Tout Terrain - ebikes?

[lark]

I am considering a Tout Terrain e-assist bike, and am having trouble finding any user experiences or reviews. Currently, they are equipped with a rear-hub 250W Go SwissDrive, but I am hoping in the future they may also offer a 500W option. I would be interested in hearing about any experiences people may have with any of the TT e-bikes.

Thank you.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

My advice would be not to buy one unless you don't care too much about money, even though they're probably lovely bikes.

The reason I say that is because at some point in the future, you'll have a problem, like no function and a code on the display, or a worn out battery. The only person that would be able to help you would be someone with the Go-Swiss Drive diagnostic equipment. At the moment, they're few and far between and, even then, they might not want to help you if you didn't buy the bike from them.

I would therefore recommend that you stick to well known and common electric systems , like Bosch, Yamaha and standard Chinese systems. The Chinese systems are easy and cheap to fix if something goes wrong so, unless you're DIY incompetent, you can fix them yourself.

 

[lark]

Thank you @d8veh - future repair is, indeed, a consideration. (I believe Specialized and HP Velotechnik also use the SwissDrive system - but not sure if those are proprietary.) Assuming that I can find a repair person willing to actually diagnose and repair if needed, do you know of anyone using a TT e-bike? Or a SwissDrive?

I am not a total DIY incompetent - but on that spectrum!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

We've had a few come on here over the years with some sort of problem, but there's nothing we can do to help them. IIRC, they use CAN bus communication between the electrical parts, which means only a dealer can change the battery or fix a controller or motor if they go faulty.

I don't see any advantage for the user over a bike that uses standard Chinese parts that anybody can fix easily and cheaply. Those sort of bikes (OP) are better for the dealers than the users. They're great if you like to spend loads of money and you have a friendly dealer next door to you.

I'm not a fan of Bosch-motored bikes for the same reason, but at least there's lots of dealers. You can fix Chinese bikes yourself, but just about everything else has to go back to the dealer, which can be very inconvenient. All electric bikes will eventually need something fixed. Today, repairing services are a big problem for users in general.

 

[Fordulike]

If these are the bikes you're on about, then they are very ordinary indeed, and the components don't look very well integrated:

http://www.en.tout-terrain.de/e-bikes/

Battery looks out of odds on all versions, and the wiring a little messy.
Decent bikes run cabling through the frame.

No front suspension.... Mmmmmmmmmm.... Ouch

If I were to go for a hub motored bike, I would get one with a tried and tested Bafang system. If it were a crank drive, then the Yamaha.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There's another important consideration when choosing a bike like these: There were several reports on the forum where owners expressed frustration at how difficult they are to pedal above the 25 km/h cut-off.

 

[lark]

@Fordulike - thanks for pointing out the wiring - hadn't noticed that before. My ideal e-assist bike would be a full suspension mid-drive (500W or more) with Rolloff hub and Gates drive that I could use for everything - touring, around town, hauling stuff (groceries, dog - not at the same time!).

Kalkhoff Integrale S11 seems closest to that, but I have read of evo motor issues (I think on this site). And, there is no dealer within 2,500 miles. The dealer I found, will not ship, and I want to test before I buy.

@d8veh - I read those, and was assuming that IF there is ever a 500W version, cut-out would not be an issue. Perhaps my confidence is misplaced on that?

 

[Fordulike]

If you haven't already, you could try posting your questions on Endless Sphere.

Being primarily an American site, the members may be able to pinpoint suitable bikes in your local area to try.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

and was assuming that IF there is ever a 500W version, cut-out would not be an issue. Perhaps my confidence is misplaced on that?

It's a problem of the effort to ride the bike without power. It wouldn't make a difference whether you had a 1000w version. Actually, AFAIK the 500w one is the same as the 250w one, so you have it now. The only difference is the speed limit set in the software - 45 km/h vs 25km/h. Obviousy, riding in the range 25 - 45km/h wouldn't be a problem on the 500w version, but the resistance would still be there above 45 km/h and when you have a flat battery.

Many ebike riders like to ride their bikes with zero assistance when there's no hills. That wouldn't be an comfortable option on these bikes.

 

[lark]

Thank you both. Expense is always a factor, but of more importance to me is getting it right. Many of the forum posts I reviewed over the last month or two - on several web sites - seem to discount any poster/post that is willing to pay for what they want. Thus, my reluctance to enter the fray on endless sphere.

It may be that I just wait for the bike I want, and periodically check for new models. It is a little frustrating that finding an all purpose e-assist, weather proof bike is so difficult. I feel like someone shopping for a car that finds: a convertible without an available roof (only for sunny days); a roadster (no storage option); an SUV (underpowered but can carry stuff).

I do understand why non e-assist bikes are more purpose built, but do not think the same reasoning applies to e-assist.

 

[Fordulike]

I know what it's like when you set your heart on certain specifications, and come up empty handed.

You really should test ride some of the other systems, like the Bosch, Yamaha etc.. You never know, you might like them

 

[lark]

If I had any skills at all, I would be tempted to build my own! My confidence far exceeds my skills, however, which usually ends up costing me a lot of money in the end.