Powacyle Salisbury LPX or Halfords Carrera Sparc

[homemoz]

My workplace has just joined the Cycle to Work scheme (administered through Halfords - mixed reviews, I know, on this site). It seems a good opportunity to get a second bike, but no folders this time.

I have set a limit of £650.00 with the criteria being that a) the bike must look as far as possible like a "normal" bike b) have a step-over frame c) have a pedelec option - this has been one of the problems with my folder which is throttle controlled & d) be able to be ridden by both my wife and myself (my wife is 5ft 4" & I am 5ft 8"). I would use the bike for regular commuting and my wife for occasional leisure use. Range has to be at least 20 miles.

So far, have whittled it down to the Salisbury LPX which generally seems to get some good reviews and the Carrera Sparc which is currently reduced to £649.00 and seems like good value. I am 54 years old and reasonable fit so don't mind some pedalling up hills to assist the motor. My concern about the Sparc is whether it will have enough power to really make the electric assist worthwhile. I know Rooel rates the system but this is on a bike with 26" wheels rather than the smaller Dahon folders.

If anyone has experience of either of these bikes, I would appreciate your thoughts. I will probably keep my current electric folder, but may convert it back to a conventional bike for transporting in the car, we'll have to see.

 

[flecc]

The Powacycle Salisbury LPX is one of the lowest powered e-bikes, peak power approximately 300 watts, so I don't think the Sparc would compare badly now in it's later higher powered guise.
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[rooel]

Alex on this forum bought a Carrera Sparc from Halfords and will be able to give first hand experience of the Sparc system on that bike. I know it only from use on Dahon 20" folders and found it gave reasonable assistance in and around Edinburgh with the NiMh battery, but when Lithium Polymer cells were substituted the lighter weight and slightly higher voltage provided a much livelier performance.

By the way the 20 inch system supplied for European folders is the one used also for 26 inch wheels in North America where a motor cut-off speed of 20mph is legal. Yet when fitted to 20 inch wheels the same system, using the exact same electronics throughout, cuts the motor at 15mph. This suggests to me that the system fitted to European 20 inch and North American 26 inch is "stronger" than that fitted to the Carrera Sparc and other similar European models. It also seems to confirm that smaller wheels are more difficult to propel along than larger ones, but Alex Moulton and others might not agree.

However having recently switched, in part, to 26 inch Mistrals I and others in the family all agree that the larger wheels are much easier to turn.

 

[homemoz]

I was hoping that Alex could give a longer term report with his Carrera. I suspect this would be the easier of the two bikes to pedal without assistance, although Halfords don't give any indication of weight. The gearing seems to give a decent range though.

Flecc, your comment about the peak power of the Salisbury is interesting. The Electric Transport Shop give the peak power as 520 watts in their on-line brochure. I was thinking that is probably higher than that from the 180 watt, 24v motor with my current Dahon folder. If it is only 300 watts that could make it hard going on a heavier bike. Also, I've heard that the gearing on the Salisbury is very low making it hard to pedal beyond 15 mph. The upside is the greater range with the Lithium battery. If Sram provided a lithium option for the Sparc that would make it a done deal. Don't fancy going through the hassle of getting one from BatterySpace etc.

 

[rooel]

"Don't fancy going through the hassle of getting one from BatterySpace etc."

Unfortunately, batteryspace seems to be the only convenient source of the 18.5 volt 10 amp Lipo, and that means high postage and import charges (around 25% over the original purchase price). I have found however that they always provide a speedy and efficient service, and that the cells will arrive in less than a fortnight.

 

[flecc]

Flecc, your comment about the peak power of the Salisbury is interesting. The Electric Transport Shop give the peak power as 520 watts in their on-line brochure. I was thinking that is probably higher than that from the 180 watt, 24v motor with my current Dahon folder. If it is only 300 watts that could make it hard going on a heavier bike. Also, I've heard that the gearing on the Salisbury is very low making it hard to pedal beyond 15 mph. The upside is the greater range with the Lithium battery.

They are miles out with that power, making it more powerful than some of the eZee models! To have 520 watts would entail a drain of 20 amps or more, so that little battery wouldn't last too long, and the NiMh they used to specify isn't remotely capable of that drain level.

The Powacycle motor was 276 watts on the 24 volt NiMh battery, so roughly 300 watts on the 26 volt LPX. Like the bike gears, the motor's internal gearing is on the low side, willing to go to 13 mph quite quickly but taking it's time to get to 15 mph, and by no means a fast e-bike. It's lowish gearing of motor and rider makes it still competent on moderate hills though, despite the low power, and as you observe, the range is quite good in consequence.
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[fishingpaul]

How about the synergy mistral it has a 36v10amp lithium battery for the same price as the salisbury,i am sure somebody posted on here that the mistral will do 18mph,not bad for a budget bike,also the alien bikes on ebay are claiming the bikes to be capable of 20mph but restricted to 15mph,although i asked about whether derestriction would be possible and have not had any reply from them yet after three days.

 

[homemoz]

There were a couple of things about the Mistral that I wasn't sure about. Firstly the size of the frame. I was looking for a smallish frame that would be suitable for both my wife & myself. Secondly, I understand the Mistral doesn't have a freewheel in the motor & I would prefer a bike that can be pedalled like a normal bike if necessary. Having said that, the 18 mph speed of the Mistral compensates the lack of freewheel to a large extent.

Hilderthorpe Cycles in Bridlington stock the Salisbury, so may go and have a look (and hopefully a try out) of one in the next couple of weeks.

