Hello, I was wondering if there are any affordable class 3 ebikes (28mph pedal assist) other than the crosscurrent air? I haven’t been able to find anything around the same price point as the crosscurrent. Seems like juiced bikes is one of the few companies that does class 3 ebikes under 2k. Any suggestions for bikes of this category (the closer to 1k the better)
Affordable class 3 ebikes?
- Thread starter oC4o
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I just ordered a 48V 14Ah class 3 ebike (28mph PAS) ebike from ebay for $1000 actually (actually $1099 -$100 off ebay special): (Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
Should be here next week. The components may need some updating (like fork and stem) but you can get a decent fork and stem for less than $100. I'll let you know when I assembled it and had a few miles on it if it's an actual class 3 bike or not. Cause I have my doubts.
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Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
Is there a board forum here for Ride1up? Or even video reviews of their bikes? Cause at those prices, nobody else stands a chance. And why 25mph instead of 28mph I wonder? Probably it is not class 3. Also $75 for an LCD screen, so with everything you are still only talking $1175. IMO RadCity and others are in deep trouble.
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AHicks
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- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
Without attempting to discount what looks like a great value (both bikes), but more in the spirit of fair comparisons, both bikes mentioned use Bafang 500w geared hubs. Rad bikes use a 750w geared hub or direct drive, depending on model. Rad is also using 14ah batteries, compared to the 10's here.
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
I think all RadPower's ebikes have a top speed of 20mph even with 750W motors. Makes you wonder why? Maybe they just need to add a beefier controller? BTW, ride1up bikes are NOT class 3 with only 25mph rated PAS. You need 28mph PAS to be classified as class 3.
AHicks
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- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
The Rad bikes are set to 20mph in their setup by default (to meet most class 2 limits). You can change that to slightly higher pretty easily (24mph?) but that's the limit - which is the software (locked out by Rad). As far as PAS/assist - most people are going to need to change the gearing to achieve speeds like that. Stock, 20 mph may be possible, but I was all done while still in the mid teens (not that I'm an athlete by any shape of the imagination). I DID end up changing the freewheel gears to allow me to keep up with the pedals at 20mph....
I'm not sure when it comes to these 28mph PAS assisted speed ratings you see. Do you need to be an athlete to achieve them? Are you getting suitable gearing on the bike where most people would be able to achieve 28mph? Or is this some kind of pie in the sky marketing scheme? I ask as I'm thinking 28mph using a 500w gear drive SOUNDS a little optimistic......
I'm not sure when it comes to these 28mph PAS assisted speed ratings you see. Do you need to be an athlete to achieve them? Are you getting suitable gearing on the bike where most people would be able to achieve 28mph? Or is this some kind of pie in the sky marketing scheme? I ask as I'm thinking 28mph using a 500w gear drive SOUNDS a little optimistic......
We love our ebikes but I'm still in sticker shock. That being said I spend about the same on a high performance (electric assist for climb) 2 meter RC glider. OTOH, you can buy a very nice used motorcycle for 2-3k. You can't ride that mtc on bike trails though and it won't improve your health. IMO prices will come down for all ebikes going forward. We just didn't want to wait
I agree. I would let you know when the supposedly "class 3" bike arrives how and IF I'm able to achieve 28+mph with PAS. And my legs are strong enough to do routinely 25mph, and 30+mph with some +wind, on my regular carbon road bike all the time. However I think in the next year you are going to see more and more upgraded class 3 ebikes from everyone that is currently shipping class 2 ebikes. That is the next big thing IMO.
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LewSchiller
Active Member
My Magnum Cruiser came with a class 3 sticker on it. 20 seems to be top end fot power assist only but as I understand it one can hack that through the controller.
That said for me and the type of riding I do it's certainly fast enough.
MSRP on the cruiser is 2099 but mine came in less out the door.
That said for me and the type of riding I do it's certainly fast enough.
MSRP on the cruiser is 2099 but mine came in less out the door.
Chris Hammond
Well-Known Member
So, just because a bike is a "Class 3" bike doesn't necessarily mean the bike will be able to travel at 28 mph. There are plenty of complaints on this forum from people who bought bikes with that expectation only to be disappointed with the speed limit the bike can attain.
