Tonaro / R Martin / iGo

[labenge]

I've been shopping for an ebike for a few months now, and came across the "iGo" here in Canada. Electric Bicycles for Peak Performance | iGo Electric It looks pretty good on paper, although here in Canada ebikes can have motors up to 500W - so 200W seems a little light. But we also tend to have mostly hub motors - no panasonic crank drives here for some reason. But the iGo seemed too good to be true, price wise.

I sat on an iGo urban (same as the Tonaro Compy) at a bike show, but wasn't able to take it for a spin. The seller told me the motor was originally designed for a wheelchair (!) and tended to provide too much torque for the chain, resulting in the chain tending to come off. He was instead trying to direct me to the Wisper.

I couldn't find any user reviews, but saw that it looked identical to the R Martin bike. This wasn't particularly helpful from a reviews perspective (still no user reviews). But made me suspicious that this is just a generic chinese bike rebranded a number of different ways. During my lurking on this forum, I see that it's the same as the Tonaro bikes. Only this time there are user reviews (yay!!).

Overall, people on this forum seem to like theirs a lot. Now the iGo is on sale for father's day. It's hard to resist.

I'd really appreciate it if anyone can answer these questions:

Has anyone experienced any issues with the chain, or with shifting under torque? Is there a risk that the chain could fail?

Is the 200W motor underpowered at all (I still plan on pedaling - I just don't want to be the one who provides the lion's share of the labour all the time)?

I expect that when using the throttle I may forget that I need to shift gears. Is this an issue?

has anyone adjusted the handlebar to get a more upright seating position? If so, how does this affect the overall handling?

The other option I'm considering, which is vastly more expensive, is the Dahon Boost. I don't have a lot of storage space - so a folder might be helpful in that regard. And it has a fairly upright riding position. It has such a small battery though (5ah).

Thanks so much for any input!

Lynn

 

[jerrysimon]

Lynn,

So much depends on your actual requirement in terms of portability, hill climbing needs, distance etc

I am a strong believer in only carrying the power you need in terms of battery size especially if portability is a requirement.

Although I have not tried a Dahon Boost for the money and if foldability/portability are a requirement, I would go down the Brompton conversion route. As you might of guessed I am bias having commuted over 1800 miles in the last 18 months on one. My route is however urban and I am not so sure it would be applicable for long rides on main roads etc.

Anyway I am sure many others will chirp up and cover your inital questions on a more generic solution.

BTW welcome to the forum

If you are interested in a Brompton you can go down the DIY route see my thread here

Or buy one ready made see here

lol ok perhaps I should read your post more clearly

As you are in Canada forget the above, except the welcome to the forum of course

Regards

Jerry

 

[banbury frank]

Hi labenge

I would find a nice bike if you don't already have one and fit a kit from the company below

look at the Ezee or nine continents motors

The Grin Cyclery

Frank

 

[labenge]

Thanks for the welcome Jerry!

I would be riding the bike mostly on weekends -- rides with the spouse and toddler. Here in Toronto, we have lovely paths through ravines or along the waterfront. The paths tend to be partially paved, sometimes just earth. Often tree roots make them uneven. Leaving the ravine usually requires going up a steep hill, or pushing the bike up a narrow bike ramp alongside stairs. Even street riding has a perpetual grade as you travel north, as we have a large lake to the south. The roads tend to be in no better shape than the trails - winter freeze/thaw cycles leave massive cracks and potholes.

I commuted to work by bike one summer a couple of years ago - but found it to be rather stressful on the busy roads. Bike riding just isn't fun anymore. I remember when it used to be fun. Of course, that was 30 years ago in a simpler time - no helmets, no need to lock the bike up 20 different ways, and no traffic where I lived then.

I'm hoping a little "push" from an electric motor might bring back the fun.

If I bought a folder, it would be to take up less space in my kitchen than a full sized bike. I don't need to have the smallest fold or to carry it around with me (eg to get on a bus). But Bromptons are lovely....

 

[labenge]

Hi labenge

I would find a nice bike if you don't already have one and fit a kit from the company below

look at the Ezee or nine continents motors

The Grin Cyclery

Frank

I'm not sure sure I have the mechanical aptitude!

 

[eddieo]

I'm not sure sure I have the mechanical aptitude!

Just get a local bike shop to help........