Alphbetadog
Active Member
Last autumn I discovered ebikes and have been very enthusiastic about them ever since. After reading and watching just about every one of Court’s reviews at that time, I decided to purchase 2 Electric Bike Outfitter kits for my wife’s and my 20 and 30 year old mountain bikes which I previously “comfortized” with better seats, more upright and pulled back handlebars, pavement oriented tires, and more comfortable grips. Since the installation, we both enjoy riding much more often and go for longer rides. It has become more of “our time” often trying a new lunch spot on weekends. Hills and headwinds no longer matter and we squeeze rides in much more often. Since I like riding my ebike so much enjoying the safer quiet rides along scenic bike paths, I decided to sell my street motorcycle much to the delight of my wife.
I was also intrigued with e-mountain bikes and tried many brands at the Electric Bike Expo when it came to nearby Tempe, AZ. Soon afterwards I placed an order for a Haibike Xduro FullSeven RC with the new CX motor, which took several months to arrive. Although I don’t have any experience with modern full suspension mountain bikes, I had been an avid off-road motorcycle rider since age 9. So after what seemed like a long wait my Haibike finally arrived and I have been having a blast riding all the local trails and up in the mountains. So much so I’m now also thinking of maybe even selling my off-road motorcycle…
So although it might seem like comparing “apples to oranges” and in a lot of ways it is, but there are certainly many similarities and differences in how they function in real world riding that I thought I would share my impressions and experiences. My EBO Burley kit on my Trek is a 350 watt nominal hub motor with peddle assist sensor, whereas the Haibike has a sophisticated 250 watt nominal mid-drive with torque, cadence, and speed sensors. Both have geared motors and 11ah batteries. All up weight is similar, but the Haibike has a modern frame with sophisticated full suspension. Since I already owned my Trek and it has long since been amortized down to $0, thus making the Haibike 4 times more expensive than my EBO kitted ride. So is the Haibike 4 times better?
Again, this is an “apples to oranges” comparison. If I was just comparing my un-kitted 1984 Trek All-Terrain Series 830 with its rigid lugged chromoly frame to the hypothetical Haibike in non-electric “push bike” configuration with its modern hydroformed frame, modern disc brakes and sophisticated Rock Shock and Fox suspension I would say heck yeah the Haibike is way more than 4 times better, actually light years better! And even in electrified forms on the rough mountain bike trails, indeed the Haibike is also at least 4 times better. Keep in mind I’m referring to the smaller motored EBO kits used on a very old-school bike. But around the neighborhood, through town, and on the multi-use paths surprisingly I would say; “no way!” In these environments, the EBO kit rivals the much more expensive Haibike with exotic Bosch CX motor, and in some ways in some situations the EBO even works a little better. On pavement and in the multi-use trails the bikes are really quite close. Even though I have both bikes and they are both charged up, surprisingly I wouldn’t really care which one I hopped on for these type of rides. Both work really well and are a whole lot of fun. Both accelerate quickly, have 5 levels of assist to easily dial in and respond quickly. One advantage the EBO kit has is the throttle or “little go lever” that can quickly get you going when either you can’t easily peddle (like when you are at a stop light in high gear) or just don’t feel like it! I rarely use the throttle, but when I need it, it is really nice that it’s there. I’ve found times while riding the Haibike I would really have liked to have a throttle is certain situations.
So considering the substantial price difference between the Bosch (or any expensive mid-drive) powered bike, in my opinion, the EBO kits are really a tremendous value especially if you already own a decent and suitable bike to make the conversion. If you can’t afford to spend well over $4000 and more on an ebike, or just don’t want to, you really can make a decent ebike at a modest price with an EBO kit. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Haibike, but if only had my old kitted Trek I would be just as happy! So if anyone is on fence, but already has a good bike, I would suggest that you definitely consider an EBO kit.
I was also intrigued with e-mountain bikes and tried many brands at the Electric Bike Expo when it came to nearby Tempe, AZ. Soon afterwards I placed an order for a Haibike Xduro FullSeven RC with the new CX motor, which took several months to arrive. Although I don’t have any experience with modern full suspension mountain bikes, I had been an avid off-road motorcycle rider since age 9. So after what seemed like a long wait my Haibike finally arrived and I have been having a blast riding all the local trails and up in the mountains. So much so I’m now also thinking of maybe even selling my off-road motorcycle…
So although it might seem like comparing “apples to oranges” and in a lot of ways it is, but there are certainly many similarities and differences in how they function in real world riding that I thought I would share my impressions and experiences. My EBO Burley kit on my Trek is a 350 watt nominal hub motor with peddle assist sensor, whereas the Haibike has a sophisticated 250 watt nominal mid-drive with torque, cadence, and speed sensors. Both have geared motors and 11ah batteries. All up weight is similar, but the Haibike has a modern frame with sophisticated full suspension. Since I already owned my Trek and it has long since been amortized down to $0, thus making the Haibike 4 times more expensive than my EBO kitted ride. So is the Haibike 4 times better?
Again, this is an “apples to oranges” comparison. If I was just comparing my un-kitted 1984 Trek All-Terrain Series 830 with its rigid lugged chromoly frame to the hypothetical Haibike in non-electric “push bike” configuration with its modern hydroformed frame, modern disc brakes and sophisticated Rock Shock and Fox suspension I would say heck yeah the Haibike is way more than 4 times better, actually light years better! And even in electrified forms on the rough mountain bike trails, indeed the Haibike is also at least 4 times better. Keep in mind I’m referring to the smaller motored EBO kits used on a very old-school bike. But around the neighborhood, through town, and on the multi-use paths surprisingly I would say; “no way!” In these environments, the EBO kit rivals the much more expensive Haibike with exotic Bosch CX motor, and in some ways in some situations the EBO even works a little better. On pavement and in the multi-use trails the bikes are really quite close. Even though I have both bikes and they are both charged up, surprisingly I wouldn’t really care which one I hopped on for these type of rides. Both work really well and are a whole lot of fun. Both accelerate quickly, have 5 levels of assist to easily dial in and respond quickly. One advantage the EBO kit has is the throttle or “little go lever” that can quickly get you going when either you can’t easily peddle (like when you are at a stop light in high gear) or just don’t feel like it! I rarely use the throttle, but when I need it, it is really nice that it’s there. I’ve found times while riding the Haibike I would really have liked to have a throttle is certain situations.
So considering the substantial price difference between the Bosch (or any expensive mid-drive) powered bike, in my opinion, the EBO kits are really a tremendous value especially if you already own a decent and suitable bike to make the conversion. If you can’t afford to spend well over $4000 and more on an ebike, or just don’t want to, you really can make a decent ebike at a modest price with an EBO kit. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Haibike, but if only had my old kitted Trek I would be just as happy! So if anyone is on fence, but already has a good bike, I would suggest that you definitely consider an EBO kit.
