Questions about Charger and Supercharger

[Matt Penfold]

Hi,

I am looking in the next month or so to buy an e-bike.

I will want a bike that I can commute to work on, and bring home some shopping. I would also like to be able to do some light off-road riding.

The Charger 3 and the Supercharger 2 have caught my eye, but I have some questions I hope people can answer.

1. As I am on the heavier side, I think the heavy duty option is what I will need. This is not compatible with the GX option, but as that seems to only include different tyres, grips and pedals I assume it would be possible to add those myself. Am I wrong in thinking that?
2. Is the Rohloff model worth the not inconsiderable extra cost? I have some experience on working on chains and derailleurs so I am not worried about a bit more maintenance. Where I live is hilly, with some sharp inclines, and I have some concern that the Rohloff might be too slow in changing up or down.
3. Is the RX chip and insurance option available in the UK?

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Where I live is hilly, with some sharp inclines, and I have some concern that the Rohloff might be too slow in changing up or down.

Matt, I have ridden bikes with Rohloff gears since 2007 and now would not choose to be without a Rohloff-equipped ebike in my life but…

Your concerns are well founded. Where it is necessary to change gears in quick succession – going through a dip, for example – the pause between gears could be too long. Like it or not, you will have to wait for the gears to change. By the time your Rohloff has changed down one gear, you might have slowed to the point where you need to change down yet again. There's a steep learning curve.

The E-14 shifter provides the option of changing multiple gears – four, seven, ten or even thirteen at at time (1 + multiples of 3). Once again, you will have to wait. Electronic Rohloffs aren't quick response gears!

I appreciate that my comments might seem negative; just remember that the difficulties are most pronounced in situations where there are abrupt changes in gradient, especially from downhill to uphill. If in doubt, stick to derailleurs.
David

 

[Matt Penfold]

Thanks David. I think derailleurs it will be. Not only is it very up and down here, no incline is ever constant!

 

[webcurl]

1. As I am on the heavier side, I think the heavy duty option is what I will need. This is not compatible with the GX option, but as that seems to only include different tyres, grips and pedals I assume it would be possible to add those myself. Am I wrong in thinking that?

The stem & handlebars too as they are Ergotec's that are rated up to 160kg total weight for when braking etc.

 

[Matt Penfold]

The stem & handlebars too as they are Ergotec's that are rated up to 160kg total weight for when braking etc.

So I would be able to change the tyres if I was wanting something a bit more grippy?

 

[webcurl]

So I would be able to change the tyres if I was wanting something a bit more grippy?

Anytime you like, just check their weight ratings, etc. Talk to the dealer?
The heavy duty option is more important if you're concerned about weight as it has the higher rated pedals, stem & handlebars.
Imagine a 32kg ebike with a 120kg person on it & let's say you're doing 40km/h and have to stop suddenly, the bike has 32kg of momentum that is going to be stopped very well by the hydraulic brakes as well as the extra 120kg of rider weight. But during this, the 120kg rider still has momentum that must be stopped and most of that weight will be forced onto the handlebars & stem through your shoulders, arms, wrists & hands.

 

[Matt Penfold]

Thanks. My thinking was that the upgrades in the heavy duty package would be more difficult to add afterwards, whereas changing the tyres, pedals and grips would be relatively straightforward.