Choice between several models and components, BH emotion bikes.

[ulugeyik]

I am looking into buying a BH Emotion pedelec ( Home - BH Emotion ) -- and being in Spain I have many options. I have test ridden two models and I really like them. My goal is to use it for commuting ~7km each way to/from work. The return trip (after a ~10 hour work day) involves climbing up through a windy road of about 150-200m with very sharp slopes at few points. Unless I am in a hurry, I plan to pedal unassisted to the work and in the way back with minimum assist until I hit the hill and use the assist to enable my climb without exhausting me completely. So I want to pick a bike that rides nice unassisted.

This is where my confusion arises. I have narrowed my choices to between two lines of bikes (Neo vs 700 series) and within the series two types (Cross vs City). City & cross versions in both series cost the same, the 700 series are about ~300 Euros cheaper than the Neo series. Of course, I am open for others too.

Neo series:
NEO - BH Emotion
700 Cross:
CROSS 700 - BH Emotion
700 City:
CITY 700 - BH Emotion

As far as I can tell, the main differences are in the components and possibly the clunkiness. I am worried specially about the latter.

There are so few reviews of these bikes so I could not get good information. IF anyone has used both or have any insights, I would really appreciate it.


Specific questions I have:

1- In case of NEO, am I paying for the fancy design of integrated battery pack or are the components really better than the 700 series?
2- Is the fancy, curved battery pack a call for more expense and possibly the inability to utilize the bike in the future if they stop making that battery pack?
3- Sport vs City:
- Test rode Neo sport. It felt good. It does not come with a rack, lights, mud-guards. I am pretty sure I would install them sooner or later. Lights immediately. Has disk brakes.
- City comes with a rack, lights, mud-guards etc installed but it is a step through bicycle (for Neo, not for 700), has v-brakes. It is basically ready for me to ride.
Q: Based on the specs and/or experience, is the city one expected to be really clunky unassisted?
Q: I think disk brakes will have a better lifetime and be safer when descending this hill. Is that true?
4- Neo vs 700:
- Neo is rear drive, 700 is mid-drive. What is better for the hills?
- Neo has 350W motor , 700 has 250 W motor. Both have mph limitations to comply with local laws. I did not test drive the 250W. Is the difference so huge?
- Neo has fancy, curved battery back, 700 is the usual one with a holder. Does it matter?
5 - My way to work involves this descent. Neo has brake sensors that stop the assist and charge the battery when braking, 700 has no sensors. Is that important?

Thanks

 

[eddieo]

There is a another thread re the Neo on front page.. So I suggest you have a look, I think the bike very poor value with cheap components. All style no substance IMO.

I like the Bosch powered bikes and I know you can get the KTM bikes at a good price in Barcelona, as a member on here has one, spec higher at same price point. Have a look at Haibike as well. But if you want a hub motor bike I dont know what is available in Spain so dont know what to suggest..

Just give bikes a good trial before deciding...

 

[jasono]

Hi ulugeyik

I've got a BH Emotion Sport, which uses the very tried and tested Panasonic crank drive system and is very similar to the Cross. I think the City 700 also uses the Panasonic system, which is well proven for its hill climbing ability too

I am very pleased with the bike. It does all I want of it and more and is a real pleasure to ride. With regards to brakes, there is a good thread on this forum (you will have to search for it) about discs and v brakes. Personally I prever v brakes, but I know others who like disc - either way if they are well serviced you shouldn't have any worries about stopping

I would say though, if you have things to carry on your commute, the City maybe a better bet as it comes with a rack, full length mudguards and lights

Hope this helps

Jason

 

[GaRRy]

I have a Neo cross on order and tested quite a few bikes before deciding this was the bike for me. Below are my personal observations and as with any opinion should only be used as a guide. Ultimately you need to try and test the bikes your interested in and decide which is best for you,

Firstly I can't really comment on the city v cross as i had no interest in a city style of bike so made no attempt to ride any such type of e-bike when choosing what to buy. I guess this will come down to which kind of bike is best for you. I do commute but dont need to take a lot with me so rack/panniers etc not really on my priority list.

