Great news Tim, we've waited a long time for a genuinely powerful quality bike in this price bracket, so it's more than welcome in filling that gap.

.

Volts - Amps - Watts

 

Hi Flecc:

If there's a lot flowing through at very high pressure, that's lots of power. Electrically that's watts, the current flow multiplied in power by the pressure, therefore Amps x Volts = Watts.

 

Thanks for the explanation - that must have taken a while to type and edit - why not publish it on this Forum as a permanent item so that subscribers can pick it up from a conspicuous position "on arrival".

 

Now comes a burning question:

Relating this to the Torq (I'm selfish like that)

What is the correlation between the Torq's Motor having a Nominal output of 200 watts (although I have been convinced by postings on the Forum that it is a 'political' publication and the real output is 250 watts nominal and much more maximum) and

Rated Current 5 Amps, and

Rated Voltage 36 Volts.

to the attainable mileage on one charge ? (No discounts for age of the battery/ambient temperature/Rider assistance.

The battery is quoted as being 10Ah.

 

Amps x volts = watts therefore: 5 x 36 = 180 watts (Have Ezee got a different formula?)

 

Taking up the battery's specification: What correlation does 10Ah have to these basics? will it produce that 5 Amps for 2 hours? I expect that as the battery becomes drained the voltage falls off and with it the available watts.

If 5 Amps equals 15 mph (it probably does not because consumption on the dead flat and none of those many other variables impacting on my feeble maths, the motor is not working at maximum power - I believe 50 to 100 watts was mooted in the recent past on this Forum), then the 30 miles on one battery that I achieved is somewhere near the truth (reality).

If this is correct, we all now know that my pedalling efforts are negligible (but then I knew that all along - I only put in measurable effort when I get to a hill - 4% or more).

 

It's a slow business and a steep learning curve. In a fit of a quest for more knowledge I bought the book "Electric Bicycles by Morchin and Oman". I am stuck on page 23.

 

Peter

Sadly that's a very poor book overall Peter, and we still need a good one on the subject. You can console yourself with the thought that by being stuck at page 23, you're not missing much!

 

That 5 amps nominal is just an approximated average to fit legal requirements, the peak current is 16 amps, hence the 576 watts theoretical maximum power of the Torq and Quando motor with a 36 volt supply. In practice at an estimate of 80% efficiency, a very good figure, the net wheel power is around 460 watts. Of course these assume constant voltage as you've inferred. In practice the eZee Li-ion battery idles fully charged at around 42 volts, the NiMh at around 41 volts. Connect the motor load and the voltage drops, fluctuating according to the motor's rotational speed and loading. Therefore any attempt at definitive figures has little point, since with a Li-ion, the actual gross wattage can be anything from 512 watts to 672 watts

 

From this arises the following conversation:

 

Marketing department: "What's the power of our motor?"

 

Technical department: "What would you like it to be?"

 

 

In rough terms, a 10 Ah battery will deliver 5 Amps for 2 hours, or 20 Amps for a half hour, but in practice, higher discharge levels bring battery internal resistances into the equation, lessening the total available current. This happens on our bike batteries, hence the range inconsistencies in high load (high drain) conditions.

.

Edited March 12, 200719 yr by flecc

Statistics or them other things?

 

 

From this arises the following conversation:

 

Marketing department: "What's the power of our motor?"

 

Technical department: "What would you like it to be?"

 

.

 

Here's another coversation:

"Hello, Hello? Is that the Chinese Trading Standards Office?"

Here's another coversation:

"Hello, Hello? Is that the Chinese Trading Standards Office?"

 

Is that connected with this quote from the internet:-

 

" - - - Foreign Law Enforcement Community, Beijing (better known as FLECC)"

 

True!

.

We took delivery of the first eZee Livs this morning... I went for a quick test ride and ended up doing a couple of circuits of Loughborough town centre.

 

Hmmmm... I guess thats why I didn't see you at the warehouse today

 

The first person to ride one in the UK was a customer who turned up here at the warehouse and decided it was the bike for him and bought one on the spot.

 

And I thought I'd got the honour of being the first! Damn! I must have been in the first few at least - I rode one at 12.45ish (to the Deli, to get some grub )

 

It was great timing to turn up there today, I had a great time trying out the bikes and it was so worth it to do so: everyone was right, you have to try before you buy .

 

The Ezee Liv was my first experience of ebikes, and it was very smooth & comfortable indeed, just as Tim described. Not the most suitable bike for me, as it turned out, but ideal for some others I'm sure: you really must try them first if at all possible, especially if your needs are specific, and if you want to be sure of the right one for you: I tried several different ones today, and they all have different characteristics, but I did find the right one for me by doing so :-)

The Ezee Liv was my first experience of ebikes, and it was very smooth & comfortable indeed, just as Tim described. Not the most suitable bike for me, as it turned out, but ideal for some others I'm sure: you really must try them first if at all possible, especially if your needs are specific, and if you want to be sure of the right one for you: I tried several different ones today, and they all have different characteristics, but I did find the right one for me by doing so :-)

 

I'm waiting for my Liv to be delivered - could you say why the Liv wasn't suitable for you?

