The OFFICIAL E-bike(electric)/green discussion thread

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

http://i41.tinypic.com/e5k5c7.jpg
Hi, that's right, I have an official thread here because this is used to discuss the electric bike which are green/eco-friendly products.

So go ahead and discuss electric bikes that look like scooters and just regular bicycles!

http://www.ebikes.ca/faq.shtml

This is an example of an electric bicycle:
http://www.scooter-electric-gas-motor-scooters.com/scooters/products_pictures/xb-508-pair-angle-electric-moped-bicycle-320.jpg

w00t my first thread in green/eco-friendly sub forum, may it be a milestone for many years to come!

originally a bicycle/ebike thread but most discussion about e-bike and there is already a bicycle thread in the sports section.

[24x7]

Costco has 2 options

$899

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10295530&whse=BCCA&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-CA&s=1

and $1499

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?whse=BCCA&topnav=&prodid=10295531&ec=BCCA-EC5548-ProdID10295530&pos=0F&lang=en-CA

considering costco return policy and better quality products these might be better options.

[1ply]

My bike has a lot more speeds. So far anywhere from 1 to 72km/h.

I haven't had any problems, never have to charge any batteries and any competent person can work on it. I also won't have a $300 battery to replace in a couple of years.

Buy a regular bike and ride it, you'll be surprised what you will be able to accomplish. Your waistline will shrink too :D

[onecoolloser]

Hi, that's right, I have an official thread here because this is used to discuss the electric bike which is a GREEN product.

k so anyways, is this place good?
http://www.daymak.com/bikes-toronto/eb/mainsect.html

and which bike would you recommend?

I want something that can go to the max speed and has lots of power.
and range.

Also I have a question, on the site the smart e-bike says:
Speed: 20-32Km/h(13.6-19.8mph)

while almost everything else says:
Max Speed 32 km/h

so..does that make the smart-bike slow? :confused:

w00t my first thread in green sub forum, may it be a milestone for many years to come!

Heh, thriving to be the "Official" guy? :p

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Heh, thriving to be the "Official" guy? :p

das rite!


also costco's bike doesn't have regen abilities.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

So...what bikes or electric buys do you guys drive? brand and speeds please.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump

[epiphony]

Why do you need an electric bike? Do you have no legs? All that the battery is going to do is weigh your bike down, and make you more sluggish on uphills, increasing your reliance on that battery (which is not "green").

[Steeve Urkel]

Why do you need an electric bike? Do you have no legs? All that the battery is going to do is weigh your bike down, and make you more sluggish on uphills, increasing your reliance on that battery (which is not "green").

Well,
how about if I do have a regular bike but would like to get one for transportation when I am not able to ride my regular bike and don't want to take the bus.

I kind of have the situation right now where I can't ride my bike 2 or 3 days a week and would rather take something other than the city bus.
It's not a place I can walk to, and my other option is a cab/taxi wich is kind of $$ to do.
So, what would you suggest for a 20k max trip on fairly flat roads?

One advantage of an electric bike over a scooter is I don't think you need to pay for insurance for these....

[fredsmith]

What the heck is so 'green' about an electric bicycle?

The batteries are manufactured using ecologically unfriendly materials and they require (depending on ther market) that oil or coal be burned to charge them up - it is a VERY inefficient means to operate a powered device.

Buy a reguar bicycle (less energy involved in the manufacture and the technology is 'cleaner', too). You'll get exercise too.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

But with a regular bicycle, I arrive on time for work all sweaty and eww.

With an electric bike, I arrive on time and no-sweat.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump, added new link, Ebike FAQ

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Bump, come on people, bicycles/ebikes are the new thing man, i totally owned the downtown core today.

[stealth]

What the heck is so 'green' about an electric bicycle?

The batteries are manufactured using ecologically unfriendly materials and they require (depending on ther market) that oil or coal be burned to charge them up - it is a VERY inefficient means to operate a powered device.

Buy a reguar bicycle (less energy involved in the manufacture and the technology is 'cleaner', too). You'll get exercise too.

+1

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

then what makes a car green? same thing, bicycles FTW! cars FTL!

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump, now eco-friendly.

[jwei]

these bikes dont require a M licence or insurance correct?

[epiphony]

then what makes a car green? same thing, bicycles FTW! cars FTL!

Norway recently came out and said that economy cars are no longer able to be labeled eco-friendly/green/etc. I'm with them 100%. Just because you're burning less oil than some other schmuck in a full size or SUV doesn't give you the right to act like a self-righteous jerk, or self label yourself as being "green". "Green" cars are not a solution, they're only a smaller problem. Electric bikes are a smaller problem as well, but still not a solution.

http://www.motortrader.com/25962/Green-car-claims-shot-down-by-.ehtml

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

these bikes dont require a M licence or insurance correct?

that's right! trust me on this one, I did 20+ hours of research, no lie.

Norway recently came out and said that economy cars are no longer able to be labeled eco-friendly/green/etc. I'm with them 100%. Just because you're burning less oil than some other schmuck in a full size or SUV doesn't give you the right to act like a self-righteous jerk, or self label yourself as being "green". "Green" cars are not a solution, they're only a smaller problem. Electric bikes are a smaller problem as well, but still not a solution.

http://www.motortrader.com/25962/Green-car-claims-shot-down-by-.ehtml

thank you for your contribution.

[rabcede]

Hey all,

FYI - those scooter shaped e-bikes are NOT the only option. You can 'convert' any regular bike/trike to electric with a motor/battery kit.

I converted my Raleigh Hybrid with the BIONX system. I really like it and it is everything it promised to be. I get a regular bike, but with the added power boost of the electric motor. It's also fun to go so much faster than 'normal' bike power.

It makes a normally tiring and hilly ride from Finch AVe to downtown Toronto much faster and less 'energy consuming (less sweaty too)' both before and after work. It is also cheaper than transit or driving and sometimes even faster than the ttc.

It uses some energy to recharge, but with this system, you can regenerate the power when braking, peddling or going down hills - making it stay charged for longer and less need for plugging in.

You can also ride you bike without the motor at all - just like any regular bike.

There are some dealers in Toronto - but i found it quite difficult to really get what i wanted. Most dealers didn't really know much - i knew more about the system from my own research. Also - company is Canadian (from Quebec) - so more accountability to the company might be available to us (as canadians).
This system (and others) seems to much more popular out west (especially in BC) - maybe some west coasters can give us feedback from this or other sytems?

And - in ONTARIO - you DO NOT need any licence or insurance, just the regular rules of bicycle riding apply (bell, light, reflectors, helmet etc...)

[_Jason_]

Hey does anyone know anything about Gary Fisher commuter bikes from the 90's? I am thinking about getting one.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Hey does anyone know anything about Gary Fisher commuter bikes from the 90's? I am thinking about getting one.

aww, i feel for ya, noone knows bicycles. Everybody is cars, vans, trucks, suv's these days.

Is this the end of the bicycle/ebike thread?

*shakes 8 ball*

"Outlook not so good."

[mule650]

These bikes are quite the rage this year. It was first year they were legal for us. No license or insurance is required and you can drive them just like any motorbike or car right in with traffic. Some look just like a motorcycle.

Whats going to happen when an e-bike causes a serious accident? What about the dirt-bike style ebikes - are they going to take over the trails?

They do look like alot of fun but without any need to show you can ride a scooter or have insurance they are a huge liability for regular traffic.

The trial is soon over and I'd guess they'll really take off cause they are so cheap compared to a scooter.

Looking into my glass ball I also see them hurting pedal bikers as the insurance issue may end up requiring all road users to be insured and licensed.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

aw man i cant afford insurance anymore =( insurance is for everything now, back in the days, it was just for cars. now theres so many mandatory things insurance is needed for =/

[TheHans]

Has anyone heard of these bikes?

http://www.bakfiets.nl/eng/

The contestants on "Amazing Race" used them last week. So I checked out the site and did some minor research about them for my job and came across this:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=cargobike19&date=20070919&query=bakfiets

Apparently you can buy them in Seattle for about $3,000 U.S. So they're clearly available in the States at least. And if they're $3,000 U.S., they're probably, what, $5,000 Canadian. :-) That's if one takes car prices into account. :-)

Anyway, they seem extremely practical.

The Hans

[IronMac]

A friend of mine in Ottawa purchased an Ecolo Vista SE 2008 model and she's been having some significant difficulties with it. One problem is that her range from a charge has dropped from around 45 kms to about 26 kms.

Is this typical? I know that cooler weather does affect NiMH batteries but a drop of around 50%? :confused:

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

A friend of mine in Ottawa purchased an Ecolo Vista SE 2008 model and she's been having some significant difficulties with it. One problem is that her range from a charge has dropped from around 45 kms to about 26 kms.

Is this typical? I know that cooler weather does affect NiMH batteries but a drop of around 50%? :confused:

yeah, weather plays a big role in mileage. wait until its 20+ degrees, she'll get her km's back.

[IronMac]

Followup here...ok, it's lead-acid battery..duh! My mistake.

I called up the importer/manufacturer (Impact I.S. Design) and asked for customer service and they said they would have someone call me back. No one has done so yet.

My friend's distance per charge has gone from 46-46 kms down to about 25 km. I called BlueAvenue right after I called Impact and they said it should drop down by about 25%.

Another thing is that her mileage started to drop after about four weeks of usage so that would make it around September.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bicycle lanes were dangerous today in Toronto, its filled with snow and verryy slippery.

[Sash[DSL]]

I converted my Raleigh Hybrid with the BIONX system. I really like it and it is everything it promised to be. I get a regular bike, but with the added power boost of the electric motor. It's also fun to go so much faster than 'normal' bike power.

This is really interesting. How much does a system like that cost? Which model did you get? The 250w/350w, NiMH or Li-Ion?

