Powabyke x-24?

HarryB

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 22, 2007
1,317
3
London
Hi Frank, can't say I have mate. What I describe as resistance may well be my having to push the extra weight of the motor. But the X-6 definitely doesn't downhill as fast as my old Claude Butler Odyssey. Which itself is a bit of a beastie!.
I don't think you have a problem with your motor. This is exactly as expected. Although all most motors have freewheels it comes after some planetary gears. These are connected and spin all the time and cause noticeable drag when riding - the faster you go the more the drag. The Nano or Tongxin has a different mechanism called a roller drive - this completely disconnects the motor from the wheel - no gears are turned and there is noticeably less drag. Thus bikes with this motor are more bicycle like to ride.
 

Vikki

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2009
442
2
That might be the difference between PowaByke brushed motors. The one on mine doesn't have planetary gears. The motor is a big pancake jobby, enormous but thin. The toothed shaft joins with a large cog on an intermediate gear and the small cog on that goes to a big critter, a really big critter and then out via the freewheel. That's as best I can remember, it's been a few months since I last saw its innards.

When pushed along all you can hear is the tick-tick-tick of the freewheel. No gear noises at all. But that's my motor :D Any other is probably different :)

Vikki.
 

Barnowl

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 18, 2008
954
1
Mussels,your company doesnt " sign up " with any particular shop or company!Once they have joined the Government scheme you can buy your bike from any where!
Sadly not all companys. My company only offers Halfords. There was no way to get round that. I think that's because Halfords take on all the admin etc. Also with Electric Bikes I was limited to ETS. No other options from Halfords where forthcoming.
 

Barnowl

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 18, 2008
954
1
I would be really surprised if they provided the same riding experience -they are after all in a different price range. The Cytronex is very different to most hub motored ebike in that it lacks any drag from the motor and feels more or less like an unpowered bicycle until you hit that power button. I think you would struggle to cycle at 18mph with the x-24 - you would definitely feel the drag holding you back. If you after a better cycling experience then the Pro-connect is another good choice - although the power delivery doesn't suit some (me).

.
I don't know the X-24 but second your comment on the Cytronex. No noticable drag at all. I've done 500 miles to date. Still early days but no problems with the bike so far. :)
 

pl1974

Pedelecer
Oct 1, 2008
109
4
Just to add my 10p worth..

I noticed quite substantial drag when I first got my X6, I needed to adjust the front brake though, it was binding after I used it.

I still notice a tiny amount of drag from the motor, but not very much.

Paul
 

Bigbee

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 12, 2008
445
1
Sadly not all companys. My company only offers Halfords. There was no way to get round that. I think that's because Halfords take on all the admin etc. Also with Electric Bikes I was limited to ETS. No other options from Halfords where forthcoming.
Larger bike concerns seem to be taking the scheme to companies and removing the possible paper work ( admin)of their company.I still think its rubbish that you have to go to the company that has contacted your employer.I still think you can buy any where.There is a way around that,tell your lazy company to do the paper work them selves!

If any one is in this situation ( " signed up,cant buy what I want)pm me and I'll deal with it

ciao
 

Mussels

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 17, 2008
3,207
8
Crowborough
Larger bike concerns seem to be taking the scheme to companies and removing the possible paper work ( admin)of their company.I still think its rubbish that you have to go to the company that has contacted your employer.I still think you can buy any where.There is a way around that,tell your lazy company to do the paper work them selves!
Better than my company who can't be bothered to do anything because only a couple of people are interested. This is a PLC with offices all over the country, I think they would get quite a bit more interest.
Hopefully after they finish sacking people they will find time to look into it.
 

Bigbee

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 12, 2008
445
1
The problem you have is not uncommon.Some people's reaction to the Cycle to Work Scheme is,"I couldnt possibly cycle,its too far etc" so not many want to take it up.In reality the scheme is open to abuse because I bet the majority of people who take the scheme dont ride to work at all and want the bike for recreation.If people dont openly want to lie they can tell white lies like they want to ride to the train station,or they want a folding bike as the car park nearest work is a mile or two away.The other problem is companies being too darn lazy to implement it.This is where companies like Cycle Scheme come in,theyre making it easy for the employer by doing most of the admin and pointing customers to their dealers theyve signed up so they can take 10% of the sale of the bike.Theres a few of these companies about.Ive been looking at this as a business model for our selves,but with out taking commission.Ive been speaking to various manufacturers and we are almost ready to roll.If any one wants to get into the Cycle to Work Scheme please drop me a pm.I will endeavour to work with the manufacturer of your choice plus pick up the admin side.

