Electric Bikes
#26
Check out the new Schwinn 2007 Campus Electric bike.
https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=889
The electric drive system only adds 10 lbs to the weight of the bike and all the wires are hidden in the frame, forks, and handlebar. The front wheel with the hub motor is easy to remove as well. The battery pack in located beneath the rack and is easily removed by sliding it out via a track and lock system.
https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=889
The electric drive system only adds 10 lbs to the weight of the bike and all the wires are hidden in the frame, forks, and handlebar. The front wheel with the hub motor is easy to remove as well. The battery pack in located beneath the rack and is easily removed by sliding it out via a track and lock system.
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
Bikes: Soma cyclocross with Bionx PL500HS
I added a bionx 250pl system to my bike and I get about 30-35 miles range at level 3 assist. I use 700x28 wheels, btw. To get an idea of how much assist level 3 gives, that assist level raises my average cruising speed from 18mph to 22 mph. 18mph was what I had before I installed the kit onto the bike. The assist levels go from 1-4.
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX 77095
Bikes: Specialized Sequoia Elite, Schwinn Frontier FS MTB, Centurion LeMans (1986)
How is the quality of the Tres Terra products? Any problems with it?
Originally Posted by Katysax
I use a Tres Terra Europa. Has a Heinzman motor.
__________________
Peter Wang, LCI
Houston, TX USA
Peter Wang, LCI
Houston, TX USA
#32
Discovered this a few days ago.
ECB Estelle City Electric Bike- CLOSEOUT

https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s...ml/page18.html
Looks like a very good deal on a high quality electric bike.
ECB Estelle City Electric Bike- CLOSEOUT

https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s...ml/page18.html
Looks like a very good deal on a high quality electric bike.
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,697
Likes: 12
Originally Posted by n4zou
Discovered this a few days ago.
ECB Estelle City Electric Bike- CLOSEOUT

https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s...ml/page18.html
Looks like a very good deal on a high quality electric bike.
ECB Estelle City Electric Bike- CLOSEOUT

