Help! What is the blue button???

[Leannelle]

Hello everyone, I’m new here and am about to spontaneously combust. I’ve just bought my first ebike ever, and my first any kind of bike for at least 20 years.

I’ve managed to put it together and it definitely resembles a bike. However, on the right hand handlebar, just below the Shimano gears lever, is a blue button with a ‘+’ sign on it.

I’ve trawled the internet and read every word of the instruction manual, and watched loads of YouTube videos - but nothing tells me what this blue button does and when I might need to use it.

I’m sure it’s one of things that everyone knows...but please tell me. Thank you

 

[Nealh]

Sounds like Shimano electronic gear changing though could be wrong, we do need more to go on like a link to the actual bike.

 

[Leannelle]

Sounds like Shimano electronic gear changing though could be wrong, we do need more to go on like a link to the actual bike.

Thank you for the quick reply.

This is the bike: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RoadHog-EBike-Electric-Bicycle-Folding-Bike-250W-Professional-Commuter-BLACK-/164171653084?ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-53481-19255-0%2F1%3Fff3%3D4%26pub%3D5574631662%26toolid%3D10001%26campid%3D5338624526%26customid%3D2f2745960546821ed3ea586fa01cf76a%26mpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%252Fitm%252FRoadHog-EBike-Electric-Bicycle-Folding-Bike-250W-Professional-Commuter-BLACK-%252F164171653084%26srcrot%3D710-53481-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D2774217795685%26rvr_ts%3D174fa2e51770ad3904951e13ffb488e5&ul_noapp=true

And this is a photo I found online of one that looks exactly the same - it’s the second photo down on this page (not the same bike though): https://www.towerelectricbikes.com/how-to-shift-gears-on-a-bike.htm

 

[MontyPAS]

Thank you for the quick reply.

This is the bike: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RoadHog-EBike-Electric-Bicycle-Folding-Bike-250W-Professional-Commuter-BLACK-/164171653084?ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-53481-19255-0%2F1%3Fff3%3D4%26pub%3D5574631662%26toolid%3D10001%26campid%3D5338624526%26customid%3D2f2745960546821ed3ea586fa01cf76a%26mpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%252Fitm%252FRoadHog-EBike-Electric-Bicycle-Folding-Bike-250W-Professional-Commuter-BLACK-%252F164171653084%26srcrot%3D710-53481-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D2774217795685%26rvr_ts%3D174fa2e51770ad3904951e13ffb488e5&ul_noapp=true

And this is a photo I found online of one that looks exactly the same - it’s the second photo down on this page (not the same bike though): https://www.towerelectricbikes.com/how-to-shift-gears-on-a-bike.htm

Looks like sl tx30 tourney shifters. The blue button is for up shifting the gears

 

[Leannelle]

Looks like sl tx30 tourney shifters. The blue button is for up shifting the gears

So does that move the lever as well? If not, how do I change down again? Sorry if I’m sounding think...but where bikes are concerned - I am!

 

[Leannelle]

Thick not think!

 

[Nealh]

Non electronic up shifter it is then, thought it might have been a really exp bike with electronic DI2 shifting.

 

[MontyPAS]

So does that move the lever as well? If not, how do I change down again? Sorry if I’m sounding think...but where bikes are concerned - I am!

Yes. The lever downshifts. The button up shifts.

 

[Nealh]

Not seen or used that set up but looks like push the blue for up and the lever for down.

 

[Leannelle]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for your replies. I didn’t go expensive as it, and me, are more than likely to end up horizontal

 

[Nealh]

Let us know how the shifting goes, certainly I've not used that type of shifter so feed back is always good.

 

[vfr400]

You must only pull the lever one way. use the button to send it back one gear at a time. You'll break it if you try to push the lever both ways.

 

[Leannelle]

I will come back and let you know how I get on. So far I’ve only ridden it up and down the car park in first gear. When I put the assist on - just level one, I felt like I was in a catapult and braked quite harshly. This continued down the car park. A jerky start, but hopefully I will progress to 2nd gear soon...

 

[RoadieRoger]

Looks a very good machine for the money and as previously stated the blue button is pressed to go down the gears .

 

[JPGiant]

Everything you need to know about the shifters...

HERE

 

[Leannelle]

Everything you need to know about the shifters...

HERE

That’s perfect! Thank you

 

[Leannelle]

So I said I would come back and let you know how I get on with these gears.

I took it out of the car and the chain had fallen off! As I’m a complete novice and definitely not mechanically minded, I thought my ride was over before it had started. But I did manage to get it back on. I’m wondering if I accidentally changed gear while fighting it into or out of my car.

I didn’t switch the battery on at first. Changing up the gears with the blue button was really smooth, but coming back down was clunky and raspy. I had to jiggle the lever to just past the gear number to get it to go in properly. Not sure if I’ve caused some damage already. I then put the electric assist on and it tried to catapult me through a fence. So I came home, like a sulky teenager.

Really hoping I get to grips with this. I’ve got a motorbike licence, yet am struggling with an electric bike

 

[Nealh]

The down change may need the derailleur stops adjusting so the gears aren't clunky, it's likely they weren't set up properly in the first place.

 

[Benjahmin]

It sounds like the motor control system is speed control. They do tend to be a bit sudden and will give full power up to a given speed. My advice, find yourself a nice straight, quiet path or country lane so you've got plenty of room. Tell yourself that there is going to be a kick when the power comes on, so you're prepared for it. Select the lowest pas setting and sat off. If it all gets a bit much, slightly pull a brake lever, not enough to put the brake on but enough to activate the motor cut out.
Like any power tool, you have to be prepared for how it will react and behave, you'll soon get it. You're only problem then will be how to wipe the e bike grin off your face

 

[WavyDavy]

You are unlikely to have damaged anything. It sounds like the gear cable tension just needs a little tweak. From new the cable can settle and/or stretch and throw the gear selection slightly off especially in down changes. Like any new bike or motorbike it takes a little time to got used to and understand its foibles.