I would definitely read user reviews of any bike you plan to order if you can't test ride it first.
During my research I was able to test a Magnum Metro+ which caused me to cross it off my list because the bike can't be ridden at 28mph even though it is class 3.
Every bike maker will spec the motor for their bikes with a winding that is tuned for either more low speed torque or higher top speed capability. You can't have it both ways unless you have a more powerful (higher voltage) battery and higher amp controller.
I would definitely read user reviews of any bike you plan to order if you can't test ride it first.
During my research I was able to test a Magnum Metro+ which caused me to cross it off my list because the bike can't be ridden at 28mph even though it is class 3.
Every bike maker will spec the motor for their bikes with a winding that is tuned for either more low speed torque or higher top speed capability. You can't have it both ways unless you have a more powerful (higher voltage) battery and higher amp controller.
Quantum Leap
Member
At that price point I would look for a used Stromer ST1 Platinum. Does 28 very nicely.
AHicks
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Following this, checking out the suggested bikes out of curiosity. That Stromer is a 500w Direct Drive. I'm calling BS on it's ability to make 28mph unless driven by an athlete on smooth surfaces with no head wind. That, and the fact that from what I see. it's twice or better the price point discussed (4000 or so).
CodyDog
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- Colorado
I took a look at the Ride1Up website and watch the videos. Initially impressed.
Chris Hammond
Well-Known Member
I don't have personal experience with Stromer, but again the top speed is going to be largely determined by the winding in the motor. From what I've read the Stromer bikes seem to be built for speed, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if it can be ridden at 28mph.
I know my Juiced CCS motor is wound for high speed. I am cruising a ~30 mph most of the time I am riding. However, if my 52V battery is fully charged I can cruise at 35.
AHicks
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OK, post edited from BS to say "major stretch of imagination". By way of explanation, our 1000w and 1500w DD kit bikes are both wound for 540rpm (about 40mph) and they'll do that (or maybe a little better) unloaded. Loaded, 30 is easy for the 1000, 35 for the 1500. Which makes me wonder if they are advertising the unloaded mph? I'm struggling to believe a motor half the size of our 1000w would actually do 28mph on any kind of reliable basis. Not without a major boost provided by the rider under ideal conditions.
To help me understand better, you say you are "cruising" ~30. How far a "cruise" is this? Or would it be better thought of as a sprint? I'm assuming you are contributing a good portion of the power being used as well?
Tell me about your CCS drive. Not familiar. Thanks!
To help me understand better, you say you are "cruising" ~30. How far a "cruise" is this? Or would it be better thought of as a sprint? I'm assuming you are contributing a good portion of the power being used as well?
Tell me about your CCS drive. Not familiar. Thanks!
Chris Hammond
Well-Known Member
So another part of the equation that you are not considering is the voltage driving the motor. Higher Voltage will spin the same motor at a higher speed. Thus there are advantages to be had by going with a 52V battery over a 48v or 36V battery, couple this with higher amp controller and you have more power and higher speed from the same motor. That is why saying you have a 1500W motor is not really defining anything without saying how many amps/ Volts are going through it.
As far as my commute goes its 30 miles each way, so not exactly a sprint I'd say
. Yes I am pedaling hard the entire time I am riding. But as I said, my cruising speed is around 30 most of the time, my average speed for my commute averages around 23-24 mph due to stopping for traffic lights, traffic in general especially for the ~10 miles of city riding versus the more suburban 20 miles the rest of the way. The Juiced CCS uses a Bafang geared hub motor, its rated at 650W (peak of 1050W) on my bike configuration with 20A controller, and 750W on the newer CCX with a 25A controller. I don't know the motor winding specs, but it is clearly biased for high speed commuting over low speed torque.
Quantum Leap
Member
It can do it, easily, in the highest level of assist. I can attest to it personally. You will have to pedal, but I think athlete is quite a stretch. True, you won't be going 28 up a steep hill. Into a moderate headwind I think it is doable. There is so much more to the speed a bike travels than just the motor specs. The ST1 Platinum seems to have been discontinued by the way, hence the suggestion to buy a used one near the stated budget point. Pretty realistic chances at that I'd wager.
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