Hydra gen 2 vs Frey Beast

[Limmet]

Hi! Im window shopping
Any thoughts on Hydra gen 2 vs Frey best?
Pros an cons?
Do anyone know the top speed of both using only the throttle?
And a Newbie question, are the pedals moving when you use the throttle on a "mid engine" e bike? Ore can the chain move seperate from the pedals if you know what i mean..

 

[Kayakguy]

Hi! Im window shopping
Any thoughts on Hydra gen 2 vs Frey best?
Pros an cons?
Do anyone know the top speed of both using only the throttle?
And a Newbie question, are the pedals moving when you use the throttle on a "mid engine" e bike? Ore can the chain move seperate from the pedals if you know what i mean..

Yes (AFAIK)

 

[Taylor57]

I had a Frey CC which I believe shares the same motor as the Hydra and the Beast. No the pedals do not turn throttle only and I was able to get my CC to 38 mph throttle only flat ground...

 

[Limmet]

I have a kit from Andy Kirby whit the motor in the rear wheel wich are working nice for just commute.
This bike i am gonna use for both commute and fun in the Forrest.
So its nice to hear that the pedals can work free from the chain, would you recommend it for commute use?
(Excuse my terrible English)

 

[JRA]

The cranks freewheel while under throttle on a mid drive but you can still effectively pedal.

Top speed of a Bafang M620 bike is limited to the final gear ratio as well as rider weight and terrain/wind. Mine with a 48/11 tops out around 26mph on level ground on throttle alone and a bit faster pedaling like a hamster in a cage.

You might consider the Luna Z1 instead of your listed choices as it is substantially cheaper and comparably equipped. I heard on this forum that Watt Wagons is having business issues also.

A bike with an M620 would not be my choice for a commuter if range is part of your equation.

 

[Taylor57]

I only went full throttle only a few times on my Frey CC. 38 mph is way too fast for a daily commuter! I would not hesitate to use the CC as a commuter though. Very solid, great suspension and well balanced. It was just a little too heavy for me on my pleasure only bike path and sidewalk cruising. I think it weighed 72 but felt like 172 with my Topeak bag on the back...

 

[Deacon Blues]

I would not recommend purchasing anything from Watts Wagon

 

[juggernaut]

I use my Frey Beast to commute to work and love it after fitting a 48T chainring, but wasn’t a fan with the stock 40T chainring. Plush ride and dropper set post is handy. Magura brakes are awesome.

I can‘t comment on the top speed with the throttle as I’ve never tried it as I don't really use the throttle, but have seen 60klms/hr pedalling which is the speed cutout.

Range is surprisingly good for a bike with this much power (remembering the Beast M620 controller uses more volts and less amps) where the lowest PAS will generally get me around 40+ klm/hr on flat pavement with the Maxxis tyres with circa 30/24 psi front/rear. Cadences of 80+ will see the best out of motor in my opinion.

Pic after fitting the 48T chainring (and longer chain).

 

[Limmet]

I use my Frey Beast to commute to work and love it after fitting a 48T chainring, but wasn’t a fan with the stock 40T chainring. Plush ride and dropper set post is handy. Magura brakes are awesome.

I can‘t comment on the top speed with the throttle as I’ve never tried it as I don't really use the throttle, but have seen 60klms/hr pedalling which is the speed cutout.

Range is surprisingly good for a bike with this much power (remembering the Beast M620 controller uses more volts and less amps) where the lowest PAS will generally get me around 40+ klm/hr on flat pavement with the Maxxis tyres with circa 30/24 psi front/rear. Cadences of 80+ will see the best out of motor in my opinion.

Pic after fitting the 48T chainring (and longer chain).

View attachment 180194

What was the problem whit the 40T chainring?

 

[Limmet]

I would not recommend purchasing anything from Watts Wagon

Bad experiences?

 

[Limmet]

The cranks freewheel while under throttle on a mid drive but you can still effectively pedal.

