo I believe). If you choose eZee w/lithium, double-check the battery supplier. I have an eZee Quando w/NiMh battery which seems pretty solid. (As a side note, eZee also is marketing a DIY hub motor/controller which is pricey).

Some C'lyte kit motors have also experienced reliability problems but I believe they are model specific. Search endless-sphere.com for more info. Generally, C'lytes are priced higher than Wilderness Energy for example and have not been proven more reliable. I built a WE powered bike w/lead acid batteries and it is very reliable but quite heavy.

Also if you decide to use a kit, check w/your LBS for support. Some will and some won't.

As far as cost comparison; the last time I checked, C'lyte kits were $650 (+/-) w/o batteries. A long commute generally requires pricey battery chemistry so add another $600-$800 min (especially if you can't string Milwaukees together). Add the cost of your bike and you're in the neighborhood of a pre-built eZee or whatever you choose electric.

Just read your first post and see you want a commuter. BTW another +1 on the eZee Sprint that Rock recommended.
It will be helpful to specify how many miles (one way? round trip) and the terrain (mild or steep hills? flat? paved or dirt roads ?) and whether you can charge your batteries at work.

Other factors include where you keep your bike at work (home too if you have to lug it up 2 flights of stairs) and how much Dinaro you are willing to spend.

I have decided that I am not going to go with a kit. But I can see what you mean Jerryt about most people who respond are those who did it the kit way and that that is the only way that they know. Unfortunately there is nothing in my area than will enable me to test ride something like an eezee or a montague bionx. I live only 3 miles from my office but I have a feeling that once I start liking it, I'll be riding more than just to work. I looked at the eezee quando but kind of wanted more than just one speed. I don't really need a folding bike as I can park the bike in a side room of my office but I would get it if it met my needs. I want something that has a throttle and also will do the assist if I choose to do it that way. I think the eezee models have both and so does the montegue conversion dx.

I am open to other person's experiences with their non-kit electric bikes. thank you so much for responding. not being able to test drive something, I am relying on your personal experiences. so thank you!

the terrain for riding is asphalt and paved sidewalk. I am willing to spend up to $2000 or more. I actually looked into the Optibike but didn't think a $5000 bike should be my first electric bike. I do also own 2 recumbent trikes: a greenspeed x5 and a scorpion. I love riding the trike: a very comfortable ride.

I will need a soft seat with support though as some other seats make parts of my body below my waist numb :-). so the seat will be important too.

I'm not recommending the Quando but thats what I have and is my only experience with a pre-built. Its probably a little slow (15 mph) for a younger rider. My other bike is a WE front hub and probably goes 20-22 mph and I'm a big guy.

Both bikes have throttles; Quando has a twist grip like a motorcycle and the WE has a thumb throttle; however a twist grip throttle could be purchased for the WE.

Your 3 mile commute should not be a problem for virtually any e-bike, even the cheapest model and I believe you correctly identified the optibike as overkill (unless you have deep pockets). I believe $2000 will get what you want.

Since you're dead set against a kit and don't want a Quando you may want to look at other eZee models. They may have some with rear shocks and/or seat-post shocks (even aftermarket products). Beyond that I can't personally recommend anything.

Also snoop around on end-less sphere.com for anyone in the Cleveland area.
edit: that group has several e-recumbents
Good Luck

GMAC,
Guess I had a brain fart because I totally forgot about DAY 6 bicycles.
Its a semi-recumbent, has a seat thats super comfy (according to reports) and within your price range.
The electric portion is a kit (Bionx) but the dealer would add the kit or call the factory and see if they will put it on for you.Theres a dealer in Bryan Ohio about 170 miles from Cleveland.

edit: The Dream E is available factory assembled (presumably).
edit 2: Called and told not available assembled except by dealer

Heres the website http://www.day6bicycles.com/

jerryt: what is a "WE?"

Not really wanting a recumbent for the electric because it is just too big to fit into my office for storing when I get to work. Also, not as good keeping my balance on 2 wheeler recuments as I am on 2 wheeler uprights. Will just have to make sure I have a comfortable seat.

Rock: "I've had some complications with the battery and charger that aren't entirely resolved yet."

What kinds of complications? Why the sprint over the other ezee models? Would like to know your decision making process in terms of what you ruled out and why and what you ruled in and why?

Being that I won't have the opportunity to test ride any electric bikes, I am relying very heavily on people's "personal experiences" with their own choices and also what the decision making process was, as in what they didn't like about different models they tried and what they did like.

many thank for your input and any others who would like to add your valuable experiences.

Also, I have a feeling that after riding an electric bike to work for my 3 miles commute that I will like it so much that I will want to ride it much more so I am not wanting to limit myself to a just to work bike. But in all of my riding history on any bike, I have never really ridden off the road like what people do on mountain bikes. I'll do rail trails but they have to be paved. Don't really go in for the non paved variety of riding.

