Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electric Bikes
Reload this Page >

Bionx questions

Notices
Electric Bikes Here's a place to discuss ebikes, from home grown to high-tech.

Bionx questions

Old 08-09-10, 08:16 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 25

Bikes: pre 1990 refurbished junk

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thumbs up Bionx questions

Has anybody tried the Bionx system yet. I hear they gave some units out at Press Camp for the media to try. Curious as to how users feel about them - especially you critical media types. Doing my homework now for the 2010-2011 commute. (winter might be if-fy).
uncletommy is offline  
Old 08-26-10, 03:46 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 635

Bikes: Soma cyclocross with Bionx PL500HS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have two systems. They're great for commuting, especially the PL500 which lets you go over 20 mph. Vehicular cycling is always safer... if you can go at least 10mph below the speed limit. And having the PL500 lets you do that

I also love how the pedal assist work. Pedal assist takes nothing away from the bicycling experience.
adamtki is offline  
Old 09-19-10, 09:18 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Burnaby
Posts: 180

Bikes: Rocky Mountain Blizzard (stolen), Haro Roscoe (sold), Giant TCX Rabobank, Cervelo RS, Rocky Mountain Altitude

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have the Bionx system and I have mixed feelings about it.

Pros:
  1. Got me back into riding regularly
  2. Gives me more consistent commute times when I'm tired
  3. Shaves some time off my commute, which is longer than average
  4. If I wake up and I have tired legs I'll still take the bike knowing the motor will bail me out

Cons:
  1. Expensive. I wanted something turnkey so I bought it, but other DIY systems are much cheaper
  2. The weight really affects the bike handling. I almost wiped out in a corner because the weight distribution of the bike is upset
  3. Going up steep hills you have to use level 2 just to offset the weight of the system

If faced with the same decision today I'm not sure I'd buy it again. Of course I'm not sure that I wouldn't buy it again either. But, I think if I was advising someone interested in getting an ebike and they didn't mind a little DIY I'd advise them to put together their own system. If you want turnkey then Bionx works well. The system has worked perfectly from day 1 and zero glitches.
Watchdog is offline  
Old 09-19-10, 10:35 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The F/V Misty Moon/Clatsop Co. OR homebase
Posts: 206

Bikes: Some

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
There must be at least 30 companies in Europe, including Trek that is on the EU bandwagon also, that spec the Bion x for their e bikes. It is super easy for them to just bolt a kit on one of their existing frames, but as the one guy said they are expensive and there are certainly less expensive and more powerful hub motor kits available.

I find it interesting though that almost all the companies that are starting with a blank slate are going with a form of bb drive system. Bosch is working with Cannondale on and the Panasonic and Yamaha drives have been in use for the last 10 years.
Mabman is offline  
Old 09-20-10, 11:34 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Burnaby
Posts: 180

Bikes: Rocky Mountain Blizzard (stolen), Haro Roscoe (sold), Giant TCX Rabobank, Cervelo RS, Rocky Mountain Altitude

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Interesting you bring up the bb drive system. I saw the video where it was suggested Cancellara was cheating with a hidden bb motor. I thought to myself that if I didn't have the Bionx I'd actually prefer a smaller less powerful and much lighter motor in the bb. This would help weight distribution a lot since it's basically in the middle of the bike. Having a big heavy motor at one end of the bike means I can't take corners very fast. It's a real pain.

Some smaller less powerful ebike that had a bb motor and had a really light battery that basically helped me up hills that I could recharge through regenerative braking or setting a recharge mode similar to the Bionx is what I'd prefer. I don't think what I want exists yet, but nice to hear that there's a lot of development on bb drive systems. I think I'd prefer that far more.
Watchdog is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kindaslow
Electric Bikes
4
02-01-17 11:17 AM
dhiltonp
Electric Bikes
8
04-22-12 11:05 PM
Dan127
Electric Bikes
20
07-11-11 06:42 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.