Looking ahead to the future purchasing of a quality ebike for commuting and fun all seasons

[pxpaulx]

Rebel, Atom, AtomX are names of hardtail BH models. Currently, BH doesn't make any Class 3 e-bikes. It is important to add BH uses different motor brands, for example Brose and Yamaha. They also use so called BH motors, best to be avoided.

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www.bhbikes.com

they do have one class 3 model in the us, the evo city nitro. lots more in their euro lineup, but i guess they don't see a market here for class 3 mtbs.

I'm curious what would make you put down their hub motor bikes? i have one and have had zero issues, and never heard of any common or repetitive issues with their hub motor bikes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

they do have one class 3 model in the us, the evo city nitro. lots more in their euro lineup, but i guess they don't see a market here for class 3 mtbs.

That is an older model, not produced anymore. Please show me at least one Class 3 model on the European website of BH. BH also make city and commuter e-bikes, all restricted to Class 1.

I'm curious what would make you put down their hub motor bikes? i have one and have had zero issues, and never heard of any common or repetitive issues with their hub motor bikes.

It is probably the company's decision to go with big brand motors such as Brose and Yamaha. They also seem to have perceived the mid-drive motors are the right way to go. The exception to the "big brand" rule are some BH e-bikes equipped with the BH branded motors. They offer some e-bikes with rear hub motor such as Evo Cross, again, BH branded motor.

 

[Ebiker01]

BH motors, best to be avoided

You've had good or less then good exp. with those ? I doubt that with that very low weight, narrower q factor and 90nm torqur , they are anything less then great.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You've had good or less then good exp. with those ?

There's a Forum member from the UK, an owner of a BH e-bike with a "BH" motor. The motor has broken. The guy cannot get any help from BH. Should I look for his story?

 

[pxpaulx]

That is an older model, not produced anymore. Please show me at least one Class 3 model on the European website of BH. BH also make city and commuter e-bikes, all restricted to Class 1.




It is probably the company's decision to go with big brand motors such as Brose and Yamaha. They also seem to have perceived the mid-drive motors are the right way to go. The exception to the "big brand" rule are some BH e-bikes equipped with the BH branded motors. They offer some e-bikes with rear hub motor such as Evo Cross, again, BH branded motor.

Wow, I know they used to have them but it appears you are correct, no S-pedelecs to be found on their current Euro bike page! When I glanced through their models I'd assumed those marked with 'S' or 'jet' might have been 28mph bikes, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

They have definitely embraced the Atom X top tube battery frame aesthetic, between those models and the gravel/road bikes there aren't too many with the older straight lower tube battery, and just a handful of yamahas (which I appreciate they have stuck with the standard yamaha battery pack design). Only the urban bikes section seems to be frames/motors/batteries of many types and styles.

It will be interesting to see when and what they bring to the US market in the near future.

 

[Nomad]

IMO, whatever you buy today will be completely obsolete in five years. Buy, ride, enjoy, rinse, repeat.
I think the interest level is accellerating at an unbelievable pace. Everybody we talk to in our travels is either thinking about one or just got one. Simply amazing. It's going to transform the bicycle industry if it hasn't already.

While I get where your coming from I have to say I some what disgree the whole completely obsolete thing and then there's the whole planned obsolescence don't even get me started on that

 

[Nomad]

I've been around here for a good 5 years or so - I would say the bikes out now that are in the 700wh range from the major brands - those started to hit market in the US around spring 2017 - 3 years on, and that is still more power than most need for 90% of their bike use. There are the niche sellers that are higher powered and selling with batteries approaching 1kWH - that will likely be the next big step. Adoption at this point particularly in the US is only being held back by most people's view of bikes as recreational toys. I'd say we are probably the better part of a decade away from the adoption other markets (Europe in particular) are seeing. I guess I'm just trying to point out that the tech (battery) is already very close to meeting most people's needs, it is just a matter of changing perceptions that is the final hurdle.

Also want to note - I keep seeing BH referred to as if it is an unknown quantity/brand - everyone who thinks this just needs to look at the European market to realize it is a top tier product (not to mention registering on their site gives you lifetime frame warranty and 5yr parts/2yr battery as well). Forks/Shocks/Drivetrain are all comparable across brands, no different with BH/Haibike/Bulls vs Spec/Trek/Giant - the latter of which (outside of Spec) are really actually late to the US market compared to some of the Euro brands that have been selling for the better part of a decade at this point.

