New Alien bikes on ebay

[rhfubar]

Thanks Flecc

Hi,
I currently have rock shock judy TT suspension forks, on a Scott hard tail MTB. I tried to spring them apart a bit but didnt get a lot of movement. It doesnt look like I can change the nuts on the motor, so buying rigid steel forks might be the way to go.

Thanks for replying. I have been looking through this site over the last couple of days, I cant believe what an interest there is for electric bikes, and everyone seems so helpful.

 

[The Maestro]

I think Im back with Bionx if I go for an electric kit. The alien seller was helpful up to a point but without being able to try the bike I need fairly detailed info about the specifications (e.g. motor make, battery make, motor rpm) and from my experience you can forget it with the Alien bike seller, he will not answer. Maybe short staffed I guess.

 

[flecc]

Hi,
I currently have rock shock judy TT suspension forks, on a Scott hard tail MTB. I tried to spring them apart a bit but didnt get a lot of movement. It doesnt look like I can change the nuts on the motor, so buying rigid steel forks might be the way to go.

Thanks for replying. I have been looking through this site over the last couple of days, I cant believe what an interest there is for electric bikes, and everyone seems so helpful.

That's right Ryan, suspension forks can't be expanded as they would tend to bind up if their legs were splayed. I don't use suspension forks myself, but I believe they are available in different separations, and many e-bikes have wider set ones. It would be worth checking with a couple of dealers who handle MTBs etc as they might be able to recommend a make/type.

Judging from their web article on suspension, Bonthrone bikes seem to have a fair amount of knowledge on them. The first link below shows the article, the second link to contact them as they indicate willingness to help with locating an item you haven't been able to find:

Suspension Article

Contact link

Hopefully you'll be able to find a solution from one of those approaches, but meanwhile someone else might post with some experience.
.

 

[fishingpaul]

I also would have been interested had he responded to my questions, it does not make you feel confident to purchase an item, if the seller cannot be bothered to reply to questions.

 

[drgcb]

I took the plunge and bought one of the new Alien Cruisers. I must say that early indications are very good. The bike is a little rough around the edges, as you might expect for the money, but is generally solidly constructed. I liked the slightly unusual look of it, plus some nice touches like indicators and brake lights, which I've not seen on other e-bikes. Bob, the guy who puts these together and sells them on eBay, has been exceptionally helpful both pre and post sale. He's responded to my questions within a couple of hours, and seems to be a real enthusiast. I intend to post a full review after a couple of hundred miles on the bike.

 

[rooel]

drgcb, I also have had similar service regarding my recent purchase of an Alien conversion kit. For those who want to know, the motor is definitely a Suzhou Bafang (8Fun), brushless, unlike the similar motor from the same manufacturer fitted to the Mistral which has brushes. Restriction and destriction is simple and similar with both.

 

[coops]

I just looked at the specs again and I think anyone looking for help on steeper hills should inquire about its suitability, especially when restricted to 15mph, and also the discharge capabilities and expected lifetime of the lithium battery, especially if intended for derestricted use up to ~20mph.

Stuart.

 

[rhfubar]

Sorted

That's right Ryan, suspension forks can't be expanded as they would tend to bind up if their legs were splayed. I don't use suspension forks myself, but I believe they are available in different separations, and many e-bikes have wider set ones. It would be worth checking with a couple of dealers who handle MTBs etc as they might be able to recommend a make/type.

Hopefully you'll be able to find a solution from one of those approaches, but meanwhile someone else might post with some experience.
.

Finally got it all together. Searched the Fylde coast for a set of steel forks. Only one shop with them in stock. Pulled them apart and got the hub in. The only problem was the locking nuts. Had to put them on the outside of the fork. Can’t see this being a problem though?

All is working well. Will have to wait until tomorrow to take it out for a proper ride though.

Thanks for all your help, and quick response.

Kind Regards
Ryan

 

[The Maestro]

Well after a very windy day and a strained knee I decided to order the Alien 36V kit in a 700c wheel. Will review it when I get it sorted

 

[The Maestro]

Just one other thing. My bike already has steel forks and the clearance between them is 100mm. On the ebay advert, at one point it says that 100mm clearance is needed but at another point it says 110mm. If I did have to prise the forks apart a little is there a recommended way of doing this? Would a blow torch heating up the metal near the weld be of any use to stop the weld coming apart?

I also work on the Fylde Coast, maybe me and Ryan who posted earlier can have a race

 

[flecc]

Finally got it all together. Searched the Fylde coast for a set of steel forks. Only one shop with them in stock. Pulled them apart and got the hub in. The only problem was the locking nuts. Had to put them on the outside of the fork. Can’t see this being a problem though?

All is working well. Will have to wait until tomorrow to take it out for a proper ride though.

Thanks for all your help, and quick response.

Kind Regards
Ryan

Pleasure Ryan. Those locking nuts shouldn't be a problem, it's still a secure assembly, especially with steel forks.

Hope the ride goes well and the motor performs to expectations
.

 

[cogs]

I took the plunge and bought one of the new Alien Cruisers. I must say that early indications are very good. The bike is a little rough around the edges, as you might expect for the money, but is generally solidly constructed. I liked the slightly unusual look of it, plus some nice touches like indicators and brake lights, which I've not seen on other e-bikes. Bob, the guy who puts these together and sells them on eBay, has been exceptionally helpful both pre and post sale. He's responded to my questions within a couple of hours, and seems to be a real enthusiast. I intend to post a full review after a couple of hundred miles on the bike.

Hi DRGCB.

i'm considering a kit from Alien, are you in a position yet to remark on reliability etc?

 

[drgcb]

Hi DRGCB.

i'm considering a kit from Alien, are you in a position yet to remark on reliability etc?

Hi Cogs,

There are others on the forum who have fitted Alien kits and may be in a better position to comment specifically on the kits (although my father and I have today fitted an Alien kit to his old MTB; very easy to do and works well so far.) I'm pleased with my Alien Cruiser over the first hundred miles or so of use. I've had to upgrade various bits of the bike, but in terms of the bit you're interested in, the electrics have been very reliable on the commute and the bike storms up hills nicely.

Kind regards,

Greg
(typing this with one hand having fallen off this morning after sliding on wet tram rails )

 

[cogs]

Cheers Greg, useful to know as much as poss prior to plunging in.