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[flecc]

An afterthought, I don't think I'd mentioned the eZee Quando, which is the exception in that it's a great hill climber. Trouble is, it's a folder and you might not want to ride one for 13 miles, although it is very comfortable and I happily do up to 8 miles on mine. As well as the Torq, I've got a Quando 2 and it can just about take off unaided with me and 10 kilos in the panniers up a 1 in 8 hill with a freshly charged battery. That said, it only does it at a wobbly 3mph unless I give a bit of pedal help to run it up to 7 mph. I'm 4.5 stones lighter than you though. On the flat it cruises at 15 mph, a bit more when the battery is fresh, and gives me a 15 mile range in a hilly area. It uses the same motor as the Torq of course, but geared very much lower, and will climb a long 1 in 8 at around 7 mph if given some moderately vigorous help on the pedals.

[JohnInStockie]

Hmmm, now I had planned to buy a Quando as well as my commuter bike. I just think that its such a good design (electric, fast, lightish, and you can take it on public transport). I wanted to get one for my wife, which would also mean the Quando II wheras I would prob need the Quando I (from what the adverts say about height restrictions).

I must admit, I am a little lost now.

Ideally I dont want to go for a kit for a few reasons (my MTB isnot the best quality of MTB, its just a nice full suspension bike, I think that the Heinzman double pannier kits look ugly (and why still using lead-acid???) and the Currie is noisy (from everything Ive read and seen), and very importantly, I'd probably fit it incorrectly and break it.

If I buy a Torq, then I had better review my routes, as I would need to avoid hills.

Sprint - try again around Xmas.

Schwinn Continental - it seems most Manchester based Schwinn bike retailers are NOT going to stock it. I spoke to a major one today (name supplied by MoorLarge) and they said they would order one if I wanted to buy one, but that their 'serious' customers wouldnt be interested in electric bikes - great. So no-ones going to by riding a Schwinn, if something went wrong, where would you go??

Diavelo - Is this really going to materialise??? Powerscoots say its in production, Im not so sure. I think that Flecc is probably right here about this being just another white elephant.

So it looks like I am going to have to wait and watch. Are there any other bikes contenders out there??? Giant Argue perhaps?

[flecc]

The Heinzmann uses either NiCad or NiMh batteries, never lead acid, but the Currie does use Lead acid in the modern SLA form. The Giant Argue looks as though it will be the Suede with a freewheel in the motor when it arrives, making it not too powerful. The Currie does produce a buzzing sound, but it's not irritating to most people.

As I said in a previous answer, if you can choose a route that avoids all steeper hills, the Torq is a great ride, but as Russ has said, it's important you test ride one to see if it really can suit you. For that matter, test ride any electric bike you can get hold of as you've never ridden one before, since that alone will help you decide whether e-bike riding is for you.

As for other contenders, none really, if steep hills are included, but with one kit exception, the Cyclone. Little known about this relative newcomer, but it drives through the gears so can climb anything the bike is geared for. A bit Heath Robinson and needs a bike with a minimum of 82 mm bottom bracket to rear tyre distance. They're a Taiwan outfit, but here's the link to the UK site. Scroll down on the home page and try the two flash videos, one gives an excellent demo of the hill climbing on a long uphill:

http://www.cyclone-uk.com/

for some more info, go to the Taiwan site and also hear some great electric guitar playing of Canon Rock into the bargain:

http://www.cyclone-tw.com/index.html

[rsscott]

John,

there are a couple of owners on the site now who have the BionX kit - one the 350W model and the other 250W. It might be worth asking them how they fare on the hills. I'm pretty impressed with this kit, it looks pretty good quality. However, I believe there aren't any UK distributors at present so you would have to import. Plus, as you've stated, you need a bike to fit it to!

Diavelo - all we can do is sit and wait. It's already nearly a year overdue so I'm not holding my breath.

Schwinn - Moore Large are the UK's authorised Schwinn (Pacific Cycle) distributor so they should be able to source spares for you, but again I doubt they would hold stock.

[Jed]

Do electric bike kits still fall under the same limits as complete electric bikes? From what I have read here we have a 200w/250w limit in the UK. If I buy a motor that has more power than this is there any way to make it legal ?

thanks
Jed

[rsscott]

Jed, the following is taken from the DfT factsheet :

"Any vehicle outside the scope of The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 due to the motor power output, speed up to which power can be provided, weight, or that do not have pedals by means of which the machine can be propelled, are considered to be motor vehicles. They will need to be registered, licensed and taxed, insured and the rider will need an appropriate driving licence and wear a motorcycle safety helmet."

I don't know if there is anyone out there with a high powered electric bike that has actually gone through the above process successfully or otherwise. It would be great if we could find somebody that has.

[flecc]

The BionX is imported as a complete bike, but was said to be not very strong on hills by A to B magazine, probably because it was the legal 250 watt version. The 350 watt one seems to be quite good on hills though, and as Ross says, there's no doubting the quality.

Registering something like an electric bike to classify it as a motor cycle can be a nightmare, due to the construction and use regulations. All manner of things come into play, such as the exact height of lights, provision of indicators, mirrors and the like, the position the number plate and tax disc have to have, brake powers etc. "Specials" being registered often have to be subject to a pre-inspection by a DOT examiner to check suitability, it's the lack of the ability to meet the regulations that prevents "mini-motos" and the like ever being registered.

[James Riley]

I have a 250W BionX system and am quite happy with it (except for the fact that the digital controller/throttle unit gave out and it was difficult diagnosing the problem - with the help of the factory technician - and even more difficult riding two weeks without the motor until I received a new unit). Nevertheless, it is a good system, and if it remains reliable I 'd really recommend it. Which brings me to my reason for posting: I really would like to find the electrical connectors which the BionX factory uses to connect the wiring so that I can adapt a second motor to the rear wheel (my motor is presently in the front). Any suggestions?

[flecc]

Hello James

Do you mean a second BionX in the rear wheel?

[Jed]

If you manage to get a 2nd motor fitted, I'd be very interested to know how it is done. I'm thinking of having a second bike with a kit fitted so two bionix kits would be cool!

thanks
Jed