Recent content by msw4chl

Back on the original premise: commuting and escooters. For me, a last mile Light EV with an EV is our solution. In our family's case it was a smart ED initially, now a Chevy Bolt, with the last mile (or so) provided by a Segway miniPRO (aka Ninebot S). The Segway self-balancing escooter is a far...

We bought a Cyrusher/tiger Mountain/LankeLeisi G650 for use when traveling. BUT our 22yo daughter has found this is her favorite ebike! She had been using a Marin Bikes BionX upgrade and an Optibike 600 before. I will post some experience here, but don't know how to get a formal "review" into...

Update: after riding 4-6 times per week since late March, the model 600 battery pack is taking 10ah and now charging to full green! This is measured current from charger so there are losses and battery is probably taking 80% or less of the energy pumped in. It took 16 or so charge/discharge...

Now if you DO like the Optibikes, there are two 2012 models on eBay right now for what Opti owners think are good prices: an Optibike 850R from Florida with batteries refurbished in 2019 and an Optibike in California with an extension battery pack and batteries refreshed in 2017. Both have...

This Segway Dirt Bike is so far from the US definition of an ebike, that I can't see any way to make this thing street legal, even as a motorcycle! Or is there? Pretty clearly with 45mph top speed and no pedal power even as an option, this is a "bike" as in "motorbike", not as in "ebike'! A...

"Segway" was bought by same holding company that produces Ninebot and Xiaomi scooters and HoverBoards. The Segway dirt bikes are rebadged "Sur Ron" dirt bikes as Ninebot/Xiaomi company owns majority stake, see https://electrek.co/2019/11/25/segway-electric-dirt-bike-dirt-ebike-sales-begin/...

People for Bikes put out a form to have bicycle shops use to be considered "essential businesses" during lockdowns, just as auto repair shops, and even ABC (alcoholic beverage) stores, have been. The form is a few pages down this link. Apparently, many locales have included bicycle shops in...

@Bike_On could you post details on how you wired a Cycle Analyst into this Optibike? We have no wiring diagram for the Optibike 600. Also I see stabilizer bars for the Topeak seat rack, great idea! Did you add those or do those bars come with the Topeak pannier frame from Optibike? Thanks, Mark

Nice story, @JRA ! Yes, the 2007 model 600 motor has many great features, but being quiet is not one of them! No we did not switch to Li internally on the Optibike 600, instead have cobbled up an external LiFePO4 battery pack using the external battery connector and the ext battery pack switch...

Oops forgot to note that those Optibike refurbished ebike models are on sale for 40-60% of original price.

For many towns and cities in Central NC a Segway miniPRO/miniLITE is NOT (yet) illegal in a bike lane. Also sold as the Ninebot S, these mini-Segways DO have handlebars available from 3rd parties which make them a stable last mile LightEV and have saved my knees many a time in-town scampering to...

For me it is an Optibike, I have one model 600 from 2007 and another refurbished 2014 Helia on its way! For an Light EV to go that last mile that fits in the back of any car, I gotta admit a Segway miniPRO is a great two wheeler!

When refurbished Optibikes are available, they are often a great deal! I am awaiting a refurbished 2014 Helia for under $5k Keep checking here and get on their list if you want a quality refurbished ebike! https://optibike.com/pre-owned-bikes/

Tx, @Ann M. ! We applied Autozone custom match paint and the 2007 Optibike 600 looks as good as it rides! We are always adding new Light EVs for the annual Light EV Association Tech Training led by Dr Don Gerhardt, where I assist in developing and teaching battery recovery techniques. This...

Back doing a lot of ebike riding in the rolling hills and trails of Central NC during COVID-19 pandemic!