Anyone into electric cycling? Electric Bicycles

[kubel]

I'm on the edge of dropping my bonus check into a Prodeco Phantom X2 (12Ah LiFePO4, 500W motor). I've just been gaining weight at an alarming rate and I need something to encourage me to get out more and shed off this fat. Cycling is the only exercise that I enjoy, but I have AFib, which makes it really frustrating. Electric assist is the crutch I need. The only thing that sucks is I've only really seriously started considering ebikes just this past month or so, and winter is just around the corner...

My requirements in a bike:

1) It has to fit easily in the back of my LEAF, so I'm looking at folding models.
2) I need a 500W+ motor because I'm a fatty.
3) I want as long of a warranty as possible (these things aren't cheap).

::edit:: I pulled the trigger on the Prodeco.

[LeftieBiker]

My EZIP was the bike I bought during the horrible, long, stressful period while I was trying to get the X2 Phantom that I first bought, and that arrived broken, returned and refunded. You can read all about that at endlessphere.com...

[Boomer23]

I'm on the edge of dropping my bonus check into a Prodeco Phantom X2 (12Ah LiFePO4, 500W motor). I've just been gaining weight at an alarming rate and I need something to encourage me to get out more and shed off this fat. Cycling is the only exercise that I enjoy, but I have AFib, which makes it really frustrating. Electric assist is the crutch I need. The only thing that sucks is I've only really seriously started considering ebikes just this past month or so, and winter is just around the corner...

My requirements in a bike:

1) It has to fit easily in the back of my LEAF, so I'm looking at folding models.
2) I need a 500W+ motor because I'm a fatty.
3) I want as long of a warranty as possible (these things aren't cheap).

::edit:: I pulled the trigger on the Prodeco.

Big congrats to you, kubel. Enjoy your new toy. Please post here to let us know how you are doing.

BTW, I got out on mine today after two days of not riding due to rain, full schedule. I enjoyed my ride immensely. Great fall weather and that real feeling of freedom in the outdoors.

[kubel]

It's not scheduled to arrive until Thursday. I'm getting that feeling of anticipation like before I got my LEAF.

[LeftieBiker]

Most people get them delivered fine. I would still suggest you check the battery rack/BMS unit carefully when you unpack it. When there is damage, it always seems to be there.

[LeftieBiker]

I went for a 14+ mile ride today, on a Hillier version of my usual route. Normally my 24 volt, 450 watt EZIP geared motor and chain drive handles hills well, but there were a couple of long uphills that slowed the bike a *lot*. There are regearing options that will make the bike climb better, but they also slow it down, and 17-18MPH assist cutoff is a bit too low as it is... So I was thinking: I have this humongous 20AH Ping battery pack, so why not add a (geared?) front hubmotor and set it up so I can run either motor alone, or even both at once? (The latter would require some heavier wiring, though.) If the rear motor were geared for climbing hills, and the front one for a 25MPH top speed, I'd be pretty happy, I think...

[kubel]

Most people get them delivered fine. I would still suggest you check the battery rack/BMS unit carefully when you unpack it. When there is damage, it always seems to be there.

I have read that they are pretty much guaranteed to break within the warranty, but I also read that the battery rack was redesigned for 2013. I'll still give it a thorough check though.

[LeftieBiker]

The other area that can be touchy is the disk brakes. Mine, ironically, were fine, but many of the Phantoms arrive with warped or misadjusted brakes. They usually work ok, but they squeak, squeak, squeak...

[Stoaty]

Interesting article on the "Copenhagen Wheel" (replace the back wheel with this product and you have an electric bike). Now available to order with shipment in first quarter of 2014 for $699. Be sure to watch the video:

http://insideevs.com/video-mit-backed-c ... -of-range/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pre-order here:

https://www.superpedestrian.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LeftieBiker]

Interesting article on the "Copenhagen Wheel" (replace the back wheel with this product and you have an electric bike). Now available to order with shipment in first quarter of 2014 for $699. Be sure to watch the video:

http://insideevs.com/video-mit-backed-c ... -of-range/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pre-order here:

https://www.superpedestrian.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It uses a small but heavy lead-acid battery. That equals low range (30 miles would be like the Leaf's 100 mile range), high weight, and lower performance. This thing seems to be a solution in vain search of a problem.

Speaking of bicycling, I picked up another EZIP that was acquired from an estate sale. Mine is down with broken spokes, and I decided it made sense to have a backup bike. This one came with four battery packs, for $300 total!