Easy Motion Neo Carbon

[Dave]

I came across a very good deal on a Neo Carbon, almost half price, new. I have been leaning towards the E3 Dash, but always loved the look of the Easy Motion bikes. Courts' review on the Carbon seemed just O.K., but not as positive as some of the other EM bikes. I did notice at one point in the review, it was mentioned that the torque sensing had a bit of a delay, something I don't remember seeing in other EM reviews. I am pretty sure the electronics are the same across the EM line. Could there be a different controller setup on the Carbon? I know Easy Motion changed motor manufactuers at some point, maybe the Carbon uses the pre Dapu motor? Anyone have thoughts or ideas on the Carbon?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

A very good review of Carbon: Website Missing

Video of the same review:

 

[Dave]

Thanks Ravi, I googled all sorts of ways and didn't come up with that one. Interesting that his Carbon didn't have a throttle, and was limited to such a low pedal assist speed. Also I see his bike had no suspension fork, I think the specs do list one. All of my riding is on pavement so this may be a possibility.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

This is because he (Mark) lives in Australia and they are limited by the same European standards.
250W and pedal assist only.
But the 2013 model does have suspension and throttle for US market.

 

[Dave]

Yes, that's what I thought on the speed resrtiction. Good to know about the suspension on the 2013 model. I will be sure to confirm the year on the Carbon I am thinking about. Thanks, again.

 

[Vern]

I have ridden the cross a few times. I love it. I called out Court for giving it a Luke warm review. I think he was conflicted over the cross's purpose. is it a road bike? Why does it have a shock? Why is it heavier than the Neo road? Is the extra cost of the Carbon worth it?? Or does Court know something we don't know. Conspiracy theories???

Cross VS Carbon-Is the Carbon worth an extra 1800 over the price of a Cross. Well probably not. BUT if you can get a great deal on the Carbon, IT IS worth a couple hundred more. IMO

I feel the Cross is a great comutter bike and the compromises/ build decisions add to its charm. The dealers around me said that they are discounted for the rest of the year (2013). Probably the model year and they may still be offering DEALS on them!! They have had some great deals on it. It does make my wonder why ?? why such great deals? Is there something wrong with it???Are they no longer going to carry it? Are they replacing it with something better. Anyway I think it's awesome. I like it far more than the Cross or Race!! The race has a terrible bumpy ride and the extra pounds of the Cross are noticable. There is also something special about the way Carbon bikes repond to the road.

Neo Carbon vs. Cross vs Dash vs Shadow

Pick a winner!!

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

A friend of mine is an avid cyclist. He told me that Carbon frame bikes yield the highest overhead margins for manufacturers and dealers.
Most of these frames are made in Taiwan and assembled in various other places and words like "Carbon", "Nanotechnology" etc are kind of exaggerated a little bit and hence the price.
The deals offered by most of the retailers now are close to its real price.
The original price included large overheads and now they want to push the 2013 models at a reasonable price. Carbon frames does give you a nicer feeling and Neo Carbon is an excellent bike if you can get it for ~2.5K to 3k.

 

[Dave]

Thanks for the input guys. It is very tempting, as I can get the Carbon for about $2100 shipped. That makes it even less expensive then the Dash, although much of what the Carbon offers, I may not really need. Hydraulic brakes vs plain disc and 30 gears vs 9 may not really make a big difference to me on day to day basis. Giving up the 500 watt motor and 48 amp battery might very well be noticed.

 

[Admin]

Hey guys! Vern is totally right about my review of the Carbon. It's a great bike with all of the same systems as the other Easy Motion Neo's but I wasn't sold on the price and was indeed struggling with its purpose. I do have some minor hangups about carbon (which may be unfounded) but I've heard that leaving them in the sun can degrade the material over time and nicks can turn into cracks etc. over time.

Considering the sweet deal on the Carbon you found Dave, it would be an awesome bike. Why not take the extra speeds and hydraulic brakes? You'll also get the higher 27mph top speed in pedal assist mode that seems to be going away with the 2014 Easy Motion bikes. This is a solid company with good warranty and finely tuned hardware. Considering this is the very first year of the E3 Dash, there may be some unforeseen issues that the Neo line has worked out.

Sorry to throw so many variables and considerations out there. I've owned the Neo Jumper, it worked great and I loved it! So even though my review of the Carbon was somewhat softer please remember I was traveling across the country sleeping in the back of my car and just dropped in at a shop Electric Cyclery that happened to have a Carbon (they didn't have one at the BH headquarters and it was raining the day before). I was excited to try it out but limited on time and was asked to keep the bubble wrap on it... Boo! So these factors may have weighed in on my enthusiasm that day. Conspiracy debunked!

 

[Dave]

Court, sleeping in the back of your car, would definately put a unique view on things! You make a good argument for the Carbon, at the price I was offered. One quick question: Did you notice any big difference in the smoothness of the torque sensor/motor engagement on the Carbon compared to the other Neo bikes you reviewed? In the review you mentioned something about it having a delay in cutting out, after you stopped pedaling. I couldn't quite make out what you were saying due to the wind noise.

 

[Admin]

Wind noise!!! My nemesis... I tend to elaborate on my reviews over time as I recognize patterns or learn new bits about systems. I think the Carbon was just like the other Neo's but I was realizing the delay in motor shut-off vs. how quickly it starts with a torque sensor. It's still responsive, just as much as most other torque sensing ebikes I've ridden, but maybe a little less responsive than the Bosch system at cutoff... Even that system has some delays as you can see in the video review for the Haibike XDURO Pro see video around 4:00 and... prepare for some wind noise.

 

[Magmir]

I was also in a similar situation, kept changing my mind, and had total analysis paralysis as to which bike to purchase. I found a great deal on a carbon (thanks Ravi), watched and read a ton of reviews, and realized it was the bike for me. I will be mainly using it for commuting to work and running errands around town so it really seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I also think it looks awesome, but so do a lot of their other bikes!

I should have mine next week and will post my thoughts here. This will be my first Ebike and I can't wait.

 

[Dave]

" Analysis paralysis", love that term. Pretty much desribes my situation perfectly. Dash, Neo Carbon, Stromer ST1, Motiv Sahdow,the list seems to be getting longer rather then shorter! I guess the good news is they are all good bikes and I would probably be happy with any of them.

Magmir, I would love to hear your thoughts on the Neo Carbon when it arrives and you have a chance to give it a workout. Your use for it and mine are very similar, except for the work part, I am retired. My daily commutes would be to the tennis courts!!

Court, thanks for the clarification on the Carbon torque sensing as it compares to the other Neo bikes. I am relieved to know it is the same setup.

 

[Magmir]

That's exactly what happened to me and my list of potential bikes - it kept growing instead of shrinking. When I saw the carbon for the crazy price it seemed like a no brainer for my situation.

Great news - I got a call earlier tonight that my bike shipped today and will arrive on Friday! I should have it up and running that night and will hopefully be riding it a lot this weekend.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Great news - I got a call earlier tonight that my bike shipped today and will arrive on Friday! I should have it up and running that night and will hopefully be riding it a lot this weekend.

Awesome news, Amir..!
Update us this weekend.
Meanwhile, here is a guide as to how to assemble the Neo line of bikes by Easy Motion. In this case, it is Xtrem but it should be fairly similar for other Neo's as well.

 

[Magmir]

Thanks for the link Ravi, you just can't stop being helpful, can you? I watched the whole video and it was a great guide of what to expect and do for assembly. I don't have a bike stand but am emboldened by the video and should be able to manage assembly without one.