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'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

theguardian.com

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Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#231

Post by schiffern »

Moru wrote: post #168
adgjlsfhk1 wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the really weird things with bikes is that entry level bikes tend to be 3x7 which means that you have a lot of extra weight and complexity (a second shifter, shift cable, and front gears) for pretty much no benefit over a 1x9 system.

The biggest reason we use 3x8 on all our bikes is because the spare parts are cheaper than all other ratios and we can switch around as we like between all bikes and can even keep some spare parts on the shelf for when the local stores are out. The first thing to go on my bike is the deraileur though, they keep a year or so even if taken care of. They can still be used a couple of years but the shifting isn't so exac…

  >The first thing to go on my bike is the deraileur though, they keep a year or so even if taken care of

  >I do buy the cheapest ones I can find for around 10-15 euro
Related?

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#232

Post by te_chris »

ohples wrote: post #58
lostlogin wrote: post #16

I’ve been doing a bit of (non e-bike) riding in poor weather of late, and it’s really surprising just how wet and dirty everything gets. After a wet road ride, every surface is covered in black, greasy dirt. It rots fabric, makes grinding paste in mechanical parts and generally makes everything worse. You need really good seals to keep that crap out.

This is one reason I wish belt drives where more common.

Yep. I have a single speed e bike with a belt drive and internal motor in the back wheel. Use it for commuting round London. 0 maintenance. None of this over engineered Bosch shit. Cheap Chinese 250w motor in the back, belt drive, aluminium frame. These should take off, but so far the major bike manufacturers have overcomplicated the category - and the startup that made mine has gone under (analog motion)

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#233

Post by stavros »

LoganDark wrote: post #230
stavros wrote: post #221

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you like the scooter? I have an ICE motorcycle, and I hate how loud and dirty it is. I'd like an electric one, but they're very expensive, and with electric scooters/ebikes I worry that they'll get stolen (as with a good bike).

Good e-scooters / e-bikes can be had for only $1-2k, in my limited experience. Not sure what the typical cost for a motorcycle is, but I'd be surprised if it's too much less than that. I started with a $900 Segway Ninebot MAX G2 (1×1000W) a couple weeks ago, but it didn't have enough power for my needs. Even in sport mode, it would stall on some pretty slight inclines. So I picked up an $1800 Maxfun 10 PRO (2×1500W),…

Thanks for the detail! I suspect our use cases are different, though: I use my bicycle and motorcycle for different use cases, the former to transport myself, the latter for myself and another passenger. For going places, I prefer the bicycle, as you get free exercise as a bonus. For going somewhere with someone else, or going far, I'll need something closer to the motorcycle form factor, which necessarily will have to be much more expensive and elaborate.

I'm glad to see that e-bikes have become so good, though. My use case is very niche, because I live right at one end of a bike lane that spans the entire city, so going to any of the busy areas is just biking next to the sea, on a level road, for max half an hour, which isn't really hard enough to warrant an e-bike...

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#235

Post by teruakohatu »

mikhailfranco wrote: post #181
lostlogin wrote: post #16

I’ve been doing a bit of (non e-bike) riding in poor weather of late, and it’s really surprising just how wet and dirty everything gets. After a wet road ride, every surface is covered in black, greasy dirt. It rots fabric, makes grinding paste in mechanical parts and generally makes everything worse. You need really good seals to keep that crap out.

The black greasy dirt is an emulsion of worn tyre particles, sandy powdered dirt and maybe a little spilt fuel. It's probably toxic - the pollution from tyre wear is underestimated.

There is also a lot of metal (random pieces along with nails and screws) and glass on roads. It seems roading contractors here are obligated to pour a box of screws onto the road before they move onto the next job.

