Introduction

[Rollercoaster]

HI there,
some history of ebikes,
here I have attached a pic, if that works.
Noticed that things have moved on since my days.
Many years happily spent with a powerful Heinzmann.
Even when the kids were nearly fully grown,
they would still hop on the stretch limo.

Fancying a Load, with a Bosch motor,
not enough research yet.
Will go for sporty power and extra battery.

Reliability is important.
It would be great if whatever broke,
it could get fixed really easily and quickly.
No popping into the bike shop, I live near lands end.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Love the 'Stretch Limo' Rollercoaster!
Here's to many happy eBiking years

Martin

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Rollercoaster,

Welcome to the forum.

Good to here that you had good service from your Heinzmann.

We stock the latest Heinzmann bikes and conversion kits as shown here on our website http://www.cyclezee.com/heinzmann-e-bikes--pedelecs.html
Or if you are still interested in a cargo/utility bike we have couple of those too, the Yuba el Mundo and the eZee Expedir which can be found via these links http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-yuba-el-mundo.html http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-expedir-utility-bikes.html

 

[Rollercoaster]

Thanks, its good to get these links,
I havent explored those possibilities.
There has been so many new developments.

Heinzmann had its problems,
I think most parts had been replaced by the time I parted with it,
the hub was the same but the gears inside were replaced too.
At that time I had to try to work with an agent in Glasgow,
which is why top preference is a useful, willing, repairer.

Time to list other specs,
hub gears please,
enclosed chain if possible,
step thru, as it will be carrying children,
Reise and Muller "Load" fits my bill so far...
but who wants to sell me one,
and can they fix it.

Or, and I have done this a couple of times before,
pop across the channel to buy one,
and then work out a repairing relationship with someone here..
anyone interested?

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

One of these in a step through should be just the ticket: https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/Electric-Bikes-UK-Dealer/moustache-samedi-28-titanium-gents-2015

Can also offer you full support on the bike. Although will prove a lot more reliable than what you have had in the past anyway.

Feel free to drop me an email to discuss: martin@e-bikeshop.co.uk

Martin

 

[Rollercoaster]

I like that bike a lot!

The parts replaced on my old Heinzmann can be put down to the mileage,
dont know what it was but about 8 batteries wore out,
and they did get retrained, the old NiCads before moving on to NMh.

Thanks for the link anyway, and you got me very interested,
I will get to road test some when I take the time to head upcountry.

Never really liked the idea of pedal assist.
The Heinzmann started out like that but I removed the sensor.
Thats not to say I dont pedal,
just prefer to pedal when I want to, twist and go otherwise.
Do the Bosch/other crank drives work like that?

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Rollercoaster,

Bosch powered bikes are pedelec only so no throttle.

Currently the Heinzmann Classic range of conversion kits are dual mode with throttle and pedelec assit with geared motors, the the same goes for the eZee range of bikes and conversion kits.
http://www.cyclezee.com/heinzmann-conversion-kits.html
http://www.cyclezee.com/ezee-conversion-kits.html

Both the the Yuba el Mundo and eZee Expedir can be specified with range of accessories and seating options.

 

[Rollercoaster]

Thats my kind of bike!

But I really like the idea of the Load.

 

[Rollercoaster]

http://en.r-m.de/bike/load-nuvinci-hs/

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Never really liked the idea of pedal assist.
The Heinzmann started out like that but I removed the sensor.
Thats not to say I dont pedal,
just prefer to pedal when I want to, twist and go otherwise.
Do the Bosch/other crank drives work like that?

No none of the crank drives do. Might be worth trying one before you blow out the idea altogether.

 

[Rollercoaster]

Definitely will do,
going to be touring the country visiting friends and relatives around the new year, not an easy time to find dealers open, but will try as many as I can.

Interested to know why no crank drives are twist and go.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Hi,

Just replied to your email. Thanks

 

[flecc]

Interested to know why no crank drives are twist and go.

The crank drives came from Japan at first and later from Europe, and in both places the law only allows pedelec control, no independent throttle control. The purpose of that law is to keep e-bikes as close to being a bicycle as possible, rather than being motor vehicles.

There's a Chinese made exception on the market, the Tonaro e-bikes which can optionally have throttle control and have Powerpedals in Devon as their main supplier in the UK. I doubt they will suit you though.
.

 

[trex]

All the woosh crank drive bikes have throttle. This one has a new 20A motor:
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?krieger

 

[Rollercoaster]

Well, on my way locally stopped in at a bike shop that I hadnt been into and found they sell the Giant electric range, not much time but had a quick spin and was impressed how quiet the hub motor was.
May be able to get used to the peddle assist but still dont like it even though it works ok, front forks felt a bit floppy and that is something I remember previously, really wanting a very strong front end.
Came home and looked up A2B review of the bike as I remembered the LaFree was an old favourite of theirs, wish they dated the reviews, cant really tell if it is remotely the same as one they rode.
Dealer says they will have the Yamaha crank drive motors in New Year,
interested to hear what people think of these bikes, I know that they are in and out of favour.

 

[Rollercoaster]

By the way, thanks so much for the info on Tonaro and Woosh crank drives!
It takes me a while to assimilate this and work things out.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Dealer says they will have the Yamaha crank drive motors in New Year,
interested to hear what people think of these bikes, I know that they are in and out of favour.

My own review here. Enjoy!

 

[RobF]

No none of the crank drives do. Might be worth trying one before you blow out the idea altogether.

That quote should read: "None of the crank drives I sell do."

Trying to flog your stuff is fine, misleading a punter is not.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

That quote should read: "None of the crank drives I sell do."

Sorry should have been more specific: Bosch, Yamaha & Panasonic. OR probably 95% of the market share of CD.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There's loads of crank-drives that have throttles: Bafang, Tonaro, TMC, Bewo, Xofo, MXUS, GNG, Cyclone are just a few to start with. Woosh have increased the power of their ones recently, which makes them a bit more competitive (powerwise). The motor is a little bit bigger than it was before, but you wouldn't notice the difference.