Electric Bikes - My first few weeks with the Bionx PL500HS

I got my PL500HS a few weeks ago to replace my PL250 which will be moved to my backup bicycle. The old system's been very nice to have but I often found I biked more than 30 miles a day. I managed to roll over the odometer. I didn't notice when it occurred, but I guess it was around 6500 miles (0.1 x 2^16).

So after also replacing my entire drivetrain (chain, 7sp 11-28 FW, 39/53t crank), it was finally time to see what kind of distance I get. I'm planning on biking at level 2 assist for the most part, but I thought I'd try to measure the level 3 assist distance.

I rode the bike over 2 days at assist 3 doing various commuting stuff (so I had some light baggage to carry) and I was astonished to end up with 45.0 miles!! This was the mileage I hit as soon as all the bars on the battery gauge disappeared (even the little tiny half bar at the end). I probably could've gone another 5-7 miles but I didn't want to push it until the controller turned off.

The 45 miles covered a lot of hills as well. It's quite hilly where I live! And on the flats, I generally sustained around 23-25 mph, depending on the wind. With my PL250, it took some effort to go 23, and beyond that, I had to really push it to go just another mile or two an hour. But it wasn't the case with the PL500HS, of course. The same effort I'd put into going 23 with a PL250 Assist 3 would give me 26 mph with my PL500HS at assist 3. And the effort at 25mph now gives me 30mph. Going 23-25 on the roads is sufficient for me though, but it's nice to have the extra speed when I need to get down a shoulderless stretch of road. On the trails, I'll be going even slower.

My old system at assist 3 got me about 28-30 miles when i first got it. And the PL250 gives 100% assist vs 150% assist with the PL500HS at that level. So I'm pretty impressed.

Before I bought the system, I talked to one dealer that used to sell this kit, they said that you get significantly less range on the PL500HS as you would on the PL350. So I was prepared to be a little disappointed, but I'm glad that didn't appear to be the case, after my first test run.

Anyway, here's to flipping the odometer again!

Where did you get a PL500HS? We can't get those around here. I'm jealous.

I thought the 500 would be better than the 350. Hmmm... looks like I'll stick with the 350 then.

Where did you get a PL500HS? We can't get those around here. I'm jealous.

I thought the 500 would be better than the 350. Hmmm... looks like I'll stick with the 350 then.

Yeah, the 500 would have the same range as the 350. however, if you need the extra speed, the 500 is definitely great to have. Too bad they didn't sell the 500 with a 48V 10AH battery instead of the 36V one.

I got the kit through someone I knew in CA. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get it. :D

adamtki,

I don't really know a lot about gear ratios. Using your current setup as described, how would you describe pedalling at 25+ mph? For example, is the cadence excessively high? Also, where did you buy your freewheel?

Have you ridden a 350 watt BionX before, and could you compare it to the PL500HS?

I am also curious what the no-load top speed is, have you checked it?

It might have consequences for your warranty, but pushing the voltage to 48 could be alot of fun. It might also get you to that next odometer turnover a little quicker!

At 25mph on the 53t & 11t gears, I'd pedal about 65 rpm. Here are the numbers (in mph) I got for my setup at 80 rpm of the crank off off Sheldon Brown's gear calculator http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/:

53t 39t
11t 30.7 22.6
13t 26.0 19.1
15t 22.5 16.6
18t 18.8 13.8
21t 16.1 11.8
24t 14.1 10.3
28t 12.1 8.9

With electric bikes, you'll want higher gears because you generally ride faster. I used to have a 50t front crank but found that even with an 11t rear cog, it wasn't enough and found myself using the last two gears too much, wearing them out much faster. Now with the 53t, I use the last 3 gears when cruising and I have a lower cadence for the much higher speeds.

I've never ridden a PL350 so I can't compare, but I heard that the 350 has better hill climbing capability. I think the PL500HS low speed torque is probably slightly better than the 250 or about the same.

I did the no load speed test once. It was about 41 mph.

The freewheel was hard to find. Harris Cyclery used to have these Shimano 7sp 11-28t FW, but they were out of stock for a while. Then one day, I asked the REI bike shop and they happen to have it! It's not a stocked item, but it was in their repair shop. So I bought two of them.

Thanks for sharing all of the great info.

The gear calculator is a nice link.

BTW, is there a photo or two of your current setup available online?

Thanks again for the great reporting on the PL500HS. Have you noticed any new details?

I was wondering about the "official" status of this product.

The PL500HS is not listed as a Bionx product on their official website. Was there any "official" documentation in your kit (manual, etc..) that identified it as the PL500HS? On the website the weight, nominal torque, maximim torque and the percentages of the four assist levels are listed for the 250 and 350 watt motors, but not the 500. Was any of this information included with the kit?

I'll have a picture later. I've been meaning to put up a picture of my bike in the pictures thread.

My thinking is that Bionx's takeover my Magna left the website untouched. I hope they update it soon.

The same with the owners manual. It's hasn't been updated. It had no mention of the Bionx PL500HS. It's the same manual as what you'd get with the other systems. So I assume the assist percentages on the PL500HS are the same as the PL350. There's definitely more assist than the PL250, but since I never rode a PL350, I can't verify if it's the same as that or not. This system barely came with any documentation specific for the PL500HS. The only "documentation" is a label on the exterior of the box. I don't even think I can tell from looking at the wheel that it's a PL500HS.

I really enjoy this extra range and speed. There were certain sections of streets that I felt I could just take the lane and avoid the sidewalk (or the narrow shoulder) if I could go a few miles an hour faster. I can go fast enough to get to the next bike safe zone before a car could pass. Most of the time on the roads, I'm only going about 23, but it's good to have that speed capability.

I had a conversation with someone at JVBike in Vancouver about a year ago in which he described a high speed BionX system which they were testing and considering selling in the future. I recall he said it would go about 30 mph. I also seem to recall that he said it was essentially a 350 BionX programmed for use at higher rpm when spoked into smaller wheels. The lack of any official BionX mention of the product makes me wonder exactly what they (I guess only Electric Cyclery and NYCEwheels have it) are selling. Anyway it goes fast and has a warranty, so I do not think you need to be concerned.

Your description of taking the lane when it is safer is exactly what I hope to do with my next BionX. Glad to hear you can do that. Non bicyclists seem to have a difficult time grasping how going faster is sometimes safer.

I have an HID and a NiteRider Universal Taillight which makes riding at night a blast. I think it would be even more fun with your setup.

I hope a few potential converts are reading this.

Do you think BionX might come out with some new products or pricing for next year? It is only speculation, but after the takeover I have a feeling we will see some new things next spring.

Here's a picture of my bike (also will post it in the pictures thread).

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I know my handlebar layout is a mess... but it's good for keeping the thieves away.

I can't say enough good things about this Bionx system. The improvement between this and the PL250 is the same as between the PL250 and a regular bicycle! This has the range (45 miles at Level 3) and speed (23mph regular bike effort on flats=31mph at level 3 Bionx) needed for everyday commuting. And it still rides like a bicycle (assist via pedal effort), sounds like a bicycle (quiet; no high pitch motor sound), and can be lifted like a bicycle (48 lbs as shown).