If you check out the Alien website, the latest news states that Alien has taken over Synergie which might explain the multiple Roys.

Taken from website

 

March 2010 News

 

AlienOcean have taken over the assets of the Fife based "Synergie" Brand and will now be marketing under both the Alien and Synergie brands.

 

All future Synergie bikes will be designed and manufactured by AlienOcean and will bear the "Designed By Bob" logo. Warehousing and Support will be consolidated over the next few weeks but, in the meantime, sales and online support of both brands will be undertaken by AlienOcean staff.

 

The first "Synergie by AlienOcean" bikes will be on sale in approximately two months and will have Suzhou Bafang motors, 36v 10Ah Battery Pack and will be to European Standard EN15194.

Edited March 23, 201016 yr by neilmeansneil

If you check out the Alien website, the latest news states that Alien has taken over Synergie which might explain the multiple Roys.

Taken from website

 

March 2010 News

 

AlienOcean have taken over the assets of the Fife based "Synergie" Brand and will now be marketing under both the Alien and Synergie brands.

 

All future Synergie bikes will be designed and manufactured by AlienOcean and will bear the "Designed By Bob" logo. Warehousing and Support will be consolidated over the next few weeks but, in the meantime, sales and online support of both brands will be undertaken by AlienOcean staff.

 

The first "Synergie by AlienOcean" bikes will be on sale in approximately two months and will have Suzhou Bafang motors, 36v 10Ah Battery Pack and will be to European Standard EN15194.

 

Thanks Neil, that explains it. So will that mean that I will or won`t get support for Annes Synergie Breeze???

it implies that support for both brands would come from Alien Ocean. As this of the two companies seemed to be the more reponsive one I think its a win for all concerned. The two companies have apparently always been linked anyway.

it implies that support for both brands would come from Alien Ocean. As this of the two companies seemed to be the more reponsive one I think its a win for all concerned. The two companies have apparently always been linked anyway.

 

Yeh! just a bit worrying that they are changing the models and a short wait would have seen her with a Barfang motor:( Mind you, the Breeze does seem to be a great bike, she loves it so that`s all that matters and in the end nothing goes on forever.

Enquired with Alien Ocean when the next consignment of Gents Special II would be in stock. Reply from Bob. 'Equivalent bikes in stock around first week in May'. Equivalent? Maybe another revamp? Rebadging? Chuckle Gents Special III?

I've joined the dead Alien club! The bike lost all power after a long 10~12% climb yesterday evening, all lights went out. Cycled the on/off switch and the lights came back on but as soon as the throttle was touched everything went out again... I've carried out all the usual checks, fuse, battery, volts to the controller, connections, short ccts etc. but no dice, its dead. Looks like I'll be needing a new controller as well. I had to ride the bike for 6miles back without power, not a pleasant task.

I've joined the dead Alien club! The bike lost all power after a long 10~12% climb yesterday evening, all lights went out. Cycled the on/off switch and the lights came back on but as soon as the throttle was touched everything went out again... I've carried out all the usual checks, fuse, battery, volts to the controller, connections, short ccts etc. but no dice, its dead. Looks like I'll be needing a new controller as well. I had to ride the bike for 6miles back without power, not a pleasant task.

 

That wasn`t the kit then? but the Gents special?

 

Just think how fit you are going to be:D

 

All joking aside thats a bit of a bummer. I`ve been deciding whether to get rid of my VW transporter now I`m almost retired but when I go out the wife is normally in and can bring the van. For peace of mind might be worth paying the tax and insurance and keeping it.

Keep us informed as to what happens.

I am thinking of getting an Alien Unisex bike but this series of posts have caused me to reflect! I have a Lafree (5 years old) which nothing has ever gone wrong (except a duff battery charger) I would like a throttle/pedelec bike & this bike is the only one in my price range.

 

Derrick - Llanberis

Edited March 27, 201016 yr by derrick7

Don't let it put you off, these are very good value bikes with good support. Just because a few of use are vocal on the forum doesn't mean these bikes have a problem in some way or are especially unreliable.

I am thinking of getting an Alien Unisex bike but this series of posts have caused me to reflect!

 

As a potential buyer, this forum must be priceless to you when things like this happen Derrick. I think Rus and NRG have had their Alien's a bit longer than me - So far, no problems with the controller or electrics but I am going to be wary of the possibility of this as mine is probably identical.

As a potential buyer, this forum must be priceless to you when things like this happen Derrick. I think Rus and NRG have had their Alien's a bit longer than me - So far, no problems with the controller or electrics but I am going to be wary of the possibility of this as mine is probably identical.

 

Kali

 

I wouldn`t panic on it. the first bike I purchased is actually probably the only one in the country, no body has heard of it but they were sure quick to tell me it was rubbish and now many miles down the road it is still as was running perfect.

Kali

 

I wouldn`t panic on it. the first bike I purchased is actually probably the only one in the country, no body has heard of it but they were sure quick to tell me it was rubbish and now many miles down the road it is still as was running perfect.

