September 27, 20169 yr Hi folks I have a flx on order via indegogo and although they are behind schedule I hope to receive a trail in the next few weeks. Any thoughts? Anyone else received theirs as yet? Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
September 27, 20169 yr It's a crowd funding site and he? Has ordered a bike from them. It's delayed but he still expects it soon. Fingers crossed.
September 28, 20169 yr Someone please translate. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/flx-electric-bikes-with-attitude-bike-bicycle#/
September 28, 20169 yr Still trying to tout a bike that doesn't really break the mold in electric bike terms. Nice bike though At least they're not unrealistic with the range figures, like a lot of manufacturers. Is that you soundwave at the 1:45 mark in the video?
September 28, 20169 yr Author The design, the reviews, the options flx have developed, the central hub and integrated battery, the weight (biggest problem with last bike). Oh and a very attractive price for early funders! Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
September 28, 20169 yr My old BHrace with Panasonic drive was well under 19kg and I suspect my current steed is also sub 20kg.
September 29, 20169 yr There is a bike shop in Swindon where you could go for a few test rides. Some of the new bikes are rather nice.
September 30, 20169 yr If that's coming in from USA don't forget to add shipping, then 6% customs duty, then you have to add VAT to that total. Then maybe it's not such a good buy????
September 30, 20169 yr Author Seriously do you not think I haven't thought if that. Such positive vibes from you guys. Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
September 30, 20169 yr don't pay attention to their lack of enthusiam. how much did you pay for the bike?
September 30, 20169 yr I'm sure that it's a lovely bike. It looks more or less the same and the same spec as the latest Oxygen MTB, but with a Bofeili central motor instead of a bafang rear hub motor; however, I can't really see a reason to buy one. Firstly, at $1700 (£1300), it'll end up at over £1600 by the time everything is paid for and I don't believe that that includes the shipping cost, which would probably be over £100. You can get a nice bike with a Yamaha motor with full guarantee and dealer support for less than that: http://www.rutlandcycling.com/318576/products/2016-giant-dirt-e-plus-2-electric-mountain-bike-yellow-blue.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=Cj0KEQjwmri_BRCZpaHkuIH75_IBEiQAIG0rIbAV3zrhcHvhtX7DjWu8cE-cWBs4ECq1hqzN3BVvNy4aAod_8P8HAQ Secondly, I've never seen any bikes in the UK with the Bofeili motor, so if anything happens to it you'd be a little stuck. No other motor can be used in the frame and you can't chuck the motor and put a hub motor in because there wouldn't be a bottom bracket to install the pedals. Thirdly, the bike is made in China. I would say that the FLX guys have been to the Shanghai bike show, seen it there, and are trying to get enough money together to buy a container of them. When they have enough, they get the container and redistribute the bikes. It doesn't make sense to buy a bike that's made in China, shipped to USA and then shipped to UK because you get double shipping costs. You can normally buy single electric bikes directly from the manufacturers in China, which only have a single shipping cost and no distributer mark up. A bike like that would cost about $800 plus shipping, if you bought it directly. You can find such bikes on the various Chinese trade websites. Here's an example of a full suspension one with a Bafang Max-drive motor, for which spares would be readily available and it's more powerful. It's $1200 vs the equivalent FLX at $2300: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/27-5-Full-Suspension-Bafang-Max_60496687656.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.wESAoD Here's a full suspension bike with a Bofeili motor. If you search far enough, you'll find that exact FLX bike under the Chinese brand name: https://wholesaler.alibaba.com/product-detail/Manufacturer-direct-selling-26-inch-250W_60288455325.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.VDzYaT
September 30, 20169 yr I reckon they would ship direct from China to save time and freight. From my perspective, the CD bikes give a little better centre of gravity when you lift the bike and wield it about but there is little difference between a CD motor and a mid-size or large rear geared hub as far as traction and power are concerned. Rear geared hub bikes are cheaper to build.
