Atom 2017 or 2019?

[ChezCheese:)]

Hi, all! Newbie here doing research... I live on a hill, so I want torque. Since I want torque, I want a mid-motor.

I have test ridden eProdigy, Blix, Gazelle, Giant, Yamaha, Bulls, Haibike, and BH. I prefer the Brose motors and the Yamaha motors. A friend has a 2018 Giant Quick e+, and that is the standard I compare the others to. Of course, his is a class 3, so it is a little apples to oranges. I really like the 2018 Quick e but not the 2019 (don't like the fatter tires and the color.)

I like the 2017 BH Atom Diamond Wave best, though I wish it weren't restricted to 20mph. It is very comfortable, with that adjustable handlebar stem, and it comes already with fenders, lights and rack, and the chain is completely enclosed in a chainglider. Quiet and smooth. I like being able to change gears when at a stop sign because of the internal geared hub. It is metallic taupe, instead of the boring (and unsafe) blacktop or asphalt color it seems every ebike is in. And there is one on sale at my LBS ?. I've put it on layaway, because it is the only one they have.

Meanwhile, I was thinking, what about ordering a 2019 BH Diamond Wave Pro? It would be about $400 more, but has the Brose S motor instead of the original Brose (or is it the Brose T?) And a 600wh battery. But it is heavier, probably due to the battery. But it has that way cooler controller display with color and customizable functions. Only comes in blacktop color though. Hmmn ?.

So finally, my question is: 2017 or 2019?

 

[Ebiker01]

2019

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Why?

 

[Ebiker01]

600wh battery, 500wh is just not enough.
It had Better components throughout, The fenders, racktime in the rear, and better design.
The Colour Display is much better , has a lot of adjustments for motor, etc.
The old left hand display gives error messages every now and then.
You could try search for the BH Nitro City , is a 29-30mph ebike, it usually retails for 3.8k , i’ve seen it a few times for 2.4k. But it had the B/W and Blue Center display. I’m jealous on the coloured one.
The Diamond Wave is still a solid nicely made ebike but onky does 22-23mph max. if you pedal hard and fast...
Is probably the best display on the market right now..Reliable and performant. Same with the BH brand.

 

[rich c]

600wh battery, 500wh is just not enough.
It had Better components throughout, The fenders, racktime in the rear, and better design.
The Colour Display is much better , has a lot of adjustments for motor, etc.
The old left hand display gives error messages every now and then.
You could try search for the BH Nitro City , is a 29-30mph ebike, it usually retails for 3.8k , i’ve seen it a few times for 2.4k. But it had the B/W and Blue Center display. I’m jealous on the coloured one.
The Diamond Wave is still a solid nicely made ebike but onky does 22-23mph max. if you pedal hard and fast...
Is probably the best display on the market right now..Reliable and performant. Same with the BH brand.

80% of my daily rides are between 10-20 miles. 400wh is plenty.

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Thanks for the run-down. Good reasons. I don't want to spend $3,800 though -- $3,000 is my max budget. can the Diamond Wave be de-restricted? Maybe by repositioning the magnet?

 

[Ebiker01]

I’m not sure , i don’t know the Brose motor well. If the same motor is used on speed pedelecs then technically it would have enough power to get to 28mph.
They coming out with lots of new ebike “toys” for 2020 , new Brose motor too , lighter, you could also spend ad little as possible and get a nice tech. Advanced ebike in spring 2020.
Whatever new ebike you get now ,it’s value will be 50% off 6months later.

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Well, reduced, but not 50% off. I'd be able to get that 2017 for $1500 if that were the case...

 

[Ebiker01]

I meant to say when it’s sold as an used ebike after 6months...

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Maybe then I should just buy once. Changing up in a year becomes an expensive proposition. Without a way to try out the 2019, I can't know how I will like it, even if I like the 2017. I could just imagine that this is late 2016 and that the 2017 is the latest and greatest and be satisfied. I wonder if the controller could be upgraded?...

