Electric bicycle performance comparison standards in USA

[Mike leroy]

What standard criteria is eBike performance judged against?

​

1. LEVA global standardized performance tests.
2. LEVA test protocol
3. LEVA test results example

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I feel eBike information is best presented as side-by-side comparions in spreadsheets and charts.

I am compiling an equivalent to EPA guidelines for cars. The advertising claims are subject to a great amount of variation, just on physical strength assumptions alone. I wonder how the FTC or CPSC views Truth in Advertising laws?

• If no single standard is acceptable, what standard categories of comparison?
• If no generally accepted standard categories exist, what is the generally accepted criteria for measuring eBike performance?
• If none of the above, what is the most reasonable approach for
  1. On level ground
  2. Temperature around 68F degrees (room temperature +- 10F degrees)
  3. Assume 175 pounds weight
  4. 20mph constant speed (assume USA legal PAS limit)
  5. Pedaling cadence at 60RPM
  6. In the middle gear
  7. Maximum Power Assist Level
  8. Tire pressure (I.e., 55PSI)
  9. Assume an oval car track, like Indy 500 speedway or Olympic bike track.
  10. Could also be performed on a dynamometer, e.g., wind tunnel.
• Distance for a full battery is the dependent variable to be measured.

LEVA Performance Charts:








The LEVA standard is not designed for serious hill-climbing. The test is only for a trivial 4% grade. The legal limit for handicapped ramps is twice as much -- 8% grade. I would feel more comfortable with twice the legal handicaped limit -- 16%.

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

 

[Mike leroy]

Helpful links related to eBike standards:

1. (Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
2. LEV industry and government organizations
3. Go Pedelec! Handbook
4. Wiki Reference List
5. US ANSI
6. US CPSC see page 110
7. US NIST
8. BPSA
9. Federal Regulation

 

[Mike leroy]

Comparison charts

Rider leg power difference can be huge!



Different types of eBikes


Differences By Speed:


Commercial Performance Chart:

 

[Mike leroy]

Some Bosch use-cases:

1. Easy ​
2. Economy ​
3. Elegance ​
4. Endurance ​
5. Enjoyment ​
6. Excitement ​

 

[Mike leroy]

Placeholder for conclusion

 

[Mike leroy]

For example, Bosch method:

View attachment 2355​

Bosch Standards.

Ideal conditions**
Flat terrain at approx. 20 km/h average speed, no headwind, approx. 20°C ambient temperature, high-qualitybike components, tyre tread and pressure with minimal rolling resistance, experienced ebike rider (always shifts gears correctly), additional weight (excluding bike weight) < 70 kg.

Favourable conditions**
Slightly hilly terrain at approx. 25 km/h average speed, slight headwind, approx. 10°C to
20°C ambient temperature, medium-quality bike components, tyre tread and pressure with average rolling resistance, favourable cadence, ebike rider shifts correctly most of the time, additional weight (excluding bike weight) 70 kg to 80 kg.

Difficult conditions**

Terrain with long and steep inclines at 25 km/h average speed, possibly strong headwind, < 10°C ambient temperature, bicycle components with relatively low efficiency, tyre tread and pressure with increased rolling resistance, unfavourable gear selection / cadence, additional weight (excluding bike weight) > 85 kg.

 

[Mike leroy]

Placeholder for other vendors

 

[Mike leroy]

Placeholder for different bike types

 

[J.R.]

@Mike leroy , So much for having a discussion with this "placeholder" ........stuff, I'll just say!

You seem to have all the theory down, you post a ton of other's thoughts but you make huge assumptions, all based on information you get online. I'm not trying to be insulting, I'm trying to be helpful. I wouldn't waste my time posting to you if I didn't want to help. An intelligent person, as you obviously are, why aren't you getting some practical experience?

Why aren't you all over this thread and demo day? I would KILL to have something like this in my town, or within 200 miles of me! Your impressions of ebikes or any bike for that matter would be completely different if you had any time in a saddle and here's your chance:

"Motostrano / Suburbanbikes is hosting an all day Haibike Demo event this Saturday, March 7 at our Redwood City location(926 Broadway St, Redwood City) from 9AM to 6PM. Please come if you are interested in checking out and testing a Haibike XDURO in their natural environment. Haibike USA will be on hand with their demo fleet of Haibikes including the FS RX 27.5 and the 29er models and we have a full stock of those bikes in our store for purchase at special demo day pricing.

We'll be doing short rides around our store all day and then 2 longer rides to our secret off-road test zone where we'll take the bikes on the trail, in the hills and down the hills, so you can test hill climbing, suspension, speed and handling. These rides take place once in the morning around 10AM and once in the afternoon around 2PM. RSVP if you are interested in testing a specific bike for these rides.

In addition to the Haibike models, you're free to compare against other off and on-road demo bikes including the Felt Lebowsk-e, Felt Nine-e, Felt Dual-e, M1 Sporttechnik, iZIP and BH Easymotion models."

 

[Mike leroy]

@Mike leroy , So much for having a discussion with this "placeholder" ........stuff, I'll just say!

You seem to have all the theory down, you post a ton of other's thoughts but you make huge assumptions, all based on information you get online. I'm not trying to be insulting, I'm trying to be helpful. I wouldn't waste my time posting to you if I didn't want to help. An intelligent person, as you obviously are, why aren't you getting some practical experience?

Why aren't you all over this thread and demo day? I would KILL to have something like this in my town, or within 200 miles of me! Your impressions of ebikes or any bike for that matter would be completely different if you had any time in a saddle and here's your chance:

"Motostrano / Suburbanbikes is hosting an all day Haibike Demo event this Saturday, March 7 at our Redwood City location(926 Broadway St, Redwood City) from 9AM to 6PM. Please come if you are interested in checking out and testing a Haibike XDURO in their natural environment. Haibike USA will be on hand with their demo fleet of Haibikes including the FS RX 27.5 and the 29er models and we have a full stock of those bikes in our store for purchase at special demo day pricing.

We'll be doing short rides around our store all day and then 2 longer rides to our secret off-road test zone where we'll take the bikes on the trail, in the hills and down the hills, so you can test hill climbing, suspension, speed and handling. These rides take place once in the morning around 10AM and once in the afternoon around 2PM. RSVP if you are interested in testing a specific bike for these rides.

In addition to the Haibike models, you're free to compare against other off and on-road demo bikes including the Felt Lebowsk-e, Felt Nine-e, Felt Dual-e, M1 Sporttechnik, iZIP and BH Easymotion models."

JR,
thanks for pointing this out to me. Unfortunately, I got the message after the event. I have an open invitation from Joe to join him on one of his rides. I will take him up when time provides.

My first choice is the Yamaha motor, e.g., SDuro. I believe the Yahama is a much better value and design/implementation than the Bosch. I contacted Haibike and Currie Tech. About the SDuro. Their response was the SDuro is probably two model years away -- 2017!

My second choice is doing something California style. Yeah, like put an electric scooter motor into a bicycle. Give gas-powered cars a run for their expensive gas-money!

Running is the exercise that I love. I run too much, so I have to limit my running to keep my weight from dropping to unhealthy levels. I lose 20 pounds before I realize it.

I need a bike to transport food, so I do not mind waiting for the ideal bike to surface. On the day of the event, I ran two miles to the store and walked 30+ pounds of food back up an 18% grade. Food transport is the only reason that I need an E-Bike for. I run back from the store when the food weighs less than 10 pounds.