Alien Kit vs Alien bike

[Pedalo]

I bought an Alien Gents Special a month or two ago and the freewheel is poor. Of course it's not an issue if you are using power but it is very noticeable if you are not. Downhill speeds are limited to about 25mph in any case and the motor screams at this speed. I've got to say though that it is very good value for money for such a powerful and fully featured bike.

Is it the original or the special II you have? The latest (II) is supposed to have a better freewheel than the original.

 

[Davall]

Currently looking at the Alien Gents Special II myself, as a possible "try it and see" bike before committing big money on something better.

Am I right in thinking this video shows little to no drag in the motor freewheel, or am I misinterpreting?

YouTube - Alien Bikes 250w Electric Bicycle Suzhou Bafang Motor

 

[flecc]

Am I right in thinking this video shows little to no drag in the motor freewheel, or am I misinterpreting?

YouTube - Alien Bikes 250w Electric Bicycle Suzhou Bafang Motor

That drag is quite real in fact. The clue is in how quickly it stops at the end of the slowing phase. Spin a normal bike front wheel and the late slowing stages seem to take for ever before the wheel stops.

The real test though is pedalling without power on the road when any drag is very apparent. These Suzhou Bafang motors all have real orbital gear drag that makes bikes a bit unpleasant to cycle without power compared to a normal bike, and I speak from the experience of having owned three of these motors and riding others.
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[NRG]

...which is a concern for me as I continue to look for a kit that will fit my needs....where can the Tongxin motors be bought? Are there any kits available based on them?

Many thanks....

 

[Davall]

That drag is quite real in fact. The clue is in how quickly it stops at the end of the slowing phase. Spin a normal bike front wheel and the late slowing stages seem to take for ever before the wheel stops.

The real test though is pedalling without power on the road when any drag is very apparent. These Suzhou Bafang motors all have real orbital gear drag that makes bikes a bit unpleasant to cycle without power compared to a normal bike, and I speak from the experience of having owned three of these motors and riding others.
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I'm still learning about these machines and that's worth knowing, thanks.

Another point in favour of the Panasonic/Yamaha crank motors then, they sound like they'd be more pleasant to ride unassisted than hub bikes?

 

[rustic]

I'm still learning about these machines and that's worth knowing, thanks.

Another point in favour of the Panasonic/Yamaha crank motors then, they sound like they'd be more pleasant to ride unassisted than hub bikes?

Having just read through this thread I'd be interested to hear whether you have come to a decision about whether to opt for the Alien kit / bike / or other option?

The bikes do look quite decent for the money. Have other members had direct experience of the aftersales service provided through Alien?

 

[flecc]

I'm still learning about these machines and that's worth knowing, thanks.

Another point in favour of the Panasonic/Yamaha crank motors then, they sound like they'd be more pleasant to ride unassisted than hub bikes?

They are Davall. I used to own a Lafree with the Panasonic unit and never bothered to switch on the power until the first hill, which was between a quarter mile of up to three miles from home, depending on the route. Although my present hub motor bike is far more powerful and demands less from me, there's no way I could set off with power switched off without exhausting myself within a couple of hundred yards.

There are exceptions though. The Tongin Nano hub motor powered Cytronex and others using that motor can run very freely due to it's roller drive, and the all-component freewheeling in the Powabyke hub motor also results in no motor drag.
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[rustic]

They are Davall. I used to own a Lafree with the Panasonic unit and never bothered to switch on the power until the first hill, which was between a quarter mile of up to three miles from home, depending on the route. Although my present hub motor bike is far more powerful and demands less from me, there's no way I could set off with power switched off without exhausting myself within a couple of hundred yards.

There are exceptions though. The Tongin Nano hub motor powered Cytronex and others using that motor can run very freely due to it's roller drive, and the all-component freewheeling in the Powabyke hub motor also results in no motor drag.
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Hi Flecc,

Am I right in thinking that the Cytronex models are all pedelecs which will add optional power through the rider pedalling the bike, but will ride similar to a regular bike when the 'no boost' option is chosen, whereas the Alien bikes / kits do provide a 'throttle only' option, but will demand more from the rider when riden with no power assist?

Thanks, Rus.

 

[flecc]

Hi Flecc,

Am I right in thinking that the Cytronex models are all pedelecs which will add optional power through the rider pedalling the bike, but will ride similar to a regular bike when the 'no boost' option is chosen, whereas the Alien bikes / kits do provide a 'throttle only' option, but will demand more from the rider when riden with no power assist?

Thanks, Rus.

That's it exactly. The Nano motor in the Cytronex has a friction free internal roller drive, but most hub motors including that on the Alien have internal nylon gear drive gears. Since the gear rack is fixed in the hub shell, the orbital gears have to be turning all the time the wheel turns, and when switched off the rider has to provide that extra bit of effort to turn them. Here's the gears and hubshell toothed rack in a typical Bafang motor: