tds101 

OEM seat will be GONE immediately after the first ride. I'm a bit picky with seats.

kayakindude

TD that bike looks sweet. When things finally get somewhat normal and I have to actually go back to the office again I am probably looking at something similar. Only apprehension of a seatpost battery is when flying can you remove the battery?

kahn

That can be a problem with a number of e-bikes. Even if the battery is not built into the frame, those that are removable may still be too powerful to be allowed even as carry on luggage. You need a battery system that does not exceed airline limits. So either a series of smaller batteries or just a small battery that fits your system.

tds101 

Unfortunately, the battery is too large a capacity to take on an airplane. There's a very strict limit with this. The only thing I'd suggest, if visiting family or friends at the destination, is to order another battery and just travel with the bike itself. In my case that would be a bit expensive, as the spare/replacement battery is $450. These batteries definitely aren't cheap.

Now, I see that the stock freewheel on the Qualisports Dolphin is 14-28. I'm going to swap it out with an ebike compatible 11-28 freewheel. That will increase the top speed it's capable of maintaining while using pedal assist, or very little assist, as my body adjusts. No spinning out on level 5 (if I even decide to use such a battery draining level). Hopefully my bike will arrive before the weekend comes. It's shipped, but not in transit as of yet.

cat0020

I've looked for spare seatpost type batteries for the Qualisports Dolphin, less expensive options are available, below for one example:
https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...213469471.html

kahn

My friends have a Bike Friday with electric add-on. It comes with a battery pack that consists of a series of smaller batteries that connect together. But those smaller cells are allowed as carry-on, even a number of them are permitted together.

I have heard of folks removing the down tube battery from the Specialized e-bike and using the Range Extender which does meet carry-on criteria. Although, with a much more limited range with the smaller battery.

2old

AFAIK, the limit for air travel is 100 watts, and for ground shipping 300 watts. ebikesca has 96 or so watt batteries (36V) that can be shipped by air, then "nested" for use with systems. The company has a reputation for good innovation, good CS, excellent quality and (high) price.

kayakindude

Sorry what I meant is are the seatpost batteries removable for air travel? Fine with riding non electric when away for work. I like the quick release system I have so you can switch to between but that's an add on not a ground up ebike.

cat0020

Seatpost battery has significantly larger diameter than regular seatposts.
I don't think there is a shim available to allow usage of regular seapost with battery seatpost frame on the Qualisports Dolphin.

2old

Sorry, this was a general response for transporting batteries. Interesting question, since if the batteries aren't removable, you would need an entire seat/seatpost/battery unit just to replace the batteries, which seems infeasible.

cat0020

Try out the stock gearing for few rides before you change it out. I find the stock gearing is decent.
I rarely find myself cruising or pedaling with PAS at top gear (smallest cog), only when pedaling down some significant hill for extended distance/amount of time.
The chain gets pretty close to the frame in the smallest cog.
I spend the time in 17 thru 19T cog on flat ground with PAS 2 or 3, speed around 15-18 mph, I keep a decent cadence (70-80+ rpm) even on ebikes.

kimguroo

58t chainring option might be possible too and you don’t need to remove rear motor/wheel.
shimano and sunrace discontinued 11-28/34 freewheel so dnp is only option but heard dnp freewheel has slight wobble issue.

tds101 

I have a DNP 11-28 freewheel, so I'd just be doing a swap. If I encounter issues, I'd just go back to stock. The chainring isn't replaceable, so the crank arms would have to be upgraded. That I wouldn't mess with, until the chainring wears out. I do plan on riding stock for a bit, as recommended, to see if the gearing is good as is. I'm just mentioning modding, to keep options open.

My QD will be arriving on Monday so I'll be checking it out that evening. No riding possible till Fri at the soonest.

tds101 

I tried out the stock gearing with the Qualisports Dolphin, and I'm definitely swapping out the freewheel. I, unbelievably, kept riding in the top 2 gears with ease. I was spinning out on level 5. The 11-28 freewheel should prevent this, and allow me to actually provide assistance to the motor when I need speed. Otherwise, the seat WAS actually quite surprisingly comfortable. Overall it's a decent bike. I will also be swapping the handlepost stem for an outside folding one. The inside fold seems to easily scratch the bike up. I don't want my new baby damaged.

cat0020

Okay, maybe only the handlebar folds.. but 34 mph capable, dual motor, giant battery, near 50 miles range no pedaling?

https://electrek.co/2022/03/04/the-e...ctric-scooter/

tds101 

I had contemplated this, but the lack of a real fold is an issue for me. If I wanted a non-folding ebike I'd have definitely opted for that beautiful Ariel Rider Rideal.

Calsun

The best city e-bikes at this time are the ones sold by REI. The price for their CTY e2.1 bike is $2300 and it comes fully assembled, weighs 50.5 lbs with the removable battery pack attached, has a sturdy rear rack, and the tires are the standard 27.5 x 1.95 which is used with a great many mountain bikes so lots of options for tires. With 40 Nm it is powerful enough to provide assistance going up any hills on ones route. It is a Class I and so provides pedal assist at speeds up to 20 mph which is enough for most people. With 9 speeds there are no problems with finding the right gear for any given situation. 46 lbs for the bike alone is about as much weight as I care to lift up into my SUV or place on a bike rack.

My Specialized Turbo Creo with its 11 speeds and 240 Watt motor providing 35 Nm it is more than enough for me to go up the steepest grade and with the removable Range Extender battery pack from Specialized the range is 120 miles. As is it a Class III bike I get motor assist at speeds up to 28 mph which is great for powering through rolling hills using ones momentum. The best part is that with its 27 lb weight it is much easier to lift them up onto our 1UP bike rack to go to safer areas to ride.

With the Turbo Creo my speeds with a 15 mph headwind are the same as on my regular road bike without a headwind, only my own air drag to overcome. It makes riding on the open road a great deal more enjoyable.

cat0020

Less expensive, lightweight folder.. looks decent.
https://electrek.co/2022/03/28/morfu...-and-throttle/

cat0020

Eye candy for folding ebike with carbon fiber wheels:
https://electrek.co/2022/03/31/gocyc...a-lower-price/

Daniel4

Dumb question. Can you turn off the motor and pedal? What would that be like if you have a trip that would be more than 50 miles?
Can you recharge the battery on every downhill?

cat0020

There are no pedals on the EMOVE Roadrunner..

More than likely, you would run out of juice if you have a trip over 50 miles on the EMOVE Roadrunner.

I doubt EMOVE Roadrunner has regen capability.
IME, regen function on ebikes would only allow 5%-8% addition to total range, depending on rider weight, terrain and wind direction.
ebikes are too light in weight to allow much regen to occur with downhill riding, if you have regen braking that still would not add much more than 5%.

tds101 

Emove Roadrunner isn't a bike, so there's no option to conserve power, unless you go at lower speed settings, and there's no regen braking either. It's an electric scooter of the seated variety, and it's excellent for what it is.
The Emove Roadrunner is actually considered a seated scooter, so it's technically not a bike. It's nice, but some of us (ahm,...me) are lazy enough. It's still something I'd love to be able to have, but it's lack of every day functionality for me does kill it. Excellent for what it is though. And NO, there's no regen onboard.
​​​​​​

cat0020

There is somewhat of a cult developing among the mini e-moped, or e-seated-scooter other parts of the world.
Some of them are hyper-performance modded.. super compact.. not sure about range though,

2old

That RR looks like a hoot. "Fortunately" my wife likes to hurt when we're out rolling along, so I can save my money and not procure one (two). The other aspect is the rider would need a license and insurance in CA.

tds101 

No license or insurance needed here in NY, fortunately.