Hello All
I thought you might be interested in how I am finding my Bionx after about 500 miles - some of you may have seen this at http://www.visforvoltage.com/
Bike
Trek 7300 hybrid c1999
700c wheels with 28mm Continental Ultra Gatorskins (slicks that actually measure 25mm)
13/28 freewheel
22/32/42 chainset (will change to 50 probably)
Thudbuster LT suspension seatpost - (together with the narrow tyres this makes for a faster, smoother ride than fat tyres)
Dinotte li-ion lights: x2 5W bar and helmet, x1 rear on seat post
Modified crank to allow full extension as normal, but top of pedal stroke equates to less than 90 degrees as I have limited knee flexion.
One leg is much stronger than average, one much weaker - even more so as I am recovering from surgery.
Lights - in case anyone's interested I have two 5W li-ion Dinottes (one on the bars, one on my helmet) and a rear one and am very pleased with them.
Kit
Bionx 350w with 36v lithium ion battery; pedal assist and thumb throttle; 8 speed freewheel - all from NyceWheels.
Main route is as per the profile - 6 mile each way commute to work. Longest hill is very slightly over 1/2 mile with a fairly constant 10% gradient.
Reason for getting kit
Exercise for my leg, both for flexion and muscle strength; general exercise; cheaper commute to work (I get paid to cycle!) and I wanted to 'fit it and forget it'.
I tried an Ezee Torq but decided against it as I already had a good quality bike and wanted to add a kit to that that I could put on another bike, possibly a recumbent, if I wanted to. The Ezee Torq, however, was enough to show that an electric bike was the way for me to go.
After much research online I opted for the Bionx kit:
light, to keep the feel of my bike appeared well reviewed but hard to find users' opinions
looked like a good package - I wanted something that would fit easily and require as little maintenance as possible.
Finding a dealer (live in UK)
I contacted Bionx who put recommended NyceWheels and I also found Juergen. Both Bert and Juergen were very helpful but in the end NyceWheels got the stock in and they were able to supply, together with an 8 speed freewheel to replace the cassette mechanism that won't work with the Bionx. I would recommend them both.
Buying process - went without a hitch. I wired the money to NyceWeels and they sent the kit, sans problems.
Fitting the kit
A keen time-trialling friend helped and we fitted the kit with no problems at all and were both impressed at how easily and how well everything slotted together - obviously well thought out. The only very slight thing that doesn't tie in with all this is the charging socket on the battery with is open to the elements, so I have made a little plastic cap that fits over it to keep out rain and dirt.
Battery
Charges in less than 4 hours after which the charger turns itself off. One word re the charger - be sure to set the voltage to the correct amount on the little recessed switch (110v/250v). The mounting mechanism on the downtube is great.
Once fitted, the only way to remove the battery is with a key - I dare say the lock can be picked but you can only do so much to avoid theft.
Console
It fits on a cycle computer type mount and then a screw goes into a hole in the bottom 'locking' it, so to remove it would require tools - again handy for theft prevention.
Motor
The wheel is not quick release, if anything this may be better as again it discourages theft.
On the subject of theft, the console can be locked which puts the system in maximum regeneration mode making it all but impossible to pedal away, but easy enough to push... The alarm that sounds is more of a squark and I can't see it making any difference to a theif to be honest. Still, if the console is locked, I guess if prevents the theif from actually being able to use the bike.
First ride
Easily able to keep up with my friend's pace of about 20+mph but gearing meant I could not keep up with him when he pushed on. However, up hills, I was easily able to leave him far behind although I was very impressed by his turn of speed once he'd crested the hills. Downhill, the regeneration mode worked very well at slowing speed; the way it is hooked up the (front) brake level works very well too and does wonders for the braking distance.
First 500 miles
In a month or so I have done about 500 miles, mostly in the dry but also been caught in some heavy rain - no problems in the wet.
In use - very pleased indeed. I can put in as much or as little effort as I want, and use a combination of pedal assisted and throttle assisted riding - bear in mind I have limited knee flexion and strength, all the more so because of the modified crank which restricts leverage. Most of my riding is currently at maximum pedal assistance, and I often use the throttle too. In time my leg will be stronger and I could well ease off on the assistance.
Range - because I am currently using maximum assistance nearly all the time, 20 miles is about the limit. However, from experimenting over shorter rides with lower levels of assistance, I think this could quite easily be doubled and still give you an easy ride.
