GoCycle

[flecc]

I see two markets here.First,you lot who know your onions and the best bits for bikes etc etc,secondly the new " trendy " bikes aimed at younger people,lower performance etc etc but lighter and folding for public transport.

The two should never mix.

Designer Richard Thorpe stresses it isn't really a folder though, just a bike that can be packed up small for transportation, presumably that taking too long for commuting use. Still, with it's relatively small size and light weight, the electric version should be easy to travel with. It's looks should ensure some quite good sales.
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[wohi]

GoCycle are offering a 30% discount for Velo Vision readers. £795-00 seems a pretty good bargain, to me.....

I like the design and the details.
Has anyone ordered one?

How do they identifiy a Velo Vision reader? Is there a promo code inside an issue?

Thanks,
wohi

 

[flecc]

I like the design and the details.
Has anyone ordered one?

How do they identifiy a Velo Vision reader? Is there a promo code inside an issue?

Thanks,
wohi

I don't know of anyone ordering one yet. There's no published promotional code, Richard probably checks for a subscription with VeloVision editor Peter Eland.
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[wohi]

I don't know of anyone ordering one yet.

I'm surprised, that nobody here has ordere one, bcs. I think the discounted price of £875 until end of january is very good for that stylish and innovative bike, isn't it?

 

[Hooligooner]

Dunno 'bout that. I paid £350 for a full sized bike.

 

[wohi]

I paid £350 for a full sized bike.

Size doesn't matter

 

[flecc]

I'm surprised, that nobody here has ordere one, bcs. I think the discounted price of £875 until end of january is very good for that stylish and innovative bike, is'nt it?

Probably too many unanswered questions is the cause. The motor looks tiny and there's no quoted power, and I've seen an unverified comment that it's noisy, something much less acceptable in these days of quiet e-bikes. Since there's been no review, we know nothing of what it's like to ride which is vital on a dual suspension design since those can be truly horrible, and nothing about range etc.

Until there's a review or other trusted opinion, credit cards are likely to stay firmly in pockets, especially in the current economic climate.
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[wohi]

The motor looks tiny and there's no quoted power

There are a few tech specs on gocycle (mouse over bottom area, faq) - 250W continous, 9Ah NiMh Battery, Range 13-32km (EU-Mode)..

and I've seen an unverified comment that it's noisy, something much less acceptable in these days of quiet e-bikes.

Yes - see here YouTube - Go-Cycle Test Drive

Since there's been no review, we know nothing of what it's like to ride which is vital on a dual suspension design since those can be truly horrible

Agreed - there are only a few positive comments of some beta users ("pioneers").

Until there's a review or other trusted opinion, credit cards are likely to stay firmly in pockets, especially in the current economic climate.

They've issued a 30-day returns guarantee..

 

[flecc]

There are a few tech specs on gocycle (mouse over bottom area, faq) - 250W continous, 9Ah NiMh Battery, Range 13-32km (EU-Mode)..http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=o8XrKXl6tUI

They've issued a 30-day returns guarantee..

Thanks for that. However, the 250 Watt figure is usually a meaningless nominal one for legal purposes only, it doesn't normally reflect the true power. If it's true maximum continuous power really is 250 Watts, it's the weakest on the market by far. Manufacturers ranges are widely mistrusted with good reason, often grossly exaggerated, though in this case the differential is so great that it's not much use for judgment.

I don't think most would want the hassle of risking a return.
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[PsionicWiz]

Hello there,

As a proud owner of a go-cycle myself I would like to perk some interest with all of you....

I am working on a crack to unlock the controller programming which will allow me to re-program the power setting/voltage/speed. My pioneer model has a USB interface in the front fork to link to PC. I think this is something for Gocycle to send updated control software to customers or something. I know the Gocycle is shipped to EU and USA customers and uses the same controller - only the programming is different to limit power to be legal in each country.

Thoughts?

BTW: The you tube test drive is me. It's hard to see but from the left to right I am going uphill. Fair to say 25 degree incline!

 

[wohi]

I am working on a crack to unlock the controller programming which will allow me to re-program the power setting/voltage/speed. My pioneer model has a USB interface in the front fork to link to PC. I think this is something for Gocycle to send updated control software to customers or something. I know the Gocycle is shipped to EU and USA customers and uses the same controller - only the programming is different to limit power to be legal in each country.

Did you contact KKL? - maybe they provide customers with some infos how to self-tune the bike.

Extract of the public tech-specs: Controller: Gocycle "Chip Tunable" with USB-Link

 

[flecc]

Hi PsionicWiz, thanks for the information. If you get a chance sometime, maybe you could provide us with a review of the GoCycle. There's a section on this page of this site where you can enter it, using the review template at the top.

If you have any experience of other e-bikes, some comparisons would be useful to help others to judge if it's for them.

Glad that you are enjoying your bike.
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[wotwozere]

Hi

How much is the gocycle now i am sure someone said it was 599 somewhere.

thx

Bob

 

[Bigbee]

Hi

How much is the gocycle now i am sure someone said it was 599 somewhere.

thx

Bob

I think its around £1200

 

[secour]

If ordered before end of this month, the price will be down to £875

Claude

 

[Oritatami]

I have ordered a Gocycle, and not to make a "statement" either. I have owned various bicycles in the past, including Brompton, Airnimal and Dahon. From practical commuting experience I must be on the same wavelength as the Gocycle designer because all the design details make sense to me.

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Enclosed drive train - I don't know what your experiences are but everytime it rains I end up with a thick layer of oil and grime on the chain and wheels. So I decided the next bike I own would have an enclosed chain and disk brakes. If this bicycle is to succeed it has to sell to people who are not already cyclists and who wants to wash their form of transport every time it rains? The Gocycle wheels are easily cleaned too.

Gearing - The 3 speed Brompton was too highly geared for me so I rarely used 3rd gear. The Gocycle gears are probably fine for its intended purpose - urban situations. I may want to shorten the cranks slightly (if possible) so that would help.

Electric Assist - Even in quite cool conditions you can work up a sweat, so electric assist is useful to go to work. The return journey can be made under human power. That motor is noisy but has the capability of going over 30+ mph if derestricted through the USB port, so that is a good tradeoff.

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Who knows what the current manufacturing costs are, but in theory the manufacturing process used "Thixomoulding" gives a low per unit cost, so if it ever gets manufactured in large volumes in Taiwan we can expect prices to fall. This could be how all bicycles are made in the future.

I am a Velovision reader but ordered one week before that offer was publicised. The codes are advertised on a banner ad at the top of Velovision's website. Until the end of January you can order the electric assist or non electric assist versions for £795 and £595 respectively.

I note Alex Moulton rejected a monocoque design in the 60s because of noise, so I wonder if the Gocycle frame will have the same problem since it is basically a hollow chamber.

I'd like to see a more stealthy case for the Gocycle that converts to a bicycle trailer when you reach your destination. Doing all that within the normal 20Kg airline baggage weight limit is a challenge.