Any opinions on this greatly appreciated please

[richard1911]

I am considering purchasing this Kona Coilair 2012 full suspension mountain bike with Ego kit electric motor | eBay

... but, I don't have any experience of the Ego electric kits - although they do look awesome.

I realise it's nnot road legal but that's fine as it will all be off-road stuff.

I just can't find any reviews of these kits anywhere so wondered if anyone here has any experience?

Thanks in advance

 

[JuicyBike]

Hi Richard
Why not ask the seller of the bike who spookily is also called Richard.

 

[richard1911]

Hi Richard
Why not ask the seller of the bike who spookily is also called Richard.

Hi,

Thanks. Only that I don't think sellers give an unbiased opinion is the only reason I ask here!

 

[flecc]

The electricbike.com site describes and appraises a number of kits including the Ego, and they don't sell kits so can be regarded as somewhat impartial at least.

This page shows the mid-drive kits appraised, the first being the Ego. Click "Read Our Story" by the Ego title and you'll find very full information on it.

Hope that's some help pending any owner being able to advise.

 

[RobF]

It looks quite neatly done.

Presumably, it's a backpack battery which wouldn't suit me, but may suit you.

I'm also not keen on the short, exposed chain.

That set-up can be noisy, but again that's something for you to decide.

 

[tillson]

It's up to you, but there is no way that I would pay in excess of £2000 for a second hand bicycle. I may be wrong but unless you buy it, I don't think that it will sell in the present climate, especially because it is not road legal.

That drive set up looks awful, like something that used to eat children in an 18th century mill. The Bosch / Panasonic / Impulse drives are much neater and are available on some nice bikes for similar money, maybe a little more.

Personally, I'd offer him about £400 for the bike and when he tells you to FO, do so and buy something decent.

 

[RobF]

It's not clear if a battery is included.

If not, that's another few hundred.

Edit: Seems from the Q and As the battery is included.

 

[richard1911]

Thanks guys, that's really useful.

I already have a Haibike Xduro with the Bosch system (would recommend to anyone!) so have a road legal 'off road' bike.

I was looking at this for the days when you want more poweeerrrrrrrrrrr (Clarksonesque!) as these go up to 70kph. Thinking it's awesome for Bikeparkwales, skipping the uplift need.

I was looking at new but the Ego motor/battery kits are around £2k so if the bike is in good nick then it's essentially a free bike.

Thanks again.

 

[103Alex1]

Thanks guys, that's really useful.

I already have a Haibike Xduro with the Bosch system (would recommend to anyone!) so have a road legal 'off road' bike.

I was looking at this for the days when you want more poweeerrrrrrrrrrr (Clarksonesque!) as these go up to 70kph. Thinking it's awesome for Bikeparkwales, skipping the uplift need.

I was looking at new but the Ego motor/battery kits are around £2k so if the bike is in good nick then it's essentially a free bike.

Thanks again.

That's a high powered 1200W nominal 2400W maximum mid-motor system on a 2012 full-sus bike aimed at freeride and downhill sports use. The performance is comparable with some £6k+ bikes but the battery is a bit on the small side at 600Wh for all that power.

As far as comparing it to something like a Haibike ... for high powered sports use and climbing this is in a different league entirely more like an Optibike. A Haibike wouldn't deliver even a third of the performance of this bike power-wise. I think it's a great deal.

I wouldn't like riding around with a backpack battery personally but for dedicated sports use the pros in removing the need for lifts and giving far more freedom in terms of multiple runs may outweigh the cons of having to lug the battery around on your back. Handling-wise it's likely to be as close to being unaffected by the motor as you can get, and much more sensible for very rough use than a hub motor alternative of similar power like a Xipi.

It's probably not very practical for alternative 'touring use' though - but you have your Haibike for that. If it's in good nick it is definitely worth £2k.

 

[Clockwise]

If you want an illegal bike that you won't need to pedal with why not just buy a used trials bike. Dozens on ebay and you still need to use a car to get it too and from the places you plan to ride it.

2007 Beta Rev 3 250cc Trials Bike | eBay