Speed - I weigh about 165lb and the narrow slicks help a lot too, and the bike itself is reasonably light, which all goes to help the speed. Unassisted I can get up a half mile long 10% hill at about 14mph, but I normally pedal and can get up most hills around here in top. My top speed is limited by the gearing as I cannot spin fast enough to keep up so will change the chainset in time, probably to a 50 tooth or maybe 52 tooth ring. When you get to the speed limit the system gradually shuts down rather than simply cutting off but, even so, there's an odd sensation when it does stop as it feels like the wind has suddenly picked up! That does not seem to happen so much with the thumb throttle.
The only time I drop through the gears is to pull away, whereas before the Bionx, most hills saw me down to bottom gear - 11 on the rear cog and 22 on the front.
Generation mode - I have not done any tests to see how much this extends the riding distance but I'd guess you'd need to live in a mountainous area to get the most out of it. I do use it though as I figure every little helps, and have not had any problems with it - no vibration or overheating. The thing I like most about it is the reduction in braking distance.
General
I wondered how the Bionx would cope with the disparity in power between my strong and weak leg but it generally copes fine although sometimes it will cut the assistance when I am cruising - presumably because my effort is insufficient for the system to think I need a hand; a slight increase in pedal power sorts that out though, and I am guessing that most people might not experience it as both legs would be pedalling equally.
I have yet to try it out in rain but apart from that I have done everything on it I intend to and it works extremely well for me and has opened up a whole new world for me as although I used to be very active, my weak leg has seriously limited what I have been able to do.
In short, I think everyone should have an electric bike - but I am preaching to the converted here on that one!
Especially if you can get away from traffic, it is just so much nicer than travelling around in a car. My commutes to work are just fine and have been lovely as we enter autumn and I cycle along watching the morning sun burning off the mist. I take it easier on the way to work so I arrive without sweating buckets but push a bit harder on the way home. At weekends I have been exploring some of the country lanes around here and enjoying the quiet, the views and the wildlife.
Buying the Bionx was a bit of a risk for me as I couldn't try one out and was wary of sending all that money across the Atlantic, but NyceWheels couldn't have been more helpful and the kit itself is exactly what I wanted. Now, if only it cost 50p and a conker...
Cheers
Nick
My crank:
Most of my commute:
Yours truly.... with the crank at the top of the pedal stroke (and sans Thudbuster and Dinottes):
I thought you might be interested in how I am finding my Bionx after about 500 miles - some of you may have seen this at http://www.visforvoltage.com/
Bike
Trek 7300 hybrid c1999
700c wheels with 28mm Continental Ultra Gatorskins (slicks that actually measure 25mm)
13/28 freewheel
22/32/42 chainset (will change to 50 probably)
Thudbuster LT suspension seatpost - (together with the narrow tyres this makes for a faster, smoother ride than fat tyres)
Dinotte li-ion lights: x2 5W bar and helmet, x1 rear on seat post
Modified crank to allow full extension as normal, but top of pedal stroke equates to less than 90 degrees as I have limited knee flexion.
One leg is much stronger than average, one much weaker - even more so as I am recovering from surgery.
Lights - in case anyone's interested I have two 5W li-ion Dinottes (one on the bars, one on my helmet) and a rear one and am very pleased with them.
Kit
Bionx 350w with 36v lithium ion battery; pedal assist and thumb throttle; 8 speed freewheel - all from NyceWheels.
Main route is as per the profile - 6 mile each way commute to work. Longest hill is very slightly over 1/2 mile with a fairly constant 10% gradient.
Reason for getting kit
Exercise for my leg, both for flexion and muscle strength; general exercise; cheaper commute to work (I get paid to cycle!) and I wanted to 'fit it and forget it'.
I tried an Ezee Torq but decided against it as I already had a good quality bike and wanted to add a kit to that that I could put on another bike, possibly a recumbent, if I wanted to. The Ezee Torq, however, was enough to show that an electric bike was the way for me to go.
After much research online I opted for the Bionx kit:
light, to keep the feel of my bike appeared well reviewed but hard to find users' opinions
looked like a good package - I wanted something that would fit easily and require as little maintenance as possible.
Finding a dealer (live in UK)
I contacted Bionx who put recommended NyceWheels and I also found Juergen. Both Bert and Juergen were very helpful but in the end NyceWheels got the stock in and they were able to supply, together with an 8 speed freewheel to replace the cassette mechanism that won't work with the Bionx. I would recommend them both.
Buying process - went without a hitch. I wired the money to NyceWeels and they sent the kit, sans problems.
Fitting the kit
A keen time-trialling friend helped and we fitted the kit with no problems at all and were both impressed at how easily and how well everything slotted together - obviously well thought out. The only very slight thing that doesn't tie in with all this is the charging socket on the battery with is open to the elements, so I have made a little plastic cap that fits over it to keep out rain and dirt.
Battery
Charges in less than 4 hours after which the charger turns itself off. One word re the charger - be sure to set the voltage to the correct amount on the little recessed switch (110v/250v). The mounting mechanism on the downtube is great.
Once fitted, the only way to remove the battery is with a key - I dare say the lock can be picked but you can only do so much to avoid theft.
Console
It fits on a cycle computer type mount and then a screw goes into a hole in the bottom 'locking' it, so to remove it would require tools - again handy for theft prevention.
Motor
The wheel is not quick release, if anything this may be better as again it discourages theft.
On the subject of theft, the console can be locked which puts the system in maximum regeneration mode making it all but impossible to pedal away, but easy enough to push... The alarm that sounds is more of a squark and I can't see it making any difference to a theif to be honest. Still, if the console is locked, I guess if prevents the theif from actually being able to use the bike.
First ride
Easily able to keep up with my friend's pace of about 20+mph but gearing meant I could not keep up with him when he pushed on. However, up hills, I was easily able to leave him far behind although I was very impressed by his turn of speed once he'd crested the hills. Downhill, the regeneration mode worked very well at slowing speed; the way it is hooked up the (front) brake level works very well too and does wonders for the braking distance.
First 500 miles
In a month or so I have done about 500 miles, mostly in the dry but also been caught in some heavy rain - no problems in the wet.
In use - very pleased indeed. I can put in as much or as little effort as I want, and use a combination of pedal assisted and throttle assisted riding - bear in mind I have limited knee flexion and strength, all the more so because of the modified crank which restricts leverage. Most of my riding is currently at maximum pedal assistance, and I often use the throttle too. In time my leg will be stronger and I could well ease off on the assistance.
Range - because I am currently using maximum assistance nearly all the time, 20 miles is about the limit. However, from experimenting over shorter rides with lower levels of assistance, I think this could quite easily be doubled and still give you an easy ride.
Speed - I weigh about 165lb and the narrow slicks help a lot too, and the bike itself is reasonably light, which all goes to help the speed. Unassisted I can get up a half mile long 10% hill at about 14mph, but I normally pedal and can get up most hills around here in top. My top speed is limited by the gearing as I cannot spin fast enough to keep up so will change the chainset in time, probably to a 50 tooth or maybe 52 tooth ring. When you get to the speed limit the system gradually shuts down rather than simply cutting off but, even so, there's an odd sensation when it does stop as it feels like the wind has suddenly picked up! That does not seem to happen so much with the thumb throttle.
The only time I drop through the gears is to pull away, whereas before the Bionx, most hills saw me down to bottom gear - 11 on the rear cog and 22 on the front.
Generation mode - I have not done any tests to see how much this extends the riding distance but I'd guess you'd need to live in a mountainous area to get the most out of it. I do use it though as I figure every little helps, and have not had any problems with it - no vibration or overheating. The thing I like most about it is the reduction in braking distance.
General
I wondered how the Bionx would cope with the disparity in power between my strong and weak leg but it generally copes fine although sometimes it will cut the assistance when I am cruising - presumably because my effort is insufficient for the system to think I need a hand; a slight increase in pedal power sorts that out though, and I am guessing that most people might not experience it as both legs would be pedalling equally.
I have yet to try it out in rain but apart from that I have done everything on it I intend to and it works extremely well for me and has opened up a whole new world for me as although I used to be very active, my weak leg has seriously limited what I have been able to do.
In short, I think everyone should have an electric bike - but I am preaching to the converted here on that one!
Especially if you can get away from traffic, it is just so much nicer than travelling around in a car. My commutes to work are just fine and have been lovely as we enter autumn and I cycle along watching the morning sun burning off the mist. I take it easier on the way to work so I arrive without sweating buckets but push a bit harder on the way home. At weekends I have been exploring some of the country lanes around here and enjoying the quiet, the views and the wildlife.
Buying the Bionx was a bit of a risk for me as I couldn't try one out and was wary of sending all that money across the Atlantic, but NyceWheels couldn't have been more helpful and the kit itself is exactly what I wanted. Now, if only it cost 50p and a conker...
Cheers
Nick
My crank:
Most of my commute:
Yours truly.... with the crank at the top of the pedal stroke (and sans Thudbuster and Dinottes):
