ebikes and battery types

cojomo2

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice from e-bike owners.

I'm picking up a budget e-bike this weekend and have narrowed it down to two.

Coyote Connect http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/coyote-connect-folding-electric-bike

600 Euro. All the reviews are positive, seems to be a clone of the more expensive Viking Harrier. Only concern is the battery which is 24v 8.8ah (1 year warranty). A quick search for a spare battery shows mixed reviews with some saying it will only last a year of everyday use.

Carrera Crosscity http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/carrera-crosscity-electric-bike

810 Euro. New model - very little reviews. Seems pretty similar, 2 extra gears, battery is built into frame (user removable) and is also 8.8 ah but 36v. Spec states these are Panasonic cells (2 year/500 cycle warranty)

I prefer the look of the Coyote but wondering is it better to spend the extra €210 on the Carerra for the battery? I though it was all about Amp Hours (AH) but looking into it further it would appear that I can expect longer runtime from a 36v unit vs a 24v assuming same AH.

Any feedback welcome. Just to note - I have a regular bike - not looking for opinions on whether an e-bike is a good idea. Also, budget is €800 and bike must be folding.

If mods are reading this -can I suggest we create a new e-bike sub forum?

Thanks!

Joe1919

Power = Volts X Amps, so a 36 volt has 50% more capacity for the same ampere hour as a 24 volt

I am interested in purchasing e bike (perhaps 700c version) some time in future, so am interested in subject and would like to know how you got on. The 600 euro bike seems good value. Go onto the halfords UK site for more reviews. Some have complained of gearing a little low (perhaps due to 20 wheels and front chainring not large enough to compensate.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/electric-bikes/coyote-connect-folding-electric-bike

Also note easy motion has a sale at the moment but folding bike are a little more expensive but may have a better spec. and have a larger battery upgrade (13ah) for 200 euro extra.
https://easymotion.ie/collections/folding-electric-bikes/products/impulse

cojomo2

Joe1919 wrote: »

Power = Volts X Amps, so a 36 volt has 50% more capacity for the same ampere hour as a 24 volt

Thanks - but in the case of the two bikes above, one has a 24v system the other a 36v. Both batteries have same AH so while the 36v certainly have more power, does is have more capacity (i.e. miles/km)? Or is it a case that the 36v would have similar distance per charge but it's more nippy, accelerates better etc.?

Joe1919

cojomo2 wrote: »

, does is have more capacity (i.e. miles/km)?

The carrera has 8.7ah at 36v=313 watt hours which would power a 250w bike (flat out ) for approx 75 minutes. Halford quotes a range of 30 miles

The coyote has 8.8 ah at 24v= 211 watt hours which would power a similar 250w bike for approx 50 minutes. Halfords quote a range of 20 miles.

There may be an additional advantage of a higher voltage of the carrera in this case, as the bike will draw less current for the same power and it would be expected that this may improve the life of the battery.

ED E

Last time I investigated anything worth buying really started above the four digit mark.

shawnee

Admin, how about an electric bike forum. There is lots of interest in them

willwe

Before you buy you should do what I did and visit a few bike shops and try out a few different models. I found some of the Chinese bikes were poorly made and felt very flimsy. As I needed my bike for work, I went with something reliable.

I agree we should have a sub forum for ebikes

Andy Magic

I rented out an electric bike for my girlfriend a few weeks ago and she loved it, she was also able to keep up with me and we did 65km's. It was a lapierre e-bike and was 1800 euro. The only downside was it looks like an old ladies bike.. Does anyone know if there is any bike brands that do more attractive/aggressive looking e-bikes? I know Giant have some but they are way out of our budget.

Lumen

shawnee wrote: »

Admin, how about an electric bike forum. There is lots of interest in them

You're probably in the wrong place to be asking that. This is a subforum of sports.

Motorbikes might be more appropriate, since ebikes are bikes with motors.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=577

Tenzor07

Lumen wrote: »

You're probably in the wrong place to be asking that. This is a subforum of sports.
Motorbikes might be more appropriate, since ebikes are bikes with motors.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=577

Ohh harsh!

