Pedal electric bikes. e-bikes

[reddo]

Hi every one,

Do you have one?
I bought an e-MTB last week and it's a game changer. I rode further today at Chicksands (mountain bike trails) than I usually do.
More than double the distance. For sure, "turbo" mode really does make light work of climbs but you still need to pedal and steer the thing.
Eco is minimal support. Nearly as hard as an analogue bike - but very power saving.
Other modes give more support but this being a "light" or smaller motor pedal bike, you need a lot higher cadence to get the max out of it.
The bike does hide it's size and mass very well.
I am very impressed with it.

[PHXPhlyer]

I've been passively looking for some time but haven't even done any test rides yet.
I know Fox3 has one and he posted about it a while back before he left.
What are the details on yours?

PP

[reddo]

I bought a Whyte Elyte 150 RSX during the end of season sales. £5600 is much easier to stomach than £8K. Ironically, the full fat bikes are cheaper than the "elite" bikes.
150mm fork with 140 shock.
Carbon frame.
1x12 Eagle SRAM ASX GX (wireless shifting). Dropper post etc. 800m alloy bars. (I cut them down).
SRAM Code Bronze 4pot brakes.
Bosch SX motor. 600W/55NM torque with an internal 400WH battery with an 250WH extender battery.
Weighs in without the external battery, about 19kg.
To get the max out of the motor, you need to spin up at 100rpm. Which is a lot granted but the cluster is 10-52. The chain ring is 36 teeth and I thought that would be a bit much but the cranks are only 155mm (iso the usual 165-170mm) so that made it easier.

Difference between this beasty and a "full fat" is the weight. 20kg v 25-26kg.
The battery is "smaller" and so is the motor. Full fat bikes are usually around 85-90NM of torque.

I had never even sat on this bike, let alone ride any e-bikes before. I know what Whyte bikes are like (I have 2 analogue ones already) and the reviews were from folks I trusted.

Other brands are available but I like Whyte. I'll be interested in seeing if they offer a more cheaper spec'd Elyte 140 or 150 for 2025.
Whyte bikes UK

[Hydromet]

Haven't seen any e-bikes at our MTB track, but I tend to avoid it at weekends when most are there. I've never ridden one, thinking of taking my human powered one out for a run when the weather cools down for a couple of days.

[reddo]

What they did was add the full phat new Bosch Gen 5 CX motor to the same frame (slotted straight in) and added the powermore extra battery as standard.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

I have an Engwe EP-2.
I'm very happy indeed with it, had it two years now.
No problems with charge or range.
Pros
Very solidly constructed - it's built to carry an Asian family, and the Chinese version has a seat on the rear carrier
Top speed of 45 kph on 750W motor.
Lots of user definable features on the controller.
It can be set for particular speeds, so I have level 4 for the local e-bike speed limit, and level 5 as unlimited.
Can be set to auto-throttle so it runs like a moped - no pedaling required.
This is deliberately left out of the manual, and youtube reviewers likewise omit it, as this feature is banned in most western countries. I can tell you how.
The fat tires are really good on mixed gravel/snow patch trails, so would be good for Aussie sand.
The lights are particularly bright for night riding.
It is fully equipped out of the box - mudguards and lights.
Cons
It's heavy.
It has a high centre bar.
(However, without these it would not be so well built or good off road).
It needs a better seat (about C$40 for a comfy, wide one).
A mirror is a good idea. I have one which is fitted below the handlebars.