Thoughts on Carrera Crossfire-E

[doclatham]

does the new model also have the cut-out problem ?

My bike had the cut out problem - about 7 times in 1100km so quite rare. Halfords eventually sent it away to a 3rd party for repair. I am going to pick it up tonight. My wife had the same problem on hers and a colleague at work also. So 3 out of 3. I'll be interested to hear if they actually acknowledge they have found a problem, or just say they couldn't reproduce it - because they didn't want to cycle 200km to trigger it!

 

[egroover]

My bike had the cut out problem - about 7 times in 1100km so quite rare. Halfords eventually sent it away to a 3rd party for repair. I am going to pick it up tonight. My wife had the same problem on hers and a colleague at work also. So 3 out of 3. I'll be interested to hear if they actually acknowledge they have found a problem, or just say they couldn't reproduce it - because they didn't want to cycle 200km to trigger it!

Interesting...was it just the battery that was sent off or the whole bike ? I've had the problem about 6-7 times in 1000km only twice where it needed the key and a complete battery removal (other times just press the battery button)
How long has it taken to turn around the fix ? Use mine daily so would be an incovenience if too long

Cheers

 

[redcup1999]

does the new model also have the cut-out problem ?

Yes. Mine cut out for the 1st time today. No big deal, but disappointing nonetheless.

 

[redcup1999]

has anyone(Carrera user) got the experience of comparison of Carrera crossfire with any Bosch-crank-drive bike ? If yes, can you please share your opinion.

I have ridden Bosch, but not in taxing circumstances. (I liked it!)

I have ridden Yamaha up steep hills so can compare against that - Yamaha drive hauls my 17stone weight up a 13% hill with a bit more ease than the carrera pulls me up an 11.7% hill. I guess that is the torque difference?

I think you really need to ride both and decide for yourself. For me, the price differential between Carrera and the Bosch / Yamaha powered bikes was not a price worth paying (£600+) - I figure if I get on with the bike I will replace it with a more technically advanced one in a few years time.

 

[sunil]

I have ridden Bosch, but not in taxing circumstances. (I liked it!)

I have ridden Yamaha up steep hills so can compare against that - Yamaha drive hauls my 17stone weight up a 13% hill with a bit more ease than the carrera pulls me up an 11.7% hill. I guess that is the torque difference?

I think you really need to ride both and decide for yourself. For me, the price differential between Carrera and the Bosch / Yamaha powered bikes was not a price worth paying (£600+) - I figure if I get on with the bike I will replace it with a more technically advanced one in a few years time.

Thanks redcupp for your response!! I have tried both rides but unfortunately the test ride time/terrain is too short to make a decision if extra 6-700 pounds are worth..

 

[Altop1]

Hi my thoughts exactly have tried the crosffire and a bosh bike,cube, both very good heart would like the cube but that extra cash is holding me back.cheers

 

[egroover]

I still think the crossfire is hell of a lot of bike for the money (£1100) compared to the competition.
I managed the nabb it for about £640 after discounts and vouchers etc back in August, so a no-brainer at that price.
50 mile run at the weekend, on 25% assist with 15% battery remaining (that included some big hills)
Halfords often do 10% off everything flash sale. Get another 10% with British Cycling membership, that takes it down to nearly £900

Good luck

 

[sunil]

I still think the crossfire is hell of a lot of bike for the money (£1100) compared to the competition.
I managed the nabb it for about £640 after discounts and vouchers etc back in August, so a no-brainer at that price.
50 mile run at the weekend, on 25% assist with 15% battery remaining (that included some big hills)
Halfords often do 10% off everything flash sale. Get another 10% with British Cycling membership, that takes it down to nearly £900

Good luck

thanks egroover for your 'decisive' opinion.

 

[redcup1999]

I still think the crossfire is hell of a lot of bike for the money (£1100) compared to the competition.
I managed the nabb it for about £640 after discounts and vouchers etc back in August, so a no-brainer at that price.
50 mile run at the weekend, on 25% assist with 15% battery remaining (that included some big hills)
Halfords often do 10% off everything flash sale. Get another 10% with British Cycling membership, that takes it down to nearly £900

Good luck

Agree with most of this.
At £1100 I would have had a closer look at offerings from competitors.
At less than £900 I think it is a great option.
If you can buy discounted gift vouchers through work (or elsewhere), you should be able to get it for less than £800.

In terms of battery, I have commuted 30 miles in "Sport" mode and have 42% battery remaining (my commute is fairly flat and I try to pedal above 16mph where possible to save the battery).

