New bike on the block

[jimmyengland1000]

Hi All

How does this sound? A sleek looking, aluminium framed, mountain bike style pedelec with throttle override. 36V, 10AH phylion battery in aluminium, lockable case. Front suspension. Lighter than a Wisper (estimated 21kg total). 6 gears with Shimano Tourney derailleur. 250W Bafang brushless unrestricted motor. Front disk, rear V brake. Fast and powerful. Probably retailing brand-new at £750.

This bike is under development and I'm now road testing the prototype. So, here's a question.... if you were having a bike built to order on a sensible budget, what would you ideally like to see on the machine? eg front V brake instead of disk? luggage rack or not? 'sports' mudguards or road ones? etc ..... suggestions please!!

 

[flecc]

I think I might be able to guess who is behind this one, but it sounds good James.

For me the bike with normal mudguards and rack and looking as normal as possible, not too "mountain bike", and I prefer a front V brake.

However, I'm not mainstream these days, and I think many would like it as it is, though possibly with a rack option. The mainstream that others have liked over the last year or so, Knight Rider, Wisper 905e, UM36, and some Synergies for example have all been sold looking like the one you have there, so i suspect that's the popular option.
.

 

[jimmyengland1000]

I think I might be able to guess who is behind this one, but it sounds good James.

You old fox you! You might be right!

Yes, I agree re the V brakes (mounted behind the forks and not in front?.....). I don't really rate disks much. I like a rack too.

I'm thinking along the lines that it's pointless adding whistles and bells, racks, lights etc etc to a bike, Some people want LED lights, or a rack, or not, or a pump, or a bottle carrier, or not... etc. On most bikes, I immediately remove all the add-ons because they're not my choice and often not very good. Given the cost of accessories these days, it seems more sensible to focus on the more important design aspects of the bike and keep the price down as low as possible by not adding on loads of things that people may not want or which they may want to change immediately.

So, a mid-range budget, high quality, light bike with no add-ons is the idea. Then if someone wants a rack (like me)... well they cost about £10, lights... £5?

Early tests look very encouraging, by the way. The bike is lighter and faster than my Wisper...

 

[keithhazel]

i cant talk technical about v barkes or the other kind, the most important is lights, lights, lights......i dont just want 1 but at least 2...i have 3 front and back..."free lights" being one set front and back whci are brilliant, but we want them as bright as mopeds or motor bikes are as after we break as easy as those riders do....if they have gears that are only 6 speed then 6th speed wants to be going a lost faster then power alone,its no secret im a bit of a power only rider but if the most i can pedal at is about 13-13.5 but can power only at 16mph and i have a 11 mile journey so then its no real choice choice,and seeing as i spend my 11 mile journeys at power only it could sure do with some way to not have to twist the throttle all the time as my poor left wrist is often very uncomfortable and strained due to the size of grip and spring tension....

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

the cramps....

............,and seeing as i spend my 11 mile journeys at power only it could sure do with some way to not have to twist the throttle all the time as my poor left wrist is often very uncomfortable and strained due to the size of grip and spring tension....

a simple fix for this 'throttle hold-on' is to fit a largish cable tie, as far in-board as you can on the rotating throttle, position the tie so that the locking head is where the tip of your index finger will be when the throttle is fully open, leave a 3cm tail, so you can add another tie locking head ( i found one was not enough ) this gives you a small lever to keep the throttle open with the tip of your finger, beats giving yourself cramp, takes two minutes and can be removed quickly if you don't like it, This is for throttles on the left hand, for throttles on the right, aim for the thumb-tip position.

fingertip control for about 2 pence,
beeps

 

[keithhazel]

fingertip control for about 2 pence,
beeps[/QUOTE]

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i can afford 2 pence, thanks for idea...

 

[flecc]

I agree with you on the options approach James. Many people just don't want all the trimmings, but it's important that the options are good quality sensible ones, not just cheap and nasty, so a bike with them matches the better ones on the market.
.

 

[simonbarnett]

Early tests look very encouraging, by the way. The bike is lighter and faster than my Wisper...

Now that's a seriously interesting quote, given your satisfaction with the Wisper and the relative pricing. Any downsides yet?

 

[jimmyengland1000]

Now that's a seriously interesting quote, given your satisfaction with the Wisper and the relative pricing. Any downsides yet?

Yes, there are several niggles right now but it is only a prototype and there is nothing fundamentally wrong with it ... there's nothing unsurmountable at all. As far as I understand, the concept is for a fast bike with a good range which is light, attractive to look at, with quality components where it matters and no cheapo add-ons. Also, that one can pedal on a flat battery without difficulty.

The prototype is also very slim.. a definite plus.

Yes, relative pricing looks very favourable too, in order to address a niche in the market, I would say.

 

[mk1]

If I had a choice I would go for a steel frame bike, with good quality tubing, no suspension, disk brakes if they are good quality otherwise V brakes, moustache handlebars, full mudguards and derailleur gears.

The only problem is I would be the only one that would buy it . So you should probably stick to the aluminium mountain bike style, that's what most people seem to want.

 

[stokepa31]

Hi Jimmy

I dont know exactly what it should be but it really needs to demonstrate an evolution over what is curently available. quality components, good batery and under 20Kg would be where the money is.

Paul

 

[simonbarnett]

It does sound interesting, how far off is production if testing goes well?

On accessories I'd go V brakes with the style of mudguard optional like Wisper and an optional rack. A built in lock would be a good idea, but a discrete battery would be really good.

Is the hill climbing getting closer to a Panasonic?

