New Trek Ride+ electric bike

[Icicle19]

Was in my lbs yesterday (picking up a Trek 7.6 FX) , took a quick look at the new Trek Ride+ electric bike, released to dealers last Thursday. Very smart, basically a Trek 7.3FX with the Bionx rear hub motor. With Trek developing this with Bionx it's easy to understand why Cytronex didn't continue with Trek models.

Haven't been able to find much on the web so far (in English anyway) but there's a little bit more info at TREK RIDE+ ELECTRIC BIKES ARRIVE! :: And Here is the Chevin Cycles News :: CHEVIN CYCLES Otley UK..

Battery pack slides onto a shelf on the specially designed rear rack, all looks very neat. Motor is 250W, regret there's little techinical info on the leaflet I picked up. But I guess it's based on the Bionx kit, see Bionx electric motor and lithium ion battery electric bike conversion kit.

According to my lbs owner Trek are considering making a kit available to retro-fit.

If anyone knows much more I'd be interested to read it - am wondering what kind of an alternative this kit would be compared to the Tongxing (sp?) kit Cytronex are going to produce.

[frank9755]

Interesting to see another of the major bike brands dabbling with an electric. What is the price point?

The Bionx has lots of fans but mainly in its high-powered, North American versions (350/500W). People have said in particular that the 250W is not up to climbing UK-style hills.

On the other hand, there has hardly been a bad word said about the Cytronex. In particular, the Tongxin motor is a good hill climber, and it has near to zero resistance when not in use. Plus the Cytronex battery set-up is a strength, whereas that Trek rack-mounted one looks a bit bulky and might stop the rack being used for carrying other things. If I were buying one, I'd go for the Cytronex.

[flecc]

The main problem with the BionX is the high price, especially that of the battery, that alone over $US1000 recently, a very high replacement cost to face.

Some owners insist the EU legal 250 watt version does climb well, but as ever a lot depends on the steepness. Velovision magazine's test rated it as middling for hill climbing, between the extremes of an eZee Forte and the very weak Sparta Ion. The 350 watt is the best all-rounder, and I've read reports that the 500 watt is set up for speed, 20+ mph, and slightly compromised for hill climbing and towing.
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[AndyOfTheSouth]

Thanks for the link - it looks an interesting option.

A couple of points about the description on the website.

First, it says that throttle-only ebikes are illegal - is this true or is it a proposal for the future?

Second, it makes a big point of the conversion as being 'lightweight'. Well, compared with old style ebikes, perhaps, but 21kg it is actually heavier than a number of current bikes. Also, with all the weight at the back and much of it on the rear rack, it is likely feel somewhat unwieldy, at least at first.

[Bigbee]

Originally Posted by AndyOfTheSouth

First, it says that throttle-only ebikes are illegal - is this true or is it a proposal for the future?

Second, it makes a big point of the conversion as being 'lightweight'. Well, compared with old style ebikes, perhaps, but 21kg it is actually heavier than a number of current bikes. Also, with all the weight at the back and much of it on the rear rack, it is likely feel somewhat unwieldy, at least at first.

I understand EU laws will come into place to make the use of throttles illegal,not just throttle only.This makes one of Ultra Motor A2B throttle only bike a very bad commercial decision imho.Only my opinion but with switches to change between pedelec and throttle modes it will be difficult to implement the law.

21 kgs is pretty light for an e-bike

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Hi BigBee!

The point I was trying to make - not terribly well - was that the website generally gives the impression that the bike is lightweight, rather like an ordinary good quality bike, but with a motor.

Well, perhaps... But my experience of riding bikes like that at Presteigne was that, whatever their other virtues, light they aren't, especially with that weight distribution.

On the subject of the throttle control, doesn't the website say explicitly that the law is in force now? Surely, it is still a proposal?

[flecc]

The move to bring in full implementation of EU law on pedelec only isn't happening yet, but it's expected within about two years. Even when in force, it won't ban throttles outright, they'll still be permitted while pedelec is operating, but will not be able to be used without pedalling.

There is no problem with buying a throttle only bike meanwhile, since the change in the law will not be retrospective and this has been confirmed by the DfT. In fact it's likely that second hand throttle only bikes will be in great demand after the legal change, probably rising in value.

The legal position will be like that of old cars which didn't have seatbelts or anchorages for them originally and which can still be driven without them.
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[AndyOfTheSouth]

Phew! Glad that's sorted out. Perhaps someone should let Chevin Cycles know!