paverman4u

Has anyone tried the eplus electric bike yet? What's intriguing to me is:

-The motor and battery are all contained in the wheel
-They come pre-built (no need to think, because frankly I'm not ready for that yet)
-They are local to my area (I'm in Washington DC)
-They have a conversion that works with the BigDummy:

https://epluselectricbike.com/

That being said, they express their systems in units of Watts and I'm used to seeing things expressed in Amps and Volts. So specifically I was wondering:

1) Has anyone here used them (eplus Bikes) and how was your experience?
2) What do you think of a 1000 watt Big Dummy?
3) What might I expect from a 1000watt bike?
4) What is your impression, in general, of eplus bikes (yes I know many will not like the idea of "pre-built", but after years of following ebikes on and off, I just don't have the time or interest in building my own right now)

Thank you!

morph999 

It's going to be hard to find an Eplus user because they are relatively new and expensive. From what I understand, the 1000 watt bike goes about 30 mph. Hmm, I wonder how they sell the bike though that goes beyond legal speed limit. If you say they are selling them in the USA. They have a kit for about $2000, though where you can put it on yourself. That's what I would do if I was going to get that. Save yourself about $800. All you do is throw 2 wheels on and a throttle.

As far as pre-built bikes go, they are probably one of the best if not the best bike to get because of the speed, power, and good design. You can park it, just lock up both wheels with a good chain and that's it. That would make it ideal for so many things. I'd buy an Onguard 5018 chain and lock up the bike with that. Maybe an Onguard 5018 and then a cable lock for the 2nd wheel. I have the Onguard 5018 chain and it's pretty good.

morph999 

Another one to look at would be the A2B bike. Like I said, just make sure you get a thick enough chain to lock it up with. someone on Endless sphere forum had his stolen recently. Get the immobiliser chain or a Onguard chain. Something that is at least 14 mm thick. The immobiliser is 16 mm thick.

nwmtnbkr

I'm rather surprised that E+ isn't getting some flak from Federal regulators since they sell models with 1000W kits, which, pursuant to US law must meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's safety standards for mopeds/motorcycles. See Public Law 107-319, which was enacted at the request of big bicycle manufacturers who make rather anemic e-bikes to clarify that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could not set safety standards for all e-bikes. This law established the definition of "low-speed electric bicycle" and essentially established it as a consumer product that only needs to meet safety standards of regular non-powered bicycles set by the Consumer Product Safety Administration. The term "low-speed electric bike" in the statute is defined as "a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph." Ready-made e-bikes more powerful than these must meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's safety regulation for mopeds/motorcycles. FYI, at this point in time, conversion kits aren't covered by these safety regulations, but I expect that to change as ever more powerful hub motors are imported from China.

Geekybiker

Its my understanding that all you really have to do is market as an offroad only bike to get around those regulations. Much like racecars don't have to meet DMV specs.

nwmtnbkr

The problem is they really don't market them that way, they're marketing them as a form of transportation (which is good--North Americans need to begin viewing the bicycle primarily as a mode of transportation rather than a piece of sporting equipment). I remember looking at the first bikes they sold and as I recall, they seemed to use frames that were made for them that were beefier. They now seem to be converting a variety of bikes that anyone can buy, such as the Big Dummy, etc.

Geekybiker

Sure, but all they really need is "Makes great transportation*"


*for off road use only.

Unless you get plates and registration for ebikes, using non-legal models on the road will be nearly impossible to police.

miro13car

first of all E+ is descendand of Tidal Force, say improved version of Tidal Force bike - one of the best in the world.
It is USA -made bike which makes all the difference.
I am Canadian BTW .
They have all the right to write on TF frame: proudly made in USA.
Motor/controller is the best in the world no doubt.
My TF has 16500 km on the clock and counting.
Construction and quality of materials , also design of electronics is what makes this ebike so unique.
If E+ is even 15% more efficient - that's fantastic.
E+ has one drawback - it does not accept any 36V battery like old TF and manufacturer promised to change it next year.
Mc

pavers

Thanks for the all the replies - so what's the advantage of a 36Volt battery over what the e+ is compatible with? I seem to recall from my researching days that higher volts = higher top speed, is that right?

pavers

BTW, this is one of the things that piques my curiousity, because again from my researching days I recall that most kits and bikes are expressed in Volts and not Watts. What's the significance of 1000 Watts VERSUS 36 or 24 Volts? The physics behind this is interesting, but frankly, I just want to know how the end user experience is affected and why would an e-bike be expressed in Watts instead of Volts (which is what I'm used to seeing)

They do seem to get rave reviews here, so there must be something to them, I'm just thrown off my the different unit of measure.

Thanks in advance for your help.

morph999 

Watts is volts x amps. My bike at 36v uses 1500 watts peak and it goes about 29 mph. At 48v, my peak wattage is almost 2000 watts and goes 35 mph. So a bike at 1000 watts should probably go around 26 - 27 mph or more if it's very efficient.

paverman4u

Thanks all for the replies. I test drove one recently. It worked out so well that I took the plunge and then ordered one. Fantastic ride, fantastic design. I got it up to and sustained 33 mph with by giving the electric motor a bit of pedal power, and that was with a bike that wasn't even set to a seat height that accomodated me. So I couldn't fully extend my leg to apply even more leg power. I can't wait to get the one I ordered.

I think this bike will easily let me easily sustain 25 or so for my commute to work, which is what I'm looking for. Anyway, thanks again. Will follow-up a few weeks after actually receiving the unit in hand.

miro13car

paverman,
have you get your E+ yet?
tell us
MC

paverman4u

PMmiro13car - not yet, I'm aching for it though. Should be late next week unless it arrives early. Really looking forward to it, and will post some initial impressions when it arrives.

