Bike Forums - View Single Post - Estelle E-Bike via Worksman {image heavy}

02-24-07 | 04:16 PM

#1

Allen

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Joined: Sep 2005

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Estelle E-Bike via Worksman {image heavy}

I was cruising around the net and found a closeout deal on the Worksman Bicycle site on some Estelle/Heinzmann electric assist bicycles. The bikes are going for ~$460 down from a 2 grand retail. Worksman bought the assets of another company at an auction and amongst the things they purchased was two truck loads of these bikes. I figured it was no more risky than Craig's List or EBay, so I figured what the hell and bought one for my father. With shipping it was just north of $600

Let's start with the bad. The bike has been crated up for several years, and comes with no warranty. I haven't tried to figure out what model year it is yet, but it qualifies as "New Old Stock". The rear reflector was broken (not the tail light, so no big deal), and the bulb in the head light did not work (a screw in flashlight style, under $1 at the hardware store & works fine now).
Now that the bad is over with all the rest is good.

It arrived at my house in a box befitting a flat screen refrigerator. I opened the box to find the bicycle completely assembled. All I had to do was raise the handlebars, pump up the tires, and charge the battery. This bike is built like a brick **** house. The frame is an aluminum step-through, reinforced throughout, and has a 3 speed SRAM internal hub with a coaster brake; perfect for my Pop.
It came with everything, a true European commuter. Fenders, strut stabilized basket (for heavy loads), bell, lights, bottle generator, chain guard, frame lock, kick-stand, and a frame pump were all installed.

The battery charged well, and Pop got about 20 miles before it was flat. Heinzmann has recommended we ride the battery dead the first few charges. There is a movement sensor on the pedal, so unless they are moving the motor will not kick in. You can fool it to an extent. When you get it up to speed one can hold the throttle open and the motor runs at top speed even if you are slowly moving the pedals. It still helps getting up hills and going over thick grass is no problem what so ever.

This E-Bike has a front hub Heinzmann motor, powered by a battery under the rear rack. The family's other E-Bike is a Giant Lite. Its motor is inline to the chain and the two have very different ride characteristics. {The Giant is in a state of disarray at the moment, I taking it through an overhaul. I'll do a side by side comparison when I'm done with the Giant's surgery.}
As to how this one rides, the motor does not have the torque of a motor inline to the chain, but is faster in top speed, about 20 mph.

I've only had the chance to ride it around for an hour this afternoon, it's Pop's and I'm not going to hog his new bike. I'll cover how it rides and performs in more detail after I finish the Giant, but so far it seems to be a hell of a deal on a nice bike.

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