Does it make sense for someone without a bike to invest in something like that + a good light sturdy bike or get one already made?

[Sash[DSL]]

And what about this argument:

"powered vehicle is using the human metabolism to convert food energy into work, with a conversion efficiency of about 25%. That's the first part of the picture, then we have to step back and look where the food energy comes from. In north america and europe, the food is grown with the aid of chemical fertilizers and machinery, it is then transported, processed, packaged, transported, sold, transported again, and finally cooked before consumption. In the end about 10 times more primary energy went in to producing the food than is actually stored in the food itself. The net effect is that for every unit of human energy used on a bike, about 40 times that much was consumed.

By comparison, with an electric vehicle you are taking primary energy from the grid and storing it in a battery at between 60-80% efficiency, and then converting it to work through an electric motor with roughly 75% efficiency. That's a lot more direct than the human route. Once you take into account the energy to manufacture and recycle the batteries, e-bikes end up consuming from 2 to 10 times less fossil fuel energy than their human-powered equivalents. To see more details and references, have a look at the Ebike Energy article.

Also, electric bikes open up cycling to a whole slew of people who would otherwise be driving a car. It's wrong for cyclists to assume that anyone can ride a bike. Many people would like to, but find it impractical or impossible because of hills, distance, health reasons, knee problems, aging, or even the inconvenience of having to shower and change at work. E-bikes suddenly make biking a whole lot more accessible to the 98% of our population who aren't cyclists." http://www.ebikes.ca/faq.shtml#quiz6


Last addition for the night: isn't putting ultra light Li-ION high performance kit on a good road bike total ownage?

http://www.jvbike.com/bikes/CRD_BionX.htm

If this was ~$1000 cheaper, I'd buy it right now. It's rediculous how fast you can go on that.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

^ Vancouver though, also it says its not road worthy/legal.

[Sash[DSL]]

^ Vancouver though, also it says its not road worthy/legal.

The only thing that makes it not road legal is disabled speedlimit " Yes, the speed limit was disabled, and of course this is now an "OFF ROAD USE ONLY" electric bicycle."

You can enable it back by manipulating the menus of the controller.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

;6015503']The only thing that makes it not road legal is disabled speedlimit " Yes, the speed limit was disabled, and of course this is now an "OFF ROAD USE ONLY" electric bicycle."

You can enable it back by manipulating the menus of the controller.

wait wait, time out, so you can modify this "controller" so it can go 32km/h when ur on the road, and faster when your off-road? how fast can it go? I would like to modify my scooter ebike!

[Sash[DSL]]

wait wait, time out, so you can modify this "controller" so it can go 32km/h when ur on the road, and faster when your off-road? how fast can it go? I would like to modify my scooter ebike!

Well, acording to the above link it can go to 35 mph = 55km/h. When I talked about modifying I referred specifically to the Bionx, I read about it on this forum: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/55-review-my-bionx-pl-350-a.html

What bike do you have?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

;6023462']Well, acording to the above link it can go to 35 mph = 55km/h. When I talked about modifying I referred specifically to the Bionx, I read about it on this forum: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/55-review-my-bionx-pl-350-a.html

What bike do you have?

no name chinese bike import from China: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=505140

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump

[Sash[DSL]]

no name chinese bike import from China: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=505140

Is it gone or do you still ride it?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

;6037921']Is it gone or do you still ride it?

I still ride it. So is it possible to modify its speed?

[CSR]

Why do you need an electric bike? Do you have no legs? All that the battery is going to do is weigh your bike down, and make you more sluggish on uphills, increasing your reliance on that battery (which is not "green").

+1, it doesn't even look like it's possible to pedal those "e-bikes"..

[Bullseye]

I've been interested in an electric power add-on package for a bike for awhile now. The cost and the uncertainly have kept me from acting so far, but I'm still looking.

My commute is max 17km one way. Too far to bike manually without being sweaty (tried it a few times). Scooters need insurance and must ride with traffic, which worries be a bit (about getting rear-ended). Currently, I'm driving a Toyota Echo 2-door with manual trans. Cheap to run, plus I get weather protection. ;)

[Sash[DSL]]

As far as added weight - this is dead on the key issue with electric bikes. VAST majority of the weight the modification adds to your bike is the battery; there are acid batteries, NiMh batteries and Li-Ion batteries. The former is the heaviest and cheapest, the latter is the lightes and most expensive. The relative inefficiency of use of the energy by the motor causes the need for a very high capacity battery to be installed, making the entire set-up both heavy and expensive.

The high-end models currently only add ~16lbs of weight to your bike which isn't that much. A light road bike(~22-24lbs) combined with one of these is still lighter than most mainstream bikes of similar size @ major retailes. Crystallite model is about ~$1300, Bionx is ~$1600.

I feel that there is much potential for this once R&D takes off; currently, the motor is placed on the actual wheel and bypasses bike's transmission. There are some inventive individuals that modified their bikes so that the electric motor helps drive the crank versus the wheel itself and the speeds they reach are far beyond of those possible with current set-ups. Once this idea enters mainstream manufacturing, we will see much less power required to acheive same speeds.

There's another idea I'd like to add to this: foldable bikes with electric motor: http://nycewheels.com/birdy-electric-folding-bike.html
The idea of combining an electric bike with public transit is quite enticing. For instance, commuting on TTC within Toronto area is very quick and reliable as long as you are on the subway line. Once you have to connect a bus route to the subway, the commute becomes quite bothersome. For instance, you could take the subway downtown and commute around the downtown core on your ebike, much quicker and more reliable than taking the streetcar/bus. Also, this essentially takes care of the possibility of running out of power as you can just hop on a bus if that was to happen. Of course, this doesn't work as well during peak hours.
Another issue is the road conditions. All folding bikes with no exception have very small tires, thus you can't really go very fast, otherwise one bump and you are out.

[stealth]

Interesting thread, although I dont see what makes these any more "E" than a Vespa, and a whole lot less cool.

powered vehicle is using the human metabolism to convert food energy into work, with a conversion efficiency of about 25%. That's the first part of the picture, then we have to step back and look where the food energy comes from. In north america and europe, the food is grown with the aid of chemical fertilizers and machinery, it is then transported, processed, packaged, transported, sold, transported again, and finally cooked before consumption. In the end about 10 times more primary energy went in to producing the food than is actually stored in the food itself. The net effect is that for every unit of human energy used on a bike, about 40 times that much was consumed.

This part is just laughable. As if owning one of these bikes means the operator will never have to eat again, lol. The environmental issues with elctric power have already been mentioned so I wont repeat them.

That being said, if I lived in the downtown core and didnt rely on my vehicle for work, I would totally get a Vespa or something like this. But living here in Miss/Oak, I have yet to see one in real life as they arent very well suited to the burbs.

[ShadowVlican]

Interesting thread, although I dont see what makes these any more "E" than a Vespa, and a whole lot less cool.


This part is just laughable. As if owning one of these bikes means the operator will never have to eat again, lol. The environmental issues with elctric power have already been mentioned so I wont repeat them.

That being said, if I lived in the downtown core and didnt rely on my vehicle for work, I would totally get a Vespa or something like this. But living here in Miss/Oak, I have yet to see one in real life as they arent very well suited to the burbs.
the way i read that quote, is that just by BEING ALIVE as a HUMAN BEING, we are negatively affecting the environment

and yea, these aren't practical for the suburbs, but they sure work well in DT

[Bullseye]

That being said, if I lived in the downtown core and didnt rely on my vehicle for work, I would totally get a Vespa or something like this. But living here in Miss/Oak, I have yet to see one in real life as they arent very well suited to the burbs.

Really? I've seen a few scooters around Burlington and Oakville. I pass one guy every day on Rebecca st (3 seasons per year, anyways). I figure it's mostly Sheridan students.

[Sash[DSL]]

Interesting thread, although I dont see what makes these any more "E" than a Vespa, and a whole lot less cool.


This part is just laughable. As if owning one of these bikes means the operator will never have to eat again, lol. The environmental issues with elctric power have already been mentioned so I wont repeat them.

That being said, if I lived in the downtown core and didnt rely on my vehicle for work, I would totally get a Vespa or something like this. But living here in Miss/Oak, I have yet to see one in real life as they arent very well suited to the burbs.
I agree that it's a weak argument. However, the environmental issues with electric power are predominantly related to the batteries. As I wrote earlier, there's much potential for increases in efficiency, at which point the capacity of the batteries required will be less, thus less environment damage. Not to mention alternative energy sources, i.e. Hydrogen Fuel Cells.

[stealth]

;6045374']I agree that it's a weak argument. However, the environmental issues with electric power are predominantly related to the batteries. As I wrote earlier, there's much potential for increases in efficiency, at which point the capacity of the batteries required will be less, thus less environment damage. Not to mention alternative energy sources, i.e. Hydrogen Fuel Cells.

Agreed, a big part of the problem is the batteries. The thing is, batteries have made such little progress in the past 100 years even, so I have to wonder why that is? Something inherent in the technology perhaps?
As to hydrogen....I think its fools gold. The dangers involved due to high pressures it requires as well as instability, will preclude consumer use, IMO. But time will tell. But I'll send you a check for $5. if hydrogen becomes widely available in my lifetime. :)

[stealth]

Really? I've seen a few scooters around Burlington and Oakville. I pass one guy every day on Rebecca st (3 seasons per year, anyways). I figure it's mostly Sheridan students.

Ya, makes sense. No I havent seen any personally, but I have seen the shop on Speers that sells them.
I think it'd be great to have one, but they just arent practical for my life. I have my GM license (used to have a motorcylce, which are deceptively inefficient) so have some options, but doubt I could cost justify one.
Plus people drive too crazy out here to chance it:evil:
the way i read that quote, is that just by BEING ALIVE as a HUMAN BEING, we are negatively affecting the environment



I was hoping that wasnt what the writer meant, but who knows?
Either way its a heck of a stretch to justify a scooter!

