rgardiner

Sorry... thread name should me Motor/controller failure...

Hi, I have had the following kit for the past 9 months or so: eBay.ie: 1000W 48V ELECTRIC BICYCLE e- BIKE ENGINE MOTOR kit (item 290443849741 end time 08-Oct-10 16:11:55 BST) The other day while riding along, the bike seemed to brake all on its own. I got off and tried the throttle and there was a slight movement in the motor, but it seemed as if it locked the sheel. Each time I try the throttle, the wheel "locks". I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting all the wires from the controller. I have taken a look at the wires going into the motor and as far as I can tell, everything seems fine. Just thought I'd post on here to see if anyone recognised the symptoms... Turn the throtle and the motor engages but doesnt turn the wheel. In fact it locks the wheel. Thanks

The Mistral also has throttle control. I've had mine now for approx 3 weeks and I really like it. I also wouldnt worry about having to pedal it without the motor unless you are going on long distance cycles.

LOL. Already tested and my battery didnt blow up!

Hi, I have just recently purchased a Mistral, and I have noticed that on top of the battery there is a little round button, which is beside what looks like 3 small lights. I cant be sure about the led lights, it is just a guess. Basically, I am curious as to what this button is and what it does. Thanks all.

I've had mine for over a week now and I am very pleased as well with it as well. Again, it was due to the information on this site that I decided to go for it. It definitely seems like a good buy. I am never out of breath going up a hill, and it is very comfortable. It certainly is tempting when I see other bikes with more power, but as you say, the price seems to climb exponentially. I also didn’t bother connecting the dynamo. All I have done for now is connect a computer. The assembly isn’t that bad either. Again, I am used to dismantling and assembling bikes. It was very well packaged and very quick delivery (ordered on a Tuesday morning and delivered to Ireland on a Thursday). I'd recommend strongly to the budget conscious

Reviewer: rgardiner Purchased From: ebay Purchase Price: £499 Time Owned: 1 Weeks Local Terrain: Hilly Terain ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Strengths: Battery charge time Tilting and Comfortable saddle Good Shimano changer Good brakes Good value for money ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Weaknesses: Motor drag at speed ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary: Good value for money I took delivery of the Mistral a week ago. I had been cycling a Claud Butler urban MTB. It arrived very well packaged and quickly as well. I was quite impressed by the ebay seller. Assembly didnt take long and isn't difficult. There was a one page instruction thingy, but I didnt need it. Anyone thats any way practical should be able to put it together easily. I live in a quite hilly town and wanted a bike that would take the sting out of the climb home from wherever I went. The Mistral does this very well. I live about 2 miles from work and it is all up hill from the office to home. Usually my legs would be throbbing and I'd be sweating by t he time I'd get home. The assistance from the Mistral takes most of the load off, and I am not the slightest bit tired/out of breath/sweaty from the cycle home now. I still need to contribute of course as the motor will not do it on its own, but it is quite the difference. I'd say its as easy if not easier than riding on the flat. My office is moving further away from home soon, and thats my real motive for going electric. Downhill is another thing completely. The drag from the motor takes all the speed away. My previous bike had sleek road tyres that could inflate to above 80psi, a rigid frame (no suspension), 700c wheels, and would litrally fly down any hill. However, if I want to speed down hills I can always take out my old bike. If I want a comfortable and strain free ride, the Mistral is perfect. The front suspension, large comfortable saddle and the softer tyres make for a real smooth ride anywhere. BTW my saddle does flip up in order to get the battery out easily (I read above someones didnt). The bike feels a little "loose" compaired with the Claud Butler. I think this is because I just need to get used to the suspension and soft tyres. I also find the riding position leaves me further over the front wheel. I'll have to try sliding the saddle back as far as it'll go. But that isn't a criticism, just an observation. The carrier is good... I intend getting some panier bags. At the moment I just ride with a backpack. Also, the mudguards are a nide addition to a bike. I previously had none and suffered from a wet backside many mornings. I had the Mistral out in the wet and the mudguards really helped. Although, the front one rattles a little. Overall, I am happy with the purchase. I could have spent more on bikes with much the same spec. But The Mistral will serve its purpose very well indeed. It seems to be good value for money, practical and comfortable. It give it 8 out of 10. Only taking the 2 points away for the motor drag. If the motor were brushless, would this have been different? I dont know enough about electric bicycles to say.

Thanks for your input guys. I just ordered a Mistral. I'll post my opinions to the review section when it arrives.

Cycle to work Scheme dont both the British and Irish governments offer a cycle to work scheme which provides reductions on the price of bicyles, albeit through tax relief? Britian: Tax free bikes for work through the Government's Green Transport Initiative - Cyclescheme, provider of Cycle to Work schemes for UK employers Ireland: Welcome | bikescheme.ie - cycle to work scheme I know that if you are in the high tax bracket in Ireland, you can save up to 42% of the price of the bike. Though more relaistically most would be saving 22% But, of course this is dependant on employer participation. And my employer doesnt!

Hi all, I have been looking around the reviews sections of particularly affordable bicycles, and had prety much decided that I was goingto buy a Synergie Mistral. But then by some weird trick of google, I came upon the Sunlova site Sunlova Home Page and spotted their SL-MTB26BL. This bike (along with being cheaper) has a 250W brushless motor as opposed to the 200W brushed motor (if I am right) on the Mistral. However it has a 8.5amp instead of 10amp battery, so the overall power may be the same? Both are 36V. The brushless motor however should have less resistence when pedaling if the battery goes dead. My real reason and question I guess is, has anyone bought or does anyone know off the Sunlova? There are many glowing reviews on here for the Mistral. I havent seen any so far for the Sunlova

Here is what it says on their FAQ section of the website: Q. Do you use Suzhou Bafang motors? A. Yes, but for all the technically minded forum types out there, the SB brushless motor I now get supplied is the QSWXB as I got complaints regarding noise, especially under load, from customers using the SWX01 and the new one is certainly better. It also has a better gearing for hills in my opinion. I'm sure that there are those in the forums who will disagree with what I'm doing but the vast majority of customers simply want a nice quiet motor that will help up hills! And I'm afraid that in a democracy....

Just out of curiosity, how do you derestrict the bike from topping out at 15mph? Anyhow, I cycle a regular MTB at the moment to work and I am looking seriously at the Mistral. The top speed of 15 mph wouldnt bother me too much, as I dont realy think I'd be able to safely go any faster, but I'd be interested to know how to take away that restriction. I live in a quite hilly town and have about a 2 mile cycle to work, about 1 mile downhill and one upphill. I also like to go to the gym at lunch times which is another 4 mile round trip, which I usually rely on a workmate for a lift to and from. I think the Mistral might help out there.