InTheRain

I've been looking at a few electric bikes and I feel like I'm really close to making a purchase.

haibike with centerdrive and hydraulic disc brakes but pedal assist only.

Haibike Xduro Trekking RX - Gregg's Cycles

pedego with rear hub drive, pedal assist that can be overridden by throttle and will also operate throttle only.

Pedego City Commuter Review - ElectricBikeReview.com

I like the centerdrive pedal assist much more than the rear hub drive. However, I'm wondering how often those that have pedal assist bikes only, wish they had a bike that operated on throttle only as well???

350htrr

If you don't have it, you probably wouldn't miss it, IMO. I have both pedal assist and throttle so If either one of them wasn't a choice all of a sudden I think I would miss it...

powell

two ebikes you showed links to, couple of things comes to mind:
first quality:
on first bike you get well designed to Western standards, durable, beautifully integrated, intelligent edrive by BOSH which has been used on many European ebikes for the reason.
On second link you provided is ebike assembled from China brand parts run off the mill, off the shelf components of low quality , no brand name parts.
Pedego picture will not allow you zoom in to see parts.
Just looking at pictures, BOSH equipped bike has low mounted battery,
Pedego mounts battery on rear rack - high centre of gravity.

InTheRain

I don't know about the quality of the electric components on the Pedego and I don't know if it's assembled from Chinese parts. I rode the Pedego, it was a nice ride. I do like the mid-drive and hydraulic disc brakes on the Haibike. I was hoping my wife would ride the bike while I rode my road bike on the MUP's. She could keep up (well she could lead) with throttle only mode on the Pedego. I don't know how she would do if pedal assist were the only option... probably fine. I can get to 20+ on the flats on my road bike... but I won't be holding it there more than a minute or two.

The Pedego comes with a 48V 15 Amp hour battery and 500 watt motor. Seems like the range would be 20+ miles easily. If I recall, the Haibike comes with a 36V 11.6 Amp hour battery and 400W mid drive motor. Maybe the range would be nearly the same if the mid drive is more efficient an only offers pedal assist?

350htrr

I would go for one of these, a wide variety of choices here... HPC eXplorer Hardtail Mid Drive - Hi-Power Cycles

InTheRain

Yep, that one looks like a pretty good option, too. I didn't see prices for the different motors. I'll give them a call and ask more. It looks like they have a commuter model that is more interesting to me. Their website is a little skimpy on specs.

2old

Try to ride at least an example of each kind. Both have merits and problems. The Pedego is really tail heavy as stated above. The Haibike charges a hefty premium for the Bosch unit (An $800 - $1000 hard tail costs $4000 with the Bosch system). Maybe wait until June or so when Shimano Steps mid drive system will be available with a 8 speed Alfine IGH hub with electronic shifting for about $3500.

tds101 

The Haibike got a perfect score from Court: Haibike XDURO Trekking RX Review - ElectricBikeReview.com

InTheRain

The Bosch mid-drive seems to be the best of the mid-drives.

2old

AFAIK the Bosch is manufactured in China too, but I've only heard that from a company owner that's trying to use it. Anyone aware if this is true?

powell

Of course it might be made in China, just like your SONY camera is /which quality is identical to Japanese one/,
what is important that is NOT CHINA brand.
Many Western brand names have moved factories to China with manufacturing process like in Germany or Japan with Western management in place simply using Chinese assemblers.
Got it?
Don't know about Prodeco?
There are plenty of discussions on ebike forums where even owners admit they use China brand parts like Promax brakes.

thiocyclist

I have a Public D electric and I find the pedal assist completely perfect, while the throttle is basically pointless IMO. Throttle is not intuitive to me as a cyclist and seems to burn a lot more juice. It's also a bit jolting, whereas again the pedal assist seems "natural" -- almost as if you're just a super strong cyclist and there isn't a battery-powered motor helping you.