 

It's a question of averages, one of the dearest of e-bikes can have an early failure and one of the cheapest ones can be reliable for a long time.

 

Judged in numbers though the true picture emerges over time. Alien for example only short while ago had a large number of battery failures, fortunately quickly changed by the supplier, but now we have the new controller issues. We also hear the forthcoming supplies of bikes won't necessarily be the same, similar to the situation not long ago when buyers didn't know whether they would receive a brush motor or a brushless from them.

 

By contrast, the Panasonic units used in many modern bikes and in Derrick's Lafree have an enviable record of reliability dating from 2001 with only one model change. They aren't cheap, but in the long run they pay off.

.

By contrast, the Panasonic units used in many modern

bikes and in Derrick's Lafree have an enviable record of reliability dating from 2001 with only one model change. They aren't cheap, but in the long run they pay off..

 

I used to work in the TV industry as an engineer and Panasonic broadcast stuff always seemed to be good reliable workhorses if not as "innovative" as Sony (which was prone to all manner of teething troubles) - I expect this philosophy has carried through to their other equipment.

Well, I`ve had several Panasonic TV`s and now this recent 37" plasma that is just a dream machine. Lots and lots of other panasonic gear over the years and never had a problem(fingers crossed) So if there e bike gear is similar then it must be very good. It is the sort of name that in general you can trust.

It's a question of averages, one of the dearest of e-bikes can have an early failure and one of the cheapest ones can be reliable for a long time.

 

Judged in numbers though the true picture emerges over time. Alien for example only short while ago had a large number of battery failures, fortunately quickly changed by the supplier, but now we have the new controller issues. We also hear the forthcoming supplies of bikes won't necessarily be the same, similar to the situation not long ago when buyers didn't know whether they would receive a brush motor or a brushless from them.

 

By contrast, the Panasonic units used in many modern bikes and in Derrick's Lafree have an enviable record of reliability dating from 2001 with only one model change. They aren't cheap, but in the long run they pay off.

.

 

The true picture only emerges over time if you have access to all the data, you don't have that here on this forum. I'm sure the Panasonic units are very good but again you don't have all the data. The Alien bikes come in at a price point where there is likely to be variance in the specification of the product supplied and, yes, the possibilities of issues due to those variables is real but that is no different from many many other suppliers who's bikes cost many £££ more and many top line manufacturers in other industries have proved they are not infallible...Toyota?

 

Flecc your post comes across as damming of the Alien product to potential buyers which I feel needs defending. Because they have now sold out (an indication of a good product pitched and priced correctly for the target market but of poor forecasting and planning) it should not be seen as negative but as a success... and just because the new stock may differ from the old stock it too should not be seen as a negative, the opportunity is now there for Alien to improve upon the existing product of which I'm sure they will do.

If Pioneer built E Bikes they would probably be the best in the world:D

Carlesburg surely

The true picture only emerges over time if you have access to all the data, you don't have that here on this forum. I'm sure the Panasonic units are very good but again you don't have all the data.

 

Nobody has all the data, not even the manufacturer, but I have far more than most via the long term worldwide feedback through my Panasonic support site, the only one there is, plus two way communications with A to B magazine who refer Panasonic tech inquiries to me. In total that's more than good enough to speak with authority on this subject.

 

 

Flecc your post comes across as damming of the Alien product to potential buyers which I feel needs defending.

 

I'm certainly not damning the Alien products since I only stated facts, often common to other low and mid price makes too. I also included the favourable fact that Alien immediately changed faulty parts. Such products are made with generic components and don't have remotely the same degree of development in combination as the integrated design of the Panasonic unit and battery. The fact that the components are individually subject to change, often without notice, is very relevant to that.

 

Everyone is entitled to all this information which is fair and impartial and there is nothing to defend.

.

Edited March 28, 201016 yr by flecc

My Alien is back on the road, I've fixed the controller. One of the phase drive ccts had failed and replacing the o/p mosfet pair brought things back to life.

 

So no controller issues or quality issues just an unfortunate component failure that was easily rectified. One thing for sure I'll do in future is be more circumspect when posting as it's obvious that people read stuff on this board and put 2+2 together and get 5. I don't want to be responsible for any loss of sales just because people misinterpret my postings.

Wow! Pleased at the success of the fix. 'One of the phase drive ccts had failed and replacing the o/p mosfet pair brought things back to life.' Chuckle, the fix is beyond most of the inexperienced's comprehension. Just teasing. A phase drive? from Star Trek? Humour allowed? Good to know it's repaired. How about a glossary? CCTS =? O/P =? Mosfet = some kind of curry enjoyed to celebrate the repair?

Alien GSII battery - Essex / Suffolk / Cambridgeshire?

 

Sad to report that I am still off the road as my bike remains extremely sluggish when the throttle, or pedelec is engaged.

