Has anybody bought Ebike through crowdfunding platform like Indiegogo?

[Brian Koch]

I can vouch for the Bafang MM G330.
Good economy, excellent torque. Can be paired with generic 48V batteries.
Much better VFM than all the Bosch kits.
Their new mid drive motors are even better.

Thank you for your advice. Do you know the price of the MM G330?

 

[Brian Koch]

Yes, it's a lot more perfect than the Bosch with the small sprocket. Whoever came up with that idea should have been sacked. Maybe he/she was.

The Bafang has the massive advantage that you have access to the programming parameters. I've never heard of a single faulty one yet.

Wow, programming sounds too far away from me. Thank you my friend.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It’s also like me being on a track day and moaning I’ve worn a set of tyres out in a day
Play hard and you get breakages on anything

Like I said, on the track day, the Bafang trounced the Bosch on their home ground.

You have to take the chain off to feel the drag. The faster you spin, the more the drag. You should compare with other crank-drives to feel it. Some comments about it here:

https://electricbikereview.com/forum/threads/bosch-performance-motor-vs-brose-shimano-yamaha-drag-vs-full-sized-chainring.14923/

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Wow, programming sounds too far away from me. Thank you my friend.

It's not really programming. You just connect it to a PC to see the table of settings where you can change the maximum speed, the speed and power in each PAS level and things like that.

 

[Deleted member 22539]

Like I said, on the track day, the Bafang trounced the Bosch on their home ground.

You have to take the chain off to feel the drag. The faster you spin, the more the drag. You should compare with other crank-drives to feel it. Some comments about it here:

https://electricbikereview.com/forum/threads/bosch-performance-motor-vs-brose-shimano-yamaha-drag-vs-full-sized-chainring.14923/

I would have to try one back to back as im regular on the flat at 20-24mph
No chip i might add

What bikes is the Bafang fitted on ? any hardtails .

 

[Deleted member 4366]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2141725.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xbafang+max+drive.TRS0&_nkw=bafang+max+drive&_sacat=0

The Freego Martin is the only one from any established brand that I know. There are loads around, but you have to hunt them out.

About a year ago, Greenway offered one on Ebay for about £1000, which was snapped up by various forum members, but they soon sold out and haven't listed more since, unfortunately.

They have the advantages that you can use any battery you want, displays can be bought anywhere and you can swap between the different types or even use the bluetooth one if you don't want a display on the handlebars. Plus, you have access to all the settings, so you can change the speed, power, assistance, number of assistance levels and many other things.

Quieter than a Bosch too.

 

[Brian Koch]

It's not really programming. You just connect it to a PC to see the table of settings where you can change the maximum speed, the speed and power in each PAS level and things like that.

That sounds interesting! But it seems that the max speed is limited due to the EU law ?

 

[Woosh]

That sounds interesting! But it seems that the max speed is limited due to the EU law ?

the maximum speed is set by your suppliers who will normally lock the LCD with a password or remove the password access to the settings.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

That sounds interesting! But it seems that the max speed is limited due to the EU law ?

Do they roll it up and stick it in the spokes then?

 

[Brian Koch]

Do they roll it up and stick it in the spokes then?

Sir, if I buy a Ebike with 350W motor imported from China, will the government check my Ebike when it arrive at the UK custom? Or I can only buy those with 250W motor?

 

[flecc]

Sir, if I buy a Ebike with 350W motor imported from China, will the government check my Ebike when it arrive at the UK custom? Or I can only buy those with 250W motor?

There are no checks since it isn't illegal to sell any vehicle that doesn't comply with road use law.

The law only applies to the user, not the maker, since the breach can only be when the vehicle is in use.
.

 

[Brian Koch]

There are no checks since it isn't illegal to sell any vehicle that doesn't comply with road use law.

The law only applies to the user, not the maker, since the breach can only be when the vehicle is in use.
.

Thank you, so under what circumstance will user be checked? Like I'm riding over the restricted speed on road and get stopped by police? Something like that? I don't know.

 

[flecc]

Thank you, so under what circumstance will user be checked? Like I'm riding over the restricted speed on road and get stopped by police? Something like that? I don't know.

Judging from the history, you are only likely to suffer a check in the event of your being involved in an accident, and even then only if someone was injured or killed. That's when police traffic officers get involved and some of them do know pedelec law. However, if any 350 watt markings on the motor are removed without trace it's unlikely they'd investigate the motor further.

If the bike you've bought is a high speed machine and you are seen bowling along at near 30 mph without pedalling, that would invite a stop by traffic police, and probably result in the bike being confiscated since it would in law be an uninsured motor vehicle.
.

 

[Brian Koch]

Judging from the history, you are only likely to suffer a check in the event of your being involved in an accident, and even then only if someone was injured or killed. That's when police traffic officers get involved and some of them do know pedelec law. However, if any 350 watt markings on the motor are removed without trace it's unlikely they'd investigate the motor further.

If the bike you've bought is a high speed machine and you are seen bowling along at near 30 mph without pedalling, that would invite a stop by traffic police, and probably result in the bike being confiscated since it would in law be an uninsured motor vehicle.
.

Your answer really helps me, thank you so much, I was worrying about this question because I really want a 350W Ebike. So is it common for people in Europe to buy 350W Ebike? Will this law affect people's decision on buying a 350W type or 250W type?

 

[flecc]

Your answer really helps me, thank you so much, I was worrying about this question because I really want a 350W Ebike. So is it common for people in Europe to buy 350W Ebike? Will this law affect people's decision on buying a 350W type or 250W type?

It's not common. In some mainland European countries they have a speed pedelec law which permits fast 350 watt machines with registration and insurance, but they are only 1% of pedelec sales.

Here in the UK 350 watt machines are mopeds in law and have to be registered and treated like motorcycles. Some take the risk of not doing that.

My advice is to buy the right 250 watt machine, they are far from equal, some being very powerful. 250 watts isn't an actual top limit, just a rating, the regulations have tolerance and some can put out up to 600 watts for long enough to deal with hills etc.
.

 

[Brian Koch]

It's not common. In some mainland European countries they have a speed pedelec law which permits fast 350 watt machines with registration and insurance, but they are only 1% of pedelec sales.

Here in the UK 350 watt machines are mopeds in law and have to be registered and treated like motorcycles. Some take the risk of not doing that.

My advice is to buy the right 250 watt machine, they are far from equal, some being very powerful. 250 watts isn't an actual top limit, just a rating, the regulations have tolerance and some can put out up to 600 watts for long enough to deal with hills etc.
.

I got it. Maybe I should buy a 250W mid drive pedelec instead. Really appreciate your help, thank you very much.

 

[MaxiMarry]

In the case of crowdfunding, you subscribe to help the seller. So to speak, you pay your money to support the advertisers to achieve their goals without any guarantees for yourself.

 

[MaxiMarry]

In the case of crowdfunding, you subscribe to help the seller. So to speak, you pay your money to support the advertisers to achieve their goals without any guarantees for yourself.

We lived in Europe for 3 months and that was a surprise for us that they have a very small % for speed pedelec law for registred and insurance machines with 350 watts. I think it would be better for you to invest in something more alternative and buy the right 250-watt machine to avoid unnecessary costs associated with legislation with transport registration that was described above.