New bikes from eZee / 50Cycles

[flecc]

Yes, those Abus locks are more accomodating Leonardo. Unfotunately they don't have the convenient plug-in cable feature of the AXA, since they apparently just use a loop cable which would have to threaded onto the steel hoop of the wheel lock at time of locking. That could be rather fiddly.

The AXA is very convenient since it just plugs into the side of the lock either before or after the wheel lock is engaged.
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[Leonardo]

I like this feature of the AXA, but I use the cable only for low risk situations. In my town - which I think is different from yours under this respect - you have to use a good U-lock to be entitled to hope... So in normal use I need to have both the frame lock for very short stops and a separate U-lock.

 

[flecc]

Oh dear Leonardo, things are bad in your Italian town.

Reminds me of he Italian film "The Bicycle Thief" from many decades ago, a Pasolini production perhaps? I can't remember. It seems not much changes.
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[danieldrough]

A marvellous film, Flecc.The Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di biciclette) Italian neo-realist cinema at its be

Regards

Steve

 

[danieldrough]

Also its best

 

[flecc]

Certainly was Steve, it's not been on TV for a while now though. Cinema Paradiso hogs the limelight lately.

I credited The Bicycle Thief wrongly though, it was a Rosselini/de Sica film.

 

[Leonardo]

Did the Presteigne Event give new elements about the F-series?

 

[Tim]

Did the Presteigne Event give new elements about the F-series?

Yes, the new Forza and Forte did very well. In fact along with the Torq, eZee bikes took the first three places in the hour-long electric bike rally around the new course. This was extremely wet weather and everyone got around safely, which is a testament to the advantages of electric bikes in general.

The Forte was fastest up the hill but fell victim to an expert rider on a Torq who seized victory on the (downhill) home stretch. The eZee bikes were in a class of their own really in the races.

There were some great kit-based entries and a couple of people carriers. And one tandem. Now I'm on the subject, other notable bikes included a Brompton with what I think was a nano motor. A Giant Lafree. An Urban Mover UM-44 I think. A Giant revive, or modified non-electric Giant recumbent piloted by Pete Mustill for most of the race, which he finished on a Wisper. And a couple of true home-brew battery and alligator clip contraptions. And a powabyke shopper as well. A bit of everything really. No solar powered bikes, but a hydroelectric generator would have come in useful.

 

[Leonardo]

Has the 307% nexus of the Forte a wider range than the nexawe of the Forza? And does it make a difference in hill climbing?

 

[flecc]

The Forza's Nexave has exactly 300% range (11 to 33 tooth sprockets) Leonardo, so almost identical to the Forte.

Given that the motor/battery/electrical systems are identical, the higher efficiency of the Forza's derailleur gear will make it a marginally better hill climber, but it's not a huge difference.
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[Leonardo]

Thanks flecc (11 to 33 = 300%... sometimes I feel a bit dummy!)

 

[flecc]

Not at all Leonardo, it's so often disguised by sprockets such as an 11 to 28 set, making it much less obvious. Your probing questions show you are certainly not a dummy.
.

 

[coops]

2. The pedelecs with hub motor that I know, use to start after a pedal turn or once they have caught up some speed. I find it quite upsetting in my urban use, where there are many stop&go and sometime they happen when going uphill, and that is one of the reasons why I’m so happy with my (old model) Giant Twist. Would a pedelec only eZee allow an immediate starting?

Apologies Leonardo, you appear to have asked this question twice but no answer given: maybe you have found an answer but in case not, I will try :

As far as I know a pedelec only eZee should allow the motor to start as soon as the pedal motion sensors detect movement (if the throttle is open), which should be less than 1 pedal turn, maybe a half or so, or even less if pedal turn is very slow, as on a hill? I hope someone will correct me if this is wrong .

 

[Leonardo]

Thank you Coops. So the eZee motor doesn't start as fast as the Lafree one?

Maybe who have experience of both of them can tell me if that tiny delay makes any difference in using the bike in the traffic (I have stop&go quite often) or uphill.

Moreover I see that the "Forza" has that "New eZee Assistance Factor - Precision pedelec speed control": what does it mean, in general and with regard to starting?

 

[Ian]

Leonardo,

I nearly always use my Ezee Torq in pedalec mode, the pedals need to turn about half a revolution before the power comes on, I've never found that to be a problem in practice.

As mentioned in other posts, the Torq has a motor geared for a high maximum speed which means the motor doesn't have a lot of power at very low speeds, this means that the rider is contributing more than the motor when starting off and so the slight delay is of little consequence.

 

[rsscott]

Moreover I see that the "Forza" has that "New eZee Assistance Factor - Precision pedelec speed control": what does it mean, in general and with regard to starting?

Hi Leonardo,

yes, there are some new features being implemented on the F series bikes. I will post details as soon as I have them.

cheers
Russ.

Russell Scott
Pedelecs UK
​

 

[Leonardo]

Thanks Ian.

This is not an unusual picture of the traffic in my town, uphill too.

So I have to rely very much on the promptness of the bicycle...

Anyway I asked to a friend of mine living near the distributor to try the "Forza" for me, I hope to know something more in next days.

And thank you Russ, I look forward those info with much interest... There are no other reviews of the F-series than the article of your site, isn't it?

 

[rsscott]

And thank you Russ, I look forward those info with much interest... There are no other reviews of the F-series than the article of your site, isn't it?

Ours was more of a First Look as we only had a short period of time with the bike. The Forza/Forte also made an appearance at the Presteigne rally and you can catch a bit of them in the video (see Videos thread).

A to B will be reviewing the bikes in more detail in a forthcoming issue, perhaps the next one?

Also I believe the first shipment arrives today so hopefully within a month or so we can get some Owner Reviews from the initial batch of customers.

cheers
Russ.

Russell Scott
Pedelecs UK
​

 

[coops]

Ciao Leonardo,

I have not had the pleasure of riding a Twist, so I cannot compare starts with the eZee hub motor bikes, but as Ian said I do not think the tiny pedelec throttle delay causes any problem in practice and especially on the fairly high torque bikes like f-series & sprint which can accelerate very quickly once they start, much faster than the Twist I would think?

EDIT: P.S. I think the main concern would be accelerating too quickly! However, if you stop/start a lot due to traffic & uphill too, I suppose the delay could become a bit of an issue, but may be outweighed by the benefit of the high torque/acceleration as I said.

I notice from your site that your most common bikes are (european?) crank-drive (flyer, twist, gazelle etc.) whereas here in the UK mainly hub-motor bikes are sold. I think, as you have said, you should find the eZee bikes (for instance) performance will be a step above the frisbee hub bikes If you or a friend with ebike experience was to try one, as you said, that would be the best way to judge .

I see that the "Forza" has that "New eZee Assistance Factor - Precision pedelec speed control": what does it mean, in general and with regard to starting?

I hadn't seen that: I'm not sure, but I'd guess its more to do with finer precision of incremental electrical control - smaller steps in speed increase as you turn the throttle? It may assist starting a bit more smoothly, but unless it somehow is linked to the pedelec motion sensor I don't think it will necessarily mean faster motor engagement from starts. It may well help your speed control while manoeuvring in busy traffic though .

Hopefully Russ (rsscott) or RichardB or anyone else will be able to shed more light hope that helps.

Stuart.

 

[nigel]

Nigel

Hi leonardo
wow that street is a bit busy even the motorbikes are struggling to try and get through now i see why you need a electric bike at least if you do get caught in the traffic with a electric bike you could even pick it up and look for a better spot PS maybe not a powabyke GRUNT.NIGEL