Sparta Ion

[ITSPETEINIT]

The Sparta Ion seems to be attracting some attention now that its distribution network has been expanded, although those outlets that can competently deal with its idiosyncrasies are still few and far between, literally. There are only 6 towns in the UK which have dealers and only 2 countries (Belgium and Germany) in continental Europe.
The range of electric cycles manufactured by them is quite expensive and although that may be justified by quality components and build quality there is no specification of components published on the companies website for would-be customers to make a judgement and arranging a trial means considerable travelling for the majority. No doubt dealers would be happy to provide details, but it puts the enquirer to trouble to find out what could so easily be published.

Perhaps the biggest of those IDIOSYNCRASIES that I came across are:

• If I get a flat tyre, can I repair it myself?
"Yes, as long as you don’t try to remove the rear wheel from the frame. If it has to be removed, your Sparta ION dealer will have to do this to maintain optimum service support."
A bit awkward this - and what if a major problem occurs with the rear tyre/tube during the period of the warranty/guarantee? Who covers the cost of returning the cycle to the dealer?

• If I have a problem when I am abroad, where can I find help?
"You can go to a bicycle specialist for ordinary repairs, but repairs to the electrical system can only be performed by an authorised bicycle specialist. SPARTA also has a number of ION dealers in Belgium and Germany. You can always go to them for assistance."
This is a serious impediment considering the distance that may be involved.

I could not find any reference to a Guarantee/Warranty nor its terms and conditions for the cycle (except the battery) on the website.

There is one advantage with the Sparta Ion, to be fair: they give a much more sensible and reasonable guarantee (not warranty you will notice) on batteries. I know of no other make of battery which gives more than 6 months: hardly adequate for a Lithium battery with its bad temperament
• What is the lifespan of the battery pack?
"The battery pack is guaranteed for two years from the date when you buy the ION. The battery pack can be recharged at least 500 times. Given a riding distance of 30 km per full charge, you can ride for 15,000 km."
That seems fairly categorical!?!
There is a spare battery that can be carried:
"The 'Range Extender' allows the rider to increase its functions with 70%. The Range Extender costs € 399 (£280 approx) and can be used on any ION bike."

There was a moment of optimism when I came across a link to a 56 page PDF User's Manual, but it took 'forever' to download and then only the title page was displayed.

A little tidying-up and forward thinking would be helpful to those enquiring about the Sparta Ion in the first instance.

Peter

 

[Ian]

Sparta Ion is NiMh

Peter, I was able to download and read the manual, the only surprise being that the specifications state that the battery is 24V 9Ah NiMh. The fact that despite the bikes name it uses a NiMh battery is probably why the manufacturers give a reasonable guarantee.

The section on puncture repairs states rather ambiguously "You must not loosen the axle nuts, because that will deregulate the running of your bicycle. However, the front wheel must be removed because no electronic components are connected."

Guarantee period
The parts listed below are covered
by guarantee for the following
periods:
• 10 year guarantee for the frame
and the front fork. 2 years on a
front fork with suspension
• 2 years for the drive system
• 2 years for the battery set
• 1 year for other parts except for
normal wear and tear.

• The guarantee does not cover
the cost of stripping defective
parts and fitting replacements;
this work is charged to the
owner.
• The transport costs for the
bicycle and/or parts from and to
the manufacturer are charged to
the owner.

Technical data
EC mark
Pedal servo power-assistance
Your bicycle supplies pedal
operated servo power-assistance
to the legally permitted speed of
just over 15 m.p.m. The powerassistance
depends on how hard
you pedal, the preset driving
program and the speed.
Weight
Your bicycle weighs approximately
25 kg.
Motor
• Type: Brushless motor; direct
drive
• Output: maximum 250 W
• Power requirement: 24 V DC,
16 A
Battery pack
• Type: Nickel Metal Hydride
(NiMH)
• Number of cells: 20
• Voltage: 24 V (rated)
• Capacity: 216 Wh
(9000 mAh @ 24V)
• Weight: 4.0 kg
• Charging time: maximum
3 hours
• Service life: minimum 500
complete charge cycles
• A half charge is therefore
equivalent to a half cycle.
Control display
5V, 2 mA max
Battery charger connection
Charging current:
maximum 4.5 Adc
Fuses
Main fuse

 

[flecc]

I raised this problem of return for maintenance when the Sparta Ion was first getting attention Peter, with only two service points in this country at that time.

Although it seems to be universally liked by those who try it out, it's not a bike I'd recommend with any confidence to anyone not in the area of one of the service points, especially given the number of occasions that can occur when it needs service attention, tyre or tube damage, electronic resetting etc.

Nor is it suitable for hilly areas according to the tests I've seen, one saying it's only got the power to propel itself up a steep hill, so rather limited in the availablility of suitable customers.

For someone in a flat area like Cambridge or Loughborough with an agent on the doorstep it's probably a very good buy given how much it's liked as a bike.
.