[GangStarr]

Interesting thread, although I dont see what makes these any more "E" than a Vespa, and a whole lot less cool.



It's pretty simple, the E stands for Electric. Vespa's run on gas.

[stealth]

It's pretty simple, the E stands for Electric. Vespa's run on gas.

ahhh...ok. Actually never occurred to me... I thought E stood for Eco or Environmenal or something trendy like that.

[Sash[DSL]]

But I'll send you a check for $5. if hydrogen becomes widely available in my lifetime. :)

Hah, Ill hold you to that.:)

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

ahhh...ok. Actually never occurred to me... I thought E stood for Eco or Environmenal or something trendy like that.

I see...I will change the title eventually then.

;6065807']Hah, Ill hold you to that.:)

me too.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump. Will change title hopefully within 5 business days.

[babaji]

I like riding bikes, but I don't own one. Anyone know where I can get a cheap bike?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

I like riding bikes, but I don't own one. Anyone know where I can get a cheap bike?

There is a bicycle store on Spadina ave north of Dundas and south of College, it is on the right hand side if going northbound.

OR

There is a bicycle store on Queen Street, across from Trinity Bellwoods park.

[stealth]

AR, what do you pay for insurance on your elec bike?

Out of curiosity, I got an online quote (Primmum) for myself for a $3000 Vespa to see what it would be (30-something, clean record, driving since I was 16, motorcylce license since I was 20, living in burbs etc.). It came out to a whopping $654! Ridiculous. Thats not much les s than I pay for my SUV which is worth much more than $3000 and gets used all year round.
With insurance costs like that, I dont know how many people could justify a moped/ebike.

[Bullseye]

AR, what do you pay for insurance on your elec bike?

Out of curiosity, I got an online quote (Primmum) for myself for a $3000 Vespa to see what it would be (30-something, clean record, driving since I was 16, motorcylce license since I was 20, living in burbs etc.). It came out to a whopping $654! Ridiculous. Thats not much les s than I pay for my SUV which is worth much more than $3000 and gets used all year round.
With insurance costs like that, I dont know how many people could justify a moped/ebike.

When I was looking at a Honda Ruckus scooter, I was quoted around $150 for the year. Similar situation to you, age and location-wise.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

AR, what do you pay for insurance on your elec bike?

Out of curiosity, I got an online quote (Primmum) for myself for a $3000 Vespa to see what it would be (30-something, clean record, driving since I was 16, motorcylce license since I was 20, living in burbs etc.). It came out to a whopping $654! Ridiculous. Thats not much les s than I pay for my SUV which is worth much more than $3000 and gets used all year round.
With insurance costs like that, I dont know how many people could justify a moped/ebike.

I don't pay insurance. I have an ebike, by law it doesnt need insurance.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/e-bike-faq.htm

[BrianCheung]

Question:

Who bikes in the winter? Where can I get snow tires for a bike, and where can I get them mounted and installed?

I plan to bike to school and back during the winter and I have a feeling that icy roads will be the norm.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Question:

Who bikes in the winter? Where can I get snow tires for a bike, and where can I get them mounted and installed?

I plan to bike to school and back during the winter and I have a feeling that icy roads will be the norm.

I bike to school and work! I am RANDY, sometimes for no reason I drive and pay for parking. Any bicycle store will have snow tires for a bike and will install it for a fee, you're looking at $50~ per tire & installation. Google works.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

so my bicycle has tons of rust now due to rain and snow... is it possible to remove the rust? if not if I get a new bicycle, how much and where can I get it rust-proofed? Also I heard you have to rust-proof yearly, true or false? do explain.

[masterhapposai]

Agreed, a big part of the problem is the batteries. The thing is, batteries have made such little progress in the past 100 years even, so I have to wonder why that is? Something inherent in the technology perhaps?
As to hydrogen....I think its fools gold. The dangers involved due to high pressures it requires as well as instability, will preclude consumer use, IMO. But time will tell. But I'll send you a check for $5. if hydrogen becomes widely available in my lifetime. :)


gotta clone Tesla

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump for unanswered question, bump for justice.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump, rust is a serious issue.

[CSR]

bump, rust is a serious issue.

Salt is your bike's worst enemy, don't ride in the snow.

If you must, wash it off with clean water everytime.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Salt is your bike's worst enemy, don't ride in the snow.

If you must, wash it off with clean water everytime.

Thank you, now was that so hard for everyone to say?

[stealth]

so my bicycle has tons of rust now due to rain and snow... is it possible to remove the rust? if not if I get a new bicycle, how much and where can I get it rust-proofed? Also I heard you have to rust-proof yearly, true or false? do explain.

Try google.
I've never heard of rustproofing a bike, usually because most bikes dont see snow.
Whatever rust you now have can be sanded off, and then apply primer/paint.

Different kinds of rustproofing. Some which are basically a light misting with a thick oil, should be re-applied annually. Others including a spray of a tar like substance are more or less permanent. At least this applies to cars/trucks. Again, never heard of it for a bike, as bikes dont typically have much sheet metal to protect anyways.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Try google.
I've never heard of rustproofing a bike, usually because most bikes dont see snow.
Whatever rust you now have can be sanded off, and then apply primer/paint.

Different kinds of rustproofing. Some which are basically a light misting with a thick oil, should be re-applied annually. Others including a spray of a tar like substance are more or less permanent. At least this applies to cars/trucks. Again, never heard of it for a bike, as bikes dont typically have much sheet metal to protect anyways.

Thanks, I didnt know you could sand rust right off! I thought if I did that I would damage the wheel and make a hole thus making the bicycle de-safetied and if I was riding the wheel were to give away, that would be epic failure and injurious!

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Interested in a carbon road bike. Anyone have one? Are they really that good and light and fast?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Anyone know where I can get a paintjob for my bicycle? like a good one, not those crappy spray can jobs.

[Sash[DSL]]

Interested in a carbon road bike. Anyone have one? Are they really that good and light and fast?

Why carbon? Isn't aluminium lighter?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

;6225742']Why carbon? Isn't aluminium lighter?

Actually, it totally depends on many factors.

[fuzzylogic]

Salt is your bike's worst enemy, don't ride in the snow.

If you must, wash it off with clean water everytime.

i would suggest oiling the frame/gears/etc. when you put it into long term storage to prevent rust from forming, unless it's a beater

[Rosico]

Hey - AR - is this your bike?! EDIT: yup, and it's for sale on rfd as well - is the body damage fixed now?

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-2007-500-Watt-Yellow-e-bike-bicycle-W0QQAdIdZ31562291

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Hey - AR - is this your bike?! EDIT: yup, and it's for sale on rfd as well - is the body damage fixed now?

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-2007-500-Watt-Yellow-e-bike-bicycle-W0QQAdIdZ31562291

Yup, I have to wait for it to be shipped back to Canada.

edit: nvm, gg.

[almostfreeman]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the any of the DIY conversion kits available ... If so what type? Where did you buy from?

Found this video on a DIY conversion http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/6/1/1287/76804

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the any of the DIY conversion kits available ... If so what type? Where did you buy from?

Found this video on a DIY conversion http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/6/1/1287/76804

guess no one has any exp. If you get one let us know how it goes.

[smithinparis]

I converted my bike last year to a 36 v system, and really enjoy it.
I live 30 km from work, and have biked to work in the past on several occasions, but biking 30 km in the morning (leaving at 5:30 AM) and working the whole day, then biking 30 km home really takes a lot out of you – especially when I’ve got a couple of toddlers at home waiting for me.
Wanting to drive less, I started looking at my options, and figured I’d shell out $1000 to rig my bike up with an electric drive system.
When I first started off, I got a lot of my information from a small bike shop in Vancouver (www.ebikes.ca), and I tried to place an order through them - but unfortunately they ended up having some technical difficulties and I had to place my order elsewhere. After firing off some emails, I placed an order with a guy out of Toronto (www.evsolutions.net), and had a terrible experience with him. At his defense, he is a strong advocate regarding electric bikes, and really knows his stuff, as well electric bikes are not exactly mainstream - so sourcing equipment can be difficult. However, I had to spend from May to August constantly hounding him for the status of the parts. He ended up shipping me the wrong hub, actually meant for some poor guy in Oakville, and I had to listen to him complain that he didn't have any money to ship my equipment (my $1000 had long since been spent on his end). So basically, great guy, but terrible businessman.
I'd strongly suggest buying from ebikes.ca, and I'd avoid evsolutions.net at all costs.
As for the technical aspects of my bike, I bought one of the smaller crystalyte motors (a 406), and I've found that it works beautifully. There is a lot of discussion regarding the need for a big motor versus a small motor, and I've found that the 406 works great at tackling all sorts of hills, and keeps me going at about 30 - 36 km/h just fine (of course slower up hills). I wouldn't bother with a larger motor.
Regarding the batteries, look to spend a decent penny on them. I bought a 36 V, 8 Ah NiCd pack, and it will take me roughly 15 km at top speed with little or no peddling. I'm now looking to buy a new battery pack (another 36 V, 8 Ah) but it will be NiMH this time to shave off some mass. I would strongly recommend that you invest in a good, lightweight (no SLA), high capacity battery, because that is the only disappointment I have with my bike - basically it can travel up to 36 km/h, but I have to back off on the throttle so that I can extend the distance that the batteries will take me.
Hope this helps!

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

thanks for your story, although I stopped going green. Why? because I go green and the world trashes my green product.

[almostfreeman]

Been looking at some hub motors and something a bit lighter than SLA's when it occurred to me than DIY bikes probably don't meet the requirements for the Ontario pilot.

One of the requirements appears to be a label :

* Only electric bicycles that conform to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act regulations and labelled as a "power-assisted bicycle" are eligible for the pilot.


