I haven't had another puncture since switching to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (as suggested above), although circumstances mean it's too early to be really sure the problem is fixed.

 

I'm still really p'd off about the time and effort wasted on punctures - it has spoiled the experience.

 

It's now 5 months since the Motus was delivered and I've used it to get to work most days over that time. Other stuff I've noticed:

 

The kickstand isn't very useful. The bike is very heavy and unless I arrange it carefully when putting the kickstand down, it tends to fall over.

 

The kickstand pivot is corroding, as are the pedals where they screw on to the crank arms.

 

The power adjustment buttons won't stay put on the handlebars - they spin round fairly freely despite the screw being done up as tightly as I can manage.

 

The cable routing for the rear light isn't great. It passes through the rear mudguard at the front and along under the mudguard. The clip which passes through the mudguard at the front, containing the cable, came loose and fouled the wheel, necessitating (yet another) tedious and messy removal of the rear wheel to remove it. I've binned the clip and stuck the cable back down with bathroom silicone rather than mess with it any further; it will presumably fail (eventually) when it wears through at the point it passes through the mudguard.

 

To be really picky, there's also:

 

The front light tends to adjust itself upwards over time, ending up shining too high. The rear light *can't be switched off* immediately - it goes off a couple of minutes after the front is switched off - which draws unnecessary and unwanted attention the parked bike, and "you left your lights on mate" etc. It's frustrating that the lights have niggles as they are separate from the Bosch system (which has the option to provide lights) and add the complication of the Shimano dynamo hub etc.

 

It's not that the Motus is a bad machine, but I'm very conscious that it's 2x the price of the equivalent spec Woosh and for that it ought to be really good.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, for anyone else reading this - I've got a 2015 Motus - I see there's now a 2016 model, although the spec seems very similar to the 2015.

The rear light *can't be switched off* immediately - it goes off a couple of minutes after the front is switched off - which draws unnecessary and unwanted attention the parked bike, and "you left your lights on mate" etc.

 

You are probably aware the capacitor in the rear light is there so you still show a rear light when you stop for a short time at traffic lights and junctions.

 

In that respect, it's a good feature.

 

The Busch and Muller rear light on my Rose has a tiny switch which enables it to be switched off instantly.

 

I've never felt the need to use it, and it looks flimsy to me so probably not best used lots of times.

 

Worth checking if the light unit on your bike has a switch.

 

Incidentally, one of the reasons a switch is fitted is to enable you to kill the rear light on a railway station platform.

 

Showing a red light in that location is a big safety no-no from the train operator's point of view.

This is the year my wife and I are hoping to sell one car and buy two ebikes. Our workplace have some pool ebikes that you can borrow and try including the Motus low step and crossbar. We loved them and they made our commute effortless and enjoyable, but they remain the only ebike we've actually tried. A big requirement for us is a local supplier and here in Plymouth we have BikeSpace (a community of interest company) which we are keen to support. They've just started stocking Haibikes whose styling I absolutely love but the Motus would be way more practical, although there's a big difference in torque (40nm vs 70nm). Is that noticeable in normal commuting conditions or more appropriate for off road scenarios?

 

Something else BikeSpace told us is a commitment from Bosch that future batteries would be backwards compatible and we'd want to place the battery in about 3 years.

Edited January 10, 201610 yr by Jason Scott

Something else BikeSpace told us is a commitment from Bosch that future batteries would be backwards compatible and we'd want to place the battery in about 3 years.

 

1. there will always be someone to put new cells in the existing battery case it will cost less and by that time even provide more energy

 

2. about three years if you have to charge every day, how far is your commute?

Not far to be honest, probably only totalling 3 miles each day, so I'm not expecting to charge every day.

OK so 5 years for the battery is reasonable.

I think that removes any concern over battery!

I've had enough of mine and I'm going to sell. What's a good way to sell this sort of bike - ebay, gumtree, etc?

I'm not sure, but I'd tend to try local ads to get local pickup. Would hate to faff around with delivery options.

 

What tipped you over the edge? Other than the tyres, which I thought you'd rectified by swapping them out, was there anything about the bike that causes issues?

 

My wife and I are about to borrow two Motus bikes from work for 7 days so we can do another test of our planned commutes.

Another puncture, at speed, of the (brand new) rear tyre. This time I picked up a piece of metal in it large enough to wreck the mudguard and the cable for the rear light which runs through it.

 

I know it would be a minor fix to an enthusiast, and I know I've been very unlucky with punctures - but I continue to be very unlucky, and feel that every minute I've saved by cycling instead of walking, has been taken up with bicycle maintenance.

You've been unlucky to sever the rear light cable, which I reckon will be a very fiddly fix.

 

If you are buying another make of ebike with wired in lights and mudguards, the cable will probably be routed the same way.

Another puncture, at speed, of the (brand new) rear tyre. This time I picked up a piece of metal in it large enough to wreck the mudguard and the cable for the rear light which runs through it.

 

Thanks to this I have reassessed my notion that Spanish roads have lots of stuff (cr*p) on them. The UK wins again! Or maybe my luck factor is on the roads, how do I switch to "lottery" mode?

I decided to go for a Kalkhoff but it was close.

