Micargi Ebike

[Joe EE]

Wondering if anyone has any experience with this bike:
http://www.micargibicycles.com/cyclone/
It may be a recent release, I'm not sure. I think it certainly does have a look about it. Any facts or opinions appreciated.

 

[mid drive merv]

Wondering if anyone has any experience with this bike:
http://www.micargibicycles.com/cyclone/
It may be a recent release, I'm not sure. I think it certainly does have a look about it. Any facts or opinions appreciated.

It does have that retro motorbike look. I did a bit of digging on it and it certainly has a premium Panasonic 48 volt 11.6 amp hour battery pack. That, paired with the 500 watt Bafang hub motor seems pretty good. But it is listed at 83 pounds and that seems about right just looking at how long it is and the components used. In general terms, ebikes are getting on the heavy side when they get up to 60 to 65 pounds. The bike has only one gear so it would not be at all pleasant to pedal should one run out of battery or have some other affliction with the motor assist during one's trek. It does not come with a rack and does not appear to be set up to be mindful of utilitarian purposes. But it does have that look and if one wants a cruiser for stylin' around and that will provide decent power on mostly level ground to small hills, then that seems to be a niche it would fill nicely. I live where there are plenty of tough hills and I need a bike that is designed to help carry me and my often moderate to heavy cargo up those hills. This is not a bike for riders like me, but there are riders, rider needs, and riding environments where this bike would likely be just what is wanted.

 

[rich c]

I've been looking at those bikes as well, until I saw the weight and price! $2500 seems pretty high for what you are buying. That's about what I paid for two off season purchases on Haibikes! Even a Sondors is under 65 pounds. Where the heck does all that weight come from? The frame isn't that much bigger. You can get a Micargi Seattle for under $400, and add a mid drive from Luna on sale at $750. But, you'd also have to add disc brakes. Much cheaper than Ruff bikes though!

 

[BoxGods]

I've been looking at those bikes as well, until I saw the weight and price! $2500 seems pretty high for what you are buying. That's about what I paid for two off season purchases on Haibikes! Even a Sondors is under 65 pounds. Where the heck does all that weight come from? The frame isn't that much bigger. You can get a Micargi Seattle for under $400, and add a mid drive from Luna on sale at $750. But, you'd also have to add disc brakes. Much cheaper than Ruff bikes though!

I could be wrong but the 83 lb weight you guys are referring to is listed under shipping weight so it includes the box and all the packing materials etc.

 

[Joe EE]

Hey guys. Thanks for the replies. I just really like the look, a little unhappy there is no throttle. It also does seem kind of heavy. Been looking for an electric chopper style bike and the choices are really limited. I've come across a couple but no compelling "I gotta have that one" yet....

 

[mid drive merv]

Hey guys. Thanks for the replies. I just really like the look, a little unhappy there is no throttle. It also does seem kind of heavy. Been looking for an electric chopper style bike and the choices are really limited. I've come across a couple but no compelling "I gotta have that one" yet....

I look forward to hearing about what you ultimately decide on. The Micargi Cyclone is a strikingly good looking bike. Retro bike styling pulled off beautifully. And the battery placement is particularly excellent, being so ultra low on the frame. Some retro bikes opt to put the battery in the 'tank'. An example that comes to mind is the Ruff Cycles Ruffian. That results in not nearly as good a center of gravity as where the Cyclone has it. Also pleasing is that the battery is largely hidden from view, especially so to not too discerning eyes that view the bike. Many potential buyers would view the absence of gear changes a great thing. And I suppose it is if the rider does not deal with much in the way of hills. The bike does provide several levels of assist and 500 watts of power. Even though the bike is heavy, that is power enough to do the job in environments that offer little in the way of elevation changes.

 

[Joe EE]

I look forward to hearing about what you ultimately decide on. The Micargi Cyclone is a strikingly good looking bike. Retro bike styling pulled off beautifully. And the battery placement is particularly excellent, being so ultra low on the frame. Some retro bikes opt to put the battery in the 'tank'. An example that comes to mind is the Ruff Cycles Ruffian. That results in not nearly as good a center of gravity as where the Cyclone has it. Also pleasing is that the battery is largely hidden from view, especially so to not too discerning eyes that view the bike. Many potential buyers would view the absence of gear changes a great thing. And I suppose it is if the rider does not deal with much in the way of hills. The bike does provide several levels of assist and 500 watts of power. Even though the bike is heavy, that is power enough to do the job in environments that offer little in the way of elevation changes.

 

[Joe EE]

Having trouble deciding but I have till next spring to agonize over it. I have also looked at the E.G. Monte Carlo but it's kind of pricey for what you get. Court has reviewed it. I also came across this bike which I like a lot

http://belizebike.com/english/echopper.html

But there is very little information about it from what I see. Anyone's opinions would be valued.