19. What does an e-bike label say?

Sample label THIS VEHICLE IS A POWER
ASSISTED BICYCLE AND
MEETS ALL THE
REQUIREMENTS UNDER
SECTION 2(1) OF THE
CANADA MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY REGULATIONS.


CE VÉHICULE EST UNE BICYCLETTE
ASSISTÉE ET RECONTRE LA NORME 2(1)
DU RÈGLEMENT SUR LA SÉCURITÉ
DES VÉHICULES AUTOMOBILES DU CANADA.

Manufacturers of e-bikes must permanently affix a label, in a conspicuous location, stating in both official languages that the vehicle is a power-assisted bicycle as defined in the regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.


Would hate to spend $1k for bike conversion only to find that I'm not allowed to ride it on the road. Does anyone have any clarification on this? What steps would you have to take if you want to make your DIY ebike legal?

[smithinparis]

There are no worries about the electric conversions versus pre built as long as you follow the rules - of which there are a few very simple ones. On the MTO website (for Ontario), there is a really helpful FAQ:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/e-bike-faq.htm

Just some of the highlights:
The top speed must be less than 32 km/h - your typical 36 V system will basically meet this by default.
The peddels must be accessable for it to be considered a bike
The motor cannot be larger than 500 W output power
You must have a label on it saying that it meets all the regulations.
You must wear a helmet.

Keep in mind that there are no safety inspections (like for cars), so there are no worries about people going over your bike with a fine tooth comb.

Also, bikes (electric or not) don't draw very much attention to themselves, so your likely never going to have to defend your conversion.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Been looking at some hub motors and something a bit lighter than SLA's when it occurred to me than DIY bikes probably don't meet the requirements for the Ontario pilot.

One of the requirements appears to be a label :





Would hate to spend $1k for bike conversion only to find that I'm not allowed to ride it on the road. Does anyone have any clarification on this? What steps would you have to take if you want to make your DIY ebike legal?


Buy the sticker/label. I did.

I got pulled over for going 45 in a 30 zone. Of course I showed the cop my label and showed my max speed was only 30 and the cop let me go.

[almostfreeman]

There are no worries about the electric conversions versus pre built as long as you follow the rules - of which there are a few very simple ones. On the MTO website (for Ontario), there is a really helpful FAQ:

Just some of the highlights:
The top speed must be less than 32 km/h - your typical 36 V system will basically meet this by default.
The peddels must be accessable for it to be considered a bike
The motor cannot be larger than 500 W output power
You must have a label on it saying that it meets all the regulations.
You must wear a helmet.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/e-bike-faq.htm


The power-assisted bicycle pilot is authorized by Ontario Regulation 473/06. In this regulation, the legal definition of an e-bike refers to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle. For the full definition, please see subsection 2(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

You can tell an e-bike is an e-bike by its label.

note section 19 of the ebike FAQ states : the Manufacturers of e-bikes must permanently affix a label, in a conspicuous location, stating in both official languages that the vehicle is a power-assisted bicycle as defined in the regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.


Buy the sticker/label. I did.

I got pulled over for going 45 in a 30 zone. Of course I showed the cop my label and showed my max speed was only 30 and the cop let me go.

I would assume you didn't get the sticker from Transport Canada. Just asking for trouble if you are using a fake.

NATIONAL SAFETY MARKS

Prohibition

(3) No person shall use a national safety mark except as authorized by this Act.
Confusing marks

(4) No person shall use a mark other than a national safety mark in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for a national safety mark.


OFFENCES AND PUNISHMENT

2) Every individual who contravenes any provision of this Act

(a) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both; or

(b) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for term not exceeding two years, or to both.



http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/m/mvsa/act/mvsa.html

[almostfreeman]

Driven earlier this year in downtown New York, the vehicle attracted little attention. Driven later in Montreal, the artist's hometown, it merely received a police warning. But everyone should have known things wouldn't go so easily in Hogtown (Toronto) [...]

"Cruising at speeds of up to, oh, 12 kilometres per hour," writes gallery director Dave Dyment on the Mercer Union website, "we drove nine blocks (from Lisgar to Strachan) before being pulled over by the police." The charge? "Operating an unsafe vehicle."


New York = unnoticed, Montreal = police warning, Toronto= busted

Video of pedal car in action and Toronto's finest putting and end to all the fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSwig1tgUtY&eurl=http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?p=8845

[smithinparis]

AFM,
One of the quotes on the MTO website states:
A label affixed by the manufacturer that states in both English and
French that the vehicle is a “power-assisted bicycle” as defined in
the federal regulations.
And beside it offers a black lable that states:
Sample Manufacturer Label
It's not referring to obtaining a provincially or federally approved certificate, it plainly states that it must be A label, in English and French that says it is a power assisted bike that meets federal regulations.
Either way, it's a silly point to argue. Most 36 volt conversion kits meet all the requirements, either by default, or by deliberate coding in the controller (as in the BIONX kits) so either ordering a sticker from the government (I don't know where you would go for that) or printing one off with confidence shouldn't be an issue.

[ben_liu]

Hello, i am thinking of purchasing a mid-range road bike in spring; fixed gear'ed or a hybrid, can anyone recommend any bikes for around $500 brand new or used (probably can get a way better deal with used). I have no idea of where to start. I will be using bike to commute. Any help would be lovely!

[almostfreeman]

Hello, i am thinking of purchasing a mid-range road bike in spring; fixed gear'ed or a hybrid, can anyone recommend any bikes for around $500 brand new or used (probably can get a way better deal with used). I have no idea of where to start. I will be using bike to commute. Any help would be lovely!

You may find some useful info in this thread http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520603

another forum which might help http://www.bikeforums.net/

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump for Spring! and new links

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581623

^ Bike got stolen, how sad.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571418

^ Tune ups info

[Sash[DSL]]

bump for Spring! and new links

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581623


^ Tune ups info

The guy is a crybaby IMO. If it had been a $1000 bike with a $1700 bionX kit attached to it, there's something to cry over for sure.

I'd like to contribute this to discussion:
http://www.greenspeed.us/bionx_montague_paratrooper_electric_bike.htm

Too bad these arent available in Canada. Jv cycle is starting something similar but not quite. This takes care of theft issues as in most cases it will be very easy to take this indoors/on public transit. According to people on bikeforums, it is very possible to get a foldable mountain bike with 350W/36V Li-ion battery BionX kit with a weight of around 48-50lbs.

[LuckyOne]

Ya, the Bionx Montague Paratrooper is bad azzz. That's just an awesome looking bike. I want one, but $2375 !?! Thats crazy. It would take a lot of rides to work to realize some savings...

[mannyb]

Are there any e-bike retailers in Mississauga? The ones I know of are mostly in Toronto.

[hibachi13]

hi, just wondering what everyone would suggest for a gel seat? should i get a replacement saddle or just a cover? and i have noticed that there are different styles of seats?

[oyster]

hi, just wondering what everyone would suggest for a gel seat? should i get a replacement saddle or just a cover? and i have noticed that there are different styles of seats?

I got a gel cover which works better and cheaper to replace.

[kilimats]

I was planing to get the I-Zip electric bike from Canadian Tire but after doing some long research with my friend google, I find out that for a little more you can get so much more :cheesygri

I am currently emailing this company http://www.ezridebikes.com about their products and should soon order their EZ005 model, a small folding bike just like the canadian tire I-ZIP folding bike but with

Li-Ion Baterry
brushless motor (noise free motor therefore near zero maintenance)
In-Wheel battery (you can use a full size cargo and less weight distribution improve making the ride more stable)
Full suspension
26 kg with battery
20" wheels
Disk brakes
40km range with top speed of 32 km/h

So it seems that it will do everything better, the price is a bit higher of course but a lot less than what other store charge for a full feature bike like this

I will post a review on here with video and photos if i get one :-)

More info on their website: http://www.ezridebikes.com/ (their website is not the greatest, but i care about the bike not the website, lol)

Here is a picture of the EZ005 (currently priced at about $1200 - no extra tax)
http://ezridebikes.com/DR005%5B1%5D.jpg
THey also have a full size bike, EZ008 (currently priced at about $1450 - no extra tax)
http://ezridebikes.com/tn_3.png

If anybody have seen or tried this bike, please post your opinion / review

Official Topic: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601762

[kilimats]

Ya, the Bionx Montague Paratrooper is bad azzz. That's just an awesome looking bike. I want one, but $2375 !?! Thats crazy. It would take a lot of rides to work to realize some savings...

Agree, Bionx is really overpriced i think.

See my post above, an affordable alternative :)

[almostfreeman]

I couldn't see myself riding a bike with 20" wheels ...

for $1200 you could build a nice conversion using a WE kit

[smithinparis]

kilimats,
I ride an electric bike to and from work, and in my case it was just a conversion kit that I bought piece by piece. From my experience, the key to having a good ebike is in the sizing of the battery. All the other features (motor capacity, folding, tire size, ...) is secondary.
My ride to work is 30 km, and I had originally figured that I'd set my bike up with a 36V 8Ah battery pack (NiCd) which would give me roughly 2/3rds the assistance needed to ride the whole way. So my choice was to either bike slower (25km/h) the whole way with easy peddling, or crank the throttle open ride 32 to 36 km/h and expect to peddle the last 5 to 10 km.
Well that got old really fast because I spent so much on this bike, and couldn't really use it to it's full potential.
I've since bought a second 36V 8Ah pack, and love the bike.
Assume that with a 36 V 10 Ah LIon pack will take you a little more than 15 km at full speed with average hilly terrain (with easy peddling). Just something to keep in mind so you know what to expect.