https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s...ml/page18.html
Looks like a very good deal on a high quality electric bike.
I think the bike is a Biria, fitted with an E-kit and rebadged as an Estelle, by Heinzmann, the maker of the electric system.
#34
Originally Posted by AllenG
Here it is in the flesh. Got one for my Pop recently. The battery is not holding a full charge but Pop gets enough distance to suit his needs. Even with the price of a new battery the bike is cheeper than retail.
I think the bike is a Biria, fitted with an E-kit and rebadged as an Estelle, by Heinzmann, the maker of the electric system.
I think the bike is a Biria, fitted with an E-kit and rebadged as an Estelle, by Heinzmann, the maker of the electric system.
#36
e-Biker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 951
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Gary Fisher, Strong GT-S eBike
Originally Posted by maximan1
Remeber, power assisted bikes are illegal in Canada
WRONG!
They're now legal in every province as of October 2006 (Ontario being the last province to legalize them).
#38
e-Biker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 951
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Gary Fisher, Strong GT-S eBike
I use Bionx on my Mountain bike as a commuter. Yeah yeah.. I know... mountain bike. But part of my commute (midway) is a fun off-road segment that I go out of my way to do every time I get a chance.
I used to have a Strong eBike. That's an entire bike and it was just too damn heavy. too heavy to transport, too heavy to pedal, too heavy to be effective. Sure the motor was a 500W instead of the Bionx 350W I currently have, but it needed all that power just to get it moving. That thing was just not a good bike overall.
With the Strong you almost don't want to be pedaling because of the weight. With the Bionx, it's a joy to pedal.
Most of the time I pedal in assisstance mode 2 (75%). When I'm tired a bit I'll switch to mode 3 (150%). And if I have a hillclimb, even a light grade, I'll switch to mode 4 (300%) so I don't break a sweat.
I sometimes use the thumb throttle off a corner to avoid changing gears and just to get up to a speed where I can start pedaling on my own.
The regen is pretty cool as well. On one of my favorite trails there's a 500M long steep downhill segment. I put the Bionx into regen mode 3 and don't touch the brakes. Sure I don't go very fast, but I do make it to the bottom of the hill without having to use the mechanical brakes to control my speed. Just some taps on +A or -G to switch re-gen levels to control the downhill speed. It works!
While the Bionx is more expensive, it does give a lot back. No need for a cycle computer, it's all built-in. And the light weight truely is a strong selling point. Especially compared to the Strong GTS eBike.
I used to have a Strong eBike. That's an entire bike and it was just too damn heavy. too heavy to transport, too heavy to pedal, too heavy to be effective. Sure the motor was a 500W instead of the Bionx 350W I currently have, but it needed all that power just to get it moving. That thing was just not a good bike overall.
With the Strong you almost don't want to be pedaling because of the weight. With the Bionx, it's a joy to pedal.
Most of the time I pedal in assisstance mode 2 (75%). When I'm tired a bit I'll switch to mode 3 (150%). And if I have a hillclimb, even a light grade, I'll switch to mode 4 (300%) so I don't break a sweat.
I sometimes use the thumb throttle off a corner to avoid changing gears and just to get up to a speed where I can start pedaling on my own.
The regen is pretty cool as well. On one of my favorite trails there's a 500M long steep downhill segment. I put the Bionx into regen mode 3 and don't touch the brakes. Sure I don't go very fast, but I do make it to the bottom of the hill without having to use the mechanical brakes to control my speed. Just some taps on +A or -G to switch re-gen levels to control the downhill speed. It works!
While the Bionx is more expensive, it does give a lot back. No need for a cycle computer, it's all built-in. And the light weight truely is a strong selling point. Especially compared to the Strong GTS eBike.
#39
Originally Posted by Zeuser
I use Bionx on my Mountain bike as a commuter. Yeah yeah.. I know... mountain bike. But part of my commute (midway) is a fun off-road segment that I go out of my way to do every time I get a chance.
I used to have a Strong eBike. That's an entire bike and it was just too damn heavy. too heavy to transport, too heavy to pedal, too heavy to be effective. Sure the motor was a 500W instead of the Bionx 350W I currently have, but it needed all that power just to get it moving. That thing was just not a good bike overall.
With the Strong you almost don't want to be pedaling because of the weight. With the Bionx, it's a joy to pedal.
Most of the time I pedal in assisstance mode 2 (75%). When I'm tired a bit I'll switch to mode 3 (150%). And if I have a hillclimb, even a light grade, I'll switch to mode 4 (300%) so I don't break a sweat.
I sometimes use the thumb throttle off a corner to avoid changing gears and just to get up to a speed where I can start pedaling on my own.
The regen is pretty cool as well. On one of my favorite trails there's a 500M long steep downhill segment. I put the Bionx into regen mode 3 and don't touch the brakes. Sure I don't go very fast, but I do make it to the bottom of the hill without having to use the mechanical brakes to control my speed. Just some taps on +A or -G to switch re-gen levels to control the downhill speed. It works!
While the Bionx is more expensive, it does give a lot back. No need for a cycle computer, it's all built-in. And the light weight truely is a strong selling point. Especially compared to the Strong GTS eBike.
I used to have a Strong eBike. That's an entire bike and it was just too damn heavy. too heavy to transport, too heavy to pedal, too heavy to be effective. Sure the motor was a 500W instead of the Bionx 350W I currently have, but it needed all that power just to get it moving. That thing was just not a good bike overall.
With the Strong you almost don't want to be pedaling because of the weight. With the Bionx, it's a joy to pedal.
Most of the time I pedal in assisstance mode 2 (75%). When I'm tired a bit I'll switch to mode 3 (150%). And if I have a hillclimb, even a light grade, I'll switch to mode 4 (300%) so I don't break a sweat.
I sometimes use the thumb throttle off a corner to avoid changing gears and just to get up to a speed where I can start pedaling on my own.
The regen is pretty cool as well. On one of my favorite trails there's a 500M long steep downhill segment. I put the Bionx into regen mode 3 and don't touch the brakes. Sure I don't go very fast, but I do make it to the bottom of the hill without having to use the mechanical brakes to control my speed. Just some taps on +A or -G to switch re-gen levels to control the downhill speed. It works!
While the Bionx is more expensive, it does give a lot back. No need for a cycle computer, it's all built-in. And the light weight truely is a strong selling point. Especially compared to the Strong GTS eBike.
#40
e-Biker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 951
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Gary Fisher, Strong GT-S eBike
That's the Strong I used to have. $899 at Canadian Tire, I bought it in Oakville.
Can you even get Crystalyte in Ontario (local retailers) ?
I know the local bike shops selling bionx weren't that well informed. I got mine in Quebec while I was visiting family over there. They're more informed about things like the proper spoke size give the bike's usage and weight. But then again, the guys in Quebec have had legal eBikes for years so they've had plenty of time to learn how to sell the right system for the specific customer.
Ontario folks are just inexperienced. Not to mention many non-forward thinking bike shop owners just don't like eBikes to start with. So they're not exactly motivated to really push eBike sales. For them it's more of a novelty item than a growing market segment. They fail to understand demographics; our population's mean age is growing older all the time, eBikes will be strong sellers with that crowd.
Can you even get Crystalyte in Ontario (local retailers) ?
I know the local bike shops selling bionx weren't that well informed. I got mine in Quebec while I was visiting family over there. They're more informed about things like the proper spoke size give the bike's usage and weight. But then again, the guys in Quebec have had legal eBikes for years so they've had plenty of time to learn how to sell the right system for the specific customer.
Ontario folks are just inexperienced. Not to mention many non-forward thinking bike shop owners just don't like eBikes to start with. So they're not exactly motivated to really push eBike sales. For them it's more of a novelty item than a growing market segment. They fail to understand demographics; our population's mean age is growing older all the time, eBikes will be strong sellers with that crowd.
#42
Canadian Tire now sells three others - Schwinn male, female and a folder. They seem a lot lighter than the Strong. $499 and $599 I think. Unfortunately I haven't been there while they've tested them.
I work at the Burlington Mall one and they have them in stock if you want to have a look.
I work at the Burlington Mall one and they have them in stock if you want to have a look.
#44
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 70
From: Kansas
Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.
I see ones like this in use all over China. There is a pretty steep hill in form of my school but they seem to make it up to the top. That is with only 350W, so I expect that the 600W, or 1KW units would do just fine. The only trouble is that (and this is a China spicific problem) they are beginning to face the same restrictions as bicycles; such as restriction to bicycle facilities and prohibition where bicycles are prohibited. I am also seeing them being required to be walked in places that bicycleists are required to walk (such as facility gates) where previously that were permitted to ride through like motor traffic.
It is interesting that Beijing is being forced to remove bicycle restrictions. They seem to be discovering that trying to eliminate bicycles in favor of private cars was not a brilliant plan.

