electric bike reviews

[tomnickrexmacey]

Warning to all Electric Bike Ebay customers

Please be aware of the loose terms of the electric bike industry and sales companies.

The most common Misconception of buyers that do not research the product is that all Power assited Bikes, Scooters or tricycles are able to be used on roads and streets. 

Currently the two most common models are 

200 Watt and 250 Watt electric bikes or scooters. 

Under new laws approved by the Australian Government in 2012 these types of bikes are allowed to be used on roads only if: 200 watt throttle must only have a top speed of 10km/hr

250 Watt must be pedal activated assited, throttle top speed of 6km/hr.

If you new E Bike is not certified EN15194 or has a throttle overide, you are riding a MOPED.

You may find that the local police can fine you for two offences,

1: riding an unregistered vehicle

2: riding without a licence.

Please be careful with what you buy and remeber not all sales/importers are not so clear on the rules themselves.

Happy shopping

[harley_babes_hoard]

those petrol powered bicycles are now illegal in NSW as of the 1st of this month also.
Thank goodness, they were dangerous with the speeds they could do.

[i-love-my-sheep]

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@harley_babes_hoard wrote:

those petrol powered bicycles are now illegal in NSW as of the 1st of this month also.
Thank goodness, they were dangerous with the speeds they could do.

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Is that right? It hasn't stopped them around here. Some moron almost hit a woman with a pram on the footpath 2 doors up this afternoon on one of those petrol powered bikes. If I had've known they were now illegal, I would have gladly called the cops.

[harley_babes_hoard]

Here you go

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/bicyclists/petrol-powered-bicycles.html

[puppoochi]

I used to use one. I find the laws rediculous bcause mine went about 35kmph and I had regular bicycles overtake me all the time. I have no idea why they have a problem with people on the road that aren't able to ride a bicycles for whatever reason. They are a clean and quiet way of getting around.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Thanks for that. I am currently looking at ebikes.I know the legal ins and outs, but any pointers you could give me on what to choose would be very helpful.

For anyone who is interested, there is also a dedicated "all things ebike" thread on the Whirlpool forum that has some very useful advice and comments.

[dirtebike]

I have a legal electric bike, I use it everyday for transport and a lot of fun.

Unfortunatly the current trend is to see young kids riding what is really a moped looking type scooter on roads, in parks and on shared foot/bike paths. As these can travel at speeds of up to 35km/hr as some sales people claim, is it safe to have them riding them in such places? 

I understand the need for these bikes, all I was saying was that the buyer must do the research before they buy. As at the moment the it is confusing as what is legal.

The best way to determine if it is ask the sales people if you can see a copy of the certification cetificate or ask have they been legally imported, ask them about EN15194 Pedalec requirements or the dead give away is does it have a throttle to full speed.

I see no reason why anyone can not have a legal moped as well but you then should be capable of getting your drivers licence. 

cheers

[dirtebike]

dont buy the cheap ones, buy from a e bike specialist store not a mixed online supermarket type store, such as the ones that sell every thing from e bikes to comuters and phones, buy EN 15194 certified and it is all about the battery, Samsung or Panasonic seem to be the best. 

a good e bike should cost you $1500- $3000. any less than that and you know the battery will be a problem in 6mths, and a replacement is around $450 on Ebay for a good one.

cheers

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

Thanks for that. I am currently looking at ebikes.I know the legal ins and outs, but any pointers you could give me on what to choose would be very helpful.

For anyone who is interested, there is also a dedicated "all things ebike" thread on the Whirlpool forum that has some very useful advice and comments.

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[the_great_she_elephant]

Thanks for that.Specially for the tip about the battery. I noticed some of the cheapies here on ebay have lead acid batteries. - I suspcet they may be an older model that the retailers are dumping.

 Unfortunately neither of the bike shops in my town (country WA) sell ebikes so it's going to mean either online or a trip to Perth. I've been looking at what's availabe on ebay and then looking for reviews of the makes adertised

My only real criterion is that it must be a step through and my OH has suggested one with a rear hub motor would probably be easier to ride than one with a front hub motor.

[dirtebike]

It will depend on the type of area you want to ride in.

Front hub gives a all wheel drive effect which is good for slippy conditions, the downside is that if the frame and forks are cheap the power of the motor can cause serious damage to them and you. If the bike is a complete bike and not a set diy conversion you should be fine. However they take a bit of riding to get use too as the ride is differnt due to the weight being up front.

Rear Hub motors are a better option if you go off road or you have dirt/stone roads like we do in my area. They offer a much more smoother and controlled ride and they feel better balanced. you will feel the bike accelerate in the higher speeds like a traditional motor bike/scooter. They also look better as the motor is hidden by derailers and disk brakes.

The latest technology from Europe is the crank motor, it is directly attached to your pedals. Great in hills a really smooth ride. They do cost a bit more but as a bike ride goes you would never know you are being helped by a motor, they are really smooth.

The frame style is up to you, however make sure it is Alloy, rust, and weight factors are to be considered. the lighter the bike and the rider the further you will get. Tires need to be considered as well. Knobby style for off road will cause friction on the road so this may eat into your distance. Slick/ road tires on dirt just wont hold up and at 25km/hr may slip and slide in dirt.

As you can see there are many factors to consider, the first thing is to decide the type of area you need/want the bike for. After this the rest should just fall into place.

I have spent a long time researching and testing E bikes as it is my business. I would suggest you go to a supplier/ seller in Perth. Find 3 companies to check out and then go down for the weekend and ride all the bikes in their ranges. 

Have a great day 

Tom 

Dirt E Bike