[kilimats]

kilimats,
I ride an electric bike to and from work, and in my case it was just a conversion kit that I bought piece by piece. From my experience, the key to having a good ebike is in the sizing of the battery. All the other features (motor capacity, folding, tire size, ...) is secondary.
My ride to work is 30 km, and I had originally figured that I'd set my bike up with a 36V 8Ah battery pack (NiCd) which would give me roughly 2/3rds the assistance needed to ride the whole way. So my choice was to either bike slower (25km/h) the whole way with easy peddling, or crank the throttle open ride 32 to 36 km/h and expect to peddle the last 5 to 10 km.
Well that got old really fast because I spent so much on this bike, and couldn't really use it to it's full potential.
I've since bought a second 36V 8Ah pack, and love the bike.
Assume that with a 36 V 10 Ah LIon pack will take you a little more than 15 km at full speed with average hilly terrain (with easy peddling). Just something to keep in mind so you know what to expect.

thanks for the warning, but this bike comes with a LI-ION battery, less wight and more powerfull, The bike description says that the battery will last 40km on electric only and 80km with pedaling (assist mode)

:)

[kilimats]

I couldn't see myself riding a bike with 20" wheels ...

for $1200 you could build a nice conversion using a WE kit

did the research, couldn't approch this pricing with same features/quality

please tell me what better deal you have in mind for $1200

But I agree, 20 wheel is not for everyone, I want 20" because $200 cheaper than the 26" model, a bit lighter, better torque, fit easily in my car trunk, can be carried in my office at work next to me, so I don't have to worry :-)

on the downside.....will go a little slower than the 26" version and the ride style a bit different, but i think we just have to get use to it, a learning curve :)

[Sash[DSL]]

IMO 1200-1450 is overpriced for this. Take a look at JV bike. It is local to you: http://www.jvbike.com/bikes/VFR_BionX.htm They have lots of builds with BIONX and according to my communication with them, they can take any regularily stocked bike and put a Bionx kit on it.


According to my research, although BionX is expensive to boot, you really do get what you pay for. For one thing, their Li-ion kits are LIGHT. The lightest there is right now. PL-250 with a 36v Li-ion battery is only 14 pounds. Add a ~25 pound bike(not very expensive to hook that up) and you've got a set that's under 40 lbs total.
In this case we are looking at a 55lb folding bike. IMO that kind of weight defies the point of having a folding bike altogether. Its functionality as a folder is essentially limited to keeping it in a car trunk and storing it inside the house easily.
Furthermore, BionX 36v li-ion battery is rated for 45-100km range http://www.bionx.ca/en/main/default/31.shtml& and according to user reviews these are actually very conservative estimates. You can get 20-30% more distance with these. Even more if you reverse feed energy into the battery on downhills. In order to acheive similar results with cheaper kits, i.e. Crystallite or Wilderness Energy you'd need two batteries. Of course, batteries are the most expensive part so at this point a BionX kit will actually end up cheaper.
Lastly, I've read many reports that BionX batteries last over two years with minimal losses in capacity. Meanwhile, many owners of cheaper kits complain that their batteries start loosing capacity after 6 months and die in just over a year.
Bottom line is that if you cheap out you may end up paying twice. If you need a budget solution, best way to go IMO is a moped. http://westernmass.craigslist.org/bik/716177327.html

+almost forgot the warranty. Bionx stands by the stuff they sell. If you buy a cheap MIC kit you are pretty much on your own.

[mannyb]

I got a folding e-Bike from here: http://www.electro-wheels.com/Electric-Bikes.html for $550.

The "Dalan" model is no longer on their website. The bike works well other then the lead acid battery weighing a ton.

[kilimats]

;6995896']IMO 1200-1450 is overpriced for this. Take a look at JV bike. It is local to you: http://www.jvbike.com/bikes/VFR_BionX.htm They have lots of builds with BIONX and according to my communication with them, they can take any regularily stocked bike and put a Bionx kit on it.


According to my research, although BionX is expensive to boot, you really do get what you pay for. For one thing, their Li-ion kits are LIGHT. The lightest there is right now. PL-250 with a 36v Li-ion battery is only 14 pounds. Add a ~25 pound bike(not very expensive to hook that up) and you've got a set that's under 40 lbs total.
In this case we are looking at a 55lb folding bike. IMO that kind of weight defies the point of having a folding bike altogether. Its functionality as a folder is essentially limited to keeping it in a car trunk and storing it inside the house easily.
Furthermore, BionX 36v li-ion battery is rated for 45-100km range http://www.bionx.ca/en/main/default/31.shtml& and according to user reviews these are actually very conservative estimates. You can get 20-30% more distance with these. Even more if you reverse feed energy into the battery on downhills. In order to acheive similar results with cheaper kits, i.e. Crystallite or Wilderness Energy you'd need two batteries. Of course, batteries are the most expensive part so at this point a BionX kit will actually end up cheaper.
Lastly, I've read many reports that BionX batteries last over two years with minimal losses in capacity. Meanwhile, many owners of cheaper kits complain that their batteries start loosing capacity after 6 months and die in just over a year.
Bottom line is that if you cheap out you may end up paying twice. If you need a budget solution, best way to go IMO is a moped. http://westernmass.craigslist.org/bik/716177327.html

+almost forgot the warranty. Bionx stands by the stuff they sell. If you buy a cheap MIC kit you are pretty much on your own.

Guess what, I've been to JVBike store twice last week in Downtown Vancouver, tried the BIONX PL350 and the Crystaline series 4. Here was my thoughts on both kit

BIONX PL350

Pros:
-It is very light Light
-Smart pedaling assistance
-battery quick release

Cons:
-The regenerating brake shakes the bike and makes a noticeable / annoying noise. I guess you can disable it but would reduce the battery range by at least 10%
-The BIONX throttle feels awkward, maybe not mounted properly
- The cheapest LI-ON model cost $1200 (thats already the cost of the Bike EZ005 I posted above)
- It is very rare to find a folding bike that can have the battery mounted on the frame and not the rear rack (JVBike had one but price at $1500 alone, so with battery it was above $2500)

Crystaline Series 4

Pros:
-Quicker than BIONX PL-350 (the bike was similar)
-Less noise (no regenerating brake)
-Smoother acceleration compared to BIONX PL-350
-Throttle feels a lot better
- Almost twice cheaper than PL-350

Cons:
- Twice cheaper and more powerful than PL-350 because Battery used for the bike I had was heavy like hell (I was some NiMh batteries in series)
- No Pedaling assistance
- Battery must be installed on the bike rack


OK, so that was my thought when I did a test ride at JVbike.

Now let me explain why I do not agree with your arguments

you said that 1200 and 1400 is overpriced for this bike and you recommend BIONX
Like I said above, cheapest BIONX kit on LI-ON is $1250 (PL-250), so thats already the price of the EZ005, after you can add the Bike price , install fee and tax. so getting the same feature as EZ005 (full suspension and disk brake) with BIONX PL-250 end up being over $2500, I haven't seen any normal folding bike with such features under a $1000

You said that BIONX is expensive but you get what you pay for:
I do agree that there system is well built, but the only thing that I like compared to the EZ005 is the Smart Pedaling assistance.
Don't be fooled by the range you get from the BIONX, the level 1 range puts very little power, PL-350 on level 1 felt really nothing while pedaling, thats how they get the 80km range. On the other hand, the EZ005 gives you 40KM range without pedaling. But I will make sure to confirm it for the review once I place my order

You said that BIONX is light combined with a 25lb bike
The dahon Speed D7 from JVbike is a 25lb bike , it is sold at $475, now add the the PL-250 + tax = you got yourself a $1900 bike with no suspension and disk brakes. not for me !!!

you said that BIONX bike can weight 40Lbs when combined with a good bike
Weight with an alectric bike is not as important as a normal bike because on flat or going down the hill the weight isn't noticeable, only going up hill and thats usually where the electric motor is used.
In fact when i ride the Crystaline bike at JVBike store with the heavy as hell batteries (it was like having 2 computer UPS in the rear rack, really !), I did not feels that pedaling on flat was harder, just going on moderate slop was somewhat harder
SO the difference between a 40LB and 55LB ebike is really really REALLY nothing ! (except maybe when putting in the folding bike in the trunk, but still, thats nothing)


you said that BIONX battery last over two years
that cannot be a valid estimate because it all depend on how many charge you do, a Li-On battery does above 600 charge usually. I frankly don't think that BIONX has a magic trick to exceed the normal Li-on battery range :o

So overall, I beleieve that the EZ005 comes way ahead of BIONX bikes

- you get a full option Li-on ebike for $1200
- Battery In-wheel, so more space on a bike and better weight distribution

And yes, you said that I might end up paying twice in the end if the bike quality isn't good
From the photos and the few user review found on google, I am confident that this bike is well built, Again, I'll make sure to put that in my review :-)

Feel free to continue arguing, I'm just looking for the best deal out there :)

[kilimats]

I got a folding e-Bike from here: http://www.electro-wheels.com/Electric-Bikes.html for $550.

The "Dalan" model is no longer on their website. The bike works well other then the lead acid battery weighing a ton.

lead acid batteries are outdated, think Li-Ion for ebike, thats the way to go for weight and longevity

[mannyb]

lead acid batteries are outdated, think Li-Ion for ebike, thats the way to go for weight and longevityThe additional cost of li-ion equipped e-bike was beyond my budget. There's a value cost ratio that is different for everyone and with one 2 year old and a 2nd baby coming in Aug I had to make a choice that was within my means.

[kilimats]

The additional cost of li-ion equipped e-bike was beyond my budget. There's a value cost ratio that is different for everyone and with one 2 year old and a 2nd baby coming in Aug I had to make a choice that was within my means.

yes, budget is the other argument of course :)

[Sash[DSL]]

...

Feel free to continue arguing, I'm just looking for the best deal out there :)
Will do. :)
You are comparing apples to oranges in various points thoughout your argument. First you compare low-end 250w BionX to EZ005 that must have at least a 400w motor inside if it promises 20mph with no pedalling. Second, you compare crystallite 4 series which is the low end model from crystallite to BionX PL-350 that's the high-end model from BionX line-up.

