| BionX Owner Reviews |
By Russell Scott |
Published
01/29/2006
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BionX
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BionX Owner Reviews
Current Rating: 9.5 / 10
Reviewers: 2
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Reviewer: |
Nick
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Purchased From:
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NyceWheels, NY, USA
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Purchase Price:
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£1,000
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Time Owned:
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3 Months
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Local Terrain:
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Some Minor Hills |
Strengths:
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Enabled me to keep my original bike, a Trek 7300 (hybrid).
Maintains the 'bicycle' feel of my bike, and can be pedalled sans motor although the hub motor makes its presence felt.
Very easy to install and set up, even for mechanical numpties.
Maintenance free so far apart from charging!
Reliable in cold and wet weather.
Quiet.
Variable performance via the console.
Customisable settings - if you have the console codes.
Both methods of assistance work well - variable thumb throttle and assisted pedalling. Latter works well, despite my having one leg very much weaker than the other - power delivery is smooth.
Top speed with 700c wheels is about right.
Range is enough for me - at full assistance on my commute it's a bit less than the 20 miles specified for a flat, windless ride. Probably get 18 miles ish.
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Weaknesses:
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None really, as it does what I anted and expected, so just the usual really:
Would be nicer cheaper!
Would be good if available in the UK.
More torque would be good although I do not actually need it on my rides - copes with a half mile 1 in 10 fine.
More range, but again it is sufficient for me, but more is always what we want!
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Summary:
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An excellent 'bolt-on' jobbie that does just the job for me. I have a weak leg and dodgy knee and this allows me to get and enjoy some exercise over a decent range, and commute to work. Aside from technical advances, I do not see how it could be improved really.
I'd also recommend NyceWheels.
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Overall Rating:
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(10/10)
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Reviewer: |
Adam Kim
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Purchased From:
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NyceWheels, NY, USA
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Purchase Price:
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n/a
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Time Owned:
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9 Months
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Local Terrain:
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Some Minor Hills |
Strengths:
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Quiet
Light (compared to other systems)
Pedal activated variable assistance
Regenerative braking
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Weaknesses:
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Cogging effect (due to regen braking)
Battery takes up bottle holder or rack
Motor not too silent (vibrations) at high torque
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Summary:
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This is the best add-on system available. Now if only they can figure out how to freewheel the motor without losing regen braking, it'd be perfect.
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Overall Rating:
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(9/10)
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The opinions expressed are those of the authors/reviewers only. They do not represent the views of www.pedelecs.co.uk
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Comments
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Comment #1
(Posted by AlbertoC67)
Rating
Thanks for your impressions.
Did you talk about the 250 or the 350 W model, with Lithium or NiMh battery?
Bye
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Comment #2
(Posted by Reiner)
Rating
Yes,it's a nice system. I have read, that the top speed is about 48 km/h. Who nows something about that and the programming? Bye Reiner
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Comment #3
(Posted by KEN SANDERS)
Rating
purchased Dougs spoke and sport Saskatoon Sask i live in Northbattleford Sask Can . 4500klms since Aug 4 2006 bionx p250 not much better unit than this on the market better to buy the best and not be dissapointed Being a owner actualy led me to become a dealer for this product i would recommend this product to all avid bike riders
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Comment #4
(Posted by BionX not that good)
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To be honest, the BionX is nowhere near as good as some of the reviews portray it - sure it is near top end IN THEORY, but it is seriously overpriced, and the spares are ridiculously overpriced. Mine really does about 15kms before you have to worry about getting home; it is neccessary to use 50% power just to overcome the additional weight. There were several quality issues with mine from new as well (missing battery cell internal dampners (battery cells rattled around), faulty cabling, amongst others. I would go for a more customisable, more cost-effective, solution next time around.
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Comment #5
(Posted by DAVE)
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BIONX IS JUST A PIECE OF CRAP KEEPS QUITING WHEN I NEED IT THE MOST
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Comment #6
(Posted by js miller)
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Owned BionX for 10 months, over 3000 miles. Two bikes/kits. All components work well. Good range and power. Regarding the flutter effect of the regenerative brake, this works like ABS in the rain and snow/ice. The system is great for slippery riding. Traction/takeoff is superb on ice, because of the "fluttering" effect of the regen. Highly recommended, top drawer technology.
