Carrera Vulcan e problems

Candpdoyle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 29, 2017
16
4
53
Waterford, Ireland
Hi all

I have been having a few issues with my Vulcan [emoji33] shock horror [emoji16] anyway it's back at halfords for the second time in 4 weeks and was not ready yesterday as promised, so I gave them an ultimatum of I will collect my fixed and ready bike on Friday morning or they can refund me in full ...
So my question is f this drastic step is taken, what are my realistic options for €1000 or so? My employer has just signed up to the cycle to work scheme so that is an option, but here in Ireland bike s seem to start at the 3k mark other than halfords [emoji14]

Are there any good kits with good back up support? I do have a specialised elite expedition bike that could be easily converted, and would be far more comfortable than the Vulcan to boot .. never mind quicker as I would be able to get around the 26km/ limiter thing
Anyway..hope that makes some sense and thanks in advance for any advice offered[emoji106]

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Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,917
8,533
61
West Sx RH
The Vulcan uses the same Suntour HESC drive as the Crossfire so the same issues apply.
The Vengeance is a leseer spec bike but uses a Bafang rear hub motor and a dfferent electronics kit so won't suffer the same issues, Bafang hubs are pretty much bullet proof. Though at 8.8ah the battery is **** poor.
 
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Candpdoyle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 29, 2017
16
4
53
Waterford, Ireland
The Vulcan uses the same Suntour HESC drive as the Crossfire so the same issues apply.
Maybe, but I seem to have had different problems [emoji33] when I left the shop I got about a mile in and the chain kept coming off because the hub wouldn't free wheel... So returned and had a new rear wheel fitted.... It was fine for 3 weeks ... When I left work one night last week the hub wouldn't kick in at all and I ended up cycling the heavy monster home under my own steam.... Diagnosis was torque sensor had snapped off the crank... New crank needed... No parts in Ireland and needed to come in from the UK... This was last Tuesday [emoji23][emoji33] ....

The bike is pretty nice for the price, but units unreliable it's no good to me... I sold my motorbike to switch to an ebike for commuting ....

So i want something that works every day in all weathers ... Happy to maintain it, but not happy if it spends more time in the shop than on the road

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Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,917
8,533
61
West Sx RH

acm2000

Pedelecer
Sep 20, 2015
118
39
Ipswich
the new Crossfuse at halfords uses the 2018 Bosch Active Line Plus system and is £1440 after you use UK Cycling discount (i have one and its been awesome so far 2 weeks in, real natural feeling ride), sod the HESC crossfire e/vulcan
 

Candpdoyle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 29, 2017
16
4
53
Waterford, Ireland
The kudos dealer in Kildare is/was a car dealership the has gone bust at some stage [emoji51]. They don't appear to be trading anymore....
That crossfuse looks interesting [emoji106] will see if my bike is ready tomorrow morning or not and maybe I can negotiate an upgrade [emoji23]

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acm2000

Pedelecer
Sep 20, 2015
118
39
Ipswich
The kudos dealer in Kildare is/was a car dealership the has gone bust at some stage [emoji51]. They don't appear to be trading anymore....
That crossfuse looks interesting [emoji106] will see if my bike is ready tomorrow morning or not and maybe I can negotiate an upgrade [emoji23]

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i test rode the vulcan and crossfire and theyre pretty solid bikes for the money, but the issues with the suntour system just werent worth dealing with for me, the Bosch motor and battery both come with 2 year warranties and the rest of the crossfuse is decent spec shimano gear so figured worth the extra cash dollar (£1350 ish after using Zeek to buy giftcards on top of UK Cycling discount)
 

Candpdoyle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 29, 2017
16
4
53
Waterford, Ireland
i test rode the vulcan and crossfire and theyre pretty solid bikes for the money, but the issues with the suntour system just werent worth dealing with for me, the Bosch motor and battery both come with 2 year warranties and the rest of the crossfuse is decent spec shimano gear so figured worth the extra cash dollar (£1350 ish after using Zeek to buy giftcards on top of UK Cycling discount)
The Vulcan is pretty good when it works [emoji106] but I bought it so I could play in the mud as well as commuting, which in retrospect was a mistake [emoji23]. A hybrid makes much more sense

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Sturmey

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2018
642
353
68
Ireland
...A hybrid makes much more sense...
After having to tighten some loose spokes, I am thinking the opposite in that I am thinking of changing the 700 X 38C tyres (which are only 35mm wide) for something bigger (as there is plenty of clearance under mudguards). My thinking is that the bigger air cushion (and slightly lower psi) will make life easier on the wheels and the bike in general. (I live in a rural area and the roads surface is rough)
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,917
8,533
61
West Sx RH
The Vulcan is pretty good when it works [emoji106] but I bought it so I could play in the mud as well as commuting, which in retrospect was a mistake [emoji23]. A hybrid makes much more sense

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Ideally for commuting and playing with mud you need two bikes, the commuter is your bread and butter bike that needs to be reliable all the time, mud and off road use incurs a little more unreliability/maintenance issues, though you can use the same battery on two bikes if you had a spare
mounting bracket or used a pannier/top rack bag. A second commute bike can be a cheap hub kit £200 fitted to any second hand or new cheap bike, my one was a £360 new Norco Indie with good spec parts 5 years ago.
 
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Candpdoyle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 29, 2017
16
4
53
Waterford, Ireland
Well apparently it's ready [emoji23] off to collect it now... Will give it a good test in the carpark before I leave..... And check out some more road friendly tyres while I am there [emoji106]

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Candpdoyle

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 29, 2017
16
4
53
Waterford, Ireland
It's back and all working fine again [emoji16][emoji106]. Off to work in 10 mins so it will get a good workout over the next few days ...and me of course....have missed my cycle in over the last week

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