Electric bicycles - who buys them?

Electric bicycles - who buys them?

Author
Discussion

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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Cupramax said:
Not sure that’s proving much, I can get my ebike in the back of an S5 Cabriolet with the front wheel off and the back seats folded down, although not standing up like that though hehe
Yes I can get it in the BMW but a bit more faff. I am just trying to prove how brilliant the shape of the car is for transporting bikes. The ability of it standing up is great as it frees up a lot more space beside it and crucially you can put a second one next to it without having to do any piling up.

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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rs4al said:
What Small SUV is that ?
3008

Dog Star

16,079 posts

167 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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Justin S said:
Today I eventually received the contact shims for the wifes LIV. Was pretty simple to fit, with the new shims now in, it pushes the contacts into the battery by a good 5 to 6mm in. I refitted the battery and the bike fired up immediately. That was weird as it usually needs to be powered up on the controller on the bars. I switched it off and it immediately fired back up again. Googling seems to show potentially moisture in the connector behind the steerer.
Check and dry/WD40 or contact clean every connector. The one and only problem I have had with my Haibike that I've used in some shocking wet and muddy conditions was it packing up at GIsburn cycle park - this was a result of jetwashing the bike the day before with the battery out and the cover removed. WD40 solved the problem and I've never had an issue since.

It could be something as simple as that.

Justin S

3,637 posts

260 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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Dog Star said:
Justin S said:
Today I eventually received the contact shims for the wifes LIV. Was pretty simple to fit, with the new shims now in, it pushes the contacts into the battery by a good 5 to 6mm in. I refitted the battery and the bike fired up immediately. That was weird as it usually needs to be powered up on the controller on the bars. I switched it off and it immediately fired back up again. Googling seems to show potentially moisture in the connector behind the steerer.
Check and dry/WD40 or contact clean every connector. The one and only problem I have had with my Haibike that I've used in some shocking wet and muddy conditions was it packing up at GIsburn cycle park - this was a result of jetwashing the bike the day before with the battery out and the cover removed. WD40 solved the problem and I've never had an issue since.

It could be something as simple as that.
We had a replacement controller turn up today and must say after a call from Pauls Cycles yesterday that they are being good and helpful in resolving the problems. I fitted the controller and it was the same as the one we had on there, so wasnt the new sealed version. I said the the bike shop guy I would heat shrink a sleeve over the connector if it is the old one to prevent water ingress. The plug in the loom was left dangling and was dry overnight. As soon as I plugged the battery on, the controller didnt light up, which was great.Then it randomly did . I switched it off and it stayed off for a minute then on it went again. Its not right.
I will sort out getting this shipped back to where we bought it and let them sort it and return it.
I also did check the connections under the plastic skid plate and they were all dusty and not seen water. What plugs I could see , were silicon sealed to prevent ingress.
If I request a refund, we are completely bikeless. There are no XS EB bikes of a decent component groupset out there. It was one reason why we jumped on this bike. A lot of manufacturers dont make them with a stand over height the wife needs. Disappointing none the less, but why they are not getting these issues sorted in the development that relying on consumers to be guinea pigs is not only frustrating but unsafe and ruins any confidence we would be expecting with the product. So, whats next ? I guess by sending it back and saying 'let me know when its fixed' is the solution currently with the lack of options open to us.

PushedDover

5,621 posts

52 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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Justin S said:
We had a replacement controller turn up today .................
tried naming / shaming on Social Media for attention from Giant?

Justin S

3,637 posts

260 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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PushedDover said:
Justin S said:
We had a replacement controller turn up today .................
tried naming / shaming on Social Media for attention from Giant?
Thats not me, as to why I dont go on any social media platforms. In the torrid time the country has been living through for the last few months , I have come to accept the bike. Hate it , yes and love it when it works. Its a problem these bikes ( not all Giants) seem to have with controls and electrics and maybe they need to be better sealed from the off. We dont exactly live in a desert here , so their development should include this moisture. But is my issues moisture ? There has been posts on main controllers and motors being issues. We just changed the handlebar controller. They run on canbus, so any fault can cause issues, although it isnt registering a fault code.
I'll speak to them in the morning now and work out whats best.

PushedDover

5,621 posts

52 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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But I would argue this fault I was lands firmly with Giant- and from reading your posts, it appears they have little interest in resolving.

Phooey

12,574 posts

168 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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Could someone please look over this bike and give me your opinions (Pros and Cons?) on if it's a good one or not. Thanks smile

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-vado-sl-5-...

vindaloo79

959 posts

79 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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Phooey said:
Could someone please look over this bike and give me your opinions (Pros and Cons?) on if it's a good one or not. Thanks smile

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-vado-sl-5-...
It would be good to state what your usecase is going to be, how much road, off road, commuting distance , trails etc.

I’d want full suss for that money but I like to ride it off-road, rough trails and bridal path type stuff as much as possible. What range are do you require from battery? How much assistance? Will a 15.5mph cut off for assistance spoil the ride and mean u need something you can derestrict?




Trophy Husband

3,924 posts

106 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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vindaloo79 said:
Phooey said:
Could someone please look over this bike and give me your opinions (Pros and Cons?) on if it's a good one or not. Thanks smile

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/turbo-vado-sl-5-...
It would be good to state what your usecase is going to be, how much road, off road, commuting distance , trails etc.

I’d want full suss for that money but I like to ride it off-road, rough trails and bridal path type stuff as much as possible. What range are do you require from battery? How much assistance? Will a 15.5mph cut off for assistance spoil the ride and mean u need something you can derestrict?
Only 35Nm power which equates to doubling your input. Probably better options for the money depending upon your needs.