Very happy with it so far.

 

[AndyEBike]

has anyone(Carrera user) got the experience of comparison of Carrera crossfire with any Bosch-crank-drive bike ? If yes, can you please share your opinion.

Yes, originally bought a Crossfire which is now my wife's bike and I have a Cube Cross Hybrid with the Bosch crank drive. The Bosch is smoother in my opinion - unsurprising as it has more inputs (cadence, speed and torque) and does clever things like momentarily stopping assistance on gear changes. Of course, it was some £500 more than the Crossfire. Both do the job well. Depends whether you want to pay more. I mix some fairly rough off roading on Dartmoor with a lot of cycling on very hilly Devon lanes. The Cube is better off road (bigger wheels, semi-knobbly tyres, better frame) but the Crossfire's motor is fine off road too, the bike itself is just better suited to road use. For off-road a crank drive gives better weight distribution when coping with the technical bits. In terms of hill climbing etc there is little difference. The Crossfire motor may be fractionally quieter - probably because it is behind you. So - if you just want a bike for road use and gravel and don't want to spend that extra money the Crossfire is a fine bike. Want to get a bit muddy? Look for a crank drive.

 

[sunil]

Yes, originally bought a Crossfire which is now my wife's bike and I have a Cube Cross Hybrid with the Bosch crank drive. The Bosch is smoother in my opinion - unsurprising as it has more inputs (cadence, speed and torque) and does clever things like momentarily stopping assistance on gear changes. Of course, it was some £500 more than the Crossfire. Both do the job well. Depends whether you want to pay more. I mix some fairly rough off roading on Dartmoor with a lot of cycling on very hilly Devon lanes. The Cube is better off road (bigger wheels, semi-knobbly tyres, better frame) but the Crossfire's motor is fine off road too, the bike itself is just better suited to road use. For off-road a crank drive gives better weight distribution when coping with the technical bits. In terms of hill climbing etc there is little difference. The Crossfire motor may be fractionally quieter - probably because it is behind you. So - if you just want a bike for road use and gravel and don't want to spend that extra money the Crossfire is a fine bike. Want to get a bit muddy? Look for a crank drive.

Thanks Andy for your response. I think i have decided on my option. If i am able to get Bosch bike at around £1500 with cycle2work scheme voucher then i will go for it else i will go for Carrera.

 

[David Grant]

bit off topic but what do you guys use to transport your bikes ? i recently bought a universal bike rack for the back of my car and low and behold couldn't get our E-bikes on the thing!!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Tow bar rack. Halfords do some at a reasonable price.

 

[Trevormonty]

What ever you buy, just be careful that none of electrical cables will get damaged when sitting on rack. I had to reroute a cable on my wife's bike. Who ever designed bike didn't think how it would fit on a rack.

 

[David Grant]

Tow bar rack. Halfords do some at a reasonable price.

no tow bar so thats out i'm thinking roof rack

 

[Brynric]

i'm thinking roof rack

Be aware of how much you can lift. I'm a big bloke, ex rugby player ( ok, old and fat) but I struggle to lift the Carrera onto the motorhome bike rack. Good luck!

 

[David Grant]

with the battery off it aint that bad

 

[redcup1999]

Has anybody out there swapped the carrera saddle out for a new one?

Do you want to sell the old one?

My partner loves the Carrera Saddle on her crossfire-e and wants one the same for her non-assisted bike - so if anyone can help me out for a reasonable price, please let me know.

 

[David Grant]

just to say the roof rack worked a treat and the bikes are fine to lift on not too heavy without the battery in just needed a little set of steps for the height

this was what i bought.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/p/2-x-universal-car-roof-mounted-upright-bicycle-rack-bike-locking-cycle-carrier/1055234759?_trksid=p2047675.l2644

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291633048756?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Artmuzz]

I had a bad day on my Crossfire-E yesterday. Firstly the motor cut off again (the fourth time since getting the bike in July) but I long pressed on the power button on the battery (as I usually do) which fixes it then whilst cycling home I developed a puncture in the rear tyre and spent a fiver on a puncture repair kit. I then got home and my pump broke when trying to inflate the tube to see where the damage is. I then went back to my bike shop and another fiver on a new bicycle pump. Anyway, I managed to repair the tube myself without taking the wheel off the bike as with it being an e-bike I am a bit unsure about disconnecting the electric wiring on the wheel. However it looks like in future if I have to get a new tube then it's up to Halfords for them to remove the rear wheel for the job to be done.