Halfords 48 hour test ride

[Audio2]

I borrowed a Carrera Crossfire E & was generally quite impressed. Tried it up the three steepest hills near me, two up onto the Chilterns. Required bottom gear & quite a bit of effort from me, heart rate 134, but climbed steadily at about 10 kph hills which are at least 10%. Battery range seems a little short did 22 miles climbed 900 feet mainly on eco, full power on major climb, average heart rate 104. Battery full at start 5 bars down to 2 bars at the end. I weigh 12 stone 7 lbs.

Halfords had failed to charge the bike when I collected it, only two bars. Totally out of power after 3 miles & one short steep hill. Then road three miles home with no power, not too bad to pedal unassisted. They have allowed me to keep it for an extra day.

I liked the fact that it mainly felt like a normal bike but with lots of assistance from stationery. When on tour mode it did seem to want to make you go at 15 mph all the time, I seemed to be getting a worh out rather than admiring the view.

 

[Woosh]

I seemed to be getting a work out rather than admiring the view.

that's the effect of having a torque sensor.
You have to contribute between 25%-50% of the work, the bike supplies the rest.
Much harder climbing a hill and riding on flat roads.
Cadence sensor lets you pedal as much or as little as you choose, even on hills.

 

[sjpt]

Cadence sensor lets you pedal as much or as little as you choose, even on hills.

At least, up to the available power of the motor. A 10% hill for 100kg (rider+bike) at 10kmph needs very close to 300w, so most nominally 250w motors should do it.

(https://www.ebikes.ca/tools/simulator.html?hp=0&grade=10&motor=MXUS_XF07&cont=C20&batt=B3619_EZ&mass=100 and look at load).