aadhils

Im seriously thinking of getting this:



Mileage is 75 mpg and it travels up to 80mph. Best thing is that it's only 1500 bucks. hehehe...

Allen

Nice, looks like fun, it still can't carry this:

And it can run off of peanut butter if need be.

But if you are really going to get a scooter, that one rocks. Italy is lousy with that kind. They are a great way to get around a busy city.

Zeuser

And a driver's licence, and a licence plate and insurance.

Elusor

anyone know what the weight difference is for the Bionx against the Crystalyte?

Just for the hub and rims ? what is it?

Allen

A google search I found the weights to the Bionx hubs Here, but came up short for the Crystalyte hubs. I just found their total weights, which vary depending on what system you want.

Elusor

Still, it does not state whether it is the weight of the motor or motor plus rims plus spokes

i understand that the 7ah system for Crystalyte 4000 is 35 pounds

ontheroadid

That's impressive. I was kind of daydreaming about setting up an Xtracycle with my beater, and it's getting more likely as I learn more about the setups. Thanks for the information!

Elusor

what speeds you get and what type?

like model and make and mph for your commute and times?

what is the range of autonomy (no pedalling)?

Allen

Neither bike has an autonomous range, both have pedal throttles. The pedals have to be moving for the motor to kick in. The bikes use different pedelec (pedal sensor) systems (Hinzmann on the Estelle and Panasonic on the Giant) and the Estelle and the Giant have dramatically different feels. The Giant's system is pressure activated and is very intuitive to use, I prefer it's pedal sensors. The harder you pedal the more you get from the motor. The Estelle uses a motion sensor, so long as the pedal is moving the motor has full throttle. You can fake the Estelle out, once you get up to speed, all you have to do is slowly pedal and the motor will keep you going at full speed. The Giant's motor will slow down as you slow your pedaling, a more natural feeling ride, and it's also easier to pedal without assistance.

The Estelle's top speed, before you start to overtake the motor is about 20 mph. the Giant's motor starts to slack back at 16.5 mph and if you want to go faster than 18 mph you have to do it on your own. It's strength is it has higher torque and is a much better hill climber.

With either I cruise at ~18 mph when I ride into town. My commute to work is six miles, round trip to the grocery store is 14 miles, and I get about 28 miles per charge on the Giant and 16 miles per charge on the Estelle.

I use the Giant most often, the Estelle is my father's bike (we live 1/2 mile from one another) and I occasionally use it, even without the motor it's a great commuter bike.

Allen

No problem, my pleasure.

Elusor

This talk of mph befuddles me. I cannot grasp the idea of it well since I don't have a spedometer.

Can you enlighten me by analogy please? No cager examples please.

For instance, I am a normal healthy adult male, normal average body weight, walking at a normal rate, on average, like an average person, how fast is this in mph?

I am now on my bike, on a 14-speed bike, but I am riding at speed 7, going an average speed, I gues....ummm... it takes about 15 minutes to travel 1.7 miles, with stop lights that last about 20seconds? 6 of these lights...how many mph am I going?

Lastly, I am travelling down hilll, the hill is moderate to low...not super ultra fast, but I feel it is fast, but under control, ... how many mph is this?

I am running at top speed...for an average person...how fast is this? in mph?

oneredstar

The Bionx NiHM 24 volt 250 watt weighs 17 pounds
The Bionx Lithium Ion 24 volt 250 watt weighs 14 pounds
This is for the whole rear wheel, not including freewheel, battery, and control unit.

One of the down sides to the Bionx is that you can only use a freewheel, it is not compatible with a cassette hub.

Not sure about the Crystalyte.

aadhils

Oh you're one of those car-free folks huh...

priu

It's your loss, not his.

aadhils

Mebbe you could invest in a speedometer? It usually costs under 20 bucks for a decent one. Like this for only about 12.95 + shipping at nashbar:

aadhils

Care to elaborate?

priu

Maintenance, money, ethics, and depending on your definition - freedom as well.

Anyhow, it's amazing the us vs them mentality AMONG BICYCLISTS. The righties and lefties on other forums accept each other far better than cyclists... some of you have A LOT of growing up to do.

aadhils

I'm 23 so I agree...

Motor bikes dont require as much maintenance than cars. Being licence free may or may not be a good idea as a licence can have some advantages. Having a car can be handy in the case of emergencies.

As for Money, well You dont have to be dependant on cars, so youll rarely need to spend much money. The Motorbike I showed is pretty fuel efficient as well.

You dont have to be carfree to be free. Its just nice having a car around in the case of an emergency.

P.S. I don't have a car, but both my brothers have cars. It's nice to have them around just incase I need to drive one when my bike is disabled etc...

thebankman

Do yourselves a favor and take the MSF course.

www.msf-usa.org

n4zou

Not in some states! A motorcycle, motor scooter, or bicycle with engine attached, has an engine displacement 150cc or less or a maximum of 5 HP, and the cycles weight is 200 LBS or less in Alabama is known as a motor driven cycle. A valid Alabama driver's license exempts you from registration and the motor driven cycle license. As your exempt from registration you exempt from insurance as well. Alabama is now littered with 50cc Chinese scooters without tags, titles, and insurance. You should here the politicians crying about the loss of tax money due to that motor driven cycle loophole. Its had a notable impact on fuel taxes collected as most of the 50cc scooters get in excess of 100 MPG.

Zeuser

I do have a car and i only use it when i can't use the bike. But why use a scooter when i can use a bike? Another licence to pay, another plate to pay, another insurance to pay... no thanks. A scooter, unlike a car, doesn't have enough advantages over a bike to justify its purchase.

just my oppinion.

n4zou

Google GY6. Most 125 and 150cc Chinese scooters use a Honda designed engine/transmission unit produced in the 1980's labeled as a GY6. It's an extremely reliable and efficient design and many aftermarket parts and performance upgrades are available for them.

JanMM

But, it's really not bicycling, is it?

Elusor

What? The scootering or the electric bike?

scoot scoot scoot

diff_lock2

You still didn't post a pic of the drive side, please do so...