[Moved over from my intro post. It didn't make sense over there. Sorry, Mr/Ms Admin!]
My wife has owned a Boardman HYB 8.9E for a few months, and I fettle it occasionally. (I'm not sure if they're sold in the US, but they're a common brand in the UK.)
I've only had my Orbea D50 for a week, but have done several trips already.
Here are my initial impressions.
Fazua (on Boardman HYB 8.9E):
- the Fazua has a slightly more natural feeling than eBikeMotion. Power is relative to how hard you push (it's got a torque sensor in the crank)
- Fazua components are really well engineered and thought out (with a couple of exceptions* - see below)
- Fazua setup is maybe 0.5-1.0Kg heavier. But by the time you've put mudguards, carrier, bell, pump and toolkit it doesn't matter. You've got a motor, right?
- Fazua is more convenient if your garage is not attached to the house or space is at a premium (you take the battery out and charge it)
Minor Fazua irritations:
- the original Fazua battery release button wasn't easy for some people. Quite stiff. They've redesigned it, and the improved one can be retro-fitted.
- there's no cover over the underside of the crank. The wires and joints are waterproof, but a $1 a cover would finish the job.
eBikeMotion (on Orbea D50):
- slightly more of an on/off feeling, but still pleasant and still subtle enough (it's got a cadence sensor on the rear wheel)
- a small delay in the assistance starting and stopping, maybe 0.5 second, but we're nit-picking here. I guess the magnetic cadence sensor needs to have a few magnets pass it by before making a decision on the assistance required, whereas the Fazua torque sensor starts working on the initial press of a pedal.
- I can't tell if eBikeMotion is well designed - it's mostly hidden. It seems slightly less well made, but that's merely gut feeling from the outside view
Minor eBikeMotion irritations:
- the eBikeMotion 1-button control deserves to be a 2-button controller - i.e. up and down
- very occasionally the controller comes on downhill. I've seen this mentioned elsewhere, and may be user error (riding with it off seem to be a no-no - you're supposed to leave it in 'White' /inactive mode - I'm still experimenting)
What I can't compare:
- battery usage. I can't ride my wife's bike for many miles - it's too small for me. But for general use the range on both is fine. 30+ miles with a fair bit of usage on the Fazua, and 60+ miles with light use on the eBikeMotion, which is on par with what others have found on this forum. If you're doing a long all-day ride, take the charger - most cafes will be happy to help.
Other bits:
- both have apps that let you tune the assistance. The eBikeMotion one seems more complete, but I'm not much of a user. It's the bike I focus on.
Overall, both systems are seriously fun to ride, and of a similar nature, i.e. helping your ride in a subtle manner, not taking it over.
Both are very usable, and 90% perfect for what we need (day trips, exercise), with just a few minor irritations.
My wife has owned a Boardman HYB 8.9E for a few months, and I fettle it occasionally. (I'm not sure if they're sold in the US, but they're a common brand in the UK.)
I've only had my Orbea D50 for a week, but have done several trips already.
Here are my initial impressions.
Fazua (on Boardman HYB 8.9E):
- the Fazua has a slightly more natural feeling than eBikeMotion. Power is relative to how hard you push (it's got a torque sensor in the crank)
- Fazua components are really well engineered and thought out (with a couple of exceptions* - see below)
- Fazua setup is maybe 0.5-1.0Kg heavier. But by the time you've put mudguards, carrier, bell, pump and toolkit it doesn't matter. You've got a motor, right?
- Fazua is more convenient if your garage is not attached to the house or space is at a premium (you take the battery out and charge it)
Minor Fazua irritations:
- the original Fazua battery release button wasn't easy for some people. Quite stiff. They've redesigned it, and the improved one can be retro-fitted.
- there's no cover over the underside of the crank. The wires and joints are waterproof, but a $1 a cover would finish the job.
eBikeMotion (on Orbea D50):
- slightly more of an on/off feeling, but still pleasant and still subtle enough (it's got a cadence sensor on the rear wheel)
- a small delay in the assistance starting and stopping, maybe 0.5 second, but we're nit-picking here. I guess the magnetic cadence sensor needs to have a few magnets pass it by before making a decision on the assistance required, whereas the Fazua torque sensor starts working on the initial press of a pedal.
- I can't tell if eBikeMotion is well designed - it's mostly hidden. It seems slightly less well made, but that's merely gut feeling from the outside view
Minor eBikeMotion irritations:
- the eBikeMotion 1-button control deserves to be a 2-button controller - i.e. up and down
- very occasionally the controller comes on downhill. I've seen this mentioned elsewhere, and may be user error (riding with it off seem to be a no-no - you're supposed to leave it in 'White' /inactive mode - I'm still experimenting)
What I can't compare:
- battery usage. I can't ride my wife's bike for many miles - it's too small for me. But for general use the range on both is fine. 30+ miles with a fair bit of usage on the Fazua, and 60+ miles with light use on the eBikeMotion, which is on par with what others have found on this forum. If you're doing a long all-day ride, take the charger - most cafes will be happy to help.
Other bits:
- both have apps that let you tune the assistance. The eBikeMotion one seems more complete, but I'm not much of a user. It's the bike I focus on.
Overall, both systems are seriously fun to ride, and of a similar nature, i.e. helping your ride in a subtle manner, not taking it over.
Both are very usable, and 90% perfect for what we need (day trips, exercise), with just a few minor irritations.
