Lin B
Active Member
I've now had my 1M for a little over a week or so.
I'll try to discuss it in a logical sequential manner. First, packaging was excellent, everything had a cut out in a padded box.
There were no instructions in the box, but that's because Jeff hasn't completed them yet and early backers are getting them
in an email (as I did). Some of the images in the emailed instructions could be clearer as I made some minor mistakes with
the installation process at first, however, someone more experienced mechanically might do better. In any case, emails to 1M were answered quickly and completely and all my questions were answered.
Build Quality, Accessories, Parts: Having backed other crowdfunded projects only to find they came up well short of what I was promised or envisioned, I had moderate expectations. I was delightfully surprised to find that the build quality on the battery enclosure and motor far exceeded my expectations. The battery case is....well....just beautiful. The handle collapses and locks firmly and securely, the metal on/off button doesn't feel flimsy at all. The Topeak mounting system (which I opted for) works very well, clicks securely in place and releases quickly. The handlebar controller (WIRELESS!) mounts easily on the cat eye system bracket. It can be difficult to view the display in very bright sunshine but my rides are all in and out of shade so not a problem. If you ride in bright sun all the time, you might prefer to mount your phone and use the phone app which will be easier to see. Both the phone app and the handlebar controller provide all the info you need. The controller has 2 selectable physical buttons and tiny joystick; there is a learning curve on all the functionality (wow, there is a lot!) but it works great once you know how to use it. The PAS sensor (WIRELESS!) attaches magnetically to the crank at the inside by the pedal. Bands are supplied for those who ride in conditions where they are concerned about losing it. It is slim and simple to attach.
A lot of information is provided by various lights on the the various parts of the device. Again, a learning curve to understand
what lights signify is part of the process. Yes, you can put it on and just ride...but you get more out of it once you learn the details.
Now - the motor. It attaches to the mount quickly and easily with retracting magnetic "bolts". When you install it, you set the
correct distance and from time forward, the software determines exactly how much pressure to apply to the tire. It adapts on the fly as you ride. When I rode a particularly bumpy road, I could feel the motor reset the pressure to maintain contact and I
never felt any tire slippage. Aside from the first time I used it, I have not noticed any tire wear at all (and that first time was my mistake). Friction drives are known for their high pitched RC motor whine - Jeff has done a very good job here in dampening the noise. I cannot hear it at all when I am listening to tunes, and when I'm not, it is a lower pitched sound that blends in with traffic noise easily. Can someone hear you coming? Not from a distance, but when you are close, yes they can hear the motor if you
are going fast. Personally, I think that's a good thing. I want pedestrians to know I'm coming up behind them.
So let's talk about range. I chose the smaller battery, the 130 w/h unit. Jeff rated it at 10-20 miles. Obviously range will be determined in part by the weight of your bike, your weight, and your speed. I can tell you I was absolutely shocked yesterday
when I rode to a doctor's appointment (14.6 miles round trip) and had 40% battery left. I chose to ride in PAS level 1 most of
the time, with occasional bursts up into level 3 for some overpasses and hills, and pedaled at a cadence of 80-85rpm, speed between 12 mph (facing bad headwinds) and 16 mph on my single speed Dahon Mu Uno. This was on a bike path with a limit of 15mph so I was being good. But - you can go 20 mph without pedaling (throttle) and hit 28 mph if you pedal!!!!
Estimated total range based on that ride is 20-22 miles!
This is my first PAS electric bike; I previous had a throttle only ebike. I was a little reluctant to even get the PAS controller because I didn't think I would use it, but Grace convinced me. I am so grateful to her for that! Riding with the PAS is seamless and so easy - even for someone like me who only wants to use the motor during parts of many of my rides. Push one button on the controller and the PAS is paused, push again and it resumes, so you can ride manually and just flick it on for hills or headwinds, or you can just run it on any one of the 9 levels to get a workout or give yourself a break. You don't even feel it connect and retract from the tire, as the software adjusts perfectly.
Jeff has been working diligently with me on developing a custom mount for my Bike Friday pakiT and I will add to this review once I've had a chance to ride with 1M on the pakiT. As a geared bike, the experience should be even better, I think.
Last thing to mention is convenience. At the doctor's office, I locked up the Dahon. In 10 seconds I had removed the motor, battery, controller, and PAS unit and connected them all together magnetically. I dropped the entire thing into my bike bag
and took it with me into my appointment. No worries about theft of my electric system. If I came out and my Dahon had been stolen, I would have been sad, but I would have the expensive part to put on any other bike. Installing it back on the bike after
the appointment was just as quick as removing it. It's never going to be a problem taking it into a movie, restaurant, or anywhere else =). Living in the Bay Area (or any urban setting) bike theft is always going to be an issue - being able to separate
the expensive components from an inexpensive bike is such a great solution!
If I didn't address some question you have, please let me know and I will respond. Otherwise, I'll update the review in another week or so. OneMotor = highly recommended!
