GrandmasterP Posted July 19, 2014 The battery has finally expired on my electric bike. Six years last month I've had the bike from new and that battery has been charged every week at least once sometimes twice. I've done some miles on it too. £330 for a new battery so have decided to splurge and have the bike pro-serviced as well as a new battery. Pedalling apart, electric biking must be the cheapest form of power-assisted transport around. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apech Posted July 19, 2014 Do people ever shout 'get off and milk it' ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Not so's I've noticed but wherever one stops someone always asks about it. There's a regulation list of questions.  1: Is it electric? A= Well DUH! ( It says 'Electric Bike' in big orange letters on both sides of the frame). 2: How fast does it go? A= As fast as I can pedal down a steep hill or 20 mph on the flat using the motor. 3: How far does it go? A= As far as I can pedal it or 30 miles on one charge if I only used the motor , which one never does. 4: Where did you buy it? A = 50cycles in Loughborough 5: How much are they? A= I paid just short of £900 but they are dearer now. 6: Can I have a go? A = I'd love to let you but I am running late. Maybe next time.  Once those ritual questions have been asked and answered the electric- bicyclist is free to proceed on her or his way.. Edited July 19, 2014 by GrandmasterP 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apech Posted July 19, 2014 They sell them here but they are a bit cheaper than that I think. 900 sounds a lot is it a super delux version? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Kids round here love those. They can use them on the road a year before they qualify to use a petrol version. It's the import taxes that drive up the price here. Edited July 19, 2014 by GrandmasterP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Once those ritual questions have been asked and answered the electric- bicyclist is free to proceed on her or his way.. I get about the same questions of my Electric Honda Civic Wagovan. Â Younger folks want to know how fast it goes and older folks want to know the range (distance) between charges. Â Â Edit to add: BTW A full battery replacement for mine would be $2500. Edited July 19, 2014 by Marblehead 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Guy here fitted solar panels to his wagovan... https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Honda+Civic+electric+wagovan+image&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=v9DKU56FGqjm7Abm-YDoDA&ved=0CFAQ7Ak&biw=1024&bih=644#facrc=_&imgrc=cpfOb0epaq6Q_M%253A%3Bpjg573aaLQfFSM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fournewsynergy.files.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F06%252F1-b-original-solar-car.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fournewsynergy.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F06%252F03%252Fthe-electric-car-of-nelson-hellmuth%252F%3B2816%3B2112 Â Mrs GMP less than impressed over the replacement battery cost. Mrs GMP: "You could buy a new touring bike for that." Me: " Yes dear but I would have to pedal it uphill." Mrs GMP: "The seaside is, by definition; flat. Your trouble is that you are a very very lazy man." ( ' man' paraphrased) Edited July 19, 2014 by GrandmasterP 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted July 19, 2014 That Wagovan is almost a mirror of mine. Â Yeah, women are like that sometimes. Hehehe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Ya can't beat those Japanese for reliable. We have a Toyota van, never any problems and sips diesel. Our other vehicle is a Chevy Matiz car ( Made in Korea) and that's a year younger with a lot less mileage on it than the van but it's a thirsty crock. Edited July 19, 2014 by GrandmasterP 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted July 19, 2014 Â That would be perfect for me to go to the local shop - 14 km. That price seems phenomenally cheap ... for here. They would probably add about another 200% . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) Just back from Milton Keynes dropping off my poorly bike at cycleEzee the Ezee Bike UK national dealership. It's a guy working out of a double wide garage next to his ( rather spiffy) home. Nice chap too. My battery was knackered, he put a new one in and that seemed to do the trick so I've left the bike with him for a full service and new inner tubes. That Milton Keynes sure has some roundabouts, every half mile or so there's another roundabout to negotiate but they all have prominently displayed names so it's quite easy to navigate. Edited July 20, 2014 by GrandmasterP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted July 20, 2014 My battery was knackered, he put a new one in ... Just wondering, is your bike one of those models that when you pedal the bike it is actually recharging the batteries? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) No it doesn't and that would be handy for sure. It has two settings. 1: Throttle ( Switch I) where when you twist the throttle the power is delivered direct to the motor so you don't need to pedal. 2: 'Pedelec' (Switch O) where the power assists you pedalling and only kicks in when it senses 'load' from pedalling, for example going up a hill. Pedelec mode gives the best mileage and is the setting I tend use. In throttle mode if you're not careful; from a standing start - it takes off like a bat out of Hell. Edited July 20, 2014 by GrandmasterP 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) I never saw these before .... weird! Â Â Â Â Â Things have come a long way. Â Â Â Â Â But I bet he cant change a tyre while riding ! Â Edited July 20, 2014 by Nungali 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted July 20, 2014 I never saw these before .... weird! If I was 50 years younger and had to money I would consider getting one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) Wow, very space- age looking. They must have some sort of built in gyroscopic doohickey like a Segway. Any YouTubes of one being ridden? Edited July 20, 2014 by GrandmasterP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted July 20, 2014 I had no idea that there were so many unusual and weird electric bikes out there!     Some just look like a big battery on wheels   2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted July 20, 2014 If I was 50 years younger and had to money I would consider getting one. Â Â I thought you would have prefered the old style ones ? Â Â Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted July 20, 2014 Less than 10kg and with a single 'omni-directional' 'tyre' hot drive system ! Â 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted July 20, 2014 That walking machine is going to require men to wear an up-lift jock strap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) From the looks of that flimsy prototype a jock strap could be slightly more durable too. Pretty darn clever how it goes sideways though. Edited July 20, 2014 by GrandmasterP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ya Mu Posted July 21, 2014 Must be Lithium batteries 48v pack for that price. I am going to be replacing the 24v battery pack in mine for right at $100 - I have to do a bit of soldering. These bikes are really neat. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) That walking machine is going to require men to wear an up-lift jock strap. Â Â Edited July 21, 2014 by Nungali 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmasterP Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) Must be Lithium batteries 48v pack for that price. I am going to be replacing the 24v battery pack in mine for right at $100 - I have to do a bit of soldering. These bikes are really neat.Yep they are Lithium 'HiLion' batteries.Akin to a long series of mobile phone-casing-sized batteries all wired together I was told. Thing is the battery is a sealed unit so a replacement is all anyone with my total incomprehension can accept. Bike's fixed and I am off tomorrow morning to collect it. It needed some other bits doing to it so £395 in total which isn't bad considering the new battery cost £330. That works out at just slightly over £1 a week 'maintenance' costs since I bought it from new. Edited July 22, 2014 by GrandmasterP 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