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#236

Post by LoganDark »

stavros wrote: post #233
LoganDark wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good e-scooters / e-bikes can be had for only $1-2k, in my limited experience. Not sure what the typical cost for a motorcycle is, but I'd be surprised if it's too much less than that. I started with a $900 Segway Ninebot MAX G2 (1×1000W) a couple weeks ago, but it didn't have enough power for my needs. Even in sport mode, it would stall on some pretty slight inclines. So I picked up an $1800 Maxfun 10 PRO (2×1500W),…

Thanks for the detail! I suspect our use cases are different, though: I use my bicycle and motorcycle for different use cases, the former to transport myself, the latter for myself and another passenger. For going places, I prefer the bicycle, as you get free exercise as a bonus. For going somewhere with someone else, or going far, I'll need something closer to the motorcycle form factor, which necessarily will have…

I can't really offer advice on how good e-bikes are, but I can say the costs have come down, yes.

Our use cases are definitely different. If you want a replacement for the motorcycle to carry another passenger, you probably won't be able to use a scooter. You could grab something like the XPedition Cargo eBike which can carry a passenger. It's got a 750W motor and weighs only about 70lbs when unloaded. It's only $1400 and there is a one-year warranty on the motor. However, they do not sell replacement motors even if you have money, so expect the bike to last only the one year. (In my experience, regardless of industry, the length of the warranty is usually a relatively accurate indicator of how long the product actually lasts in practice.)

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#237

Post by stavros »

LoganDark wrote: post #236
stavros wrote: post #233

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the detail! I suspect our use cases are different, though: I use my bicycle and motorcycle for different use cases, the former to transport myself, the latter for myself and another passenger. For going places, I prefer the bicycle, as you get free exercise as a bonus. For going somewhere with someone else, or going far, I'll need something closer to the motorcycle form factor, which necessarily will have…

I can't really offer advice on how good e-bikes are, but I can say the costs have come down, yes. Our use cases are definitely different. If you want a replacement for the motorcycle to carry another passenger, you probably won't be able to use a scooter. You could grab something like the XPedition Cargo eBike which can carry a passenger. It's got a 750W motor and weighs only about 70lbs when unloaded. It's only $140…

Huh, that looks very interesting, thank you! The motor not being available to buy separately is a concern, but I'll evaluate my risk profile on this, thanks again!

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#238

Post by LoganDark »

stavros wrote: post #237
LoganDark wrote: post #236

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't really offer advice on how good e-bikes are, but I can say the costs have come down, yes. Our use cases are definitely different. If you want a replacement for the motorcycle to carry another passenger, you probably won't be able to use a scooter. You could grab something like the XPedition Cargo eBike which can carry a passenger. It's got a 750W motor and weighs only about 70lbs when unloaded. It's only $140…

Huh, that looks very interesting, thank you! The motor not being available to buy separately is a concern, but I'll evaluate my risk profile on this, thanks again!

If you want more options, Reddit's one of the best places to find organic product recommendations from real users. It's also where people go to complain whenever they get screwed over. Reddit's where I found someone recommending the XPedition, so both treat my recommendation with the appropriate level of salt, and also feel free to make the same search I did to find more options to evaluate.

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#239

Post by stavros »

LoganDark wrote: post #238
stavros wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh, that looks very interesting, thank you! The motor not being available to buy separately is a concern, but I'll evaluate my risk profile on this, thanks again!

If you want more options, Reddit's one of the best places to find organic product recommendations from real users. It's also where people go to complain whenever they get screwed over. Reddit's where I found someone recommending the XPedition, so both treat my recommendation with the appropriate level of salt, and also feel free to make the same search I did to find more options to evaluate.

It's kind of annoying that the web is so bad that reddit is the best place to get recommendations, but you're right, that's where I do all my research nowadays. I'll look there, thanks!

Re: 'The big problem is water': UK ebike owners plagued by failing motors

#240

Post by LoganDark »

stavros wrote: post #239
LoganDark wrote: post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you want more options, Reddit's one of the best places to find organic product recommendations from real users. It's also where people go to complain whenever they get screwed over. Reddit's where I found someone recommending the XPedition, so both treat my recommendation with the appropriate level of salt, and also feel free to make the same search I did to find more options to evaluate.

It's kind of annoying that the web is so bad that reddit is the best place to get recommendations, but you're right, that's where I do all my research nowadays. I'll look there, thanks!

Good luck :)
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