I agree fully with your point about 10-15 pounds not being a great difference if all you do is put the bike in the trunk. However if you were to use the bike for a commute where you combine public transit and biking, that difference would be immence. Also Bionx has a neat feature that I believe has not been discussed here. The battery is mounted on a sled so it can slide on/off easily. If you get a BionX motor on a front wheel, you can lock the bike outside, take the wheel and battery with you so you dont have to worry about $2000 equipment sitting outside. Mounting a bionX kit is actually very easy, there's a youtube video that shows it being done. Besides, a standard or folding bike with a BionX kit added uses standard components. If those wear out/break they are easily replaceable just as components of BionX are. The EZ005 has battery built into the rear hub apparently which is a clever idea except it seems that the bike becomes useless once the battery goes. It seems the website belongs to dealer who simply purchases the bikes from manufacturer and resells them. It does not seem like anyone is concerned about customer satisfaction or quality here.

Disc brakes and suspension are completely unneccessary for city riding, deteremental if anything. This EZ005 is a no-name bike built by a company that does not specialize in bikes. How well engineered can it really be? I think one should not chase after a certain set of features below a certain price point. You have to be reasonable about what you can get for your money at this point in time. Seeing something cheaper is a good reason to be very sceptical, that's all. Again, if this was a product from a reputable company that has proven over the years that it stands behind its products, things would be different. But it simply isn't so I'd be very sceptical about trusting any specs/faq's/warranty info1 posted on their website.

As for battery lifetime estimates, it is data I gathered from various users of BionX on bikeforums. Number of charges in fact has little to do with Li-Ion's battery lifetime because these batteries loose capacity even if stored unused. Most of the time they die out long before the number of charge cycles is used up.
I do not believe BionX figured out a way to trick their batteries out of dying. I simply believe they use higher grade cells to build them which is why they get more capacity than competitors at the same voltage/amperage. If you ever bought Li-ion batteries for laptop/camera/camcorder/PDA off ebay, you'll know what I am talking about here. They are cheap, made by no-name manufacturers and usually promise to exceed original OEM capacities but in fact perform worse and die out much quicker.

Finally I must say that the same JV bike sells ezee kits for $1200. Spec-wize these seem very comparable to PL-350, even in weight. http://www.jvbike.com/ezee.htm How about another trip to JVbike to test one of these out?

[kilimats]

;7006886']Will do. :)
You are comparing apples to oranges in various points thoughout your argument. First you compare low-end 250w BionX to EZ005 that must have at least a 400w motor inside if it promises 20mph with no pedalling.
nop the EZ005 has a 250 peak power :| (make sure you visit their website lol)

Second, you compare crystallite 4 series which is the low end model from crystallite to BionX PL-350 that's the high-end model from BionX line-up.
true, but I just wanted to share my experience with different kit, one way cheaper than the other. Comparing kits was my goal !

I agree fully with your point about 10-15 pounds not being a great difference if all you do is put the bike in the trunk. However if you were to use the bike for a commute where you combine public transit and biking, that difference would be immence.
If you read again, when i test ride the crystaline with the very heavy battery, I felt no difference when pedaling on flat. Only major difference was raising the bike because it was at least 60 pound more than the PL350 model (yes , that heavy !! lol )
So, I do not agree with you here. A good example, is the supermarket caddy harder to push when it is full ? :)

Also Bionx has a neat feature that I believe has not been discussed here. The battery is mounted on a sled so it can slide on/off easily. If you get a BionX motor on a front wheel, you can lock the bike outside, take the wheel and battery with you so you dont have to worry about $2000 equipment sitting outside.
Good point, i'm pretty sure the EZ005 or EZ008 can have both wheel removed, so same thing. I'll double check I receive the bike in 2/3 weeks

Mounting a bionX kit is actually very easy, there's a youtube video that shows it being done.
Saw that the other day, still...with all the cables and troubleshoot...it won't easy for everyone !

Besides, a standard or folding bike with a BionX kit added uses standard components. If those wear out/break they are easily replaceable just as components of BionX are. The EZ005 has battery built into the rear hub apparently which is a clever idea except it seems that the bike becomes useless once the battery goes.
Dealer told us that a wheel/battery replacement is $550, very fair price !!! (i wonder how much is the BIONX battery alone :| )

It seems the website belongs to dealer who simply purchases the bikes from manufacturer and resells them. It does not seem like anyone is concerned about customer satisfaction or quality here.
I thought that too, but the company owner respond to all my email and we even chat for an hour total on gmail chat, I was very pleased with his support !!

Disc brakes and suspension are completely unneccessary for city riding, deteremental if anything.
Who told you that we ride our bike in city only ? how about rain ? how about speeding ? YES !!! Disc brake is a huge improvement over V-Brake
And the full suspension is for making your bike comfortable, having some back pain, this was a must for me

This EZ005 is a no-name bike built by a company that does not specialize in bikes. How well engineered can it really be? I think one should not chase after a certain set of features below a certain price point. You have to be reasonable about what you can get for your money at this point in time. Seeing something cheaper is a good reason to be very sceptical, that's all.
So true, But i have decided to take the plunge. Why ?

- Amazing customer services ! I am confident that the bike was built to last (Can't wait to confirm that once I receive it :-)
- Company owner sent me some more pictures so I could see a more detail on the quality ( you can see them here: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601762 )
- cheap (but yeah..that doesn't mean anything lol)
- And it seems to me that this bike does everything better than others (and i'll make sure to do a video review after playing with it outlining the GOOD and the BAD)

Finally I must say that the same JV bike sells ezee kits for $1200. Spec-wize these seem very comparable to PL-350, even in weight. How about another trip to JVbike to test one of these out?
Yes, saw that too but the price remains the same as BIONX....$1250, thats already the full feature ebike I keep talking about, not worth it to me... I prefer to risk some $$$ and try the EZ005 :o

[kilimats]

repost

[Sash[DSL]]

Oh so you ordered it already? Where did it ship from and how much was the shipping?

[kilimats]

;7008202']Oh so you ordered it already? Where did it ship from and how much was the shipping?

Yes, total was $1195, I will pick up in Vancouver directly from the company owner, I have arrange a meeting there :-)

see this other topic for more info: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601762

[Black_Mage]

Looking at getting a slightly used TidalForce M-750 bike. Owner is asking $1200. Looks pretty good to me, reviews are solid. Concerned about getting replacement parts for battery/motor, as the company discontinued their e-bike line. Thoughts?

Other option for me would be to purchase a new bike, and get a BionX kit. I looked into Crystalyte and others, but I would probably stick with BionX for simplicity, as I am not an expert on maintaining bikes, or the electronics.

[kilimats]

Looking at getting a slightly used TidalForce M-750 bike. Owner is asking $1200. Looks pretty good to me, reviews are solid. Concerned about getting replacement parts for battery/motor, as the company discontinued their e-bike line. Thoughts?

Other option for me would be to purchase a new bike, and get a BionX kit. I looked into Crystalyte and others, but I would probably stick with BionX for simplicity, as I am not an expert on maintaining bikes, or the electronics.

BIONX and Crystaline seems to be a better option than a used ebike with no manufacture support

other option is what I did, read this topic for more detail: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601762

[bluewaker]

You're in riverdale...a high school student, and you want an electrical bike? Man, vespas and the like, seem to pertain to an older audience. I certainly do not see any highschool students riding these things...maybe in Japan but not too many in Canada. I ride a kona around town, on my own legs. I don't see the necessity in buying an electrical bike. It's more costly than normal bikes, probably harder to maintain and the majority aren't very pretty. In addition, most people look at you and go "what the..." followed by "what a lazy bum" when they realize youre just riding a bike with a motor on it.

EDIT: I would heavily reccomend the completely human-powered way (To the riverdale student, specifically) unless the place is really out of your way or else I figure (if you ride your bike enthusiastically...ie learning a little bit of bunnyhopping, etc) that you may as well get a hybrid or something that doesn't have as many components, thus reducing the chance of a breakdown whether now or later.

[mannyb]

You're in riverdale...a high school student, and you want an electrical bike? Man, vespas and the like are for older people. I ride a kona around town, on my own legs. I don't see the necessity in buying an electrical bike. It's more costly than normal bikes, probably harder to maintain and look like ...****. You look like 100% dork when you ride one.Please keep your criticism constructive.

[Sash[DSL]]

You're in riverdale...a high school student, and you want an electrical bike? Man, vespas and the like, seem to pertain to an older audience.... or later.

No contribution to the thread in this post. Epic Fail

[ShadowVlican]

canadian tires has two of their electric bicycles on sale ($150 off i believe)

any comments? would the police give me trouble for riding it on the sidewalk?

[kilimats]

canadian tires has two of their electric bicycles on sale ($150 off i believe)

any comments? would the police give me trouble for riding it on the sidewalk?

their electric bikes are single speed with metal acide battery, very heavy !
maybe cheaper but not worth the money !
If you go electric, your budget needs to be above $1000 in order to get quality component and riding experience

if your budget is around $500, just get a very light folding bike (or normal bike, up to you of course), jvbike.com has many to try out in Vancouver Downtown

love this one: http://dahon.ca/dh/speed_P8.html
http://dahon.ca/dh/images/bikes/speed_p8.jpg

If you have the $1K budget, i recommend this one: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601762
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/kilimats/ezridebikes/DR005.jpg

hope this help !

[Mike Skinner]

Has anyone seen these really big and obnoxious "bike lockers"?

What is the point of those?

[kilimats]

Has anyone seen these really big and obnoxious "bike lockers"?

What is the point of those?

what do you mean ? :confused: :confused:

[Whitewind]

Anybody see the new 2009 Kona line? The steel Honky Tonk looks nice, only thing it's missing is STI brifters

[habsfan93]

Has anyone seen these really big and obnoxious "bike lockers"?

