Tonaro and Momentum reviews in new A to B issue 92

[flecc]

Just received the latest issue 92 of A to B magazine, which has reviews of two new simply specified Chinese made e-bikes under the Momentum brand. They have some interesting features and A to B are clearly impressed.

The Tonaro review is of the Eagle model and it is distinctly critical in a number of ways, bike weight, battery weight, battery warranty, power control, gear and chain problems and range being singled out in particular for criticism.

I have to say that, as ever, I differ quite strongly from many of the views they express, especially on the Momentum bikes. The issue 92 hasn't reached the free-to-read online website yet, but should do so shortly.

 

[Cyclezee]

I have not had the benefit of reading these particular reviews, but from previous magazine reviews of electric bikes, it seems to me that they are not entirely unbiased.

Call me cynical, but it would seem to me that there is a link between spending on advertising and a favourable review.

 

[RoadieRoger]

The A to B Magazine was mentioned in a Saturday Motoring Section of the Telegraph concerning the Knighton Event and this triggered my interest in Ebikes . I tried to find a copy in Smiths the News Agents and then found out it was by Subscription only and didn`t bother . When I looked online they did seem to have it in for Importers that ignored them or refused to let them have a sample to test . I must agree with John on his point about advertising .
Anyone wishing to start Ebiking might be better advised to read or join the Pedelec Forum for the real world experiences of it`s Members . Why go anywhere else ?
A bonus is to be able to go straight to the sites of the Advertisers who actively participate on the Forum .

 

[Blew it]

I read these reviews a couple of days ago. I've always preferred the opinion of David Henshaw, a man who actually rides electric bikes regularly. Of particular interest was his road test of the Tonaro Eagle. Obviously I'm not going to disagree with his view of the machine....it's not everybodies cup of tea. What did surprise me, knowledgeable as he is, he failed to realise a quick touch on a brake is all that's needed to quieten the gearchanges...a knack that us Tonaro riders soon learned.

....and how on Earth he managed to break the chain is beyond my understanding.

 

[flecc]

....and how on Earth he managed to break the chain is beyond my understanding.

Just as baffling to me, it seemed like a very amateurish thing for a rider to do, and very unexpected for such a highly experienced cyclist. He does seem to be slightly biased against derailleurs though.

Where I always differ from him in his reviewing method is the inclusion of his own considerable cycling abilities in quoting bike performance. This often considerably distorts speeds and ranges far from what most e-bikers will realistically get, so somewhat misleading. An example is his restart on a 1 in 6 hill on the Bafang motored Momentum model with a 66" low gear and without standing out of the saddle. Few typical e-bikers would manage that.

 

[Geebee]

Maybe the chain broke due to acting like Top Gear presenters, they make things fail if they don't like them.

 

[jhruk]

J

Where I always differ from him in his reviewing method is the inclusion of his own considerable cycling abilities in quoting bike performance. This often considerably distorts speeds and ranges far from what most e-bikers will realistically get, so somewhat misleading. An example is his restart on a 1 in 6 hill on the Bafang motored Momentum model with a 66" low gear and without standing out of the saddle. Few typical e-bikers would manage that.

Agreed. For the Upstart he quotes a ‘more or less flat, near ten-mile ride in 31 minutes’ That’s an average of nearly 20mph. With no hills, and if the motor runs out of steam at 17mph, as he claims, the motor can’t be contributing all that much.

I do enjoy the magazine though.

 

[flecc]

I enjoy the magazine too, but most people just don't get the mix of folders, e-bikes, public transport and environmental issues, so the circulation worldwide stayed bogged down around 2500 copies. Now it's free online it's probably close to being run charitably, since the advertising revenue for that tiny circulation must be very small.

I'm all for these small publications to get the widest range of opinions though. I even supported their newer "Miniature Railway" publication by subscribing to help it get off the ground, despite having no interest in the subject other than some engineering aspects. It is a good publication though, better I think than A to B and obviously David's first love, probably standing above the A to B subjects in that regard.

 

[barrycoll]

Have to disagree with you folks, as I think his reviews are seemingly well considered.....as for derailleurs, well he does say that they work well with a 'good' crank drive system, but that he is not that hot on the pedal movement sensor as fitted to the Eagle....
...in his conclusion, he does say that he is doing "his best to find humbler cheaper products that do the business"....he sums up by saying that the Eagle "is very interesting, solidly made, and a near silent and effective hill climber".....with the proviso that you get to grips with the gear/sensor issue

so doubtless a trial run would give it the thumbs Up or Down

as for the Momentum Upstart, well his conclusion after his 10 mile/31 min ride, was that it is "blindingly fast"...
his 1:6 hill start, without getting out of the saddle, may be unavailable to some forum cyclists, but does indicate that it has more potential than most....for that sort of money

....and his sense of humour, makes each edition a Must Read

cheers barryc.

