Electric Bikes - Advice for Fixing an Electric Bike (Giant La Free Sport)

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Fixx42
05-23-12, 02:22 AM
Hello all,

I'm new here, but I hope you don't mind if I put an over-my-head question to you all. I am a student that will be moving to a new city soon, and I'd like to buy an inexpensive e-bike to let me get around without a car. I've found a Giant La Free on Craigslist for just $250, but with a problem. Apparently it runs, but the LEDs blink and beep as if indicating a malfunction. Does anyone know how this problem might be resolved? Is it possible to purchase affordable spare parts for one of these, and if so would they be difficult to install?

On the other hand, do I need the LED display? If it's just a battery indicator, could I ride the bike without knowing how much charge I had, but instead with faith in the shortness of my 8-mile commute? I ask this as someone with zero e-bike experience, so feel free to laugh at my ignorance :o

Thanks for your help and advice!

Sincerely,
Student On A Budget

bluegoatwoods
05-26-12, 08:16 PM
Wow, man. It's a shame that no one has answered your question if four days.

But this particular forum is not heavy with e-bike users. Why don't you look up 'endless-sphere.com'? Many, many more e-bike users there. You'll get more answers than you can digest, I promise.

Here's mine; if it's merely a matter of battery voltage LEDs flashing, then that shouldn't be a problem. Trouble is that neither of us really knows that that is the case.

If you have about 20 amp-hours of current at whatever voltage the bike uses, then you have ample juice for an 8 mile commute. One way. You should be able to do it both ways on that if you ride quite slowly. About as slow as a beginner on a regular pedal bike.

Good luck
Fixx42
05-28-12, 01:48 AM
Wow, man. It's a shame that no one has answered your question if four days.

But this particular forum is not heavy with e-bike users. Why don't you look up 'endless-sphere.com'? Many, many more e-bike users there. You'll get more answers than you can digest, I promise.

Here's mine; if it's merely a matter of battery voltage LEDs flashing, then that shouldn't be a problem. Trouble is that neither of us really knows that that is the case.

If you have about 20 amp-hours of current at whatever voltage the bike uses, then you have ample juice for an 8 mile commute. One way. You should be able to do it both ways on that if you ride quite slowly. About as slow as a beginner on a regular pedal bike.

Good luck
Thanks for the advice BlueGoatWoods, I was starting to think I'd said something offensive! You're right, the flashing LEDs may indicate something more serious. I think I'll forgo the La Free. Thanks also for the referral to endless-sphere.com, I've got a few more e-bike related questions and will post them there.

Have a good one!