to answer your questions
1) I think this is down to personal preference. I personally think the Neo is a far better looking package but there did nothing much wrong with the 700 either and I certainly would not of picked the Neo just because it was prettier.
2) Possibly but only time will tell on this and BH are a large company who appear to have invested quite a bit in developing the Neo and can't see them just pulling the plug (no pun intended) and peeing of a large number of customer. There again there is no denying it could happen. I felt I was prepared to take the risk you may feel otherwise
3)As said took no interest in city and as for brakes this will me my first disk braked bike so don't really know how it will compare long term to v brakes, but I'm not expecting any major difference in performance for the use i will be putting bike to. It would appear that disc brakes need more professional maintenance than v brakes which are pretty easy to work on.
4) From my testing I personally found the Neo was far better on the hills but I have no doubt there will be others who believe the opposite. As for battery pack other than issue already discussed I can't really see why one should be better than the other
5)while the regenerative braking sounds like a nice idea, until have chance to ride the bike on a day to day basis won't really be able to tell how useful this feature is. For the journey you plan I doubt it will make that much difference as the distance should not be a problem with or without being well within the range of either bike.

One final comment based on the fact you say you plan to pedal to work unassisted I also definitely felt the NEO was the best bike I tested for riding unassisted.

But to repeat what you really need to do is try and find a dealer willing to let you try out the bikes (and some other makes if possible) to see which you prefer. From my experience there are some big differences between the various types of e-bikes in how they feel to ride and what suits me may completely wrong for you.

 

[ulugeyik]

Hello,

Thanks for all the informative responses. I have been trying to find a store nearby (Barcelona and surrounding region) that carries other models in stock to test-ride them but I could not find one yet. They all are up for ordering for me.

So this input is very useful.

I am sure to come back with more questions.

 

[eddieo]

KTM have a number of shops in Barcelona. from website:

King Bikes
Crta. Arrabasada 59
08035 BARCELONA
Tel.: 934340824

+Bici
C/ Castillejos 1
08915 BADALONA
Tel.: 933994659

Monbike & Run
Avda. Paraisos Catalans 9D
08192 Sant Quirze del Valles
Tel.: 639478310
ciclistamon@hotmail.com

Bicisprint Sabadell S.L.
Nord 5
08207 Sabadell
Tel.: 93 7166850

Tribike Factory S.L.
Calle la vela 14
08348 CAMBRILS
Tel.: 937537217
tribikefactory@hotmail.com

Doctor Bike
Avda. Maresme 321
08304 MATARO
Tel.: 937908708


KTM website: KTM Bikes // Bikes vom Besten!

 

[ulugeyik]

KTM have a number of shops in Barcelona. from website:

Thanks. It is true that KTM , BH and others list many many stores in Barcelona but I have just checked part of the list you have sent and they do not physically have the bikes for test-riding.

I wrote to BH about this but did not receive a reply yet.

 

[eddieo]

I noticed that one on list was a dealer for KTM and Haibike, its just a matter of calling them all to check. At least one dealer stocks KTM, as like I said earlier a member on here bought one. Problem being he has not been seen on here for quite a while

The BH components stack up as exceptionally poor value against these bikes...simply in a different class

 

[ulugeyik]

Thanks Eddie but I am going with the BH bikes.

I have found a nice deal on a Sports Max + , 2011 model so I think I will accept the risk of buying a bike that I have not tried and the possibility that I won't like the mid-drive and get that.

 

[eddieo]

no worries enjoy the bike....

 

[ulugeyik]

I found good deal for a 2011 model of Sports MAX Plus and purchased that. I have been riding it for three days and I am quite happy. I am able to climb the hill without problems which was the most important part.

The only thing that bugs me is that sometimes, specially at an incline I hear loud clicking sounds from the motor area. I wonder if that is normal or if I should get the bike checked.

 

[flecc]

Those clicking sounds are often, indeed usually, due to insufficiently tensioned spokes on new bikes. Check them by pinching pairs together with your fingers, you'll probably find some quite a lot slacker than others.

Today's machine built wheels aren't to the highest standards and often benefit from some extra attention. If you aren't confident about truing the wheel and tensioning the spokes correctly, ask you bike dealer to do it for you.