 

[jhruk]

I'm all for these small publications to get the widest range of opinions though. I even supported their newer "Miniature Railway" publication by subscribing to help it get off the ground, despite having no interest in the subject other than some engineering aspects. It is a good publication though, better I think than A to B and obviously David's first love, probably standing above the A to B subjects in that regard.

So did I - for the same reason. Whenever I come across a miniature railway now I feel I should know something about it. Unfortunately, without the interest, the detail doesn’t stick with me.

 

[Kenny]

Must confess I once broke the chain on my non-electric Scott Sportster.

I had slowed while downshifting and hopped onto a pavement in preparation for climbing a short hill. I powered the pedals to early, before the gears had settled, and the chain snapped.
Was fortunate a couple of friendly roadies with a chain splitter were passing. (always carry a chain tool now)

I'm 11 stone and of average strength, so it was down to my own clumsiness.
It's only happened once but I could see it being more lightly to happen on an electric bike if the power was still feeding in during a gear change.

 

[eddieo]

haver never heard of them but looks decent enough, shame they could not reverse battery around post placing it inside frame...but looks good value dependent on spec but website lacks detail.

http://www.momentumelectric.com/shop/upstart/

 

[flecc]

as for the Momentum Upstart, well his conclusion after his 10 mile/31 min ride, was that it is "blindingly fast"...
his 1:6 hill start, without getting out of the saddle, may be unavailable to some forum cyclists, but does indicate that it has more potential than most....for that sort of money

Not really Barry, since it only assists to 17 mph, an almost 20 mph average on the flat is saying he, David, is blindingly fast. So who is it reviewing, David or the bike?

And if that hill start isn't available to some (I'd say most) forum cyclists, it's clearly not a review comment of the bike's abilities.

We had a similar issue with the Nano-Brompton, a claimed 48 mile range on a tiny battery when his average speed in largely fairly flat country was over 16 mph and that bike only assists to 13 mph. David's range, not the bike's. There are numerous other examples.

A good e-bike review and test should as far as possible exclude or at least minimise the rider's capabilities since these are an unknown factor. This is especially important when a magazine's review riding is sometimes carried out by different riders, making test to test comparisons unreliable if rider efforts are included.

 

[eddieo]

and why I always mention how far gone I am

 

[RoadieRoger]

Nothing annoys me more than a site that won`t mention where they are based or a contact name . A few technical details would also help . If they want over £1000 of my money I`d like to know who`s receiving it !
.

 

[flecc]

Nothing annoys me more than a site that won`t mention where they are based or a contact name . A few technical details would also help . If they want over £1000 of my money I`d like to know who`s receiving it !
.

Ditto, I don't know if it's a 36 or 26 volt system from either the review or that web site. I like the basic concept of the Upstart though, seeing it as a poor man's Cytronex in some ways, suitable for the two thirds of the country with moderate terrain and no very steep hills. I doubt I could live with that restricted two gear choice though, very frustrating at times and more suited to city use.

 

[Orraman]

RoadieRodger,

"where they are based or a contact name"

This any help?

Dave

Cycle Show 2012 - Young electric bicycle brand from London set to move everybody with two new models

 

[RobF]

Seems to me the snapped chain is just more evidence crank drive e-bikes are (too) hard on transmissions.

A chunky chain on a single sprocket linked to a hub gearbox might be OK, but thin chains, derailleurs and multi-sprockets are a no-no.

 

[RoadieRoger]

Thanks for the information Dave , they have lofty ideals according to the blurb . It would be better if they used a 12Ah battery to improve the range , especially after the 9Ah one degrades with use . I`m sure if the Principals came onto this Forum we could suggest some improvements .

 

[GORDONAL]

Seems to me the snapped chain is just more evidence crank drive e-bikes are (too) hard on transmissions.

A chunky chain on a single sprocket linked to a hub gearbox might be OK, but thin chains, derailleurs and multi-sprockets are a no-no.

Not much evidence of this at all , I had the 24V Panasonic Centre drive for 3 years with derailleur and had no problem whatsoever, I feel sure there would have been an outcry from others posting about broken chains on this forum if that had been the case. Where there has been some discussion and doubt actually from some of the manufacturers like Shimano is whether or not their hub gears are completely compatible with the latest more powerful centre drives.

Alan