What is the point of those?

I know which ones your talking about..they have some of them at Nathan Phillips Square.
The point of them? To lock your entire bike and keep it safe...
Its basically a really big bike lock.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

I know which ones your talking about..they have some of them at Nathan Phillips Square.
The point of them? To lock your entire bike and keep it safe...
Its basically a really big bike lock.

+1, they can't take what they can't see. So if its a Trek Madone or a beater, they won't know, unless they're scouting the locker 24/7

[skuric]

Can anyone suggest a NON-BUSY simple way to get to King's College Circle (Spadina & College approximately) from the High Park area (Bloor St West & Keele) by bike?

I'd like to avoid as many cars as possible until I get really comfortable city biking in TO. I've looked a bit on Google Maps to find a simple way to get to Spadina & College but I didn't really see anything... if it has to be a little complicated, is there at least a non-traffic heavy way of getting there?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Can anyone suggest a NON-BUSY simple way to get to King's College Circle (Spadina & College approximately) from the High Park area (Bloor St West & Keele) by bike?

I'd like to avoid as many cars as possible until I get really comfortable city biking in TO. I've looked a bit on Google Maps to find a simple way to get to Spadina & College but I didn't really see anything... if it has to be a little complicated, is there at least a non-traffic heavy way of getting there?

I was gonna say bloor st, but theres tons of cars, but via bike you'll go zoom since all the cars on the curb lane are usually parked after x time.

Worst case, you go take Queen st W all the way to Spadina and go up Spadina as there is a small bike lane, although not marked officially.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump, mods plz merge this (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=625385) thread with mine as its related.

[eskimono]

Anyone biked east from Toronto's Pearson Airport all the way to St. Clair and Bathurst?

I'm looking into going on Eglinton --> east, its about a 15Km trip. I'm wondering if anyone has experience going this route: safety, traffic, best time of day, better routes, uphills/downhills, etc.

Thanks

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bumpp for the thread merge request.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bump for eskimono.

[kilimats]

bumpp for the thread merge request.
:|

[bchk]

http://www.bentrideronline.com/Buyer's%20Guide/velomobileguide.htm

One of the first things I would get if I won the lottery :cheesygri

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

looks like shimano is to release an electronic dura ace group! how many of you are excited?

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-1-8-17691-1,00.html

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

bumpp

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

looks like shimano is to release an electronic dura ace group! how many of you are excited?

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-1-8-17691-1,00.html

Meh, not big news. There has been electric shifting on bikes for about a decade now.....so meh.

Its so much more expensive then mechanical shifting....and until they get really creative with the possibilities of it, its not worth it.




My parents were in Blegium this summer for a bike tour they did(Belgium-spain and back in 2 weeks-2400km). They were telling me that in Belgium the government pays you per km to ride a bike to work. Sounds awesome.

[peppy5]

looks like shimano is to release an electronic dura ace group! how many of you are excited?

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-1-8-17691-1,00.html

more excited that campy is coming out with 11 speed than shimano's electric shifting.

anyway, picked up this ebike recently.

http://www.tailg.com.cn/Photo_Show.asp?PhotoID=173

[ShadowVlican]

Meh, not big news. There has been electric shifting on bikes for about a decade now.....so meh.

Its so much more expensive then mechanical shifting....and until they get really creative with the possibilities of it, its not worth it.




My parents were in Blegium this summer for a bike tour they did(Belgium-spain and back in 2 weeks-2400km). They were telling me that in Belgium the government pays you per km to ride a bike to work. Sounds awesome.
but here in Toronto, the POlice will be on your arse and ticket you

[cheepopeepo]

Most ebikes are so cheaply made. The batteries won't last, plastic is disposable. Every retailer knows it's a hot item, they just want to make the sale of the flimsy junk. Every one that I rode rattle and shuddered, they are all death machines. The poor quality of the batteries will only last you half a year if you're lucky. I heard some people bought it new, rode it 2-3 blocks and the battery died, even though it was fully charged. I'm glad I never bought any of this crap, better off to spend my $ on my cars. Trust me, buy a ebike and you'll most likely regret it. Throw your $1700 my way instead of out the window.:lol:

[IronMac]

I'd have to say that I'm very skeptical about ebikes...a friend of mine purchased one in Ottawa last year and the battery has already been replaced. Unfortunately, it seems that the charger is problem now. Plain garbage from what I can tell.

[Becks]

Someone told me their bike's battery died and they had to pedal home, which was a task since the tires are small and there's only one(?) gear.

[Sash[DSL]]

Disagreed with above 3 posters. Not all ebikes are cheap crap; however, be prepared to shell out some serious dough in $2000-$2500 range for a quality ebike that will last. The key here is to be realistic with how much these things are supposed to cost given the stage of developement this market is in and volume of production.

[IronMac]

Actually, my Ottawa friend did pay around 2 grand (or was it more?) for hers.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

with the recent state of the economy these things are now more pratical. I should go repair mine.

[Greywolf67]

with the recent state of the economy these things are now more pratical. I should go repair mine.


Yes you should go repair your bike!!

Fact is they are a growing section of the E powered bike world. Add to the fact 2009 is the deadline for the Ontario Government to set final rules.

There is a push on to Unite E-Bikers and rally this summer some time at Queens Park. In the hope Ontario follows most of the rest of Canada and leaves the Scooter Style in as an option for people who want it.

1000 E-Bikes at Queens Park HQ
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46587480126

Plus there are a few groups growing on facebook of Scooter Style E-Bike fans.

I love my bike, and I work with a group of guys who mainly ride Hog's, I mean guys who would drink whiskey from a broken glass.

I took alot of guff about my ride, but after they saw it does not bug me as to their opinion of a scooter, it's now just a fun thing, plus it helps I joke with them about me doing a custom job to it and giving it a West Coast style :D
They fall over when I say I will add long forks and a wide arse back tire.

Plus it's just down right fun to pass by a Gas pump and thumb your nose at the price of gas !!!!!!!

My Baby......can't wait for CT to put the saddle bags on sale again!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/greywolf1967/XPh004.jpg

[0p0rat0r]

Getting a good quality ebike doesn't have to cost a fortune. Consider the below components mostly from ebikes.ca, exluding the batteries charger and bike itself. No I don't work for them. :cheesygri

$330 Crystalyte 400 series hub motor.
$160 24 volt - 72 volt controller.
$18 throttle.
$120 3 x 12 volt 10 amp hour sealed lead acid batteries.
$100 36 volt 2.5 amp charger
$100 generic mountain bike

$828 total + shipping + tax

What that'll get you is a very capable ebike that'll go a top speed around 32 kph at a distance between 15 and 20 kms when running 36 volts. You could easily add batteries to increase your range or your top speed. Not to mention it's pretty stealthy and silent most people won't even realize the difference between a regular bike and an ebike with a hub motor.

I bought a kit like the above last summer and it really is a lot of fun. Prior to getting the kit I hadn't been on a bike for years. It's a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the weather.

Just wait until gas prices sky rocket up again these things will probably get a whole lot popular in the near future.

[Greywolf67]

Getting a good quality ebike doesn't have to cost a fortune. Consider the below components mostly from ebikes.ca, exluding the batteries charger and bike itself. No I don't work for them. :cheesygri

$330 Crystalyte 400 series hub motor.
$160 24 volt - 72 volt controller.
$18 throttle.
$120 3 x 12 volt 10 amp hour sealed lead acid batteries.
$100 36 volt 2.5 amp charger
$100 generic mountain bike

$828 total + shipping + tax

What that'll get you is a very capable ebike that'll go a top speed around 32 kph at a distance between 15 and 20 kms when running 36 volts. You could easily add batteries to increase your range or your top speed. Not to mention it's pretty stealthy and silent most people won't even realize the difference between a regular bike and an ebike with a hub motor.

I bought a kit like the above last summer and it really is a lot of fun. Prior to getting the kit I hadn't been on a bike for years. It's a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the weather.

Just wait until gas prices sky rocket up again these things will probably get a whole lot popular in the near future.


A good point, for people who can Mod their own bike, however for the non-handy person there is also bikes pre built with almost the same type of equipment.
Canadian Tire, Wal Mart, Costco all have traditional style peddle bike with electric assist.
Canadian Tire E-Bike (http://www.canadiantire.ca/e-bike/)

Now I can't speak to the quality of them, but it's just another option.

Anything that gets you into the great outdoors and sunshine/fresh air no matter if it's to get to work or to a park, it's a good thing!!

[ShadowVlican]

i don't know much about ebikes... but that Canadian Tire eBike is DAMNED HEAVY

even with the option to peddle, i'd rather use electric all the time since it would take so much more effort to ride that thing (vs. my regular hybrid)

[Greywolf67]

i don't know much about ebikes... but that Canadian Tire eBike is DAMNED HEAVY

even with the option to peddle, i'd rather use electric all the time since it would take so much more effort to ride that thing (vs. my regular hybrid)

I didn't know that...I wonder if the walmart and costco bikes are also a tad bloated. I've never even gone in to see them, I just know they are available.

The few times I've had to peddle my bike ( almost as much weight as a gas scooter), it was not that much of a challange. It was a low battery/steep hill thing, so to assist the motor I peddled like a mad man. The hill seemed to me almost 40 degree and with the 1 granny gear I made it.

However my style is designed to be used under battery power 99% of the time......50 KM range.