MrVert

4,394 posts

238 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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From recent buying experience...You can get a 50 or 60Nm torque drive for that money, take a look at Cannondale with either Shimano or Bosch units,

I think 35Nm might be a bit light if you’re expecting to feel it. Also the others have 500wh batteries for longer range,

I went for a gravel bike in the end, after a brief relationship with a eMTB, Evans bikes were brilliant and did be a deal to ‘upgrade’ to a more expensive bike.



Edited by MrVert on Saturday 4th July 17:18

Phooey

12,574 posts

168 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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Cheers for replies re the Specialized bike. I need to do more research... was just window shopping whilst having a coffee and thought it looked pretty decent. When / if I finally get round to buying one I want a bike which is 80% road and possibly 20% gravel. Straight handlebars (not drop bars). Reasonably light so i can chuck it on the back of the pick-up, and basically good quality components (Shimano 105 for example).

Justin S

3,637 posts

260 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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PushedDover said:
But I would argue this fault I was lands firmly with Giant- and from reading your posts, it appears they have little interest in resolving.
Called the shop today and said I want it back with them and I guess the boss wasnt around to confirm what to do , so will probably call me Monday. Ironically, I had the battery disconnected since yesterday. Put it back in and we are all normal again and working as it should. Before it would cut out and then its not been switching off. So, what could possible go wrong if we ride it tomorrow ? If it wont switch off, thats what we want on a ride smile
Its still not right and we want to send it back to them to resolve. Sadly its 130 miles away, so we will see what they will arrange. Watch this space !

MaxFromage

1,859 posts

130 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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Hi all. I'm after replacement tyres for my Haibike SDuro Cross, 28"/700c 1.75. It currently has Schwalbe Smart Sams on but practically all my riding is urban roads with the occasional towpath. Does anyone have recommendations for something more road focused? Thanks.

TerryTowling

5 posts

44 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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E MTBs are good for those who are too lazy to climb, but the entry level (i.e. 2k ones) have some terrible forks that you'd expect on a £500 hardtail (standard spring xc). The Haibike ebike frames are pretty nice though.

Cupramax

10,469 posts

251 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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MaxFromage said:
Hi all. I'm after replacement tyres for my Haibike SDuro Cross, 28"/700c 1.75. It currently has Schwalbe Smart Sams on but practically all my riding is urban roads with the occasional towpath. Does anyone have recommendations for something more road focused? Thanks.
Perhaps have a look at Schwalbe Big Bens. Available in 28x 2.0 if your frame will take a bit bigger. I’ve got them on mine and they’re pretty quick rolling.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-big-b...

LukeSi

5,753 posts

160 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Had my first issues with my yamaha intube powered haibike. Keeps coming up err 71 and turning off. It seems to be a connection issue so I've shimmed the connector. The battery had a fair amount of movement before however seems pretty solid now. I've got a proper shim plate being sent out to me rather than my current bodge haha.
Not yet tried it but hopefully solves the issue as it was getting quite annoying having to restart it constantly.

On a side note, I've been finding the Smart Sams the bike came with absolutely rubbish so I've got a Maxxis Assegai and Maxxis Aggressor being delivered today. Hopefully along with going tubeless will make a huge difference to how to the bike rides.

LeadFarmer

7,411 posts

130 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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MaxFromage said:
Hi all. I'm after replacement tyres for my Haibike SDuro Cross, 28"/700c 1.75. It currently has Schwalbe Smart Sams on but practically all my riding is urban roads with the occasional towpath. Does anyone have recommendations for something more road focused? Thanks.
I replaced my Smart Sams with Scwalbe Big Apple on my Cube EMTB 29er for road use.

vindaloo79

959 posts

79 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Phooey said:
Cheers for replies re the Specialized bike. I need to do more research... was just window shopping whilst having a coffee and thought it looked pretty decent. When / if I finally get round to buying one I want a bike which is 80% road and possibly 20% gravel. Straight handlebars (not drop bars). Reasonably light so i can chuck it on the back of the pick-up, and basically good quality components (Shimano 105 for example).
I think something like the Orbea Gain F30 sounds like it may suit you, I believe further back in this thread someone had purchased one, may be worth a look.

https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/Electric-Bikes-UK-Dea...



GSE

2,339 posts

238 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Many of the problems reported here seem to be related to e-bikes that have removable batteries or motors. The bike frame can be subjected to a lot of vibration when being ridden, the electrical connectors and battery mounts need to be able to deal with this vibration. The motor control systems in these bikes will all be computer controlled, so if there is any intermittency in the connectors it’s likely to cause errors, reboots or a shutdown.

My first e-bike was a Boardman with the Fazua system which had a removable battery and removable drive pack. Having a removable battery means that you can charge it in your home away from the bike, and having a removable drive pack means that you can use the bike as a normal bike without motor if you want. But neither of these were much benefit to me as I can charge the bike where I store it, and I never once used the bike without the motor.

I did have trouble with the Boardman - a rattling battery pack and water ingress into the electronics which caused total failure (twice!) I’ve since replaced the bike with an Orbea Gain F31 which uses the ebikemotion X35 system. It’s a simpler system, none of it is removable from the bike, and it’s all hard wired in with no connectors, other than the charge port, which must make it more reliable. I have done just under 1000 miles on the Orbea now, some of it on quite rough terrain, and have had no problems so far.

So when you are looking at buying an e-bike, think carefully about how you will be using it, and charging it, before you make your choice.