Daily commuter and rail trail rider

[Moto Doula]

I bought this bike online during Covid. I chose it because it had a large brand name battery (Panasonic) and brand name rear hub motor. It arrived 6 weeks later. Setup was pretty straightforward. The ride quality was mid level, not great nor horrible. Initial quality (first 6 months) was lacking in some respects: had to replace controller under warranty, front light burnt out under warranty, front hub was not built correctly, 7 ball bearings on one side 8 on the other side, it bound up and needed replacement in the first 1000 miles, rear brake caliper o ring was the wrong size and leaked hydraulic fluid causing a very loud squeal. So I spent a fair amount of time tweaking the ride setup cause my daily commute is a 25 mile round trip. Once it was dialed in, haven’t had any further issues. I just passed 5500 miles, and will need to replace the rear cassette and chain very soon. The one notable thing on this bike is the bamboo on the rack, which doubles as a sandwich cutting board on rail trail ride!

 

[mrgold35]

I'm also a Himiway owner for over a year (Cobra Pro mid-drive). I've been lucky to have no issues since purchase. Very comfy ride with the full suspension + Cirrus Kinekt suspension seat post with Cloud-9 seat.

 

[Moto Doula]

I'm also a Himiway owner for over a year (Cobra Pro mid-drive). I've been lucky to have no issues since purchase. Very comfy ride with the full suspension + Cirrus Kinekt suspension seat post with Cloud-9 seat.

Yeah, I put a Thudbeuster seat post and coil spring seat and both combined make my commute much more enjoyable. Without them I would convert to full suspension a long time ago. I only have two more seasons before I hit 10,000 miles on my bike, so I am starting to research a replacement bike. But you know every year brings more innovation that makes some brands very appealing.

 

[PedalUma]

@Moto Doula,
Set price aside for a test ride. Try a Tero X. It is a do it all bike that is light weight, mid-drive, and can do mountain trails as well as having a rack and fenders. Having a motor that pulls chain through the shiftable gears is so much better than having a motor that is one speed.

 

[lexfurther]

Cool bike!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The one notable thing on this bike is the bamboo on the rack, which doubles as a sandwich cutting board on rail trail ride!

Interesting. My bike's front rack (different brand) also came with a bamboo floor panel. The panel had to go, as it obstructed key bungee net attachment points.

But I still wonder, why bamboo?

 

[Moto Doula]

Interesting. My bike's front rack (different brand) also came with a bamboo floor panel. The panel had to go, as it obstructed key bungee net attachment points.

But I still wonder, why bamboo?

It usually boils down to price, so I would assume Bamboo in China is dirt cheap and that was the country of origin for this bike. How about yours?

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Bamboo is on the average much lighter than a comparable piece of wood. Depending on the specific kind of bamboo, it can have a much higher strength-to-weight ratio than lumber.

Producing bamboo is much more sustainable than producing wood.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

It usually boils down to price, so I would assume Bamboo in China is dirt cheap and that was the country of origin for this bike. How about yours?

This Surface 604 ebike was designed and assembled in Canada, but there are definitely Chinese parts, including the frame no doubt.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Bamboo is on the average much lighter than a comparable piece of wood. Depending on the specific kind of bamboo, it can have a much higher strength-to-weight ratio than lumber.

Producing bamboo is much more sustainable than producing wood.

I guess the question then moves to, why wood at all in such an exposed application?

But enough about bamboo. Welcome aboard, @Moto Doula !

 

[John from Connecticut]

Yeah, I put a Thudbeuster seat post and coil spring seat and both combined make my commute much more enjoyable. Without them I would convert to full suspension a long time ago. I only have two more seasons before I hit 10,000 miles on my bike, so I am starting to research a replacement bike. But you know every year brings more innovation that makes some brands very appealing.

Hi,
I read your about your initial issues with your bike and admire your determination and patience ! Great job.
The Himiway looks like a very nice bike. You mentioned starting to research a replacement bike...

All of posters have our 'favorite bikes' and and I'm no different. : ) Before I offer my pick, a thought.
As you may know, the major bike manufacturers are offing deeply discounted on select models.

I've owned three Trek e-bikes and have been completely satisfied...14,000 miles, Zero problems.
I purchased a Trek Allant+ 7-S this past spring. It is hands down the best of the the three. A remarkable,
comfortable, powerful commuter. I noticed Trek only has 'mediums' left in
the grey/silver color shown in this link....

Allant+ 7S - Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Allant+ 7S. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

Good luck,
John

 

[Moto Doula]

Hi,
I read your about your initial issues with your bike and admire your determination and patience ! Great job.
The Himiway looks like a very nice bike. You mentioned starting to research a replacement bike...

All of posters have our 'favorite bikes' and and I'm no different. : ) Before I offer my pick, a thought.
As you may know, the major bike manufacturers are offing deeply discounted on select models.

I've owned three Trek e-bikes and have been completely satisfied...14,000 miles, Zero problems.
I purchased a Trek Allant+ 7-S this past spring. It is hands down the best of the the three. A remarkable,
comfortable, powerful commuter. I noticed Trek only has 'mediums' left in
the grey/silver color shown in this link....

Allant+ 7S - Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Allant+ 7S. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

Good luck,
John

Thanks John, I like the specs of the Trek Allant+ 7-S How many miles do you get out of the chain and cassette before you need to swap them out? 14k is a lots of miles and insights as to what can go south on a mid motor drivetrain. Maybe the next version Trex will step up to a belt drive? E bikes are still in their infancy stage, but the future looks pretty amazing as long as we and state and local governments keep embracing them as a viable mode of transportation. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

 

[John from Connecticut]

Thanks John, I like the specs of the Trek Allant+ 7-S How many miles do you get out of the chain and cassette before you need to swap them out? 14k is a lots of miles and insights as to what can go south on a mid motor drivetrain. Maybe the next version Trex will step up to a belt drive? E bikes are still in their infancy stage, but the future looks pretty amazing as long as we and state and local governments keep embracing them as a viable mode of transportation. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

You're welcome. My milage / service figure 14,000 is split between three bikes, ( Two of which I have given to my middle son and family)
may have been confusing. I only have 1,400 on my new Allant+ 7S. On my Trek XM700 Commuter I replaced one cassette and I
think one chain in 6,000. On my Trek Powerfly 7 e-MTB, one chain and it still has the original cassette at 6,000.

I mentioned considering a Trek 'now' should funding be there, because of the deep Trek discount and now with political talk
of Tariffs, Oh boy ! I think belt drives are great. I have no experience and never ridden one. If anyone could replace the chain
with a belt drive it would be Trek.

With the biking industry in a sales turmoil, I'm think the The Big 3 are trying to figure out where sales are going to go, lower
or turn the corner ? I read even Trek laid off some folks...thus I'm guessing innovations such as belt drives may be delayed ??

John