Finding the real range of my Bosch CX powered bike

[Alaskan]

They Nyon is really helping me explore tons of ride data. It really helps make decisions and set goals. Speaking of goals I managed to ride more than 300 miles in March.

I did a 37 mile ride on Saturday that left me with just 14% left on the battery when I rolled home. I suspect if I went past 40 miles I might have to pedal with no assist after that as the remaining percentage seemed to be dropping fast toward the end.

The trip was mostly flat. The bike weighs in at 62 pounds and I am right at 210. 47% of the ride was spent in tour mode. Riding on Schwalbe Big Ben Plus 700x50s inflated to 32psi front and 38psi rear.

 

[tallpaul]

Great ride! And 39% of your power. Impressive!
This data that is available on the Nyon is really helpful for an overview of all the aspects, and your usage of, the Bosch system.

 

[Scooteretti]

@Alaskan thanks for sharing. Just for fun, I plugged in similar data (using your data on average) to see a rough range estimate using the Bosch online range calculator and it actually shows a more conservative # to what you rode. Which is great.

I too experience more range than what Bosch reports which really shows their figures to be very conservative. I routinely seem to get 10-20% more distance per charge which is a good thing.

We also have customers reporting back that they get more range than they thought which is really a good thing.

Safe riding and thanks for sharing the data!


Will
shop.scooteretti.com

 

[Trail Cruiser]

An idea: try varying your cadence. Most of these mid-drives draw more or less power from the battery depending on cadence.

Between 95 and 98 RPM the Bosch Performance tends to draw more from the battery because that's where it produces the most power. 88-92 RPM seems to be a good compromise for me.

I once played around the Bosch simulator settings awhile back and found out that the most efficient cadence is somewhere between 70 rpm and 88 rpm. Beyond those numbers, the range starts to drop.

 

[Alaskan]

An idea: try varying your cadence. Most of these mid-drives draw more or less power from the battery depending on cadence.

Between 95 and 98 RPM the Bosch Performance tends to draw more from the battery because that's where it produces the most power. 88-92 RPM seems to be a good compromise for me.

I suspect the reason I am getting better range than advertised may have something to do with the lower cadence. I am usually between the high sixties and the mid eighties. During this ride my average came in at 70. There were a few hills to climb but much of the ride was on level ground. On the flats, I find I can keep up close to 16 mph with little or no assist on this bike anyway.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Was this with a Power Pack 500?

 

[Alaskan]

Was this with a Power Pack 500?

Yes, and for emphasis, I traveled 37.41 miles and still had 14% remaining on the battery. As fast as the percentage remaining was dropping at the end, I doubt I could have made it past 40 miles without a fully depleted battery.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Very cool stats from Nyon!!
Using my PP 500, on a Haibike Trekking Speed bike, I get 30 (35 in the summer) miles of range averaging 20mph. I guess, your speed/terrian could be a big contributor for higher mileage.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Yes, and for emphasis, I traveled 37.41 miles and still had 14% remaining on the battery. As fast as the percentage remaining was dropping at the end, I doubt I could have made it past 40 miles without a fully depleted battery.

I've often noticed that I easily get twice the range out of the first 20 percent of the battery as opposed to the last 20 percent.

I like the range estimation figure but my experience is that range varies so insanely with terrain I wonder how helpful it will be. There are several tours I do that are all uphill (and a lot of uphill) one way and all downhill back -- it isn't unusual for me to be at less than 20 percent my electrons at the top and yet I'll easily make it back.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Alaskan: any reason you went with the Nyon over the Cobi? I'm interested in the Cobi and wonder what drove you to get a Nyon...

 

[Alaskan]

Alaskan: any reason you went with the Nyon over the Cobi? I'm interested in the Cobi and wonder what drove you to get a Nyon...

My reasons for choosing the Nyon

Mr. Coffee,

1. My experience with marine equipment is that dedicated, integrated units are more reliable and durable than units that rely on phones or computers and their screens for processing and display.
2. The Nyon screen is very bright, highly visible in all light, has no glare and is a compact manageable size.
3. The Nyon is waterproof and all inputs can be done with the left thumb on the control module with joystick. Touch control on a phone screen, wearing gloves, in bright sunlight is challenging to say the least and requires you to take one hand off the handlebars.
4. I have read about Cobi failures that left people without a functioning e-bike. No reported incidence of this with Nyon that I have encountered.
5. I have read about phones coming loose from Cobi mounts, bouncing off the bike and getting damaged
6. The port on the Intuvia that supposedly can be used to charge a phone has a very low output, probably not enough to keep a smart phone screen always on and keep the battery up too.
7. The Nyon has revealed itself to be just what I thought it would be. A rock solid, very reliable, informative, useful, accurate and well integrated piece of equipment.
8. With the Nyon my phone stays in my pocket or in the handlebar bag, protected and out of the way.
9. The Nyon cost me $100. The phone cost way more. I take a tumble and I would rather replace the Nyon than my phone.
10. Although I am sure the Bosch will integrate the Cobi more fully with ebike connect, the Nyon is already there.

 

[tallpaul]

I totally concur with the Alaskan regarding the Nyon. With his post several weeks ago inspiring me to get a Nyon, I have been quite pleased with it, and all the information it provides the user, both on the bike and when I sit at my computer after the ride it is all there, downloaded from the Nyon via wifi.