For BH, the ATOM X line frame is an in-house, brand specific design (if you check their Euro site that frame comprises a significant amount of their newer 2020 lineup) - I'm pretty sure you don't do that sort of thing unless you are a big player in the market. Compare that with say Rad Power Bikes - somehow they have become the largest US based ebike maker, pushing parts-bin bikes from China. If you compare their specs at $1,500 to what Lenny's is selling from BH at $1800-2500, you'd be picking BH all day long - all you have to do is ride those bikes side by side (...I have owned both!).

Good info to know

 

[Browneye]

While I get where your coming from I have to say I some what disgree the whole completely obsolete thing and then there's the whole planned obsolescence don't even get me started on that

No, they're more like computer technology where advancement in engineering and design keeps improving. And why the majority of people buy a new one rather than something even a couple of years old - the new ones are just that much better.

The reason I mentioned it at all was, IIRC, because you said you weren't buying yet, that you were waiting for reasons you thought had value. The vast majority of people that bought ebikes will say they are glad they jumped in when they did - they're just so much fun. So the bottom line is if you want to ride, jump in - the water is great!!

 

[Nomad]

Does anybody have any experience with the Felt redemption or surplus models?

 

[Mike_V]

Hi Nomad,
Studded tires ~ you ride in serious ice and snow country.
Battery performance hindered by freezing even as you ride might be a major factor for you.
You may not read much about eBike riding during hard winter because it's not common.
Insulating the battery, which produces some operating heat, might prolong the system rate of near total heat loss.
Good Luck
Mike

 

[Nomad]

Hi Nomad,
Studded tires ~ you ride in serious ice and snow country.
Battery performance hindered by freezing even as you ride might be a major factor for you.
You may not read much about eBike riding during hard winter because it's not common.
Insulating the battery, which produces some operating heat, might prolong the system rate of near total heat loss.
Good Luck
Mike

I don't find many riders of any kind period in dead of winter and at 3:00 am in a snow storm I tend to be the only one but.... a riders gotta ride! It will be interesting to see how things work out and just how I combat that next season but no more winter hats for now.

 

[Nomad]

I don't find many riders of any kind period in dead of winter and at 3:00 am in a snow storm I tend to be the only one but.... a riders gotta ride! It will be interesting to see how things work out and just how I combat that next season but no more winter hats for now.

oops!! I spoke to soon rode threw a white out on the way to work today

 

[Nomad]

Well picked my up my new ride from the LBS thusday her name is RedHeaded Step Child ...... lets just say the wife's none 2 happy. In my defence I got it well below book and I didn't have to pay car insurance.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What e-bike, precisely?

 

[ruffruff]

I don't find many riders of any kind period in dead of winter and at 3:00 am in a snow storm I tend to be the only one but.... a riders gotta ride! It will be interesting to see how things work out and just how I combat that next season but no more winter hats for now.

I do! Except the 3am thing! I love riding in snowstorms!

 

[byunbee]

IMO, whatever you buy today will be completely obsolete in five years. Buy, ride, enjoy, rinse, repeat.
I think the interest level is accellerating at an unbelievable pace. Everybody we talk to in our travels is either thinking about one or just got one. Simply amazing. It's going to transform the bicycle industry if it hasn't already.

I wouldn’t say they would be completely obsolete. I’m sure the bike will do what it originally was intended to provide. There may be substantial improvements in terms of motor efficiency, power, brakes, suspension, etc. But at the end of the day it’s a bike which sole purpose is to get you from point A to B. I don’t agree with the computer analogy.

 

[Browneye]

Not five years ago they were sporting nimh packs.
Think what you want.

 

[byunbee]

Not five years ago they were sporting nimh packs.
Think what you want.

5 years ago was probably the dawn of the ebike age. I don't think the leap in improvements will be as drastic over the next 5 years, but only time will tell.

 

[Nomad]

What e-bike, precisely?

Just for fun lets play a game and see if anybody can figure out what bike it is. If nobody figures it out over the next few days I'll reveal it. 1st hint it's red and it's "PRO" model comes in blue with 29's

 

[Browneye]

Check out Tubo Levo SL CF for a preview. There are some other bleeding-edge bikes coming onto the scene that bring extreme refinement and performance. Those are a window into the future of what is to come.

More advanced battery tech, more powerful drive systems, better component integration, more advance electronics. The latest and greatest cost the most, but you find the best new features trickle down to the general marketplace.

Better battery pack integration is a good recent example. A bolt-on brick-style pack is going out of style. Better assist integration with the rider utilizing improved input sensors is another. Better suspension componentry is another.