Ezee Forte - not so sure after A-to-B review

[flecc]

The cheapest way to do this would be a mass produced and therefore low cost standard bike, but with instant plug in controllers available.

Then the customer could buy a controller for economy, or one for performance, or a middle of the road compromise. They could have two, one for workaday use and one for weekend use for either long runs or performance enjoyment

Since controllers are small and could be miniaturised much further, they would also make handy immobilisers for use in addition to a lock.
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[frank9755]

Stuart,

The 15 mile range seems to have been for hilly territory, on unrestricted mode, with a little pedalling. Given Sheffield is a hilly place, that sounds reasonable to me.

Frank

 

[flecc]

Stuart,

Given Sheffield is a hilly place,

Frank

Judging from the TV flood news tonight and the two helicopter rescues there, those hills might now constitute an archipelago of islands.
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[richard]

Can you fit floats and a prop to the 'Q' Flecc ????

 

[flecc]

Can you fit floats and a prop to the 'Q' Flecc ????

You're closer than you think Richard! While watching the news, my mind turned to the idea of converting one of the pedal kayaks to pedelec!

The W bike.

Only 23 letters to go.
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[richard]

Now there is food for thought Flecc it does away with those nasty hill things and you can concentrate the energy in a narrow power band !!

 

[coops]

Thanks for that Frank,

The 15 mile range seems to have been for hilly territory, on unrestricted mode, with a little pedalling. Given Sheffield is a hilly place, that sounds reasonable to me.

Yes, sounds very reasonable to me too given the likely hilliness & with little pedalling, unrestricted too... depends what speeds they were taking hills at too, but I should think with more pedalling and very careful throttle, you could possibly get even a bit more range .

Stuart.

 

[coops]

While watching the news, my mind turned to the idea of converting one of the pedal kayaks to pedelec!

The W bike.

Only 23 letters to go.

Or the pedalak? could have a lot of fun thinking up project ideas for the remaining 23 letters... .

Stuart.

 

[flecc]

I think the second letter's already used, judging by the number of times I've heard someone say "That b----- bike".
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[flecc]

It's really good to hear that you're reintroducing the Cadence Scott, there have been a number mourning it's passing.
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[pgbw]

Now all we need is NiMH batteries back in stock...

 

[nigel]

Nigel

So the cats out of the bag A&B were not that impressed with the new F series forte and forza well as far as i am concerned anything over £1000 is just to many bucks for me how much will the next model cost NIGEL

 

[nigel]

Nigel

Hi scott
slight change of direction ref quando do you percive any changes or improvments in near future to the quando which would take it to top status ie ref to changes made by flecc which i think have really brought this bike to the front of the pack and may be on par with the brompton nano.NIGEL

 

[flecc]

Velovision Magazine: three electric bikes around this price range tested, the only one doing all the tests competently for any rider was the Forte.

A to B magazine's comments on it really concluded on the value for money issue, but in that same issue, their comment on the rival new Giant Twist during range testing was "it's so slow, quite frankly you'd die of boredom".

With both at the same price, I know what I'd spend my £1400 on.

Again that same issue, A to B remark on the flatness of the area they are now in. I don't think a powerful bike like the Forte can be appreciated in those conditions. I know I would around my hilly area!

P.S. That's not a hint for a freebie 50cycles, I'm fixed up with my own bikes.
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[coops]

do you percive any changes or improvments in near future to the quando which would take it to top status ie ref to changes made by flecc which i think have really brought this bike to the front of the pack and may be on par with the brompton nano

I see what your're saying Nigel, but I think the facts are that the Quando motor is a much stronger all-rounder than the brompton's, and the Quando motor with gears would exceed it for climbing ability, speed on hills and flat, and overall energy efficiency. You'd have the best of both worlds: excellent range for a strong rider at moderate speed in all terrain, or excellent hill climbing and motor efficiency if you don't feel energetic. The Brompton may not give you both options - if its very hilly, you'll have to pedal and it'll be less efficient too.

Stuart.

 

[flecc]

I see what your're saying Nigel, but I think the facts are that the Quando motor is a much stronger all-rounder than the brompton's, and the Quando motor with gears would exceed it for climbing ability, speed on hills and flat, and overall energy efficiency. You'd have the best of both worlds: excellent range for a strong rider at moderate speed in all terrain, or excellent hill climbing and motor efficiency if you don't feel energetic. The Brompton may not give you both options - if its very hilly, you'll have to pedal and it'll be less efficient too.

Stuart.

I've no hesitation in endorsing this from the extensive experience I have of the Quando. The Nano motor isn't going to be in the same class.

Just look at what the Quando motor has achieved in the Torq, and then go to other's experiences online with the Nano in full size bikes and you'll get all the confirmation you need. There's no Nano motored Torq competitor out there.
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[Tim]

Forte in the field

Hi I only skim-read the A to B review of the Forte, but I then went on to use one, and a Cadence, throughout the Glastonbury festival. I've also used one around London for the past month or so, maybe longer. It's the best eZee bike ever, whether zipping around town or up to it's hub in a morass.

Here's me on my own Forte a couple of days ago:

And here's Katie from Good Energy (we use GE for our 100% renewable energy supplier in our warehouse) on the Cadence:

As you can see, the Cadence is filthy right up to the hub, it had just been through a really deep bit but it would not stop! The security guys at the festival were endlessly impressed by how we were getting around, whatever the conditions. We jetwashed all the bikes we used this morning and they came up as good as new.

We turned a lot of heads gliding around and scrambling up hills on these things. I'd like to see any other electric bike on the market do the same!

 

[flecc]

Hi Tim

On a Forte and a Cadence, and you're both wearing the well known Torq smiles!

Almost got the range encapsulated there!
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[coops]

Talk about extreme testing! A test of two-wheel drive if ever I saw one .

- Has anyone got an F-series bike? How have they found them?

New Forza is the real deal.

I'm switching to that thread to post further thoughts and questions on the f-series not related to the AtoB review .

Stuart.