Also plan to get the Green Down Low Glow kit once version 2 becomes available and plan to lock it up with something along the lines of these:

-Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock
-Kryptonite New York 3 foot Chain with EV Disc Lock

Slate Magazine rated them as best of class locks for bike.

Allen

Chains are more versatile than u-locks.

rezkiy

on a higher volted system you likely will have less loss due to resistance in wiring.

miro13car

paverman,
you will enoy every minute of ride,
as I wrote before:
E+ do not accept any 36V battery like its predecessor Tidal Force.
Because they changed console with LCD one .
battery electronics must make handshake with processor inside motor for main battery leads to be connected to controller.
But what is fantastic about E+ is that apparently is at least 10% more efficient than old TForce. Just read E+ forum and experience of folk bill von his thread clearly show this.
On my TF quiiet, silence, smooth ride,
no cogging, no jerking, no overheating, no water damage from rain.
And mine is Canadian TF restricted to 19m/hour max speed.
MC

kauaikit

MC....a shame you've got a non X bike based on your silly Canadian laws, though you can send your hub & LEVT (Idaho), with a simple, but a $250 bill, software program change they can unlock your hubs potential to around 33 mph (52.8kh) downhill pumping hard with the pedals! Otherwise the bike will go 25mph unassisted or around 26.5mph with light pedaling. You will also want to change your front 44t gear to a 48t +.

Yes, the E+ are great bikes, but for the money, just buy a used in excellent condition '05 TF bike in a different model than yours for a little change. Then again you can also just buy a complete NOS X hub, for around $350 US, to put on your bike. Bingo, a new bike with the added horsepower!

Kit
S.CA USA

crica888

I tried many kinds of electric bikes, but I am not really impressed... I prefer to ride usual bikes... that is the fun

<Moderator edit>
And since you are trying to sell hard on drugs in your signature line, I prefer that you be banned.
And don't come back.

miro13car

since thread is about E+.
paverman ,
you will enjoy your E+ for about 3 seasons only , sad but it is how long will Nickel battery last.
E + is the best ebike in the world as EMS manufacturer claims EXCEPT battery..
And unlike tIDAL fORCE it will NOT power up on any 36V battery.
Many Chinese ebikes have longer lasting batteries.
I called and sent emails to EMS that they should keep promise and deliver UBC Universal Battery Connector implemented in E+ but they say is low demand, comm on low demand?
Nickel battery on " the most advanced ebike in the world"**********
Thats the shame.
The best motor/controller in the world for sure, but NOT the best ebike.
Anybody interested in E+ , PLEASE CALL ems TOLL FREE NUMBER TO TELL THEM - INTRODUCE UBC .
MC

kauaikit

Maybe best if you keep your unsolicited opinions to yourself, as your talking out of your ******** ass....as you've NEVER ridden a TF or E+ bike @ 30+ mph.

Go troll somewhere else you loser.

miro13car

crica888,
you are on ebike subforum
what's the sense of coming here with your opinion.
Here are the people who accepted and ride ebikes.
CM

Allen

Guys, when you see spammers selling crap like circa888, would y'all be so kind as to report him?
Thanks,

--Allen

Richard60463

I had a couple of concerns, or maybe three. 1. the bike is heavy. We frequently carry our bikes on a rack and it would have to be lifted up a foot or so to get it onto the rack, 2. what would it take to replace a broken spoke or are they so heavy duty that they won't ever break?, 3 what is the cost to replace the wheel when the battery goes bad in a few years and 4. since we ride on bike trails would it be so obvious that it was an electric bike that the gendarmes would chase us off the path?
Richard

paverman4u

Well I've had mine for about 8 months now, although I have the Surly Big Dummy with eplus motor/battery/etc installed (as opposed to Tidal Force).

I had a couple of concerns, or maybe three.

1. the bike is heavy. We frequently carry our bikes on a rack and it would have to be lifted up a foot or so to get it onto the rack,

Yes it's heavier than a regular bike so lifting can get interesting. I suppose this would depend on the strength of the lifter. I'm 40 years old male and don't have issues lifting it, but perhaps someone else would.



2. what would it take to replace a broken spoke or are they so heavy duty that they won't ever break?,

Never happened to me, but from the looks of the bike any bike store could do it, or you could if you know how.


3 what is the cost to replace the wheel when the battery goes bad in a few years and

https://epluselectricbike.com/buy-bik...ke-accessories

They also have an annual maintenance program that'll let you get the battery much cheaper if you keep up with the program. I'm not sure how you participate in it if you're out of town (i live local to eplus), but there is a way.


4. since we ride on bike trails would it be so obvious that it was an electric bike that the gendarmes would chase us off the path?

I get a comment from time to time on the trail (about once every 5 or 6 weeks), but honestly if you're on an eplus you can run circles around anybody actually trying to "chase you off the path." Ironically, I get comments from people who themselves don't warn when passing. I know this because I'll follow behind them a bit before passing. I get positive comments far far more often. Just be respectful of others, don't go zipping past people at dangerous speeds, warn when passing and you shouldn't have too many problems (at least not where I live). Even when the comments have been negative, there was only one case where it was beligerant and the guy was screaming at the top of his lungs. The only times I've every gotten negative comments were when passing someone. When I'm stationary, I've always gotten positive comments. Since I don't pass at dangerous speeds, and since I'm religious about sounding the warning bell, I have to wonder if part of their negativity is that they just don't like getting passed.