Amazer98
Active Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Yarmouth
So... this is my first new thread on this forum. I've been lurking on EBR for a few weeks, learning what I can about bikes, batteries, best practices, realistic expectations and so forth. Bit the bullet a few days ago and ordered a Bulls Grinder EVO speed pedelec, which I picked up yesterday at Electric Bikes of New England in Londonderry, NH. The bike is basically great, handles very nicely and is fun as hell. I'll write a review in a few days after I have a little more riding under my belt.
I'm putting this thread in the Bosch bucket, as my question has more to do with Bosch batteries (or maybe lithium ion ones in general) than Bulls bikes. Here's the thing: the EBR review of the Grinder EVO claimed the estimated maximum range is 85 miles on this bike. I confirmed this a couple of weeks ago when I called Bulls CS in California. The bike has the 500wh Powertube battery-- the same as the Giant Road-E Pro, on which some riders were claiming they got almost 100 miles per charge.
Anyway, the dealer fully charged the battery before I picked up the bike. But when we turned on the Purion display, setting the level to ECO, the bike-estimated range was just 46 miles. The dealer said that after several initial charge cycles, the battery life would improve significantly, adding that Bulls had also revised its software to be more conservative in its range estimates. Whether these claims prove to be true, only time will tell.
What I can say is that after two rides totaling 46 miles, my battery claims it has only 2 miles range left on it. I went down to my last bar (Purion displays only 5 bars of power like a cell phone) when it read 4 miles left, which I thought a bit strange. So, needless to say, I am disappointed with the battery range.
I rode more than 90% in ECO mode over moderately hilly terrain in central NH (near Manchester) and coastal Maine. The hills typically didn't exceed 100 or maybe 150 feet-- we're not talking the White Mountains. I used the Tour setting (#2 out of four power assist levels) sparingly on a few hills, since I couldn't resist checking out the extra oomph. Still got a great workout, as I pedaled almost as hard as on my road bike... just went faster.
But I am shocked that my cool Powertube battery is pooping out so quickly... and can't account for how anyone could claim the max is 85 miles. Only if they're talking about one very, very long descent!
Also, my odometer seems to be overstating distance by more than 5 %. A 22 mile ride is really 20.5, according to my friends' calibrated Cateyes. What's up with that? You'd think Bulls would know how to program the system to their selected tire sizes.
I welcome all comments and opinions!
Andy
I'm putting this thread in the Bosch bucket, as my question has more to do with Bosch batteries (or maybe lithium ion ones in general) than Bulls bikes. Here's the thing: the EBR review of the Grinder EVO claimed the estimated maximum range is 85 miles on this bike. I confirmed this a couple of weeks ago when I called Bulls CS in California. The bike has the 500wh Powertube battery-- the same as the Giant Road-E Pro, on which some riders were claiming they got almost 100 miles per charge.
Anyway, the dealer fully charged the battery before I picked up the bike. But when we turned on the Purion display, setting the level to ECO, the bike-estimated range was just 46 miles. The dealer said that after several initial charge cycles, the battery life would improve significantly, adding that Bulls had also revised its software to be more conservative in its range estimates. Whether these claims prove to be true, only time will tell.
What I can say is that after two rides totaling 46 miles, my battery claims it has only 2 miles range left on it. I went down to my last bar (Purion displays only 5 bars of power like a cell phone) when it read 4 miles left, which I thought a bit strange. So, needless to say, I am disappointed with the battery range.
I rode more than 90% in ECO mode over moderately hilly terrain in central NH (near Manchester) and coastal Maine. The hills typically didn't exceed 100 or maybe 150 feet-- we're not talking the White Mountains. I used the Tour setting (#2 out of four power assist levels) sparingly on a few hills, since I couldn't resist checking out the extra oomph. Still got a great workout, as I pedaled almost as hard as on my road bike... just went faster.
But I am shocked that my cool Powertube battery is pooping out so quickly... and can't account for how anyone could claim the max is 85 miles. Only if they're talking about one very, very long descent!
Also, my odometer seems to be overstating distance by more than 5 %. A 22 mile ride is really 20.5, according to my friends' calibrated Cateyes. What's up with that? You'd think Bulls would know how to program the system to their selected tire sizes.
I welcome all comments and opinions!
Andy