October 2, 20169 yr Author I'm sure that it's a lovely bike. It looks more or less the same and the same spec as the latest Oxygen MTB, but with a Bofeili central motor instead of a bafang rear hub motor; however, I can't really see a reason to buy one. Firstly, at $1700 (£1300), it'll end up at over £1600 by the time everything is paid for and I don't believe that that includes the shipping cost, which would probably be over £100. You can get a nice bike with a Yamaha motor with full guarantee and dealer support for less than that: http://www.rutlandcycling.com/318576/products/2016-giant-dirt-e-plus-2-electric-mountain-bike-yellow-blue.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=Cj0KEQjwmri_BRCZpaHkuIH75_IBEiQAIG0rIbAV3zrhcHvhtX7DjWu8cE-cWBs4ECq1hqzN3BVvNy4aAod_8P8HAQ Secondly, I've never seen any bikes in the UK with the Bofeili motor, so if anything happens to it you'd be a little stuck. No other motor can be used in the frame and you can't chuck the motor and put a hub motor in because there wouldn't be a bottom bracket to install the pedals. Thirdly, the bike is made in China. I would say that the FLX guys have been to the Shanghai bike show, seen it there, and are trying to get enough money together to buy a container of them. When they have enough, they get the container and redistribute the bikes. It doesn't make sense to buy a bike that's made in China, shipped to USA and then shipped to UK because you get double shipping costs. You can normally buy single electric bikes directly from the manufacturers in China, which only have a single shipping cost and no distributer mark up. A bike like that would cost about $800 plus shipping, if you bought it directly. You can find such bikes on the various Chinese trade websites. Here's an example of a full suspension one with a Bafang Max-drive motor, for which spares would be readily available and it's more powerful. It's $1200 vs the equivalent FLX at $2300: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/27-5-Full-Suspension-Bafang-Max_60496687656.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.wESAoD Here's a full suspension bike with a Bofeili motor. If you search far enough, you'll find that exact FLX bike under the Chinese brand name: https://wholesaler.alibaba.com/product-detail/Manufacturer-direct-selling-26-inch-250W_60288455325.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.VDzYaT The bike isn't shipped to USA first. Secondly any spares will be distributed directly from them. Third EVERY review gave it top marks. Its built tough and to take knocks. More than I can say about some bikes... If this is a success (as its a start up) you'll be hearing more about this firm. Not quite sure how your example is an exact copy....... [emoji6] They haven't bought crates full of ready made bikes.... It's an end to end design and production process. Log onto indegogo and watch the videos instead of immediately being critical without any facts or knowledge of the venture. Anyway I was asking for feedback from people who have either ordered or are interested.... Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk Edited October 2, 20169 yr by bonerp
October 2, 20169 yr It's a standard Chinese bike with a standard Chinese Bofeili motor. The only designing you need to do do is choose which gears and forks you want. I've been to Chinese bike shows, where you will see that sort of bike on many stands. the Bofeili motor has been around for several years, but you won't see it on many bikes in UK shops for the reasons I mentioned. If you think that they're designed to take hard knocks, look what happens to the front wheel in this video. At 1:49, you can clearly see that the tube is out of the tyre. Was it because the rim broke? I'm sure that you'll love your bike when you eventually get it. Show us the photos when it arrives.
October 3, 20169 yr Author If you think that they're designed to take hard knocks, look what happens to the front wheel in this video. At 1:49, you can clearly see that the tube is out of the tyre. Was it because the rim broke? I had the same thing happen on my KTM caused by a puncture entering a corner a lot slower than this. On here they confirmed the wheel was underinflated and biffed the jump landing sideways on the tire, ripped it right off. Would have happened with any tire/rim setup at that PSI when landing sideways off a 5 foot jump. They put that in the campaign video to show people the bikes can take a beating. They were back at it in 10 minutes after an inner tube change. If you follow the build process youll realise it's not bolt and build from existing parts. Edited October 4, 20169 yr by bonerp
October 3, 20169 yr Boefelli used to be more prominent, back in 2013 being the first Chinese manufacturers offering a mid motor. The only problem then, as now, is that the frame needs to be modified to fit the motor, not many vendors went with their motor. Then Bafang came along with their BBS01 with higher torque and fits standard frames. The rest is history.
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