Better than my company who can't be bothered to do anything because only a couple of people are interested. This is a PLC with offices all over the country, I think they would get quite a bit more interest.
Hopefully after they finish sacking people they will find time to look into it.
 

gwing

Pedelecer
Nov 5, 2008
39
8
Chiltern Hills
If any one is in this situation ( " signed up,cant buy what I want)pm me and I'll deal with it

ciao
:) Visions of Bigbee descending on our HR department with a large stick here :)

I think I'd rather talk to them myself though thanks - in the interests of actually keeping the job :D
 

Bigbee

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 12, 2008
445
1
Thats not exactly the method I intended but hey,what ever it takes eh? :p

If your company want to set up the scheme and cant be arsed,let me have a contact number or I'll give you mine.I have to be careful on here as you're not supposed to tout for business!

:) Visions of Bigbee descending on our HR department with a large stick here :)

I think I'd rather talk to them myself though thanks - in the interests of actually keeping the job :D
 

fcurran

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 23, 2007
394
0
Bath
www.powabyke.com
Thanks Frank. I'm in Chesham, Bucks if you know of anyone nearby ...
Hi gwing,

LJ Stronnel Cycles in Chesham has a 6 speed 18" in stock that you can try. His number is 01494 784 255 and he is located on 56 Broad Street, Chesham. I would suggest calling him before you arrive as he has strange opening hours!

Regards

FrankC
Powabyke Ltd
 

gwing

Pedelecer
Nov 5, 2008
39
8
Chiltern Hills
Employer's choice

Thats not exactly the method I intended but hey,what ever it takes eh? :p

If your company want to set up the scheme and cant be arsed,let me have a contact number or I'll give you mine.I have to be careful on here as you're not supposed to tout for business!
That's the whole issue Bigbee. They have set up the scheme already but they have chosen to use Evans as their supplier and are not willing to purchase elsewhere. My partner has the same issue except that her employer has picked Halfords so she has no choice either.

Whereas the cycle to work scheme is applaudable if it gets more people on bikes it looks as if it will have a negative effect as well. Between us we would have bought at least one new bike and would have obtained this from a local shop. Now we will probably both get a new toy of some sort :) but rather than buying locally these will be channelled through the suppliers picked by our employers instead.
 

Rad

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 16, 2008
285
0
I had the same thing with my company. They chose Halfords and that was that. Halfords do all the admin work and just bill the company. They also put a fairly hefty margin against the rrp of the bike.

Gwing, you'd be well advised to try that X-6 out for yourself. I've had mine 3 months now and I bloody love it! :D
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
Hi gwing,

LJ Stronnel Cycles in Chesham has a 6 speed 18" in stock that you can try. His number is 01494 784 255 and he is located on 56 Broad Street, Chesham. I would suggest calling him before you arrive as he has strange opening hours!

Regards

FrankC
Powabyke Ltd
Does he have two long pointed upper teeth? :eek:
.
 

Bigbee

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 12, 2008
445
1
Apologies,it appears both Halfords and Evans operate their own schemes and they are tying in companies.If the company when approached do not know any better,its going to happen,which is a shame.An employee is supposed to have complete freedom to buy any where:mad: If any one is looking to get on a new scheme to buy an electric bike we can help


I had the same thing with my company. They chose Halfords and that was that. Halfords do all the admin work and just bill the company. They also put a fairly hefty margin against the rrp of the bike.

Gwing, you'd be well advised to try that X-6 out for yourself. I've had mine 3 months now and I bloody love it! :D
 

Rad

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 16, 2008
285
0
Hey Barnowl, I have my niggles but overall it's a bloody marvellous bit of kit. I just can't wait for some better weather so I can really enjoy it. Commuting in the rubbish weather we've had the last couple of months is getting just a tad tedious.