Top speed of a Bafang M620 bike is limited to the final gear ratio as well as rider weight and terrain/wind. Mine with a 48/11 tops out around 26mph on level ground on throttle alone and a bit faster pedaling like a hamster in a cage.

You might consider the Luna Z1 instead of your listed choices as it is substantially cheaper and comparably equipped. I heard on this forum that Watt Wagons is having business issues also.

A bike with an M620 would not be my choice for a commuter if range is part of your equation.

I checked the Luna, but found this "WE SHIP BIKES TO USA ONLY"
I live in Sweden..

 

[Deacon Blues]

Bad experiences?

Check out the Watts Wagons site on this forum.
Many unkept promises
Many bad experiences
Horrendously long wait times (I'm talking years)

 

[Limmet]

Check out the Watts Wagons site on this forum.
Many unkept promises
Many bad experiences
Horrendously long wait times (I'm talking years)

Oh yes i saw that a couple of years ago, i was hoping it was better now..

 

[juggernaut]

What was the problem whit the 40T chainring?

Too small. Change into the next gear and you immediately need to change again. Also mismatched for the top speed of the bike - virtually impossible to maintain top speed pedalling. You’re in top gear most of the time which is going to result in the smaller cogs wearing out sooner rather than later.

 

[Cuz Vinny]

I would not recommend purchasing anything from Watts Wagon

This. I wouldn’t buy s*it from WW.

 

[Limmet]

Thanks for the answers, i was looking at the Luna Z1 and also the X2.5.
Interesting, much lower price..
Unfortunately not shopping to eu, but i have a contact in the states so not impossible..
Any experiences here about those bikes?

 

[Cuz Vinny]

Thanks for the answers, i was looking at the Luna Z1 and also the X2.5.
Interesting, much lower price..
Unfortunately not shopping to eu, but i have a contact in the states so not impossible..
Any experiences here about those bikes?

Check out the HPC Trailblazer. I have a frame kit on order from them. Available in 750w to 1800w. Not sure if they ship overseas.

 

[JRA]

Thanks for the answers, i was looking at the Luna Z1 and also the X2.5.
Interesting, much lower price..
Unfortunately not shopping to eu, but i have a contact in the states so not impossible..
Any experiences here about those bikes?

The Luna X2 with 29" wheels in stock form is what I think the best deal is personally. The M600 motor will give you plenty of power over what is readily available in your country without going to excess. All the components are servicable enough but not the most expensive top end stuff. One thing you will find out fast with high power bikes is they are hard on drivetrains and range. The 820wh battery is about as good as you'll get in the price range. $2500 usd cheaper than the other options is nothing to sneeze at either. If you have a US contact it will ship free to them and only shipping cost will be from them to you. I don't see any problem with shipping a factory boxed bike, just don't make a big deal about the electronical features of it......

 

[Limmet]

The Luna X2 with 29" wheels in stock form is what I think the best deal is personally. The M600 motor will give you plenty of power over what is readily available in your country without going to excess. All the components are servicable enough but not the most expensive top end stuff. One thing you will find out fast with high power bikes is they are hard on drivetrains and range. The 820wh battery is about as good as you'll get in the price range. $2500 usd cheaper than the other options is nothing to sneeze at either. If you have a US contact it will ship free to them and only shipping cost will be from them to you. I don't see any problem with shipping a factory boxed bike, just don't make a big deal about the electronical features of it......

Thanks, do you have one yourself? My current bike top speed is about 60 km/h (37 mph), would be nice if the next bike has the same.. therefore i looked at high power

 

[JRA]

No I have the Z1 version for a few years now but if I was looking today I would go with the X2 probably. They also have their Ludicrous version which amps up the power that for sure would help top end speed I suppose? With the right gearing you could probably get it to go that fast as Luna's bikes are all unrestricted but not sure why you are looking at bicycles for that type of speed.