I've got a Motus crossbar on loan from work for 7 days and will be using it for my commute. I'll put some more thoughts and feedback here as the week progresses.

 

I'm sticking to cycle paths which are a bit slippery and it did feel like I could lock the wheels all too easily!

Hello Motus-owners,

 

A bit of a beginner's question but I have the Raleigh Motus Step Through 2006 and am looking for a cheap-ish tool kit to go with it that has everything the Motus needs in it.

 

I'm not quite sure which tools I'll need as I used to just get help with my non-electric bikes.

 

Now that I am looking to go on tours with my e-bike, I want to be more in control. I will be doing a community course on bike maintenance in June but don't want to wait to get the tools until then.

 

Thanks so much for your advice!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-MTB-Mountain-Repair-Bike-Cycle-Tool-Tools-Kit-Set-Toolbox-Tool-kit-/311669124603?hash=item4890ed6dfb:g:rQwAAOSwCfdXohM8

 

or this is everything.

 

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/park_tool_mk257_master_mechanic_tool_set-ID_69683?gclid=CjwKEAjw85DIBRCy2aT0hPmS1jkSJAC1m9Uvc2Rc6V1qKoiiP66DVyDB2DGpEquTygZ8u2DaEx3i6xoCTrLw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

http://www.all-about-the-bike.co.uk/super-b-professional-bicycle-mechanics-workstation--tool-kit-5370-p.asp

I always carry this.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD_yrShYsqI

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-MTB-Mountain-Repair-Bike-Cycle-Tool-Tools-Kit-Set-Toolbox-Tool-kit-/311669124603?hash=item4890ed6dfb:g:rQwAAOSwCfdXohM8

 

or this is everything.

 

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/park_tool_mk257_master_mechanic_tool_set-ID_69683?gclid=CjwKEAjw85DIBRCy2aT0hPmS1jkSJAC1m9Uvc2Rc6V1qKoiiP66DVyDB2DGpEquTygZ8u2DaEx3i6xoCTrLw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

http://www.all-about-the-bike.co.uk/super-b-professional-bicycle-mechanics-workstation--tool-kit-5370-p.asp[/QUOT

 

Thanks! The reason I posted this here is because I wanted to avoid buying all the tools and just wanted to buy the ones that I need for my particular bike. That way I can take the tools on a trip

 

Thanks anyway though!

you just want a multi tool like above but you need the bike first to see what one will be best sizes wise as i can take most of my bike apart with Alan and hex bits.

you just want a multi tool like above but you need the bike first to see what one will be best sizes wise as i can take most of my bike apart with Alan and hex bits.

Yeah, that's exactly why I posted in the motus thread to see if others have got tools they can do everything on this specific bike with....

I always carry this.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD_yrShYsqI

 

 

Cool, thanks a lot! Does that mean you have found this specific tool has everything you need in it for the Raleigh motus low step?

 

Thanks again!

you want as many Alan keys and hex/torx bits as that is what most of it will be held on buy but have a look at some of these reviews.

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/multi-tool/

 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/teng-tools-ratchet-screwdriver-set-74-pieces/9081F?kpid=9081F&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%2520Listing%2520Ads-_-Sales%2520Tracking-_-sales%2520tracking%2520url&gclid=CjwKEAjwlpbIBRCx4eT8l9W26igSJAAuQ_HGHIFKOK1Qj-ymXq4f5rbfj_xg-4YziZJ07dLdmR2gOxoC1XLw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=COeq8JmPzdMCFYwN0wodxE4Btw

you want as many Alan keys and hex/torx bits as that is what most of it will be held on buy but have a look at some of these reviews.

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/multi-tool/

 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/teng-tools-ratchet-screwdriver-set-74-pieces/9081F?kpid=9081F&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CjwKEAjwlpbIBRCx4eT8l9W26igSJAAuQ_HGHIFKOK1Qj-ymXq4f5rbfj_xg-4YziZJ07dLdmR2gOxoC1XLw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=COeq8JmPzdMCFYwN0wodxE4Btw

Thanks!

 

The first link is very useful! Now I just need to find out what size of torx and Alan keys one needs for the Raleigh motus low step 2016 to pick one.

 

Anyone?

 

(Bought an ex floor model and could not find specifications in the paper work given to me.)

Mine was cheap. But does the jobs it was intended to do OK. Most bikes will have a need for these particular tools at some point. Clickety click.

 

 

Also consider this option. Clickety click.

 

No offence intended in stating that if you don't know what tools you'll need to fix a bike, it's likely that you don't yet have that ability. That last option is cheaper than a cheap tool kit, and it will get you home with your broken bike. No matter what condition it's in.

Edited April 30, 20179 yr by LeighPing

Mine was cheap. But does the jobs it was intended to do OK. Most bikes will have a need for these particular tools at some point. Clickety click.

 

 

Also consider this option. Clickety click.

 

No offence intended in stating that if you don't know what tools you'll need to fix a bike, it's likely that you don't yet have that ability. That last option is cheaper than a cheap tool kit, and it will get you home with your broken bike. No matter what condition it's in.

Thanks so much!

Just bought the cheap one for now and can still look for other fancy stuff in case I ever need to once I have done my bike repair course.

Thanks for the advice!!