E Bike commuters

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pctek

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#1799519 13-Jun-2017 16:42

NedLudd:

I bought my first replacment battery ($570) ... so the original (36 volt, 12 Ah lithium) battery lasted four and a half years (about 22,000 kms),

Overall my electric bike has proven reliable.

I have just been offered one. Free.

No idea what brand etc, being free, how rude to ask.

I was wondering about that, seems a massive difference in price, Trademe show some at $1650, then on another website (new) ones for $399 up to $680.

That would kill it for me, no way could I afford over $500. $500 is stretching it even but bearable.

Any advice on batteries? All I know so far is bike has 24" wheels, is a ladies bike and she found it too heavy for her.

Anything to steer clear of? Cheap = bad or not?

Batman

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#1799631 13-Jun-2017 20:10

if battery costs $570 and you want to buy a brand new bike + battery for $500 ... what do you think?

Batman

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#1799632 13-Jun-2017 20:12

my guess:

A - you are going to have to pedal the batteries around or

B - the battery is going to have to lug around a piece of scrap metal or

C - both A and B are true.

pctek

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#1799755 14-Jun-2017 07:54

joker97:

if battery costs $570 and you want to buy a brand new bike + battery for $500 ... what do you think?

What? I'm not buying any bike.

I have been given one.

I'm asking about batteries, not the bike.

http://www.mrpositive.co.nz/?rf=kw&kw=ebike

These for instance.

Batman

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#1799761 14-Jun-2017 08:19

pctek:

I was wondering about that, seems a massive difference in price, Trademe show some at $1650, then on another website (new) ones for $399 up to $680.

Anything to steer clear of? Cheap = bad or not?

sxz

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#1799787 14-Jun-2017 08:28

Jarno:

rosco62: The ones in the shops are pissy underpowered 250 or 350 watt units and expensive. I bought a hub motor kit from Luna Cycles in the US, 52 volt, 1500 watts.

Just don't use it on the road. In New Zealand electric bikes are limited to 300 watts by law. Otherwise they are no longer considered bicycles, but more like motorbikes with the associated requirements of licensing and registration.

And while you are at it - look carefully at the definition of "road". Technically, a "road" for the purposes of the land transport act, includes all places to which the public have access - whether of right or not.

This means your bike with a motor higher than 300 watts is legally a 'vehicle' for the purposes of that act, and almost everywhere you use it will be a 'road'. So as well as needing it licensed and registered, you can be charged for speeding, dangerous /reckless driving etc. etc. etc.

MikeAqua

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#1799853 14-Jun-2017 09:53

sxz:

This means your bike with a motor higher than 300 watts is legally a 'vehicle' for the purposes of that act, and almost everywhere you use it will be a 'road'. So as well as needing it licensed and registered, you can be charged for speeding, dangerous /reckless driving etc. etc. etc.

But if you behave yourself you are unlikely to ever attract the attention of the law. Bicycles just don't seem to be on the radar for the police.

I have literally seen police cars drive past people riding unlit bikes in the dark with no helmet on and also drive past people texting while biking on the road.

Mike

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pbolger

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#1799861 14-Jun-2017 10:20

MikeAqua:

sxz:

This means your bike with a motor higher than 300 watts is legally a 'vehicle' for the purposes of that act, and almost everywhere you use it will be a 'road'. So as well as needing it licensed and registered, you can be charged for speeding, dangerous /reckless driving etc. etc. etc.

But if you behave yourself you are unlikely to ever attract the attention of the law. Bicycles just don't seem to be on the radar for the police.

I have literally seen police cars drive past people riding unlit bikes in the dark with no helmet on and also drive past people texting while biking on the road.

But, if you were to come off, break your neck, and try to claim ACC you may find that your claim is disallowed because you were riding an illegal vehicle.

wellygary

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#1800868 14-Jun-2017 11:13

pbolger:

But, if you were to come off, break your neck, and try to claim ACC you may find that your claim is disallowed because you were riding an illegal vehicle.

ACC is no fault, it does not matter if you are doing something illegal

http://www.acc.co.nz/about-acc/media-centre/frequently-asked-questions/index.htm

"What does ‘no fault’ mean?

‘No fault’ means that no matter what you were doing when you were injured – whether your actions caused the injury, or were illegal or dangerous – you will be covered by us, so long as the injury falls within the parameters of ACC’s legislation."

pctek

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#1800908 14-Jun-2017 13:02

joker97:
pctek:

I was wondering about that, seems a massive difference in price, Trademe show some at $1650, then on another website (new) ones for $399 up to $680.

Anything to steer clear of? Cheap = bad or not?

wow, so helpful. Not

kotuku4

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#1800941 14-Jun-2017 14:40

Hi I use a Volto Falcon, almost every day for a short commute, for nearly two years.

This is a good basic and robust ebike for <$2000. I have broken a couple of rear spokes, and lets be honest the brakes are not the best.

I changed the seat for a narrower one and the hand grips to softer rubber. Otherwise it's a good place to start e biking.

It does have a larger capacity battery than some other entry level bikes, about 14.5 or 16 Ah on mine and I see a larger capacity 23 Ah option now available.

ScuL

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#1801153 14-Jun-2017 21:49

How well do these bikes cope with insanely steep Auckland hills? I live in an incredibly hilly part of town and just to get to the main road I have a decent 400 meters of very steep grade. Does the motor burn out if it has to do uphill stretches for a long time?

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Batman

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#1801166 14-Jun-2017 23:10

No it's exactly what the motor does. Just fine.

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