I'll try to discuss it in a logical sequential manner. First, packaging was excellent, everything had a cut out in a padded box.
There were no instructions in the box, but that's because Jeff hasn't completed them yet and early backers are getting them
in an email (as I did). Some of the images in the emailed instructions could be clearer as I made some minor mistakes with
the installation process at first, however, someone more experienced mechanically might do better. In any case, emails to 1M were answered quickly and completely and all my questions were answered.
Build Quality, Accessories, Parts: Having backed other crowdfunded projects only to find they came up well short of what I was promised or envisioned, I had moderate expectations. I was delightfully surprised to find that the build quality on the battery enclosure and motor far exceeded my expectations. The battery case is....well....just beautiful. The handle collapses and locks firmly and securely, the metal on/off button doesn't feel flimsy at all. The Topeak mounting system (which I opted for) works very well, clicks securely in place and releases quickly. The handlebar controller (WIRELESS!) mounts easily on the cat eye system bracket. It can be difficult to view the display in very bright sunshine but my rides are all in and out of shade so not a problem. If you ride in bright sun all the time, you might prefer to mount your phone and use the phone app which will be easier to see. Both the phone app and the handlebar controller provide all the info you need. The controller has 2 selectable physical buttons and tiny joystick; there is a learning curve on all the functionality (wow, there is a lot!) but it works great once you know how to use it. The PAS sensor (WIRELESS!) attaches magnetically to the crank at the inside by the pedal. Bands are supplied for those who ride in conditions where they are concerned about losing it. It is slim and simple to attach.
A lot of information is provided by various lights on the the various parts of the device. Again, a learning curve to understand
what lights signify is part of the process. Yes, you can put it on and just ride...but you get more out of it once you learn the details.
Now - the motor. It attaches to the mount quickly and easily with retracting magnetic "bolts". When you install it, you set the
correct distance and from time forward, the software determines exactly how much pressure to apply to the tire. It adapts on the fly as you ride. When I rode a particularly bumpy road, I could feel the motor reset the pressure to maintain contact and I
never felt any tire slippage. Aside from the first time I used it, I have not noticed any tire wear at all (and that first time was my mistake). Friction drives are known for their high pitched RC motor whine - Jeff has done a very good job here in dampening the noise. I cannot hear it at all when I am listening to tunes, and when I'm not, it is a lower pitched sound that blends in with traffic noise easily. Can someone hear you coming? Not from a distance, but when you are close, yes they can hear the motor if you
are going fast. Personally, I think that's a good thing. I want pedestrians to know I'm coming up behind them.
So let's talk about range. I chose the smaller battery, the 130 w/h unit. Jeff rated it at 10-20 miles. Obviously range will be determined in part by the weight of your bike, your weight, and your speed. I can tell you I was absolutely shocked yesterday
when I rode to a doctor's appointment (14.6 miles round trip) and had 40% battery left. I chose to ride in PAS level 1 most of
the time, with occasional bursts up into level 3 for some overpasses and hills, and pedaled at a cadence of 80-85rpm, speed between 12 mph (facing bad headwinds) and 16 mph on my single speed Dahon Mu Uno. This was on a bike path with a limit of 15mph so I was being good. But - you can go 20 mph without pedaling (throttle) and hit 28 mph if you pedal!!!!
Estimated total range based on that ride is 20-22 miles!
This is my first PAS electric bike; I previous had a throttle only ebike. I was a little reluctant to even get the PAS controller because I didn't think I would use it, but Grace convinced me. I am so grateful to her for that! Riding with the PAS is seamless and so easy - even for someone like me who only wants to use the motor during parts of many of my rides. Push one button on the controller and the PAS is paused, push again and it resumes, so you can ride manually and just flick it on for hills or headwinds, or you can just run it on any one of the 9 levels to get a workout or give yourself a break. You don't even feel it connect and retract from the tire, as the software adjusts perfectly.
Jeff has been working diligently with me on developing a custom mount for my Bike Friday pakiT and I will add to this review once I've had a chance to ride with 1M on the pakiT. As a geared bike, the experience should be even better, I think.
Last thing to mention is convenience. At the doctor's office, I locked up the Dahon. In 10 seconds I had removed the motor, battery, controller, and PAS unit and connected them all together magnetically. I dropped the entire thing into my bike bag
and took it with me into my appointment. No worries about theft of my electric system. If I came out and my Dahon had been stolen, I would have been sad, but I would have the expensive part to put on any other bike. Installing it back on the bike after
the appointment was just as quick as removing it. It's never going to be a problem taking it into a movie, restaurant, or anywhere else =). Living in the Bay Area (or any urban setting) bike theft is always going to be an issue - being able to separate
the expensive components from an inexpensive bike is such a great solution!
If I didn't address some question you have, please let me know and I will respond. Otherwise, I'll update the review in another week or so. OneMotor = highly recommended!
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