Smarta IQ - new sub £1000 bike?

[Alex728]

just seen this on the electric transport centre website

Electric Bike Sales - Shop Online for Electric Bikes, Electric Vehicles and Cycle Accessories - Smarta IQ GT

looks interesting, although I would say its not dissimilar to a Synergie Mistral but with some slight enhancements (such as the hub dynamo)...

 

[Blew it]

Some obvious differences to the mistral are the threadless headset, soft handgrips and brake lever inserts. But then it gets a little strange.

The Synergie Mistral is fitted with the same battery, and as I've recently proved returned 32 miles with constant pedalling, only using sport mode when needed on upslopes. The Mistral motor is controller limited to a maximum 12 amps draw. Even then the Mistral will easily top 18 mph in sport mode.

The Smarta IQ GT is specified as having a maximum 20 amps draw but only achieves 15 mph. I would also say it is highly unlikely it would return a 40 mile range from a 10 ah battery. If the claimed 20 amp current limit is correct, around 20 miles range would be more realistic

It's obviously from the same factory as the Mistral, which means it will share the same quality build and finish. Good value for the money .....but the performance sums simply don't add up.

All the best

Bob

 

[keithhazel]

just seen this on the electric transport centre website

Electric Bike Sales - Shop Online for Electric Bikes, Electric Vehicles and Cycle Accessories - Smarta IQ GT

looks interesting, although I would say its not dissimilar to a Synergie Mistral but with some slight enhancements (such as the hub dynamo)...

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looks very similar to this one that a previous thread was about,although different battery and probably other bits the more acomplished biker will be able to point out..does make it hard to pick a bike these days though..

NEW CYCLAMATIC E-BIKES POWER PLUS CYCLE ELECTRIC BIKE on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 19-Jan-09 15:19:15 GMT)

 

[Alex728]

TBH the mistral and this new one look like they are slightly better than the cyclamatic - although not sure about the brushed motor (what happens when the brushes wear out?)

 

[Mussels]

Some obvious differences to the mistral are the threadless headset, soft handgrips and brake lever inserts. But then it gets a little strange.

The Synergie Mistral is fitted with the same battery, and as I've recently proved returned 32 miles with constant pedalling, only using sport mode when needed on upslopes. The Mistral motor is controller limited to a maximum 12 amps draw. Even then the Mistral will easily top 18 mph in sport mode.

The Smarta IQ GT is specified as having a maximum 20 amps draw but only achieves 15 mph. I would also say it is highly unlikely it would return a 40 mile range from a 10 ah battery. If the claimed 20 amp current limit is correct, around 20 miles range would be more realistic

It's obviously from the same factory as the Mistral, which means it will share the same quality build and finish. Good value for the money .....but the performance sums simply don't add up.

All the best

Bob

The Mistral is also quoted as 15mph top speed, probably because that's about the legal limit. We all know the ranges need to be taken with a pinch of salt, maybe there is a particular way to ride this bike where almost no current is drawn thereby extending the range. Won't make it a better ride though.

 

[Blew it]

TBH the mistral and this new one look like they are slightly better than the cyclamatic - although not sure about the brushed motor (what happens when the brushes wear out?)

Hi Alex,

I wouldn't worry too much about the brushed motor. The Mistral has been well documented on this Forum for the best part of two years. One Member in particular owning the Mk1 pre glide-3 (pedelec only) version. I can't say I've ever heard of a Mistral motor needing re-brushing.

One thing I might add to my previous observations of the Smarta, there appears to be a subtle difference in the chainwheel compared to the Mistral. Perhaps the IQ tag refers to some form of torque sensing incorporated there.

We have to respect ETS's reluctance to quote any performance figures which fall outside of the current legislation for E-Bikes, anything above being a pleasant surprise for the new owner to discover.

There appears to be some very interesting machines arriving in Britain now. I would be inclined to give the Cyclamatic thing a miss, preferring the Easycad Power-ride.... a much better machine.

This ones popped up again.

This could prove to be a useful fully equipped machine....IF it survived the trip from Australia!!

All the best Alex

Bob

 

[flecc]

TBH the mistral and this new one look like they are slightly better than the cyclamatic - although not sure about the brushed motor (what happens when the brushes wear out?)

There are very few manufacturers of motors so as long as someone using the same motor, like Synergie with the Mistral, is still around, there could be spare brushes available.

Brush life seems to be very variable. Despite their manufacturing quality, I know of many Heinzmann motors having brush changes, sometimes in as little as two years, but I haven't heard of that on a Mistral though they've been around for at least that long. The brush motor used on the eZee Liv was previously use on their Rider model which has run for years and very high mileages without any brush replacement mentioned.
.

 

[eddieo]

"There appears to be some very interesting machines arriving in Britain now. I would be inclined to give the Cyclamatic thing a miss, preferring the Easycad Power-ride.... a much better machine."

Hi Bob, It looks a bit like your "Voyager", does it have the torque sensing as well? seems very resonable price but would be concerned with back up as not a techy lol

 

[keithhazel]

This could prove to be a useful fully equipped machine....IF it survived the trip from Australia!!



Bob

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feedbacks a little ropey though............

 

[Barnowl]

maybe there is a particular way to ride this bike where almost no current is drawn thereby extending the range. .

Yes it's called pedalling hard