Yes it's the BPM2 motor. It doesn't have regen despite what the dealers tell you. I think it has a display panel from another bike, which shows regen, but, as you rightly point out, the motor has a free-wheeling clutch so regen is not possible.

 

Thanks - I’ve seen the claim for regenerative braking in several places. In particular the Peter Eland review of the Neo Cross, in Electric Bike Magazine issue 4, mentioned that it had regen braking, although he did say it was ‘not that powerful’. One can see why!

Yes - when I was testing it, an icon appeared on the display suggesting that regenerative braking was going on, though of course I had no opportunity to test if it was happening for real!

I think it's just registering the fact that the brake switch is on. That's why nobody can feel anything happen. You would know if you were generating power.

Makes sense.

 

One other quick question, sorry - do hub motors make it more difficult to change rear tyres / repair punctures? Is it tricky to get the rear wheel out?

The very short answer is yes. Having said that, with internal hub-geared machines, a rear tyre puncture can be repaired without resort to wheel removal although an actual tyre change is better performed at home or at your LBS. Again however, it is quite possible to actually change a tyre on many bikes without removing the wheel although it is fiddly and requires a little patience. Derailleur-transmissions are simpler in that regard.

 

Front wheels are no different from regular bikes except for the electrical supply cable which can be unplugged so no problem there.

 

If you have a specific bike in mind, some of our experienced members will be able to provide chapter and verse as appropriate.

 

Indalo

Heres a video of it being done on a NEO Extrem (I assume tha language is spanish but not really needed to get genreal idea)

 

Emotion NEO Xtrem: Cambio rueda trasera - YouTube

 

Apart from motor cable pretty much the same as a normal wheel.

 

Only other real issue is that as wheel is far heavier than normal one due to motor so can make it a bit harder to handle

 

I doubt its much different for most hub bikes although some dont come with the connector making it far more awkward.

I think it's just registering the fact that the brake switch is on. That's why nobody can feel anything happen. You would know if you were generating power.

 

 

Dave while Im really not bothered it it does regenerate or not as it certainly was not a reason why I bought a NEO as Im fully aware that regenerative systems recover very little (10% if your lucky). Why are you convinced it doesnt at all ?. As I have already said BH clearly state it does so and if it doesnt they are laying them selves open to potential large costs and damage to business. It seems to me your argument is based on fact you beleive the motor is a BPM2 motor yet BH nowhere that I can find say what the motor is ?

 

As also said I guess the only way to prove it is some kind of test.

Dave while Im really not bothered it it does regenerate or not as it certainly was not a reason why I bought a NEO as Im fully aware that regenerative systems recover very little (10% if your lucky). Why are you convinced it doesnt at all ?. As I have already said BH clearly state it does so and if it doesnt they are laying them selves open to potential large costs and damage to business. It seems to me your argument is based on fact you beleive the motor is a BPM2 motor yet BH nowhere that I can find say what the motor is ?

 

As also said I guess the only way to prove it is some kind of test.

I spoke with the guys on the BH Emotion stand at the Bristol show. They told me it's a BPM2. Someone else confirmed that later, but I can't remeber who. The BPM motor has a clutch, so regen isn't possible with this motor. The only thing you could do to get regen would be to weld the clutch so that it can't disengage, but that would spoil the normal riding more than the advantage of regen, so it wouldn't make sense. Maybe there'es another explanation, so if anybody knows anything different, let me know.

 

Garry, if you could lift your back wheel off the ground and spin it by hand with the front brake applied while switched on, we'll get the definitive answer. If the wheel spins, you don't have regen, if it stops rather quickly, you do have regen - simples! Let us know the result please.

Garry, if you could lift your back wheel off the ground and spin it by hand with the front brake applied while switched on, we'll get the definitive answer. If the wheel spins, you don't have regen, if it stops rather quickly, you do have regen - simples! Let us know the result please.

 

Will do as soon as I get the chance (Just need to make sure I apply the front brake )

Will do as soon as I get the chance (Just need to make sure I apply the front brake )

What's the result?

What's the result?

 

Not had chance yet will be doing this weekend. With all the rubbish weather etc been getting home late and not been in mood to get bike out of garage and stick on stand to test.

Not had chance yet will be doing this weekend. With all the rubbish weather etc been getting home late and not been in mood to get bike out of garage and stick on stand to test.

 

Right I have tested and based on results it would appear d8veh is correct and that the NEO does not appear to have regenerative braking at least based on the test I did.

 

Details

Put bike on stand.

Span rear wheel up to 20 kph and then counted how long it took for wheel to come to stop.

repeated test but this time applied front brake just enough for the regeneration symbol to come on.

repeated both tests several times and there was no noticeable difference in the time it took for wheel to stop.

 

Does any one who sells them have anything to say ?

While Im not really bothered as brake regeneration in my opinion is next to useless on bikes anyway and certainly was not the reason I bought NEO it does appear to me that based on my test BH are being less than honest about this?

Any one know how to contact BH ?

Thanks for clearing up the confusion Garry. I find it difficult to believe that those that tested and reviewed it and those that are selling it couldn't figure that out from the same simple test.