 

[fishingpaul]

Hi jimmy here is my wish list,under 26 kilos including the batteries,forget about suspension thats for kids,powerfull motor in the rear wheel,supplied with a comfy saddle,it should look like a mans bike,perhaps offer a ladies version as well,offering excellent hillclimbing ability and 30 miles range with some assistance,with very little drag from the motor when unassisted,and finally a 1 year gurantee on the battery as well as the bike,and replacement batteries available at £200 max.

 

[John Fleet]

For me... as light as feasible (of course). Suspension forks - even though I'm not a kid - coupled with comfie saddle. Good hub gears for reliability, urban appeal and simplicity. For all terrain, all weather use - enough Pedalec power to maintain that elusive 15mph irrespective of wind or gradient (I wish!). Step thru design for practicality and to reach out to the widest possible market. Quality road mudguards, rack, lock and lights (and a decent stand). And of course LOTS more range. With a bike as good as this I'm going to want to do 50 mile plus trips for the sheer pleasure of riding it - after all that would be only 3 hours plus in the saddle which is hardly a day out, so a spare battery at less than £200 is probably also desirable.

Come up with that lot and I'll give up the day job and start selling them!

John

 

[jimmyengland1000]

Hi jimmy here is my wish list,under 26 kilos including the batteries,forget about suspension thats for kids,powerfull motor in the rear wheel,supplied with a comfy saddle,it should look like a mans bike,perhaps offer a ladies version as well,offering excellent hillclimbing ability and 30 miles range with some assistance,with very little drag from the motor when unassisted,and finally a 1 year gurantee on the battery as well as the bike,and replacement batteries available at £200 max.

I would think it'll meet all those requirements. Weight about 21.5 kg though.

 

[Bikerbob]

No bike will suit everyone but I'd say that the 'fully loaded' end of the market is already quite well catered for (or will be when the bikes arrive!). It seems to me that there is room in the market for the bike you describe, Jimmy. If they keep it light, keep it simple, avoid sub-standard components, and provide good reliable service then it will interest many of us. As you say the 'extras' can be bought later if required, either from the bike supplier or elsewhere.

 

[bersh]

fold it up

Hi All
Well this description only lacks foldability. To be able to take it on a train or bus or of course, auto would make the perfect totality. I assume that if used in the United States there would be none of this speed lock nonsense.. Also, there should be a computer the size of a walkman that would measure your miles traveled, amount of power left, time spent on the road and maybe even some sort of measurement of how much time pedaled versus coast versus pedal and battery...I'd also suggest a diesel/air power built in horn with the ability to administer shock to those who go into cardiac arrest (just kidding)..It should have a strong motorcycle kickstand and a rear sprung luggage rack.... I assume battery would be easily removed for off site recharging. Headlight and tailight should be powered off the battery. In many ways I am describing the Ezee Quando and Flecc's modified version...and thanks for asking our input...good luck and let us know about the final version and how the manufacturer responded to our specific suggestions..cheers and cheerios


How does this sound? A sleek looking, aluminium framed, mountain bike style pedelec with throttle override. 36V, 10AH phylion battery in aluminium, lockable case. Front suspension. Lighter than a Wisper (estimated 21kg total). 6 gears with Shimano Tourney derailleur. 250W Bafang brushless unrestricted motor. Front disk, rear V brake. Fast and powerful. Probably retailing brand-new at £750.

This bike is under development and I'm now road testing the prototype. So, here's a question.... if you were having a bike built to order on a sensible budget, what would you ideally like to see on the machine? eg front V brake instead of disk? luggage rack or not? 'sports' mudguards or road ones? etc ..... suggestions please!!

Well this description only lacks foldability. To be able to take it on a train or bus or of course, auto would make the perfect totality. I assume that if used in the United States there would be none of this speed lock nonsense.. Also, there should be a computer the size of a walkman that would measure your miles traveled, amount of power left, time spent on the road and maybe even some sort of measurement of how much time pedaled versus coast versus pedal and battery...I'd also suggest a diesel/air power built in horn with the ability to administer shock to those who go into cardiac arrest (just kidding)..It should have a strong motorcycle kickstand and a rear sprung luggage rack.... I assume battery would be easily removed for off site recharging. Headlight and tailight should be powered off the battery. In many ways I am describing the Ezee Quando and Flecc's modified version...and thanks for asking our input...good luck and let us know about the final version and how the manufacturer responded to our specific suggestions..cheers and cheerios

 

[frank9755]

Jimmy,

My latest wish-list electric bike is as follows:

- Lightweight (not more than my Tongxin / Marin bike, which is <20kg), silent and looking like a bike not a moped.
- Negligible rolling resistance from the motor
Steel diamond frame and forks without suspension
- V-brakes
- Intelligent pedelec, which monitors how much power the rider is providing and doubles it.
- Throttle located somewhere on the handlebars for occasional boost or walking the bike up steep hills
- Derailleur gears (7 speed 11-40 megarange would be ideal, don't need a front derailleur)
- Panasonic motor or hub - actually don't mind as that is a feature not a benefit. I think a great bike could be made with either.
- Battery - still has to be NiMH for me until something lighter and longer-lasting is proven. I want at least 30 miles range. I also want a spare for long or weekend trips and lithium batteries are a. too short-lived and b. too expensive to make a spare battery practical.
- Good road tyres (eg Marathon Plus or Continental)
- Ideally drop handlebars for speed and comfort on long rides. Could live with normal handlebars but should not be 'flat' mountain bike style ones as I don't find them comfortable.
- Decent quality components, especially gear-shifters (if it is drop handlebar I'd want an STI and a revoshift on a normal handlebar bike) and brakes.
- Rack and mudguards

That's all I can think of for now!

Frank