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I've had my Trance for 6 months now. Ride everyday for commuting and a few fast green trails for fun. I'm definitely interested in this. Please update when you have more developments. :)

I currently use a Lazer Revolution ASTM-certified full face trail helmet. It is rated for downhill action, but it's really a trail helmet, so it's not too hot. The Fox Proframe is of the same helmet type. There's been a lot of helmets like this recently. I'd look into the non-remove able ones...

I use a bell when I'm overtaking, because for some reason, some lycranauts take it personally when you call out that you're passing them on whichever direction. I have no idea why they take such offense at people passing them. It was exactly the same when I was still using my road bike.

I use a Giant pre-built ebike. I charge to about 90+% or 100% whenever I intend to ride the next day, which is nearly everyday. The new charger and battery has a 60% cutoff that I would use if I had to not use the bike for a while. I never use the bike to below 20% capacity since the bundled...

The torque is probably measured at the crank-arm before it's delivered to the transmission. From experience, the value is greatest at low speed and low cadences on the Yamaha motors, so they're really putting that much torque into the motor in order to assist with extremely steep hill starts...

I'm using the Yamaha PWX motor right now that tops at 80 Nm of torque supposedly. I almost never use that much, but I do occasionally use it on insanely steep uphill climbs. These would be climbs that no sane person would attempt on an unpowered bike, and at that point, the main problem isn't...

Well, just because the assist cuts out at 30 mph doesn't mean you have to ride at 30 mph. If the road's speed limit is 30 mph, it's very reasonable to cruise at 20 or 25 mph. This is something cyclists can already do, with equipment that's already worse, even in its best condition (road bikes).

It could be okay, but licensing will be where it hinges. The bikes must not be available to people who do not have motorcycle licenses. If you have a motorcycle license, I'm pretty sure you can handle a speed pedelec.

The bike's suspension is absolutely required for the gnarlier trails and jumps in the mountains, but even in town, the double suspension keeps off rider fatigue and helps control on the tarmac. I'm hoping the local rental shops at least have an XM-1 or better in stock when I go ride the...

I'll check that out if the shop doesn't want to do the servicing. Thank you!

Giant makes the full suspension Trance E+ line of models and I just bought the 1 model version - Trance E+1 pro. It is based on the highly successful and tested Trance All-Mountain geometry, and it features a Fox 36 Performance EVOL suspension fork - possibly the best all-mountain fork model...

The XM-D2 seems a bit overpriced at $6k, but it might still be alright. It doesn't really have any competitors in the space in the local market.

What's the estimate on the motor lifespan? I just brought my Dirt-E2 into the shop to look at the motor because the crank feels a teensy bit gritty. They're suggesting I replace the motor. It's not even 3 years old.

That is exactly what I thought as well. I was wondering whether I could ship either of my ebikes to Japan for the purpose, but since bicycles there are registered, that adds another wrinkle to the plan that's already problematic because it involves shipping the battery. I think some rental shops...

ABS doesn't just minimize crashes from tires skidding. They also substantially decrease stopping distances by maximizing braking power. The question is whether than incremental gain is worth the cost on a machine that only goes 20 mph. Having said that, I have gone 30 mph, even almost 40 mph on...

Yeah. About that. The bike looks really heavy. The weight gains of hydrogen only matter when the relative weight of the generator is small compared to the weight of the bike. If the generator itself is the weight of the battery, then you didn't reduce the weight of the bike. Recharging time will...

I would say either the Trek Domane+ for a full-powered road bike, or something with the Fazua system like the Cube Agree Hybrid for something you'll mainly pedal with the power off.

Yes. The battery life would have to be higher. The reason I think the Domane will see better sales is because of the bigger battery. For those who've already bought the speed-pedelec version of Giant's Road-E, most keep it at Eco nearly the entire time on flats, and off on descents. The assist...

I do not think the motor's assistance speed is limited by its power or battery level. It's limited by electronics. So long as the bike felt "normal" between 30 and 50 kph on the flats, with gains on the hills, I think it'll find a wider audience.