How many people want a softail ebike?

[Kudoscycles]

It would be easy for us to add a softail(rear suspension),proper off road bike to our Kudos range to compete with the likes of Haibike but how many find such a bike attractive-it seems at odds with what I think an ebike is for?
KudosDave

 

[baldylox]

If it were something that could compete with the likes of the Tonaro Bighit (on spec and price but perhaps a bit lighter), there may be some interest (from me for one).

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Full suspension is much more comfortable on long journeys. Never mind how it looks. I can't see that you'd have anything to lose by adding a FS bike to your range. Not everyone wants a boring commuter bike. You could easily make a cheaper version of the Neo Jumper.

 

[flecc]

For me never under any circumstances, but there's no doubt there's a demand for them.

 

[jackhandy]

I ride a hardtail Carrera Kraken with an 8fun 250w front wheel kit on road & trails: It does a good job, pulling 15a max.

I ride a full-suss Saracen Blaze with Rockshox & a Gng 250w mid-drive kit on singletrack & rugged trails: It's not hugely powerful at 14a max, so I'll be,imminently, soldering the shunt for 18-20a. at which point I reckon it'll be a cracking bit of kit.

Summarising - The hardtail is great for decent surfaces, but the bouncer comes into it's own over the rough & is positively undignified on the road!

Strangely, I almost never use the throttle on the hardtail, but use throttle almost exclusively on the bouncer
Possibly because I find steady assistance best on sensible terrain, with me providing the extra hp when needed; but like to work out a bit more over the bumps, with a fistful of grunt when necessary.

So - I need 2 bikes: 1 multipurpose machine won't cut the mustard

 

[jazper53]

It would be easy for us to add a softail(rear suspension),proper off road bike to our Kudos range to compete with the likes of Haibike but how many find such a bike attractive-it seems at odds with what I think an ebike is for?
KudosDave

I have a Saracin Vice, and wondering whether to convert, purely as a project, but have limited battery positions rear rack(cantilevered)or possible frog type which seem to be my only options, would be interested what setups Kudos might be considering

.

 

[Kudoscycles]

I have a Saracin Vice, and wondering whether to convert, purely as a project, but have limited battery positions rear rack(cantilevered)or possible frog type which seem to be my only options, would be interested what setups Kudos might be considering

View attachment 5220.

Would this be a BPM/CST hub motor or a Crank Drive?
KudosDave

 

[jazper53]

Would this be a BPM/CST hub motor or a Crank Drive?
KudosDave

I am quite happy with the FWD of my Kudos sport so thinking about using similar set up

 

[jackhandy]

I've got a bms frog on the bouncer: Don't notice it's there, but have to remember not to use its handle to lift the bike.

Thanks to Kudos Dave for the tip.

 

[SRS]

It would be easy for us to add a softail(rear suspension),proper off road bike to our Kudos range to compete with the likes of Haibike but how many find such a bike attractive-it seems at odds with what I think an ebike is for?
KudosDave

I have 4 bikes, all hard tail, never had or felt the need for rear suspension.

Rear suspension adds weight and cost. If fitted it must be the best quality and well engineered or the user will be forever servicing.

Personally I think its main application must be when racing.

Racing for ebikers, as we all know is pointless because we will all give up when we reach 15.5mph.

 

[flecc]

Personally I think its main application must be when racing.

Not even that, it's never used in road racing and most serious off-road racing. Even the front supension is set very hard with minimal travel by serious high-end off-road racers.

 

[SRS]

Not even that, it's never used in road racing and most serious off-road racing. Even the front supension is set very hard with minimal travel by serious high-end off-road racers.

Perhaps it has now become a fashion statement rather that a practical addition for a lot of people.

 

[jazper53]

Perhaps it has now become a fashion statement rather that a practical addition for a lot of people.

Maybe its the rugged go anywhere look. I was wondering does FWD have any advantages/disadvantages off road ?

 

[SRS]

I think the real question should be, how many people want suspension at all?

Suspension is not needed on the road at all.
Tyres, saddles and frame design/material can all be tuned for comfort.

That way you end up with a simple cost effect, low weight cycle.
Simple is most often better in my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Suspension is not needed on the road at all.
.

You don't need an electric motor either, but it's much nicer if you have one.

I don't know what roads/paths you go on, but on the ones I go on, I wouldn't have anything other than full suspension, Who rides a hard-tail motorbike these days? Hello, I wonder why!

 

[baldylox]

Well I'm certainly not interested in fashion! I ride (pedal) an old Saracen Powertrax (from the mid 90s) off road, no suspension and it gets a bit tricky mud plugging along the farm tracks and back lanes out in my neck of the woods. I'm getting on a bit so want an e-bike that can "soak up" the terrain. Have ridden the Tonaro Bighit and it damn near fits the bill for me (but a tad heavy). Anything as an option (from Kudos) at the ~£1200 price point would grab my interest (am still considering the Arriba and Ibex).

 

[jazper53]

I think the real question should be, how many people want suspension at all?QUOTE]

The roads where I live have become progressively worse due to constantly digging them up, and refiling back by several different utility companies, lack of general maintenance including potholes from past winters left unfilled. On quite a few stretches of road around my locale it is like riding off road, and maybe in the future, softail bikes will become the norm, if the lack of urban road maintenance becomes widespread

 

[flecc]

Who rides a hard-tail motorbike these days? Hello, I wonder why!

There's some very different safety factors at play here though. At modern motorcycling speeds and lean angles, keeping both tyre treads in firm contact with the ground on uneven roads is very important, that's nothing like as important at cycling speeds. Suspension on bicycles is only a comfort and fashion issue.

 

[baldylox]

Fashion is something so ugly it has to be changed every fifteen minutes... Practicality on the other hand... A pogo stick without a spring is just a stick (not very practical or useful).
I'll conceed that I am looking for comfort (for reasons see previous post) and as Jazper states; the roads are getting worse. My non-sus bike is quite useless on most of the roads/tracks near me and you are highly likeley to buckle a wheel as my Galaxy did a few years ago (touring bike, no sus) after hitting a pot hole avoiding a motorist.
Suspension may not be to everyones tastes if you have a nice smooth road to travel on but there clearly is a reason (beyond a fashion statement) for it, n'est pas?

 

[flecc]

Suspension may not be to everyones tastes if you have a nice smooth road to travel on but there clearly is a reason (beyond a fashion statement) for it, n'est pas?

Indeed, as I remarked in my preceding post, comfort, for those who find they need that. I don't personally, and when Britain cycled and bikes all had steel frames, no-one found they needed suspension, despite the roads post-war being worse than now. The rigidity of alloy frames has much to answer for, though some tube curvatures well designed into a frame can make for greater comfort by minimising the worst of the shock transmissions.