Makes sense.

 

One other quick question, sorry - do hub motors make it more difficult to change rear tyres / repair punctures? Is it tricky to get the rear wheel out?

 

With an electric bike I think it's a prerequisite to fit puncture resistant tyres to minimise the risk of having punctures.. for the small cost it's well worth doing and it gives you great peace of mind, especially if you're riding a long way from home or in remote places where getting assistance could be a problem.

 

Check out Schwalbe Marathon Plus and others, that have a lining inside the tyre to protect the inner tube.

Garry,Looked up that Ducati ST4-I would love one of those bikes,such a work of engineering art. Just couldn't trust my reactions are good enough to ride one now.

Dave

Kudoscycles

Garry,Looked up that Ducati ST4-I would love one of those bikes,such a work of engineering art. Just couldn't trust my reactions are good enough to ride one now.

Dave

Kudoscycles

 

I dont even trust mine . I dont really use it to anywhere near its capacity any longer but would hate to get rid of it as even just sat on it listening to it whirring and chugging make me smile.

With an electric bike I think it's a prerequisite to fit puncture resistant tyres to minimise the risk of having punctures.. for the small cost it's well worth doing and it gives you great peace of mind, especially if you're riding a long way from home or in remote places where getting assistance could be a problem.

 

Check out Schwalbe Marathon Plus and others, that have a lining inside the tyre to protect the inner tube.

 

These come highly recommended too : Michelin A3 Protek Max Tube | Buy Online | ChainReactionCycles.com

 

 

Ashamed to admit it took me 5 hours on Wednesday night to change 2 tyres and fit a pitlock. About four hours of that was trying to get the rear wheel (and that was on a crank drive) realigned ... have conceded bike upside down is the only possible way - and it's incredibly difficult even then. You can screw the hub bolts back on but it veers over to one side causing contact with the rim brake even when only just being held, even more so as you try to get the chain tight again. The gears moved totally out of alignment during the tyre change and the whole job was difficult. No chance whatsoever of my doing that at the roadside without major ordeal. Best solution definitely puncture minimization. Gradually learning what to avoid doing next time !

Thanks Alex and Morphix - advice duly noted!

Right I have tested and based on results it would appear d8veh is correct and that the NEO does not appear to have regenerative braking at least based on the test I did.

 

 

From what I understand, the regen is in the brakes. If one searches for the exact brake type (tektra agura e-comp if memory serves correctly) one can see it is indeed a brake with regen. It can supposedly be programmed to only engage when the bike is over 10mph (or any setting) in order to massage the feel of it, as engaging in low speeds apparently can feel too strong of a braking affect. I think a better test than doing it on a stand is to try on a nice hill.

Edited January 7, 201313 yr by mr_chompers

From what I understand, the regen is in the brakes. If one searches for the exact brake type (tektra agura e-comp if memory serves correctly) one can see it is indeed a brake with regen. It can supposedly be programmed to only engage when the bike is over 10mph (or any setting) in order to massage the feel of it, as engaging in low speeds apparently can feel too strong of a braking affect. I think a better test than doing it on a stand is to try on a nice hill.

 

The brake only has a reed switch which can be used for various purposes, as a power cutout for example. The Neo's freewheeled motor cannot regenerate.

I've sent an e-mail to them to clarify the situation.

 

I've noticed that I get 0.05% regen on my CST motor. This comes during the time between

cutting the throttle and the motor actually stopping, which can be a couple of seconds, so it's wrong to say that the Neos don't have regen, but the amount is so low that it's insignificant. Maybe that's what they mean.

Thanks for clarifying. So, now the question is, how can BH get away with claiming regen if they do not have it?

how can BH get away with claiming regen if they do not have it

 

But they do...

 

Its not their fault if the bike ride route isn't down hill all the way

Thanks for clarifying. So, now the question is, how can BH get away with claiming regen if they do not have it?

It probably has 0.05% regen like mine, so it's true!

It's easy for them to claim it because a regen sybol appears on the display when you apply the brakes.

 

We'll have to wait for their reply to my e-mail. I think I met the importers on the BH Emotion stand at the Bristol show. They seemed like really nice guys and I don't think that they're out to con anybody, but wer're talking about detailed technical knowledge, which I don't think that they had, and technical knowledge seems to be lacking in the Ebike trade in this country.

It probably has 0.05% regen like mine, so it's true!

It's easy for them to claim it because a regen sybol appears on the display when you apply the brakes.

 

We'll have to wait for their reply to my e-mail. I think I met the importers on the BH Emotion stand at the Bristol show. They seemed like really nice guys and I don't think that they're out to con anybody, but wer're talking about detailed technical knowledge, which I don't think that they had, and technical knowledge seems to be lacking in the Ebike trade in this country.

 

Yep doubt they are trying to decieve as you can find the information on BH's own site so they are just repeating what they have been told.

 

Maxtrack (the BH importers) import quite a range of outdoor stuff and bikes is definately a new arm to them so doubt they have any real in depth knowledge themselves (other than in distribution). You can see the range here Maxtrack - UK Based European Action Sports Distributor