Lectric Trike2 750 throttle problem

[Chazmo]

I'm planning to try one after all the return/refund dust settles.

That’s the right answer. Take your time.

Chris’ recommendation for the Velotric is a really good idea if you need an alternative. Here’s the direct link to it. Not sure if it’s the same riding style (upright, etc) that you’re looking for. I haven’t heard any invective about Velotric’s CS, so you might be better off. OTOH, I think you were a blip on Lectric’s (pretty good) record.

https://www.velotricbike.com/products/velotric-triker

 

[Tom521]

Chazmo,

Thank you for the followup.

Both of us have become trike-resistant! I rode mine about three miles, she about one. It's obvious for us there's a long learning curve since our bicycling reflexes seem to get in the way. Also there are places we'd like to use an ebike that won't work with a trike; offroad (slowly!) and gated access nature preserves that allow bikes but are too narrow for a trike to get through - we can walk a bike in.

We've concluded we're fine with two wheelers as long as (I think) they're significantly lighter and smaller than what we previously used which included Rad Rover 6+ and Rad Expand 5+. The Rover was a bit too tall - we toppled over standing still and at very low speed. The Expand was almost as heavy as the Rover so it became about as much work to ride it or especially to transport them.

The ONE seems to fulfill the lightness (15-20 pounds lighter) and sheds one other thing that was a bit of a distraction - shifting.

The plan is to try a Lectric ONE since there's not an available test ride near us. If it's OK we'll get a second one.

Anyway that's the perspective at this moment - subject to change as we go forward

Tom

 

[Chazmo]

Well, that’s great, Tom. Certainly if you move back to a bicycle you have a ton of choices. 20” fat-tire bikes are popular these days, and Lectric makes some of them. They are (relatively) easy to manipulate and handle (in general), especially the folding ones as they are all step-through (easy to stabilize and mount). So, I recommend you try one. I know you’re already familiar with fat bikes, although the 20” wheels are easier to deal with.

Anyway, good luck!!!!!

 

[RunForTheHills]

The problem with most of the inexpensive fat tire bikes is that they are really heavy. I personally think that a lighter, more agile bike is easier to manage. Especially if you intend to put them on a trailer hitch bike rack. The Lectric One seems like a good comprise at 48 lbs without the battery.

 

[Old-tool-guy]

, especially the folding ones as they are all step-through (easy to stabilize and mount).

. The Rover was a bit too tall - we toppled over standing still and at very low speed.

We started with Dutch style cruiser bikes, brand doesn't matter. Very comfortable but big & heavy. Because my personal frame has many years and miles, some of the joints don‘t work like they used to and i had trouble mounting the bike even though it was/is a step-through. So i bought a Velotric Fold1 because of the very low step-over height. It’s about 6” lower than the big bike and makes a huge difference. And i used to have a problem stopping, because i would flop over. So now i have the seat lowered quite a bit, and i can get my feet on the ground for stability. Probably violates several biking norms about riding position, but it works for me.

 

[Extreme1]

Another vote for going to several LBS and test riding all the e-bikes they have there. You and your wife should try a Specialized Vado. It’s not a fat tired bike, but I think you will like it. It’s a good all-around e-bike. Kinda lightweight, easy to maneuver and good for the asphalt and dirt roads.

 

[Tom521]

Extreme1,

Thanks for the tip. Probably too tall for us (26" wheels are less manageable for us) and way up there in the budget, i.e., 3K+ prices. Still hoping for 20" rides to be OK.

Tom

 

[Tom521]

UPDATE: Lectric has received the red trike2 and issued a refund! YAY Lectric!

The blue one is supposed to be picked up today. Fedex has proved less than reliable so we'll see...

 

[Tom521]

NEXT UPDATE: Still proud of Lectric! So we got two ONEs and they seem to meet all our criteria - light, simple, easy to ride because no shifting...

BUT

they have one thing we can't work with very well - they lurch forward from a stop if we use the throttle only, and can't hold a steady speed using just the throttle. Both of them. Seems like I've experienced that before. Oh yes, the Lectric Trike2 750s did exactly the same thing.

So back to Lectric who sent us to our local bike shop at their expense. There the diagnosis was the same as I'd reported to Lectric: attempted wheelies from a stop and failure to hold a steady speed using just the throttle.

So Lectric has agreed to send a new controller for one of the bikes. If that corrects the problem they will do the other. Very fair of them.

Now we wait - the replacement controller is on the way so it may be a little while before we find out. I'll post back either way.

Tom

 

[Tom521]

Well, it took a while but looks like it's headed in the correct direction.

The first Lectric ONE (mine) went to the LBS with work orders and parts for a crooked rear wheel and a new controller. Lectric supplied a complete new rear wheel and motor assembly. During the reconstruction LBS discovered a cracked nut on the Pinion drive, so Lectric stepped right up with a new Pinion drive complete even though LBS thought they could replace just that nut if Lectric would supply it.

After all that was installed, the ONE is much more manageable from a stop, particularly in PAS 1 or 2, indicating favorable changes in the new controller. It still seems notchy at trying to hold a steady speed using just the throttle; more miles may train this rider as to how to accommodate that.

Even though it took over a month and a half to get all the parts and work done, Lectric footed the entire bill. Way to go Lectric!

Now to try to put some miles on it if this Florida rain will pause...

So the 2nd ONE (hers) is now at the LBS where we're hoping a controller change will have a similar taming effect on throttle-only behavior.

Lectric's customer service ROCKS!

Tom