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Since the BH bikes website didn't have all the information I needed to decide, I emailed the company. Although at first the response I got was pretty useless, I persevered and finally got the info I needed. I decided that I wanted the way rad color display with the many customizable features, the latest and greatest version of the Brose motor, and the 600wh battery (although 500 probably would be plenty.)

On their website I saw they have something called a City Wave Pro. Looks very similar to the Diamond Wave Pro, only in white (much nicer than blacktop, but what can you do?) In fact it is the same frame, motor and battery.

But City Wave has a derailleur rather than the internally geared Shimano hub, and disc brakes rather than rim. So then I needed to know if the gearing was similar, or if one or the other went higher or lower (has greater range.) The answer is that the gearing is similar, so I decided to go with the internally geared hub 2018 Diamond Wave Pro. (The 2019 model is not available in the US.) Called the LBS and ordered one. Woo-hoo?! I'm excited!

Hey, Court: how about a video comparing the ride on the internally geared Diamond Wave Pro vs the derailleured City Wave Pro, since everything else is the same? Just a thought...

 

[ChezCheese:)]

It's finally in at the LBS and I'm picking it up today. It's sunny and gorgeous out today, too, so a great day for a ride!

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Hooray! I got my ebike! Took the ferry home from Seattle and then rode it to find our errant Corgi gone walkabout. It is so easy to ride! Even my diehard acoustic husband is impressed and I hope he will make use of it on our hill. (He has finally admitted that to tackle this hill, he has to prepare himself mentally - - it's a toughie.)

And Kebab the Corgi was found and returned home, happy as a clam.

To be restricted to assist only up to 20mph is not too bad. One can easily get to 23 - - and remember I've only had the bike for less than 24 hours. However, I read something on another forum: change the wheel size in the settings to 18", and put it in kilometers per hour. The display will show the speed kph which will be the true speed in miles per hour. Eg, it will say 32kph, but the actual speed will be 32mph, so when you see the number, it will be accurate. I may try this if I feel it is necessary. Right now, it's fine as it is.

 

[Ebiker01]

Hooray! I got my ebike! Took the ferry home from Seattle and then rode it to find our errant Corgi gone walkabout. It is so easy to ride! Even my diehard acoustic husband is impressed and I hope he will make use of it on our hill. (He has finally admitted that to tackle this hill, he has to prepare himself mentally - - it's a toughie.)

And Kebab the Corgi was found and returned home, happy as a clam.

To be restricted to assist only up to 20mph is not too bad. One can easily get to 23 - - and remember I've only had the bike for less than 24 hours. However, I read something on another forum: change the wheel size in the settings to 18", and put it in kilometers per hour. The display will show the speed kph which will be the true speed in miles per hour. Eg, it will say 32kph, but the actual speed will be 32mph, so when you see the number, it will be accurate. I may try this if I feel it is necessary. Right now, it's fine as it is.

Congrats ! But sadly i have to inform you that it does not do 32mph...is nice to dream... but like you had mention it does easily get to 23-24mph, with a bit extra effort maybe it can achieve 25-26mph ?

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Sure it could - - like I say, I've only had it for barely a day, and I didn't even get into 8th gear yet. But have you tried that hack, putting the wheel size as 18" and having the display be in kilometers? Then the controller will think it is going slower than it is and assist beyond 20mph. Right now I am enjoying the ebike as it is, but you never know when I might need to be a speed demon...

 

[Ebiker01]

No , it will not work. But 23mph is good enough.

 

[ChezCheese:)]

So just riding downhill, it can get to 30mph, and I don't feel the need to go more than 20-23 on the flat. It's enough. What am I in such a hurry for? I'm not late for work. I'm trying to keep my health and not rust. This is a great bike! Quiet and smooth. Serious torque for serious hills. Although Court talks about the chain glider rattling, mine doesn't, so maybe the one he tested was mis-adjusted. Seattle E-Bike in Pioneer Square in Seattle has 4 more right now... Go give one a try ?