 

The guys at Alien (Roy & Jim) have gone out of their way in trying to resolve the issue & have already sent through a new controller & a new motor, neither of which have gone any way to resolving the issue, but these needed to be tried to better diagnose the problem.

 

That leaves the most likely source of the problem as the battery. Before I go about exchanging batteries with Alien, is there anyone localish to me who owns one of these bikes that I could test their battery on my machine? I live around the Essex / Suffolk borders, but could possibly travel further if anyone is able to help out.

 

Many thanks, Rus.

My Alien is back on the road, I've fixed the controller. One of the phase drive ccts had failed and replacing the o/p mosfet pair brought things back to life.

 

So no controller issues or quality issues just an unfortunate component failure that was easily rectified. One thing for sure I'll do in future is be more circumspect when posting as it's obvious that people read stuff on this board and put 2+2 together and get 5. I don't want to be responsible for any loss of sales just because people misinterpret my postings.

 

Wow! Pleased at the success of the fix. 'One of the phase drive ccts had failed and replacing the o/p mosfet pair brought things back to life.' Chuckle, the fix is beyond most of the inexperienced's comprehension. Just teasing. A phase drive? from Star Trek? Humour allowed? Good to know it's repaired. How about a glossary? CCTS =? O/P =? Mosfet = some kind of curry enjoyed to celebrate the repair?

 

Sad to report that I am still off the road as my bike remains extremely sluggish when the throttle, or pedelec is engaged.

 

The guys at Alien (Roy & Jim) have gone out of their way in trying to resolve the issue & have already sent through a new controller & a new motor, neither of which have gone any way to resolving the issue, but these needed to be tried to better diagnose the problem.

 

That leaves the most likely source of the problem as the battery. Before I go about exchanging batteries with Alien, is there anyone localish to me who owns one of these bikes that I could test their battery on my machine? I live around the Essex / Suffolk borders, but could possibly travel further if anyone is able to help out.

 

Many thanks, Rus.

 

I don't think there is anything to misinterpret in NRG's postings at all (although I do know what a MOSFET is and its purpose in a ebike controller) and I feel it is a shame when people hold back "bad news" out of a misplaced sense of loyalty. IMO better to tell the bad news, and if the company risks losing sales so be it - such are the ways of business.

 

this is a forum where Alien have the right of reply as well, in common with other companies. the facts here are clear - Alien are doing a bloody good job resolving problems - but there does seem to be a reliability issue with the components (something which plagues all the manufacturers in various forms).

 

I would not expect to, nor be happy with having to do component level repairs at my own time and expense on a fairly new piece of equipment I had just spent several hundreds pounds on (despite having the skills, at least with non-SMD components!) I'd class a major component failure in new equipment as a quality issue..

 

And whilst I agree with the facts about the extra reliability of Panasonic systems, even at the high end of the market there was both confusion over the battery capacity/longevity, and Kahlkoff/Derby cycles experimenting on paying customers with the use of a 24 spoke wheel on some models, a practice thankfully now abandoned, but from what I remember it took a lot of fairly acrimonious discussion between customers and dealers to get these things sorted...

Edited April 9, 201016 yr by Alex728

 

My Alien is back on the road, I've fixed the controller.

 

One of the phase drive ccts had failed

 

So no controller issues .

 

?

 

 

One thing for sure I'll do in future is be more circumspect when posting

 

Good idea.

.

Sad to report that I am still off the road as my bike remains extremely sluggish when the throttle, or pedelec is engaged.

 

The guys at Alien (Roy & Jim) have gone out of their way in trying to resolve the issue & have already sent through a new controller & a new motor, neither of which have gone any way to resolving the issue, but these needed to be tried to better diagnose the problem.

 

That leaves the most likely source of the problem as the battery. Before I go about exchanging batteries with Alien, is there anyone localish to me who owns one of these bikes that I could test their battery on my machine? I live around the Essex / Suffolk borders, but could possibly travel further if anyone is able to help out.

 

Many thanks, Rus.

 

I probably live too far away (20 miles north of Norwich) and have an Alien kit fitted and you would be welcome to try but as I said I`m a long way from you.

 

Have you put a meter on the battery? what happens when you turn the charger on? does it go through the normal charging? If it`s not the controller or the hub then it really only leaves the battery! You have obviously gone over the connections with a fine tooth combe?

 

If you want to talk send me a pm or E mail with your landline number and I`ll call you.

 

Dave

Thanks Old Timer, you probably are just a bit too far afield, but I appreciate the offer.

 

I'm now pretty sure it must be a battery issue. The new controller & motor didn't make any difference & yes I have checked all the wires several times over & just can't find a fault - apart from the brake cut out cable, as pictured earlier in this thread, but is not thought likely to be of relevance to this particular problem.

 

Anyhow, I'm off for a weekend away in Worcestershire in my campervan, so if anyone local to me can offer a battery for a brief test please pm me & I will get back to you next week.

 

Many thanks, Rus.