ED E

Giant ROAD E+ 1: €3,899

Haibike XDURO Race S 6.0: $ 5,199

Bulls DAIL-E GRINDER: $5,799

KTM Macina Sport 10 CX5: £2,699

FANTIC GRAVEL X 2017: 3 490,00 €


If we call a decent human powered (road)bike €1200 base price, then add €500+ of a motor and decent LiIon cells, + bespoke frame costs + niche market premium getting in below €2000 is difficult.

The other option is to buy a conventional bike that will fit:
Copenhagen Wheel https://www.superpedestrian.com/
Flykly http://www.flykly.com/en/
Geoorbital https://www.geoo.com

NB: Copenhagen came up with the concept, the other two are copycats and some argue Flykly acted the maggot and stole the concept from Copenhagens lab.

The originals are a bit expensive to really save anything, but a chinese clone would be cheap.

V-man

Lumen wrote: »

You're probably in the wrong place to be asking that. This is a subforum of sports.

Motorbikes might be more appropriate, since ebikes are bikes with motors.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=577

No,
According to the law ebikes are bicyles and have the same rights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#European_Union_definition

And aside of that motor-sports are sports too.
Cycling is much more then just a sport and would fit in multiple categories.

Greentree_uk

Hi Op, I presume you are on a commuter train to need a folding bike? I bought a folding bike recently, I spent a fair bit €1800 for that I got a Wisper 806 Torque, My Commute involved dart and luas (20km to work) I thought I would need a folder as I would use one or the other, in the end I was so surprised by how quick I could get into town I cycled the whole way (50 Mins total), no need for a folder after all, aside from Space. I looked at the coyote and was torn as it was a very cheap option, unfortunately at the time none of the halfords had them to try, and I was worried about the quality of it for such a long commute and I'm a heavy rider so I wanted to be sure it would take my weight - something I'd never considered before. Anyway turned out I was a too heavy for the wisper too, so I returned the bike and got something more suitable, and a little more expensive The carrera wasn't out when I considered models, I had a quick look at it and it looks pretty good.

Another note, I bought from a local vendor who has been very obliging and understanding, who was happy to take the bike back and upgrade me, I'm not sure Halfords would have been so flexible.

cojomo2

Greentree_uk wrote: »

Hi Op, I presume you are on a commuter train to need a folding bike.

Nope - just fancied it for easy storage.

I ended up getting the Carrera Crosscity - first impressions are very good. Took it out for a quick 12 k spin and depending on what level assistance you use, even the steepest of hills can be effortless. Cycled the last 5k with the motor turned off and no issues there either, don't really notice the weight too much.

Will post a more in depth review after a couple of weeks if anyone is interested.

Cheers.

k123456

http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/Green_Edge/Greenedge_CS2_Electric_Mountain_Bike-Greenedge_CS2_with_Mudguards_and_Rear_Rack.aspx

Stanley71

cojomo2 wrote: »

Nope - just fancied it for easy storage.

I ended up getting the Carrera Crosscity - first impressions are very good. Took it out for a quick 12 k spin and depending on what level assistance you use, even the steepest of hills can be effortless. Cycled the last 5k with the motor turned off and no issues there either, don't really notice the weight too much.

Will post a more in depth review after a couple of weeks if anyone is interested.

Cheers.

Hiya, am thinking of buying this bike in the next few days. How is it going for you? Any updates? Also, is the battery removable and replaceable? Thanks in advance, Stan.

Bigus

There's a few bargain on e bikes on chain reaction at the moment but higher price range Bosch Motors.

James Delaney

Stanley71 wrote: »

Hiya, am thinking of buying this bike in the next few days. How is it going for you? Any updates? Also, is the battery removable and replaceable? Thanks in advance, Stan.

***************
I was thinking of buying the carerra crosscity also.
There's No reply to your post above posted months back which is a pity.
I wonder is the subject a sore point for the purchaser.