 

[oldosc]

How about the synergy mistral it has a 36v10amp lithium battery for the same price as the salisbury,i am sure somebody posted on here that the mistral will do 18mph,not bad for a budget bike,also the alien bikes on ebay are claiming the bikes to be capable of 20mph but restricted to 15mph,although i asked about whether derestriction would be possible and have not had any reply from them yet after three days.

Am desperate to get bike fro partner, just read this post and flicked to Alien..noticed voltage was 24v Sinergie Mistral is 36v at 10A thats surely 120 watts more available.

 

[oldosc]

HELP HELP
Was just about to order Mistral... When eddie from bikes emailed me that smallest frame was equal to a 19" present cycle for mate is 16" frame
What is actual distance from ground to cross bar of the Mistral PLEASE

 

[MaryinScotland]

Flecc, your comment about the peak power of the Salisbury is interesting. The Electric Transport Shop give the peak power as 520 watts in their on-line brochure.

The Electric Transport Shop is a bit optimistic about peak power. I have an Estelle Comfort on order, and their website quotes maximum power of 1188W. They also claim maximum current of 33 Amp, and they've multiplied this by 36V to get 1188. However, by the Heinzmann specifications, only the high-power motor option goes to 33 amps, the standard motor has max 25 amp. Multiplying that by 36V suggests peak power of 900W. But that doesn't allow for inevitable losses in the system, so I expect a peak somewhat lower than that. Heinzmann is good - but maybe not that good!

With thanks to EmotivePete, who explained this to me when we met at the Nottingham show, and apologies for any errors I may have introduced.

Mary

 

[oldosc]

wot am I missing here, is peak power a sort of holy grail,
according to my early physics 33 amp from a 10ah battery is 18 mins (theoritical) at legal 15 mph, thats 4.5 miles up some hill (needing peak power), or is to cycle to the top of an ivory tower.

 

[homemoz]

From a layman's angle, my understanding is that peak power would only be reached under the highest possible load and for usually shortish periods. It is still useful to have in reserve, depending on where you live and what the hills are like. If I am wrong, would be interesting to hear from one of the better informed forum members. The other thing I've wondered about is power to weight ratio & how this affects performance. Where I live, the hill are moderate rather than steep and I have got up them all on my 180 watt folder without any real problems (find that head winds hold me back a bit though). However, both myself and the bike are fairly light. Could be very different if a couple of stones were added.

Am still leaning towards the Salisbury. Wonder how many of the Carrera Sparcs Halfords have actually sold. Only been able to find the one review on this site & other than than that there seems to be an almost deafening silence about the bike. Shame, 'cause the one I saw in Scarborough looked pretty good with nice frame, decent components etc.

 

[rooel]

Oldosc, I do not think the measurement you ask for would be much help as the top bar on the Mistral slopes. More useful perhaps is that the seat post clamp to the top of the bottom bracket casing measures 40 cms. At least that is what it is on the first two I bought a month ago. On the third and last which I bought the other week the same measurement is nearer 45 cm. However I cannot measure it at present as it is in the bike shop for change of rear sprockets and fitting of Marathon Plus rear tyre.

I can confirm however that all three have been used and enjoyed by me and other members of the family ranging in height from 5 feet 3 inches to over 6 feet.

 

[oldosc]

Thanks rooel, have checked J's old bike, the measurement is under 40cms, we tried the bike out but due to advancing hip problem, and not biking for 8 months found it uncomfortable to say the least. Am glad I was'nt landed with a 45 cm frame this would really have caused problems I think

 

[b4bob]

Halfords Sparc

Bought one of these beginning of June for short commute to work- plus points = light, neat, easy to pedal with power off. Well specced/tidy frame. Sparc very neat. Minus = small battery -definite 'assist' not 'powered' 17" frame but seat post does raise OKfor me 5'10, no mudguards. BUT have now had 4 spokes on 3 occasions snap in rear wheel -not convinced about the spoke strength or lay up. Getting beyond a joke! Aug 08 -Now make that 5 spokes! Beyond a joke -wheel in to local bike shop for decent spokes.

 

[homemoz]

Good to get another impression of the Carrera. In the end I have bought a used Sparc on 20" wheel and will fit it to a folder to get a feel for what the motor is like. If I do like it and find that it has enough power for my needs, then will take another look at the Halfords bike or possibly a Sparc conversion to my Dahon MuP8. However, as I read more posts on this forum, I have started to appreciate the Dahon MuP8 conversion as it is more and more. Considering that it has been used to commute right through the winter in rain, sun and freezing conditions, it hasn't faltered once. The only thing that I keep going on about is the reliance on throttle only (which I know some people prefer to pedelec anyway).

It will be very interesting to see how the Sparc fares in comparison. Will also do a review on the Dahon MuP8 conversion after 6 months of use. I think it has taken me this length of time to get to know the bike properly and to stop comparing it to the ideal, mythical electric folding bike - which doesn't exist.

 

[oldosc]

Hi
you could take a look at the Silverado, I bought one for Lady J last week, IT is afolder, with at the moment a hub motor of which I am investigating..6 gears shimato.
I will write a report when we know more, After 30 miles( by Jen, whom I will repeat is 5' 2" (70) and has a decaying hip...) Magic..at first was woobly, but we have done two 22km trips with me on Aggatu, I am a bit pi***d off by the fact she has now to wait for me on a hill climb ((maybe due to a bit of Angina)(I can get 56K downhill, while the wimp will only do 20/30K).I was waiting for the battery to give up on both occasions, but no problem...I understand this may be a problem see other posts..but at this early stage...WOW.