 

Mike

Yes Mike, though I did say not the most suitable, not "wasn't suitable" - big difference

 

I tried the Liv & found it to be everything Tim says: a very accurate descrition, and though I haven't tried other ebikes in that price bracket I'm sure it compares very favourably indeed especially for power.

 

But ezees ebikes, like all bikes, are (I think its fair to say) not all designed for the same style of use, and trying the other bikes I found one which better suited my style of riding as I said (I guess I'm more of an urban, racing bike type, you'd say ): this will always be an individual aspect of bikes, so I really shouldn't say bike X is for person type Y or whatever, all I can do is find what works for me and its why I'd encourage (as so many here do) anyone to try out the bikes where possible as I said, aswell as having a clear picture of how you want to use the bike - that will greatly assist one's choice .

 

I could easily have bought a Liv, but getting something more suited to my intended usage seemed worthwhile.

 

But you'd certainly be hard pushed to find a better quality bike than the Liv for the price! I hope that helps?

 

Stuart.

Edited March 13, 200719 yr by coops

Nigel

 

HI coops

did you find it any less powerfull then the other bikes ie sprint quando and rest also how did the weight feel did you try it without power on:D NIGEL.

Hi Nigel

 

The power level was very good compared to others - I think the motor used has been discussed here (brushed, reliable) & is very well suited to the bike - very smooth. I didn't try the sprint & quando as I got distracted by other bikes .

 

Weight was also very good - though I think when I tried it it had lithium battery in. The whole bike seems very refined & has a feeling of "integrity": all the parts work together very well to create a "smooth, seamless" experience. The extras - rear carrier & lights in particular - are a very nice touch and give extra value to what is a complete package.

 

Certainly, while I was there trying out different bikes, I saw one man come in, try out the Liv, buy it & ride away on the bike in very short time, and they are selling very well from what i hear.

 

I think I did try pedalling without power on - its good, but clearly not quite as easy as a non-electric without the hub motor, also freewheel speed downhill is a little slower too, but these are unfair comparisons since it is an electric hub motor bike & thats its primary use: I'd say that, given the long range, it works well in that regard and accelerates quite quickly but sedately to 15mph . The 3-speed gearing was very easy to use and, though widely-spaced, again worked very well with the electric assist.

 

If you're asking about pedalability beyond 15mph, then I'd say its good, but the Torq (for instance) has lower pedalling resistance if you want to go faster.

 

I hope thats a fair reflection of my experience .

 

Stuart.

Edited March 13, 200719 yr by coops

Received my Ezee Liv this morning! I'm now an e-biker:)

 

Setting things up. There's not much to do apart from straighten the handle bars, attach the peddles and then adjust the seat height. I guess this all took 2 minutes. Attaching the computer (an optional purchase) took a bit longer as I couldn't get the counter thingy close enough to the spokes. Eventually the bike was charged up and ready to go so I set off to a friend who lives 2 miles away.

 

First impressions were very good - the bikes well made and feels very solid. It accelerated quite quickly to it's max speed but seeing as the computer wasn't working I can't give a figure. My friend insisted on a run and came back with a smile on his face. After coffee I headed into central London 8 miles away.

 

Gears. The gears worked well and I really didn't have to think about them much. My original intention was to not peddle all the way and see when the battery conked out but I quite enjoyed gently pedalling with the throttle at 3/4s and the gearing was just right for this.

 

The brakes are good - v-brakes in front for quick stops and a roller brake behind for long descents. I just used them both all the time and thought no more about them.

 

The suspension works fine and the ride feels comfortable. I may change the suspension saddle though to a normal saddle though just to get a lower seat height for my wife (5' 3").

 

The battery charge meter shows green, amber and red ... frequently ... it seems to depend on whether you're going uphill at full throttle (red) or downhill just pedalling (green). If you're not using the throttle then it seems to be more honest. I think this is true of all e-bikes today.

 

The lighting is powered by a dynamo on the front wheel with a light at the front and another at the back. Both lights have bulbs. It seems to work OK but I only tried it in daylight.

 

Other extras were a stand which seems well made and a bicycle rack on the back with an in built reflector. Tyres look good.

 

What would I change?

• I'd prefer LED lights running directly of the battery with a switch on the handlebars. It just seems odd to me to have a huge battery under the saddle and yet use a dynamo to power the lights.
   
  
• I intend to stick a frame lock (O-lock) on board with a cable.
   
