Originally Posted by
Bizman
I have an Easy Motion Max 700+ PCS ebike with Panasonic 250 W mid-drive motor. It works well, is very efficient, and allows me to use the gears to go fast if I ever want to (30+ mph). I don't normally use the motor as I would rather pedal for the exercise. When I do, I use the lowest power assist mode (has 3).
My goal is to get back home with as much charge in the battery as possible. 5 lights on the battery showing a full charge (or their abouts). I have rode 100 miles in 8 hours and got home with 5 lights still on. I looked at front & rear hub drives, gear driven, non gear driven, and mid drives when I was looking at ebikes.
I finally decided the mid drive would be the best for me and most efficient. I am very happy with my decision and would only buy a mid drive again. Another mid drive you may want to look at would be the Stoke Monkey. At the time I was looking I really liked it too as I was going to buy a Big Dummy but the SM was not available.
So with the mid-drive you continually get assistance past 20 mph? In other words it does not cut out on you at 20?
I like what you are talking about as I want something that I mainly peddle, but on days when I might want to ride closer to 100 miles (lightly loaded for camping/touring) I'd like some help along the way.
Are you getting good service out of the Panasonic unit? I'm currently looking at the 8Fun, but will see if I can find a US company selling the Panasonic so I can compare.
Seems like the mid-drives can be the most efficient and allow you to extend the battery quite far.
Originally Posted by
2old
BionX is definitely the premium system in the hub drive arena, but I'm happy with my 350w, 36V front design since, with a mid mounted battery, it pedals well and feels extremely well balanced (not happy with the 20 mph top speed). Be good if you could try a few different systems. I wouldn't go below 36V though.
Thanks for the advice on the 36V. After I typed the original post I watched a video on battery information and came to the same conclusion.
As far as the BionX I get a lot of use out of the two systems that I have on the cargo bikes. However, I was looking for something that was more attractive for my Velo-Orange (it is a nice looking bike and large a rear hub just looks out of place for me). Also, as I said above I may want to put in some long distance touring and I get about 50 miles on the BionX (3rd level) and would expect a little more with the Velo Orange, however if I run out of juice or have an issue the pull from the direct drive magnets for 30 or more miles would not make the ride fun. With a mid-drive or front geared hub I could do that.