Search results

  1. S

    Any red flags?

    Hmmm... for me, Bafang is a red flag alone. If you have a budget of $3500 you can get a Trek or Yamaha, etc. (or Van Moof if that is your style). If you are in Japan, you can get a decent Panasonic one too.
  2. S

    eHorn option

    I would probably just hear "something something left" and then move to the left!
  3. S

    Is anyone trying to solve charging on the road?

    Hmm, I recently went from the middle of Tokyo to Kawasaki and back with a friend. We put our bikes on "Auto" (middle level assist), and I brought the charger with me. The charger will give a full charge in 3 hours, but a pretty good charge in an hour. I figured, we could go to a net cafe, and...
  4. S

    Options for clip-on kickstand?

    Also, I think the "original" of this type of stand was UpStand. https://upstandingbicycle.com/
  5. S

    Options for clip-on kickstand?

    I don't think so, we have a lot like the Corgi one here in Japan... some steel, some aluminum, some carbon fiber.. but all are light duty compared to the peg leg. The Peg Leg is not foldable, but it is designed for the motorcycle like heavy eBikes luna sells. I have several of the other ones...
  6. S

    E-Bikes in Japan - just a little article

    This is true, you need inspection, which is very strict, and you need insurance, etc. Also bear in mind, most people in the city do not have cars. Even if you have a car, you are typically not allowed to drive it to work (your health insurance company will not cover any accidents in the way to...
  7. S

    E-Bikes in Japan - just a little article

    Interestingly enough, I started this thread, but none of my bikes are utility style. I have mountain bike style bikes, which are better for me since I ride mainly on the road and longer distances. They don't have baskets, but I do have a back pack. Interestingly, panasonic does have a very...
  8. S

    Panasonic XM-1 owner in Tokyo

    So... anything with over 250 watts of power or over 200% assist or any assist over 24 kph is not considered a bicycle in Japan. As soon as you break one of those rules, it needs to be registered as a moped or motorcycle. That means license plate, insurance, helmet, and some other trappings...
  9. S

    Carbon Dry Japan POWERed Bike S1

    A little clarification about the license plate: It is free in Suginami-ku to register and get your plate, but you have to pay 2000 JPY in tax. The other minimum cost is the mandatory insurance. Anyway, I can afford to spend a little bit more on my bikes since I don't have to pay for a car...
  10. S

    Carbon Dry Japan POWERed Bike S1

    Hi, Well I got it for cheap, but ... I did had to spend a little bit of money (and a lot of time) fixing the battery by replacing a bunch of cells, and it also took a while to remove all the rust. (I highly recommend liquid nejizaurus for that!), It has very little wear and tear, I think the...
  11. S

    Carbon Dry Japan POWERed Bike S1

    Picked this up cheap on yahoo auctions broken, and fixed it, since all that was wrong as a broken battery and some rust. This seems to be based on the Diavelo/Protanium Speed Bike/Au2Bahn, with the largest differences being a different controller board and the carbon cover on the rear wheel...
  12. S

    Panasonic XM-D2

    Update: Since lack of kick-stand has been a major inconvenience when using the bike around town and normal bolt-on types did not work, I had to do a lot of research and finally found one that does work well: The Luna Peg Leg. If anyone else has a similar issue, I can recommend it. I will post...
  13. S

    Panasonic XM-D2

    Update: Good, Bad, and Ugly about XM-D2 Good: Battery and Controller compatible with XM-1. Good: All parts seem to be very high quality, and the paint job is very nice. Good: Tires are fat enough that in the city you can easily go up and down stairs, etc. Good: The suspension is really nice...
  14. S

    E-Bikes in Japan - just a little article

    Just FYI, while I would love to have one of the Electroboy bikes, they are not eBikes in that they don't have any motor. They have lots of gaudy lights instead.
  15. S

    Why don't I see more women ebikers? Ladies? Thoughts?

    Yes these are everywhere, unfortunately. They are electric, but not called eBikes, as that term is reserved for more sporty models similar to those seen overseas. These "mama Chari" are problematic because they are built with a very low center of gravity and hard to move at any decent speed...
  16. S

    Panasonic XM-D2

    Well they were going on about how the paint is sort special and looks different from different angles, etc., but I figured that's just marketing. Here are some photos in the daylight, before I scratch it up. It won't be until next weekend that I have time to try it out on a trail, but today I...
  17. S

    Panasonic XM-D2

    My arrived
  18. S

    Pilot seeking the right ebike, newbie ?

    The smaller folding BESV bikes are among the smallest and cleanest I have seen
  19. S

    dangers of front wheel drive

    Hi, First of all, I am very sorry you got hurt. I can only imagine what that's like. I have actually never seen a front or rear wheel drive bike because as far as I know, all bikes in Japan are middle assist. The motor just drives the chain, just the same as your peddling power. It...
  20. S

    My VEB Cafe thread. (1st Year Recap: post #83)

    I find that slightly cooler weather is actually better, because you start to build up body heat once you get into the swing, assist or not. When it's cold it takes more motivation to leave the house, but it feels better to have cool air once I get into the swing of things.
Back