  
• The tyres are good but, given the choice, I'd prefer those marathon plus (puncture proof) tyres if the price difference wasn't too great.
   
  
• I'd probably prefer no suspension at all if it gave a reasonable weight saving. This would also mean I could have a saddle that would then adjust further down for my wife (5' 3") but then I'll probably do this any way.
   
  
• Fuel cell and 30mph max speed. Am I being unreasonable now?
  

 

Overall I really enjoyed my ride. The bike seems very well made, it has a fair turn of speed, copes well with all the hills we met especially if you gently peddle to help out. When I got back from my ride I managed to get the computer to work by using a spacer made out of a piece of rubber. I immediately set of for a speed test on the road outside my house which has a very gentle incline. It averaged 15.5 mph (no surprise there) with 17.5 downhill and 13.5 uphill but remember this is after an 18 mile ride. I'm very pleased with my purchase!

 

Now all I have to do is convince my wife to use it for her 3 mile commute to work.

 

Mike Robinson

Edited March 14, 200719 yr by Mike Robinson

Excellent Mike, congratulations on your new bike and that fact that it's living up to expectations. The battery meter is as you say, use when throttle off or standing still for accuracy, normal on all these bikes.

 

Sounds like the Liv is what we thought at first, quite a bargain.

 

Marathon Plus are expensive, around £24 each. If you have the Kenda puncture resistant tyres, I've stuck with these to try them out on my two eZee bikes for a change, despite always using Marathons previously, and I've yet to have a puncture after 8 months (Torq) and 6 months (Quando). That's by far the longest I've ever been bike puncture free in 15 years. During this period I've had several trailer punctures so the roads are as bad as ever, the Kendas clearly doing as promised. You could well find the same.

 

For me the Marathons can wait this time until the present tyres are worn out.

.

Nigel

 

Well done

mike wellcome to the wonderfull world of electric bikes i think you have started on a good machine well made and good value for money also good plan to change tyres to marathon plus they are money well spent and thanx for another good road test on your ezee liv.nigel.

yes well done mike, the only problem is if you are anything like me after 18months of ebikeing i still just want to be out there riding. :D

Yes, that's great news Mike!

 

I'm so glad you're pleased with the Liv I'll second what the others have said. Nice review too which I'm sure many will find helpful.

 

I agree the gears were quite intuitive & easy to use (once I'd worked out how the twistgrip changer worked!) - the hub gears are very convenient & user-friendly since you can change gear anytime, even stationary.

 

I forgot to mention that I found it quite easy with motor assist to pedal up a quite steep bridge incline (near the 50cycles workshop) in 2nd gear: all round I think you'll agree the Liv is quite a looker aswell as a mover the first ebike I saw, it is quite a stunning metallic silver colour, very eyecatching!

 

Stuart.

A to B seal of approval

 

The Liv is due to be reviewed in the next edition of A to B magazine and looking at their site today we found that the eZee Liv Plus electric bike (the new eZee Liv with a 37V Lithium battery pack) has been awarded the honour of being only 1** rated bike on their electric price tag page. This means it is uniquely 'highly recommended'.

 

So, early adopters, well done! Everyone else... what are you waiting for?

Nigel

 

By 50 cycles

So, early adopters, well done! Everyone else... what are you waiting for? Hi tim its all good news for the Liv it will be quite high on my list for a second bike what weight is the Liv with the Li on battery thanx nigel.

Almost exactly 28 kilos Nigel.

.

What's the difference between the Liv and the Liv plus?

Is it just a change from Nimh to Lithium battery?

 

Mike

What's the difference between the Liv and the Liv plus?

Is it just a change from Nimh to Lithium battery?

 

Mike

 

Hi Mike, yes, that is the sole difference. We were left with no choice after the price of NiMH batteries rocketed! The bike tested by A to B is from the original consignment of NiMH Livs.

I know this is a very old thread but this is the thread where I gave my first impressions of my Ezee Liv bike and I realise I never gave my "long term" impression.

 

The bike was more of a weekend toy than an everyday commuter but it was kept in my garage and I enjoyed it for the first year. Then the battery died. The replacement battery cost a fortune so I started to just use the bike as a very heavy manual bicycle. A year after that the frame snapped (near the front cog). I rang the English importers again and they shrugged and told me the new ones are better. Hopefully true. I worked out that the bike cost me around £3 a mile. The original tyres on it still look quite new

Jeez. That would have infuriated me. Replacement batteries much cheaper now, lads in the yellow pages might do a quick weld for £20.

Three pounds per mile, seems I'm doing well now at 80 pence per mile. The bike doesn't seem so expensive when viewed in those terms.

Keep the pedals turning.

Hopefully Mike will come back in another eight years and tell us what he's riding now.