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Sparta ion (MyTH)



Thank you Ian for your encouragement to go on searching. I managed to download the Manual, and quite quickly too (a matter of seconds). I see where you got your technical detail from.
Comparatively to eZee Cycles, the guarantee/waranty seems very generous - rather what one expects in this day and age of relaibility - but for parts ONLY not the labour element, nor the carriage to and from the dealer.
I was surprised about the Battery - NiMH and only 24 Volt - 9Ah seems reasonable - but the add-on battery at £280 seems a trifle expensive.
There is a dealer closer to me than Loughborough but not on my doorstep, so to speak.
Is there not a dealer/repairer network of an Electric Bike marque that is more or less close to most folk (owners) ? Where they can actually handle the repairs and maintain a stock of parts?
I suppose Electric Bikes in general (the better ones) are pretty reliable these days (the electric bits I mean). Seems surprising really that guarantees are not more realistic relative to reliability and initial cost. Even the "built like a tank" elements fair no better than a handful of months.
Perhaps advertising should begin with the disclaimer "GUINEA PIGS WANTED"!
Peter

 

[ziggurat44]

ok, so how do you repair tyre?

I have owned an ion for a short time.
I live across the pond in the US so taking to a dealer is not an option. I needed to repair a flat but am now having issues getting the rear wheel in place. The dropout/axle spacing seems to have gone askew - not sure how this happened as I'm re-assembling the same way it came apart.
Any advice would be very helpful.
Thanks

 

[flecc]

I think one member may have bought an Ion ziggurat44, but I doubt thare's any information on that rear wheel outside of a dealer, since we are clearly warned that we must not disturb the wheel.

Perhaps if you use the European/Uk Sparta site and ask for their help they may help even though you are outside their area. There's a contact page and also a dealer page, so if Sparta don't help, perhaps contacting the six dealers in the UK in turn will produce a friendly bit of help from one of them:

Sparta
.

 

[rooel]

I have never seen a Sparta Ion and will certainly not be buying one, but something which strikes me from all the photos and adverts I have seen for it is that the battery is built into the frame, and does not seem to be removable/unclippable in the way batteries are on almost every other bike. Does this not mean that the whole bike has to be taken to the socket for recharging the battery? Not a convenient thing to do if one lives in a flat, or is on tour staying in hotels, or bed and breakfasts, and requiring an overnight charge at the end of every day's tour!

 

[Ian]

The FAQ on the Sparta site does say that the battery cannot be removed which I agree would make charging difficult in some circumstances, it would also prevent simply swapping the battery for a fresh one to increase range, something I do occasionally on longer rides in challenging terrain.

So no Sparta for me either.

 

[flecc]

Yes, the return to base for wheel and motor service, the non-removable battery, the fairly gutless direct drive motor and that upright Dutch style all emphatically rule this out for me too.

But the weird thing is that everyone who rides the darned thing seems to fall in love with it!
.

 

[flecc]

I know of no other make of battery which gives more than 6 months (guarantee): hardly adequate for a Lithium battery with its bad temperament

Peter

Sustain Cycles state a two year guarantee on their Li-ion batteries in this posting, but there's no mention on their site. There it says there's 90 day return to base cover, followed by nine months parts only. The list of exclusions doesn't include batteries, but does exclude fair wear and tear, leaving the true situation somewhat vague. I wonder if a Pedelecs site posting statement is enforceable in law?
.

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Sustain Cycles state a two year guarantee on their Li-ion batteries in this posting, but there's no mention on their site. There it says there's 90 day return to base cover, followed by nine months parts only. The list of exclusions doesn't include batteries, but does exclude fair wear and tear, leaving the true situation somewhat vague. I wonder if a Pedelecs site posting statement is enforceable in law?
.

The Sparta Ion site SPARTA - Downloads
has an Owner's Manual on their site, Ion page (PDF). It is in three languages (incl English) and it contains a detailed expose of the guarantee. That part is only in Dutch , but it seems pretty clear as to what it means, certainly with regard to batteries - 2 years.
Whilst the battery cannot be removed or replaced (by the owner) there is an "Ion Range Extender" which presumably can be 'plugged in' to the bike like an extra battery. It extends range by 70% and costs Euros 399 say £ 280.
As regards "Enforceable at Law" them that 'trades by the Internet, dies by the Internet'
Peter

 

[flecc]

As regards "Enforceable at Law" them that 'trades by the Internet, dies by the Internet'
Peter

That's my opinion too Peter, and I have a full printout of that entire webpage to defeat any editing out.
.

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Printed out whilst hot

That's my opinion too Peter, and I have a full printout of that entire webpage to defeat any editing out.
.

Good on you Flecc.

I would have to if I could have found the web page that it is NOT printed on. (a propos another posting today.

Peter

I had to print the whole web site.

 

[flecc]

Peter

I had to print the whole web site.

Make sure you recycle all those empty ink cartridges Peter!
.