WE = Wilderness Energy

I suggested the DAY 6 because it has a 17" seat that addresses your numbness problem. It is a SEMI recumbent that is only a little longer than a regular bicycle and fits in nicely with your choice of "trails" and finally, it has the proven Bionx system with lithium or MiMh battery. Go to their website (in previous post) and view the 4 videos. You may not need a test ride.

jerryt
will check out that day 6 as just found out my office location is changing from 3 miles one way to 10 miles. thanks

Regarding the discussion as to whether eZee's are reliable:

I agree with Jerry, I don't think there's a problem with EZee's for reliability, though there are occasionally problems with the batteries. I think I just had an odd situation... and the shop has been GREAT in working with me to get it figured out. If you check the pedelecs forum in UK, there are tons of people riding eZee's and they have a very good reputation.

Re my situation with the batteries, I never managed to get much more than 5-8 miles per charge. I think I just got a couple of batteries from a bad batch, or maybe the charger had a problem... never really figured it out, but the shop traded me the NiMH setup for LiON, so I'm seeing how that works out...

what about the ez rider folding mountain bike? anyone have any personal experiences with that bike?

Gmac
A little more than a month ago, I bought an eZip through Walmart Site to Store. I've been very happy. I ride 15 miles each way to my daytime doings, on a HILLY road. I just barely make it on juice ( battery power, total 20 Amp hours in two battery packs), I recharge while there. I weigh 230 lbs so I'm a burden to the beast. But I'm in good shape, so I can help us.
My odometer, last I looked said more than 400 miles. I've had one little problem because of poor quality control at the factory, loose fasteners, but all's well generally. It does help if you know someone who can recognize the source of any potential problem.

My first message HAD included eZip is from Currie. It cost $380 complete at Walmart Site to Store.

I ask a question about commuter electric bikes and got one answer in 2 days! not a very friendly like forum here.

looking for a commuter ebike with a throttle. don't want to use a kit. want the whole package and want something reliable, fast and light.

isn't there anyone out there who is willing to give me some direction???


What do you think Wisper electric bike? 24 kgs include the battery. 32km/h speed for US market, 36V 14a battery. 50km range pure throttle. . Very cool style.

http://photo.store.qq.com/http_imgload.cgi?/rurl2=cba464f96c6ef2018331e89dbabe36a27788aadf5bd3e7da59f6c2227080f6931d3065a55c4d8201705c5da9a2e6fd 768ac06d2abab402fdcbedafc0409ddea9a9be8a4034819c371d3c6ef08a264046d7e9e0aa

I want to thank everyone for their kind and informative responses to my question. I did lots of research into many different electric bikes and spoke with several owners. I did finally arrive at a decision and this past Friday, I ordered an optibike 600L. It won't be here until the beginning of August. I decided that I wanted a bike that I could really really start to ride far distances instead of just to work. I am 55 years old and don't often spend money on myself. I wanted to do it right (at least for me) and so I decided to go with the optibike 600L in spite of the huge cost. I am looking forward to between 50-90 miles trips and intend to order the 2nd battery too. Can't wait until it gets here.

gmac :-)

Hello,

I am sort of in the same situation. I want to get an e-bike to commute.
It is about 6 miles each way (all flat - but with some strong head wind).
I don't need a throttle on the e-bike - I don't mind pedaling a bit (but not a lot).
Unfortunately, I can't afford an Opti-bike. :eek:

I was looking at:
1. Charger-bike
2. Giant Seude E
3. Or get a crytalyte kit

For option #1, and #2, I think I am close to the limit of my budget - and not sure how good are they.
I am not mechanically inclined at all - so option #3 is not too appealing (which part of the bike is the fork? and drop? :p ).

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

I am wanting an optibike as well. Wish I had the cash to buy one.

$8000 on optibike???
why it so special? it tuck you in sleep at night? whynot crystalyte?

when you go on optibike, you will realize you overpaid for 20mph.
it will be mcuh much slow! you will realize once rides.l :(

and as advertisze for 20mph, many times for 15mph-18mph

20mph is of maximum possible theoretical, for person 70kg, no wind, flat road, and perfects fcondidnetion
may not be applicable for your case:(

crystalyte, modify for 20mph, 25mph, 30mph, 35mph, :love:40mph :love:
usings 72V controller and chooses LiFePO4 safe battery
Li-Ion Optibike, mistreatment leads for explosions! :notamused:

;)[quote=Elusor;6778756]fcondidnetion
QUOTE]

What a great word

;)[quote=Elusor;6778756]fcondidnetion
QUOTE]

What a great word

condition

salesman lie, and make up for ideal condition of high speed bike for good sell; optibike not reach speed such on real world applications. trickery for uninform buyer.

maybe I bought the bike not for speed but for other reasons.

optibike is bad, you go for refund alllowed?

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4526

So here is my question to those of you who are putting down this optibike. I know not of any of this jargon from which you sling your mud at different products. But it does seem to me that most of it has to do with that you “read” and what you “hear” as opposed to you actually getting on an optibike and actually RIDING it???

