The Powabyke/Ezee F series debate.. Who will service my bike?

[musicbooks]

Hi,
Some may argue that this is a no-brainer but I am still wrestling with the decision to buy or not to buy The Powabyke Euro or the Ezee Forte.. I take on board all your comments including the usual excellent advice from Flecc but I am still very concerned about reliability of this relatively new technology and the after-care service and back-up that these bikes require. I am not a teckie like many on this site and that worries me a great deal. Frank Curran at Powabyke has been very helpful indeed regarding advice on which Powabyke will suit my hilly needs, but as he rightly pointed out, all bikes should go through a regular service check every 6-9 months. How is that possible with an online mail order company? What happens if things go wrong.. (and judging from this forum.. things go wrong quite alot!) ? I suppose, the -in other words of it -is my heart says Forte but my sensible head says Powabyke (after all the head (ho ho) office is in Bath and I live just round the corner). So, 50cycles or anyone else for that matter, if you can convince my head, then you can have my money and my commitment to your product.
Tom
musicbooks

 

[flecc]

And there's the fact that Powabyke dealers give service too, albeit some better than others, and you have a choice of them in the area. I think four in Bristol across two dealerships, but there's some just outside the area who strongly support the marque.

As for routine servicing, the motors, batteries and electronic parts on the eZee bikes don't need any, simply because there's nothing accessible to service. Once running ok, they then run on for years trouble free, and that goes for hub motors in general. The only time trouble is normally experienced is in the first few miles if there's a fault in manufacture or caused in transit, but that's attended to under warranty, with collection and delivery if required, so not a problem.

I bought a very early Torq which suffered a motor problem in the first few miles, but the motor wheel complete was changed for a new one and it's done thousands of miles since and runs perfectly. The similarly motored Quando has also been faultless for me throughout it's life, a tough one entailing lots of heavy towing in a very hilly area.

The bike side does need servicing of course, but they use standard cycle components which any cycle dealer is competent to attend to.

The only thing I have any question with is the li-ion battery on any bike. These do not like sustained high loadings, and you have some wicked hills in the Bath area, both long and steep. The Forte throttle will have to be used judiciously, avoiding long periods on steep hills at full throttle, while making an adequate contribution through the pedals. The temptation to relax on pedalling and wind the throttle fully open for long periods is likely to cause the battery safety cut-out to operate, leaving you without power until you switch off and back on, then setting off much more carefully. If this really is a matter for concern, you could ask if it could be supplied with the NiMh battery and charger instead, this being available with some other eZee models. That type just delivers power without cutting out, but have slightly less capacity and need more attention to the way they are charged.

I have no experience with Powabyke's newly introduced Lithium battery, but it's likely these remarks apply to that as well, it being the technology that has the characteristics, not the manufacture.
.

 

[Ian]

The parts of most electric bikes that do require regular checks and maintenance are the normal cycle parts which are identical to those on conventional cycles and maintainable by any competent bicycle mechanic. The electrical parts require virtually no maintenance, in fact on Ezee bikes the only maintenance recommended is lubricating the motor gears at 5000 mile intervals, and I'm not even sure whether that is required on the F series. If applicable, full instructions are in the manual.

PS Crossed with Fleccs post, I agree with his comments about batteries.

 

[frank9755]

Tom,

A valid concern and one shared by many people who, like me, believe that electric bikes are not particularly suited to internet retail.

Many normal cycle shops fix electric bikes although some do not. For example a one local to me will not do so much as fix a puncture on an electric bike because he says they are too heavy for his stand.

If I were you I would identify a local dealer who you would plan to use for service, should you buy an Ezee. Ask them if they would maintain it for you. You could do worse than try the Powabyke dealers as they have bought in to the principle of electric bikes. If you find one or more willing in principle to fix the Ezee, then you are ok. If they all say no, you would be taking a risk!

Frank

 

[Ian]

For example a one local to me will not do so much as fix a puncture on an electric bike because he says they are too heavy for his stand.

I don't doubt this is is true but I think the argument is based on prejudice rather than the invalid claim about weight, does the shop not do punctures on tandems or workbikes either . Many modern ebikes with the battery removed are lighter than some of the £70 supermarket bikes that make up the bulk of bike sales these days.

My own view is that with so many cheap bikes available to a throwaway society the only bikes that will ever see the inside of a workshop are the more expensive types, a number of those being electric, and any dealer turning away this work is not likely to be around for much longer.

 

[musicbooks]

Thanks everyone.. I'll check out local dealers. I believe Hares in Bath is the local dealer for Powabyke so I might start with them.

 

[flecc]

The Bristol dealers are on this page, and you'll see that Fred Baker Cycles at Fishponds is also an approved service centre.
.

 

[musicbooks]

Thanks Flecc.. developing a migrane trying to decide what to do!!

 

[gkilner]

Hi Tom,

I just wanted to say that I own a Powabyke and even though the service / sales backup is very good, if you can afford the extra money, I'm sure the Ezee Forza/Forte will be a much nicer bike to own.

I pass someone on a Forza riding in the opposite direction to me every morning and he always looks very happy and smug.

 

[Fat Girl]

How to attract older men

Hi Tom,

I just wanted to say that I own a Powabyke and even though the service / sales backup is very good, if you can afford the extra money, I'm sure the Ezee Forza/Forte will be a much nicer bike to own.

I pass someone on a Forza riding in the opposite direction to me every morning and he always looks very happy and smug.

I agree - the forte is a bit of a head turner round here. If you want to attract the attention of mechanically minded older men, the forte is the one for you! tee hee