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Comment #7
(Posted by Bernard)
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My wife own a BionX 250 Lithium since one year. The battery meter does not work correctly. If battery full, it says half.
Seems to be no part to solve the problem? Does someone has the same problem? Qc. Ca.
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Comment #8
(Posted by Robert)
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Hi Bernard,
Your gas gauge isn't set correctly. Call the tech support at BionX. I'm not 100% sure, but there may be a way to force the gas gauge to 100% after a full charge (via the console). Then it should work properly.
I have a new PL-350 SIN Drive (the new system, sinousoidal commutation) on my hybrid. I LOVE it. Very smooth, a bit smoother than the original system, especially in regen braking. Initial "pull" still feels like the old system, but after you are moving, it is nice and smooth.
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Comment #9
(Posted by Franco)
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I purchased mine last Aug 08 and so far have just locked in 500 miles. Overall the system is a fairly good system but not as many claimed an excellent one. Its range is fairly good and the speed also modestly good for city cursing. However, the system is outrageously over price. I won't recommend this system to anyone due to its high price. If the system can be lower than 1 grand then it would be a ideal system for consumers.
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Comment #10
(Posted by Doug Humphreys)
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I liked the system and the concept. Have a bad knee so really helps and is fun. Range is fine as is general operation for 1st two seasons. I am having severe problems now with battery. The connection where the frame mounted battery connects to the wiring harness has worn out and the power keeps cutting in and out. I am getting very poor support from local dealer and Bionx - - I'm being told it will take 2 months to service! and high cost and I should just buy new $500 plus battery. Local battery company can service the battery but the problem is the connection and 2 months without and $500 are making me rethink the value of this system
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Comment #11
(Posted by Doug Humphreys)
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On controller push chrono and mono at same time. Enter 3772 and the odometer location will now show the volts left in the battery - - I believe this also resets the guage. The gauge is only a guide - - use 3772 to get the actual voltage left (ranges from about 23 to 30 volts)
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Comment #12
(Posted by Brian Salter)
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I am also the not so proud owner of a Bionx sytem. I bought a PL350 13mos ago and it has been broken down for half that time. Presently, it is not assisting properly. ( This is the 4th failure). It will not develope full speed, it lacks power on hills, uses excessive battery charge and makes an awfull noise - like a sports card on the spokes - especially when climbing hills. It is almost useless. However, when it does work it is wonderfull. A very unreliable system with very poor customer support - especially if you live out of town to the dealer.
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Comment #13
(Posted by Sally)
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I had the 250 kit for about 18 months. I did really love it, the harder you peddle up a steep hill, the more the motor kicks in and the faster you go. I had a lot of trouble fixing it to my ladies-frame bike though. I think a lesser bike, mine was a good strong steel-frame Claude Butler, would have given way under the strain, even though the motor was in the back wheel. It does add a lot of weight, and starting on hills became a real problem for me, as the motor wont cut in till you are moving a little. The wear on brakes was considerable, and normal bike brakes were not very efficient, leading to a few near misses in the wet. The wear on chain set and tyres was marked too. Really needed suspension forks and better braking system, given the weight. Finally the damp of Birmingham got to the elctric controller twice. The first time within warranty, and the second time it did some thing nasty to the innards of the motor, and that was that. A rather expensive first try on electric bikes.
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Comment #14
(Posted by Debbie)
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For those who are disappointed in Bionx performance and/or price, what system would you recommend over the Bionx? My husband and I are looking into it, and were leaning heavily toward the Bionx. thanks,
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Comment #15
(Posted by Mike)
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I've got a LiIon 250 and have had it for over 2 years with only minimal problems. I use it every day to commute from 16-26 miles. I can get 26 miles on one charge if the assist is set to '1' and occasional boost via the throttle. The only problem is once ever few months the controller locks up and assist is lost. A quick unplug of the controller fixes that minor problem. A great product, but, quite expensive.
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