350htrr

Basically I find about the only time I use the throttle is intersections, to get through as fast as possible and not conflict with vehicles going through...

powell

I am with you both, I love pedal assist on BIONX when it seamlessly kicks in while riding.
I would do completely without throttle on my non-BIONX bikes but I need sometimes walk my ebikes under power especially walking uphill or deep snow .
BIONX design is perfect that it allows use throttle once you are at minimum speed. This "boost" of power is very helpful in some situations like getting through intersections.

allan6344

I specifically avoided the throttle bikes and also test rode the bikes at Gregg's (Greenlake). I really liked the Haibike Trekking features but preferred the more road bike feel of the Specialized Turbo S. I use the Turbo to commute from Seattle to Everett on days when I don't feel like riding my regular bike. It knocks about 20 years off the ride and recovery.

dilkes

20 years off the ride!

Must be some fast bike!! (lol)

350htrr

20 years younger, that's the "feeling" after a ride on an E-Assist bike compared to a regular bike...

allan6344

It's a combination of 20 years younger for recovery and 40 lbs lighter for speed. I was able to ride to work on Monday (40 miles R/T) after a very hilly group ride on Sunday with the "real" bike. I really enjoyed the commute ride too. Normally I would have had to have a couple of days off.

chas58

Yeah, I find an ebike handy to commute on after I beat myself up on a fast paced group ride the day before. Its a good recovery option allowing me to avoid using the car.

InTheRain

I did a test ride on the haibike at Greggs also. It was really, really nice... and really, really expensive. I think the thing that's holding me back from making the purchase is the price of the battery. These high quality batteries look like they are $700 - $1000. They say you should get 2-4 years out of a typical battery. Those prices need to come down by at least 50 percent.

bareyb

Hi powell. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your Falco Kit? I tried to PM you, but I can't until I have 50 posts. If you wouldn't mind coming over to my thread I'd really appreciate it. I am very close to buying a Falco kit and wanted to ask someone who had one a couple of questions, if you wouldn't mind.

Here is the link to my thread. I'll leave a message over there for you.

Need advice on Electric Bike Kit (Post #17)

2old

Relative to the comment about Chinese goods being equal to those from other countries:
1) I didn't say anything about the quality of the goods, just that I thought Bosch systems were manufactured there.
2) You don't know anything about how the goods from one country differ from those manufactured from another. Get it?
Also, I've never seem a review of a Falco product from someone who actually purchased one, although, I haven't tried the archives, just reading threads on this forum and ES for 6 months or so.

InTheRain

Leaning away from the throttle. I think I found the e-bike I like best at the Seattle Bike Show this weekend. It's Felt aluminum frame. Here is a link to the specs and review.

Felt SPORTe Review - ElectricBikeReview.com

Things that appeal to me: It has a rigid road type fork...not a big burly mountain bike fork with a lockout; At 40 lbs it's light for an e-bike and really not much heavier than my touring bike. It can take full fenders. The Bosch mid-drive motor... the best mid-drive in the business. This bike is specifically designed for the Bosch motor. Hydraulic disc brakes. The rest of the components seem to be quite high quality.

I don't think my wife would be riding this bike. After discussing it with her, she said she really isn't into bike riding anyway... no matter how much I would like her to be.

Now... $4000... that's the tough part.

bareyb

Nice... Powerful AND good looking. I like it!

Bizman

Be sure to check out the Easy Motion line of ebikes if you haven't already. I have the max 700+ PCS that was custom built by Petes Electric Bikes 2 years ago. Unfortunately Petes closed but with a quick search you should be able to find a dealer or possibly buy direct from Easy Motion.

My bike is a mid drive with a 250w Panasonic motor with pedal assist, no throttle. I use it for commuting and it has worked great! I do not see see it on the home page for Easy Motion as it may hve been replaced by q newer model but they have other bikes to choose from. I would buy another Easy Motion if I was in the market for another ebike as my experience with it has been very good, good luck with your search!
Link: Easy Motion - EBikes