https://www.werelectrified.com/electric_pedal_bike.html
I do realize that this is more of an electric moped than an electric bicycle; and as such, is not really the item under consideration. I go find it interesting that it has a much smaller motor than the ebikes that we are discussing.
It is interesting that Beijing is being forced to remove bicycle restrictions. They seem to be discovering that trying to eliminate bicycles in favor of private cars was not a brilliant plan.

https://www.werelectrified.com/electric_pedal_bike.html
I do realize that this is more of an electric moped than an electric bicycle; and as such, is not really the item under consideration. I go find it interesting that it has a much smaller motor than the ebikes that we are discussing.
#47
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 70
From: Kansas
Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.
Originally Posted by squeakywheel
The new moped? I'd race one of those any day with a (pedal bike).
Seriously, from a commuting point of view, I think pedaling is more efficient.
Seriously, from a commuting point of view, I think pedaling is more efficient.
#48
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Canada!
Bikes: old Miele as well as a Miyata road bike (from the 80's/90's), and a new Trek hybrid
Originally Posted by Zeuser
That's the Strong I used to have. $899 at Canadian Tire, I bought it in Oakville.
Can you even get Crystalyte in Ontario (local retailers) ?
I know the local bike shops selling bionx weren't that well informed. I got mine in Quebec while I was visiting family over there. They're more informed about things like the proper spoke size give the bike's usage and weight. But then again, the guys in Quebec have had legal eBikes for years so they've had plenty of time to learn how to sell the right system for the specific customer.
Ontario folks are just inexperienced. Not to mention many non-forward thinking bike shop owners just don't like eBikes to start with. So they're not exactly motivated to really push eBike sales. For them it's more of a novelty item than a growing market segment. They fail to understand demographics; our population's mean age is growing older all the time, eBikes will be strong sellers with that crowd.
Can you even get Crystalyte in Ontario (local retailers) ?
I know the local bike shops selling bionx weren't that well informed. I got mine in Quebec while I was visiting family over there. They're more informed about things like the proper spoke size give the bike's usage and weight. But then again, the guys in Quebec have had legal eBikes for years so they've had plenty of time to learn how to sell the right system for the specific customer.
Ontario folks are just inexperienced. Not to mention many non-forward thinking bike shop owners just don't like eBikes to start with. So they're not exactly motivated to really push eBike sales. For them it's more of a novelty item than a growing market segment. They fail to understand demographics; our population's mean age is growing older all the time, eBikes will be strong sellers with that crowd.
Last edited by olps; 04-19-07 at 03:16 PM.
#49
e-Biker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 951
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Gary Fisher, Strong GT-S eBike
Originally Posted by olps
Where in Quebec did you happen to get the bionx system? I was thinking about picking one up for my hybrid bike (for when I go distance, hills, and carry alot of gear). I ask because I've been thinking of picking it up in Ottawa or here in Montreal. Also, when you lock it up or leave it, do you take teh controller and/or the battery off and take it with you? The bionx system looks fantastic.





