More Confused- Which E-Bike for hilly area.

[Intex]

OK, I had the list narrowed down to Schwinn Continental, Pro-Connect , Gazelle, mostly leaning towards the Pro-Connect, but now there are a few more choices: Pro-Connect S, Flyer S, T, C Models.

I can NOT try any of these models where I am located (have contacted all manufacturers as well), so I will have to rely on the judgment of others. This would be easy if I could try each one, but if I am to opay 2000 Euros+ , I would like to make sure I make the right choice.

My area is rather hilly, with the flat areas a bit below our home. I am concerned with getting help with ANY incline. I would also want a light bike, and one that looked nice. I would rather pay more for quality, rather than skimp, so $ is not that big of an issue.

I don't know if I will need the extra speed of the Pro-Connect-S, the Flyer looks nice, but I spoke with the factory, and they said that the Flyer-S is more tailored toward off-Road use, The T series to rough terrain, and the C-series to comfort? Then they have a couple of levels in each series.

Can anyone give me hands-on experienced assistance in determining which bike to order?

PS- I am not concerned with bike laws, as the bike will shortly be taken to the US, where we have no laws concerning speed in my area.

 

[Intex]

I just saw a U-Tube video of the Flyer S, that shows it going up a small hill, without the assistance of the rider pedalling. I thought these bikes with Panasonic systems could not do this?? (YouTube - Flyer serie S)

 

[Beanie101]

Can anyone give me hands-on experienced assistance in determining which bike to order?

PS- I am not concerned with bike laws, as the bike will shortly be taken to the US, where we have no laws concerning speed in my area.

I have taken delivery of a Flyer T14HS. I am trying out in Verbier, which is mountainous rather than hilly and will be posting a review in a week or so. All I can say for now is that it is STUNNING and goes like the wind both up and down hill. Battery usage may be an issue but I need to use it more before I can comment properly.

 

[Blew it]

I just saw a U-Tube video of the Flyer S, that shows it going up a small hill, without the assistance of the rider pedalling. I thought these bikes with Panasonic systems could not do this?? (YouTube - Flyer serie S)

My memory may be letting me down here, but I'm sure I read on this forum something about an "inch button" on these machines.

In the event of a rider being unable to ride up a very steep hill, then they could dismount and press a lever which allowed the machine to pull itself and perhaps a heavy load of shopping up the hill.

Was I dreaming (again).

Bob

 

[flecc]

I just saw a U-Tube video of the Flyer S, that shows it going up a small hill, without the assistance of the rider pedalling. I thought these bikes with Panasonic systems could not do this?? (YouTube - Flyer serie S)

Bob is correct, some Bike Flyer models have a "walk alongside" throttle to enaable the steepest hills to coped with by walking and the bike propelling itself. This operates to around 4 mph or so, but on the high speed Flyer S the software changes and increased gearing mean that same "walking" throttle will run the bike at up to about 12 mph.
.

 

[flecc]

OK, I had the list narrowed down to Schwinn Continental, Pro-Connect , Gazelle, mostly leaning towards the Pro-Connect, but now there are a few more choices: Pro-Connect S, Flyer S, T, C Models.

My area is rather hilly, with the flat areas a bit below our home. I am concerned with getting help with ANY incline. I would also want a light bike, and one that looked nice. I would rather pay more for quality, rather than skimp, so $ is not that big of an issue.

I don't know if I will need the extra speed of the Pro-Connect-S, the Flyer looks nice, but I spoke with the factory, and they said that the Flyer-S is more tailored toward off-Road use,

Can anyone give me hands-on experienced assistance in determining which bike to order?

PS- I am not concerned with bike laws, as the bike will shortly be taken to the US, where we have no laws concerning speed in my area.

No hands on experience with the Pro Connect S since it hasn't been sold here yet and I've never tried the Flyer S.

They will have said off road use for the Flyer S since the French law doesn't allow it on the road. In Germany and Switzerland where it's allowed it's a perfectly good road bike. It's very fast like the Pro Connect S of course.

For climbing any hill, the only e-bikes in your list you can be certain of will have a Panasonic power unit since that drives through the gears car fashion, so you just change down as necessary, so forget the Schwinn Continental unless you know the hills will not be the very steepest like 1 in 6 (18%) and steeper.

The Pro Connect and Flyer C & T models will power up to 15 mph in standard form, though you can gear it up by changing the rear sprocket to increase the assisted speed, the S models will power well past 20 mph.

For the highest possible quality the BikeTech Flyers are the Rolls Royces of e-biking.
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[Intex]

Thank you again, but how can you change the rear sproket if it has a Nexus rear hub with the gears exposed?

 

[flecc]

Thank you again, but how can you change the rear sproket if it has a Nexus rear hub with the gears exposed?

On the models with the derailleur gears, that's the external types, the gear range means the ratios might not need changing. It's mostly the EU hub gear models that are limited to 15 mph.