[almostfreeman]

Getting a good quality ebike doesn't have to cost a fortune. Consider the below components mostly from ebikes.ca, exluding the batteries charger and bike itself. No I don't work for them. :cheesygri

$330 Crystalyte 400 series hub motor.
$160 24 volt - 72 volt controller.
$18 throttle.
$120 3 x 12 volt 10 amp hour sealed lead acid batteries.
$100 36 volt 2.5 amp charger
$100 generic mountain bike

$828 total + shipping + tax

What that'll get you is a very capable ebike that'll go a top speed around 32 kph at a distance between 15 and 20 kms when running 36 volts. You could easily add batteries to increase your range or your top speed. Not to mention it's pretty stealthy and silent most people won't even realize the difference between a regular bike and an ebike with a hub motor.

I bought a kit like the above last summer and it really is a lot of fun. Prior to getting the kit I hadn't been on a bike for years. It's a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the weather.

Just wait until gas prices sky rocket up again these things will probably get a whole lot popular in the near future.

I built one from a kit last year for < $700, which includes buying a used hybrid bike. A bit heavy, not nearly as heavy as one of those schwinn bikes tho. I will probably upgrade to a lithium battery after the 3X12v lead batteries from last year die. They still seem to work pretty well. I took very good care of them making sure not to run them too low and charging them immediately after use and keeping them charged in the winter. I got a good amount of use last year and think it may be one of the best purchases I've ever made. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to shell out for a new lithium battery battery but it would reduce the weight 5 -8 lbs.

[consumerPI]

What do you guys think about the new Ecoped City45 that Walmart has for $998?
http://www.electricbikee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ecoped.jpg

[CSR]

Can the OP please remove the word "Bicycle" from the title of this thread, as this thread clearly has a stronger focus on E-bikes.

There is another comprehensive cycling thread around.

Thanks.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

Can the OP please remove the word "Bicycle" from the title of this thread, as this thread clearly has a stronger focus on E-bikes.

There is another comprehensive cycling thread around.

Thanks.

done.

[CSR]

done.

thanks, see you in the fitness forum!

[dougmania]

What do you guys think about the new Ecoped City45 that Walmart has for $998?
http://www.electricbikee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ecoped.jpg

Ya, I saw these at walmart in Abbotsford. They "look" ok, but are a little small for me. The footwells cannot accomodate my size11s and if it did fit, my knees hit the handlebars (im 6'1"). Putting my feet on pedals allows me to turn.

But I haven't seen one of these in action.

[switch100]

Like anything, you need to research what's good and what's not. I got a deal on my bike by Nicom-Switch 100. It's been great. Was talking to a dealer in Toronto, and he said there is a lot of Can. Tire and Walmart junk out there which has given people the idea they're all garbage...not the case.

Anybody I've crossed paths with who owns a Veloteq loves it, and the same with my bike. I talked to a guy who owns the new Walmart ecoped and didn't have anything bad to say about it. He was doubling his girlfriend and I couldn't catch up to him..he was maintaining 32 kms no problem. Hopefully the good dealers will sell the high quality manufactured bikes.

Cheers.

[UrbanPoet]

The one thing that annoys me about e-bikes, are the riders that ride them as if they are gas powered scooters.

These things are good for about 32km/hr. Yet some riders insist on riding them right in the middle of the road despite not being able to keep up with traffic.

[consumerPI]

Hoping to grab one of these in the fall if they drop in price before winter arrives. What do you guys think about the new Ecoped City45 that Walmart has for $998?

[Sash[DSL]]

The one thing that annoys me about e-bikes, are the riders that ride them as if they are gas powered scooters.

These things are good for about 32km/hr. Yet some riders insist on riding them right in the middle of the road despite not being able to keep up with traffic.

This may be irritating but cyclists and e-bikers are allowed to take up the rightmost lane when surface on the 1.5m closests to the curb is unrideable.

[Kirtan]

While I'm a dedicated cyclist downtown Toronto. I can appreciate people who ride e-bikes. Since they are about 100 times more efficient than an automobile, have zero-emissions, and do not create noise pollution they are an excellent form of transportation.

Hopefully the government shares my sentiment and gives them a good classification after the study is up on October 3rd.

http://www.greenr.ca/2009/08/ebikes-in-canada/

-Clinton

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

I should fix mine, but summer is almost over and im poor =/

anyone know how to fix e bikes for cheap/timhortons/free?

[sprung]

What do you guys think about the new Ecoped City45 that Walmart has for $998?
http://www.electricbikee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ecoped.jpg

I was about to pull the trigger on one of these. Then a few things happened. I joined their fan page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ecoped/80125286325) where I read about many troubling stories regarding the electrical systems and overall fit/finish. Then I actually examined the bike in detail at the Dufferin Mall Walmart. Finally I met an ebike mechanic at the CNE. I learned that the Ecoped has experienced higher than normal failure rates on certain key components.

Right now I'm leaning towards a Veloteq. However Canadian Tire has all its Ebikes on sale currently. (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/BikesAccessories/BikesElectric.jsp)

[kilimats]

^ lol, youre comparing apple to orange, one is an ebike and the other is a escooter

I wouldn't recommend any of them, too heavy

electric transportation can be reliable and fun but you gotta pay the price, dont cheap out unless you can wait 5 years for the price to come down

[sprung]

UPDATE - ended up buying a Veloteq Challenger. Really nice guy bought 2 ebikes to ride with his wife but they ended up not using them. Got mine from him for 1/2 price with less than 24K on the odometer! Rode it a lot last night and brought it to work today.

BTW - he still has the Cougar left. It too has less than 30K on the odo and he is asking just $850 for it. Great value. Link to his ad here. (http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-other-2-Veloteq-EBikes-Virtually-brand-new-will-sell-for-1-2-price-W0QQAdIdZ142170716)

[dougmania]

So what is the recommendation for electric assist bicycles?

I don't want electric scooters or bicycles that run without peddling. Why? because of the distance factor, I don't want to get stranded hauling 25lbs extra pounds of batteries up a hill with awkward peddles with only one gear.
So an electric assist would be good, less power, less weight, use only for uphills assisted and ride normally, for small grades and flats.

I am not sure why bicycle conversions costs more than new bikes, even some electric bikes. O_O

[ghogie]

[QUOTE=consumerPI;8872380]What do you guys think about the new Ecoped City45 that Walmart has for $998?

:cheesygriI bought an eco-ped after losing my licence for medical reasons. I am VERY happy with it and have had no troubles so far. I have had it for 5 monthes and have enjoyed it. On hiway 2 between Port Hope and Coburg I ride along the bike lane (12 k each way) at the legal speed (32 k) and have had no trouble.

I am a happy 48 yr old with the bike and for a thousand bucks it has given me a lot of happy!!

[UrbanPoet]

;9299306']This may be irritating but cyclists and e-bikers are allowed to take up the rightmost lane when surface on the 1.5m closests to the curb is unrideable.

Thats cool.
But the people I'm talking about ride them like a MOTORIZED vehicle... taking up the middle and left lanes...

Although this is technically allowed they are just death traps/accidents waiting to happen.

[Sash[DSL]]

Thats cool.
But the people I'm talking about ride them like a MOTORIZED vehicle... taking up the middle and left lanes...

Although this is technically allowed they are just death traps/accidents waiting to happen.

you mean riding continously, not just to move to left lane to make a left turn? That would be pretty stupid of them, definitely an accident waiting to happen:confused:

[UrbanPoet]

IMPORTANT DISCUSSION RE: THE FUTURE OF E-BIKES iN ONTARIO
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=793367

The pilot project is ending OCT 2009!

;9482893']you mean riding continously, not just to move to left lane to make a left turn? That would be pretty stupid of them, definitely an accident waiting to happen:confused:

Yes exactly... Because some of these e-bicycles look like gas motorized scooters/mopeds some people think it gives them some sort of magical vehicle powers that allow them ride them as such...

[sprung]

Ebikes in Ontario are now permanently allowed where bikes are, see below

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/#power

[quikdraw]

If anyone is interested in a Veloteq E-bike in the Georgian Bay / Owen Sound / Grey Bruce area please call 519-371-5362. We will deliver your Ebike to you if needed & we also service all makes and models.
I ride a Veloteq Ebike and I love it!:D

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

So anyone know where I can bring in my trashed e-bike that should have salvage title in for repairs as idk why it doesnt work and stuff?

[UrbanPoet]

So anyone know where I can bring in my trashed e-bike that should have salvage title in for repairs as idk why it doesnt work and stuff?

Is it an E-bike? or one of those E-bikes that looks like a scooteR?
If its an E-bike.. I'd probably rip out the motor, battery, ignition etc... and use it as a regular bicycle!! or you could sell it off as such.

[quikdraw]

So anyone know where I can bring in my trashed e-bike that should have salvage title in for repairs as idk why it doesnt work and stuff?

So, you trashed it? or it just doesn't work anymore? We do repairs.....maybe it can be repaired?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

So, you trashed it? or it just doesn't work anymore? We do repairs.....maybe it can be repaired?

nah, highschoolers were jealous and just gg-ed it. check thread
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/pics-56k-warning-wow-highschool-didnt-do-anything-my-ebike-vandalized-522964/

and this thread too: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/pics-got-hit-van-got-nothing-out-505140/

so... idk why it doesn't work.

If your local that'd be great! Else I don't wanna travel far to have it fixed, need it fixed for less than $100, also lost battery and charger.

[quikdraw]

We're located in Owen Sound (Georgian Bay/Grey Bruce area). Contact 519-371-5362 Golectric Owen Sound if you want more information. Most parts are easily ordered and able to be replaced. If you decide you would like to have it fixed, give us a call....

[jamezgt]

nah, highschoolers were jealous and just gg-ed it. check thread
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/pics-56k-warning-wow-highschool-didnt-do-anything-my-ebike-vandalized-522964/

and this thread too: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/pics-got-hit-van-got-nothing-out-505140/

so... idk why it doesn't work.

If your local that'd be great! Else I don't wanna travel far to have it fixed, need it fixed for less than $100, also lost battery and charger.

Why would highschoolers be jealous about your crappy e-bike? Most high school kids already have their own cars nowadays. :lol: