Tesco Hopper for £340

[patpatbut]

It seems a very good deal

http://www.tesco.com/direct/hopper-city-electric-bike/432-0796.prd?recommendationId=e37508a1-9ae7-46b9-92d3-8f163e5ee536.0&skuId=432-0796

£40 off when spend £200 on bike

Pat

 

[Cabo]

The only thing i notice in the specs. is the battery is rated 5 ah.
The orginal at £399 had a 8.5 ah.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

They have 6 ebikes now. That cheap one has no gears or suspension either.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/sports-leisure/electric-bikes/cat3375188.cat?catId=4294889899

 

[los monty]

The blue model at £420 discounted to £380 has the big battery and suspension.

The Urban at £450 with the discount is probably a better buy having full mudguards and a slightly bigger battery. You also have the rack that contains the battery which is a stronger solution. Lots of posts on here about problems with frog type battery fittings.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The sensible manufacturers have braced the frame of the frog battery, so that it won't break. Also the 24v one is much lighter, so less stress. Therefore, I don't think it's anything to worry about on these bikes.

 

[los monty]

The sensible manufacturers have braced the frame of the frog battery, so that it won't break. Also the 24v one is much lighter, so less stress. Therefore, I don't think it's anything to worry about on these bikes.

Reassuring but there also seems to be a problem with the locating pins which seem a little flimsy. Think this may account for the number of Ego's selling at a discount and listed as New but missing packaging. The Hoppers do not seem to have suffered the same problem perhaps a better PDI to see locating lock and pins are lined up. But as you know d8veh my mechanical / electrical skills are at best rudimentary

 

[Cabo]

Reassuring but there also seems to be a problem with the locating pins which seem a little flimsy. Think this may account for the number of Ego's selling at a discount and listed as New but missing packaging. The Hoppers do not seem to have suffered the same problem perhaps a better PDI to see locating lock and pins are lined up. But as you know d8veh my mechanical / electrical skills are at best rudimentary

Yes I broke the plastic bracket holding the locating pins about 2 months after purchase. It is fragile because the screw hole between the pins, holding it to the frame leaves very little plastic to the edges.
I just glued it together, and to the frame with hot melt glue, and that was 14 months ago and it is still holding.
I am now more careful attaching the battery. I slide it in the guides and lightly push it up until the pins are just inside the battery and then push them more firmly home.
I would be more tempted for the model with gears/mudguards/rack, as I have bought these over the year and has probably worked out a bit more expensive.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Reassuring but there also seems to be a problem with the locating pins which seem a little flimsy.

What pins are you referring to? I've never seen anything flimsy.

 

[Cabo]

What pins are you referring to? I've never seen anything flimsy.

They are the kettle type plug for the battery.
The pins are big and strong, but the plastic holding them together is quite thin and only about 12mm wide. There is a countersunk screw holding it on between the pins, and its dia. is about 6mm.
If you start the battery on the holder and push straight in with force, the pins can be slightly out of line and can end up stressing the plastic bracket. and can end up breaking the plastic at the screw, as mine did.
That's why I think it best to push the battery along the tray easy so the tip of the pins can line up, and then push home. As there is a bit of side play on the guides.

 

[Cabo]

p.s.
I google searched and looked up my maplins catalogue for another 'kettle'
plug- to replace it, but with no result. Maybe I have the wrong name for this connector

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I see what you mean. It's not the pins that are flimsy, but the holder instead. I guess that your battery wasn't properly located in its tracks when you shoved it forward. Mine are always a it stiff, so my procedure is: locate the battery in its tracks; slide it forward to the pins; whack it with the heel of your hand until you can lock it with the key.

The bit you need is a special part, so it doesn't have a name. I've got one somewhere if you get desperate.

 

[Cabo]

Many thanks for the offer. My hot melt seems to be holding well since the holder is glued to frame.
Someone else might be in more need.

 

[los monty]

Mine had been glued before and one they supplied me before that had the same problem. Wife liked the bike so much we just wired it in place but means can only charge it in situ. Looks like it might be worth trying hot melt.