I am hearing that you are debating about what is “written” on various web sites and you throw your opinions around based on what is alleged about what is represented on the web sites. It seems to me like a bunch of most of these opinions are just more rhetoric based on what you are reading instead of your actual experience of getting on the actual bike.

I do not believe for an instant that this is ”the greatest electric bike in the world!” I don't believe anyone can make that claim. But I do have problems with people who pooh pooh a product based on what they have “heard” or “read” versus what you have actually tried out for yourself.

It is one of the downsides of forums like this that when one asks a question and wants the answer to be based on PERSONAL and ACTUAL experience, that instead, what one gets is what you have “read” or what you heard that someone else said or read but very little of it is based on the actual bike that you have sat yourself down on and went for a ride upon.

In this whole thread, or even other similar threads on this website where someone like myself asks a simple question asking for information about actual ebike experience, count just how many of those responses come from the actual bike owners and how many come from people giving their ”opinions“ about what they have “read“.

Gmac, I don't own an Optibike and probably never will. You should not be offended or surprised when people give their opinions. After all, exchanging views and information is the purpose of forums. What you can glean from people who put down a product is a sense of the healthy scepticism that will surround a highly priced item such as this. Having looked at the site, I discovered (for example) that an upgrade from a 600 to 800 watt motor will cost more than a low-end bike!
It's not a downside to have an honestly expressed opinion. You were quite critical when no-one jumped to answer your query. Now you get critical if their opinions don't meet with your approval.
You say that you 'do not believe for an instant that this is ”the greatest electric bike in the world!'. Since it's probably the most expensive electronic bike in the world, why not?

Has anyone seen one of these?
http://www.e-ride.ca/Electric_Scooters/Motorino_BTr.html

Has anyone seen one of these?
http://www.e-ride.ca/Electric_Scooters/Motorino_BTr.html

gmac, I agree comments made based on first hand experience are the ones I value.

A question for you about the Motorized Bottom Bracket, does it have a freewheel function or must the pedals turn whenever the motor is driving?

Also, I don't see any mention on their website of an optional front derailleur with multiple chain wheels. Can that be done? It's HILLY here.

thanks, Don

A question for you about the Motorized Bottom Bracket, does it have a freewheel function or must the pedals turn whenever the motor is driving?

I can't tell you for sure, but I would be very surprised if optibike doesn't allow you to not-pedal while the motor is working.

In looking at the optibike pictures (optibike uses a system sort of like my bike) I don't think there's any reasonable way to use multiple chainrings. Keep in mind, though, that if you aren't asking the bike to haul 500+ pounds, the motor should be more than capable of climbing any hill you can find.

Thanks for the response. I agree. What is your bike? I remember seeing another one on the web that had the motor at the BB. But I can't find it now. I'm considering running a chain from the motor on my eZip up to a "stroker's chainwheel on the left side. That way the motor would have the advantage of the 21 gears. I think it would extend mileage, if the motor didn't have to work so hard on hills. But there would be no freewheel, motor would turn any time pedals moved and vice versa.

take care, Don

I bought this TidalForce in 2004...$2300 then, and out of production now.

I love it. Absolutly silent, gets right up to 20 mph, then limited. Very frustrating to feel the power fall off just as you're starting to boogie. 8,000 miles and still going strong, second NiMH battery, 10 mile range.

A guy that worked at Optibike (Richard?) wanted to ride my TidalForce when it first came in, as it was probably one of the first 5 west of the Rockies back then, and they were just starting the Optibike, so we switched bikes and rode around my neighborhood.

I liked the Optibike a lot, especially that it powered through the gearset, so could gear up to some good speed, but it made quite a whine back then, sure it's much quieter now. He seemed to realy like the smooth quite power of the TidalForce.

I now build my own bikes with Chrystalite Racers and 4840 controllers and A123 battery packs...so fast and powerful.

I like what I see of the Whisper, would have to check it out if I was to consider pre-built again.

wernmax, can you post a link to that Whisper bike?

changed my mind.
decided to cancel my order of the optibike. :-(

I do also own 2 recumbent trikes: a greenspeed x5 and a scorpion. I love riding the trike: a very comfortable ride.

Bribe your neighbor kid to install a hub motor kit on one of your trikes... I think that would be one bad azzz ride.

MyPC8Brain, which hub motor kit?

The bike shop (LBS) will put assimilate hub motor kit for bike/trike for $10. You plug in. The kit for ease use, is kit, for plug in, like plug in outlet for wall of house. Simple. For plug of batteries, plug in battery like plug in battery for flashlight. Not difficult. I de not understanding for why confusion of install kit? For difficulty is where?
Crystalyte kit allow for power for hills, steep. Crystalyte Brute from power hill and pull trolleys yes for.
Addiont for assimilate kit $1000. Choose for speeds 40mph. Once you trying for 20mph, realizes such is of slow speed like turtle walk or child bike. Experience for more speed desire. 30mph.