Returning to ebikes

[Giraffe]

I'm returning to ebikes.
My original ebike was about 6 years ago (Shimano Steps mid drive hybrid) but I didn't take to it and I sold it. Main reasons were: weight of the bike, too much assistance/not enough exercise, didn't like the drag from the motor when switched off or above 15mph.

So I just stuck to regular bikes and limited myself to rides of aound 25 miles and not too hilly.

I've since thought about giving it another try with a steathlier lighter bike. Considered conversions like Cytronex (battery capacity too small) and Swych (limited range, quality? safety eg brake cutout is extra). Also looked at light ebikes with Mahle system and also the Specialised one but preferred a removable battery.

I've now taken the plunge and ordered a Canyon Ridelite 50 On which has a Fazua Ride 60. This has a removable 430 wh battery. It seems to tick all my boxes and is currently on sale. Will have to see how it works out.

 

[lenny]

Fazua

Disabled cyclist; with one bad choice behind her, needs help with a new bike

I know what I don't want (I already have that) I need a low step through, with shedloads of power to take me not very fast, everywhere, even up hills I needs to be light, with big wheels, suspension, very sit up and beg In fact a complete cross between the 2 bikes I have The crusa is too...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

 

[Giraffe]

It looks like I want (to some extent) the opposite to Katy. Not too much assistance, bike with top tube rather than step through, no suspension, definitely not sit up and beg.

Everyone wants something different. Hopefully we can all find the right bike for our needs.

 

[Bikes4two]

...... Considered conversions like Cytronex (battery capacity too small) and Swych (limited range, quality? safety eg brake cutout is extra).

You're right about the small batteries for the Cytronex and Swytch but range of course depends on how much assist you want from the motor and ride length. Several members of my local Cycling UK group (most in their late 60s/early 70s) have the Cytronex on tandems (and one solo bike) and with one exception, all are happy with the battery mainly because they still put in a fair amount of their own effort and the controller seems good at eking on the power, thus rides of 50 miles or so are achieved. (and zero motor drag when no power)

Similarly for the Swytch I think - I've recently had my friend's machine for battery investigation, which as a 3rd generation system, was incredible well built and it's connections looked very solid - a far cry I'd imagine from the countess connection problems to be found in forums across the internet.

Also looked at light ebikes with Mahle system and also the Specialised one but preferred a removable battery.{/quote] The Mahle systems are popular in my group too, mainly the X35 but some X20 too. Again, great ranges achieved (50+) from riders who only require a little assistance.

Only one rider to my knowledge, has the Specialized ebike system and it is infuriatingly noisy compared to all the other systems we have in the club (the usual Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha and kits such as the Bafang mid drives and TSDZ2)

. It seems to tick all my boxes and is currently on sale. Will have to see how it works out.

Only one of those in our group and they did have a bit of a teething problem (clicking from bottom bracket area) but the motor was replaced f-o-c and no problems and several thousand miles since.

 

[egroover]

I hope they have sorted out the issues with this motor

FAZUA Ride 60 - in our big 2023 e-mountainbike motor comparison test

We tested the FAZUA Ride 60 Light eMTB motor, both in the lab and on the trail. It sounds promising, but how does it fare in real life?

ebike-mtb.com

 

[Giraffe]

I hope they have sorted out the issues with this motor

FAZUA Ride 60 - in our big 2023 e-mountainbike motor comparison test

We tested the FAZUA Ride 60 Light eMTB motor, both in the lab and on the trail. It sounds promising, but how does it fare in real life?

ebike-mtb.com

Yes I read about some of these sorts of reviews but it is now 2 years since Ride 60 has been released and there have been a number of firmwear upgrades plus I think they have made changes to the hardware to solve the initial problems.

Apparently it is far more reliable now than when it was first introduced but if there are still problems at least I have a 2 year guarantee. They are supposed to be good at fixing or replacing things if needed. So fingers crossed.

Ride 60 seems a big improvement over Ride 50 when it does work. More torque and much bigger battery but similar weight.