However, in the unlikely event that the ratios need to be raised, the set of rear sprockets which is called a cassette has to be changed. Any cycle dealer can do this easily, and it's not very expensive, from 30 US dollars for the cassette, plus fitting.
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[eddieo]

Pardon my stupidity, but I watched the Italian video (the bike looks absolutely smashing ) where is the motor? does not look like there is one in either front or rear wheel,,,,,

If chain driven from crank? How does that integrate with pedaling ....

pray tell - how much?

 

[burncycle]

I live in Sheffield. Very hilly and ride in the peak district (even more hilly).
The pro connect has taken on anything I've thrown at it.
I tried a 1 in 5 when I first bought the bike, but couldnt do it.
Tried it again the other day and managed it fine now, so it was my fitness and not the bike.
You wont have any problems with the pro connect at all with hills.

Regards Bob.

 

[flecc]

Pardon my stupidity, but I watched the Italian video (the bike looks absolutely smashing ) where is the motor? does not look like there is one in either front or rear wheel,,,,,

If chain driven from crank? How does that integrate with pedaling ....

pray tell - how much?

The motor and battery unit are combined around the bottom bracket as on any of the Kalkhoffs etc, and the connection between the pedalling and the motor drive is through the chain which is driven both by the rider's chainwheel and a motor sprocket.

Here's a close up of the motor unit from below, and here's a description on my website of the motor's internal details which includes how it works in the later stages of the page.

I think the Flyer S is around £2500 in the UK.
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[Tiberius]

PS- I am not concerned with bike laws, as the bike will shortly be taken to the US, where we have no laws concerning speed in my area.

Hi Intex,

Which part of the US? AFAIUI the federal rules are 750 W and 20 mph, but the states have the power to vary it.

Nick

 

[Intex]

I am in Southern California, and can assure you that of none of the police officers in ,my town even knows an electric bike exists, let alone what federal laws exist. This is a moot point for my area. In S. Calif., unfortuneatly we are still driving SUV's as if nothing happened, and these are cars that give us 10-15mpg! So UNFORTUNEATLY we are not a bike culture here, as in Europe. The problem is that distances are farther away here (home to job, home to supermarket), and there are very few bike lanes.

The only people you see riding bikes, are a few kids (they can't drive yet), a handful of older folks that live in the city center, and die hard bike enthusiasts that use the bike for recreation. I'll admit there are alot of this class, but there use of a bike is for the fun of riding, and NOT or commuting and/or shopping. Maybe this is why I love being in Europe part of the year, I love being in a smaller city, town, and love biking as much as I can, as in Paris.

 

[Intex]

Burncycle,
Thanks for the info, but if you could purchase the Pro-Connect S, which has a higher speed rating, would you ? Would it be of any benefit over the reg. Pro-Connect?

 

[eddieo]

The motor and battery unit are combined around the bottom bracket as on any of the Kalkhoffs etc, and the connection between the pedalling and the motor drive is through the chain which is driven both by the rider's chainwheel and a motor sprocket.

Here's a close up of the motor unit from below, and here's a description on my website of the motor's internal details which includes how it works in the later stages of the page.

I think the Flyer S is around £2500 in the UK.
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Thanks Flecc...where would this site be without you!

So I guess the extra power is a trade of, and the range not as good as regular Pro connect? is the battery the same capacity?

This "S" model has a throttle then? I guess from the link you sent me that it is some sort of clutch system where you can contribute or not?

any idea of the weight?

 

[flecc]

Thanks Flecc...where would this site be without you!

Oh I think it can easily stand on it's own now.

So I guess the extra power is a trade of, and the range not as good as regular Pro connect? is the battery the same capacity?

It's the same battery, and of course the extra speed will compensate for the extra consumption to some extent, but range will generally be shorter for a given rider.

This "S" model has a throttle then? I guess from the link you sent me that it is some sort of clutch system where you can contribute or not?

That's the same on all these Panasonic systems, it's the fact that the chainwheel has it's own freewheel. If you try to lube the chain by pedalling the cranks backwards the chain doesn't move, having a freewheel at both ends it just stands still. Here's the outer ring of the crank freewheel from two angles where you see the pawl steps inside. The motor drive also has a freewheel between gears 2 and 3, so the entire drive system has 3 freewheels, motor, crank and rear hub. This photo shows the opened up motor freewheel within a gear, it's a needle roller and ramps system.

any idea of the weight?

I think it's about 25 kilos, not especially light like all BikeTech models which have quality before weight.
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[burncycle]

Burncycle,
Thanks for the info, but if you could purchase the Pro-Connect S, which has a higher speed rating, would you ? Would it be of any benefit over the reg. Pro-Connect?

I would say not.
At the end of the day the pro connect excels at getting you up hills quicker and with less effort an any normal bike.
I approached a racer cyclist 800yards in front of me going up a hill.
I caught up with him quickly and also passed him and then had a gain infront of another 800yards.
He pedalled like mad to catch up with me and he was amazed by the bike.
He was 19 years old and fit.
Me overweight and 43 years old.
If you have lots of hills then I think the pro connect S will be over kill.
I commute 5 miles and climb 500feet in 20 mins on the Pro Connect.

Hope this Helps.

Regards Bob.

 

[Intex]

I just heard from Derby that the Pro-Connect S will be on threir website, as well as Raleigh.de starting next Monday.