REVIEW: QR-E 250W ELECTRIC BOOSTER BICYCLE MOTOR AND B60i AND B70 BATTERY

[metanewbie]

Hello,

This QIROLL ebike conversion seems appealing because of its low profile, weight, and maintenance (compared to mid-drive at least.)

I have two bicycles: a 2012 Jamis Coda Comp chromoly hybrid and an Origami Lotus chromoly folder.

I'm 155 lbs / 70 KG.

Here are my questions:

1) Can the QIROLL adapt to either bicycle?

2) If yes, can I obtain multiple mounts to swap it depending on which bicycle I ride?

3) Will it help me up hills? I've attached a stat of my hill climbing, about 10 miles roundtrip.

4) Can the device be easily engaged/disengaged, or is it always on (always rubbing?)

5) What's the difference between the Pro and Mute versions?

Thank you!

 

[R2D2]

@metanewbie,

I'm new to this as well. I just received my kit yesterday and installed it. My knowledge on this is limited.

I think the Qiroll will fit both bikes. Moving the whole kit from one bike to another is not difficult. The kit came with two sets of plates with two difference size and one extension plate. Going uphill you'd still need to peddle but it would definitely help. Once the screw is pushed in the bike the tire will always touch the roller. I think the Mute is the older version and Pro is the later version with more power.

​

 

[metanewbie]

@metanewbie,

I'm new to this as well. I just received my kit yesterday and installed it. My knowledge on this is limited.

I think the Qiroll will fit both bikes. Moving the whole kit from one bike to another is not difficult. The kit came with two sets of plates with two difference size and one extension plate. Going uphill you'd still need to peddle but it would definitely help. Once the screw is pushed in the bike the tire will always touch the roller. I think the Mute is the older version and Pro is the later version with more power.

​

Awesome! How is it running for you initially? Which version did you purchase? Where did you purchase it?

 

[R2D2]

I just received this kit yesterday and tried on a Bike Friday folding bike. I tested for about 7 miles or so. I'm already seeing a groove forming on the original tape. Either I didn't position the roller correctly or the tape wears out very quickly. I can't seems to find a comfortable position for the S2 switch. I find my hands/fingers get tired very quickly pressing the square button constantly. Maybe it will work batter on a flat bar instead of a roadbike dropbar. I see a black steak on my rear tire. I think/hope it's the residue form he roller tape and not from my tire.

I want to mount this kit on my Birdy folding bike but the screws are too short. Does anyone know what size the screws are so I can go to an hardware store to get a longer screw? Thanks.

 

[R2D2]

Awesome! How is it running for you initially? Which version did you purchase? Where did you purchase it?

I just tried it twice. I have the Pro version with the B70 battery. I ordered directly from the Qiroll website. It took almost 3 weeks to get here. I find that the air in the bike tire has to be quite full/hard for this kit to work. When it's rolling, I rides great. I can get up to like 26mph or so on a flat road with me pedaling on my 20" wheels.

 

[metanewbie]

That is concerning about the tape. Have you tried that 3M flooring tape mentioned in earlier posts?

 

[metanewbie]

I just tried it twice. I have the Pro version with the B70 battery. I ordered directly from the Qiroll website. It took almost 3 weeks to get here. I find that the air in the bike tire has to be quite full/hard for this kit to work. When it's rolling, I rides great. I can get up to like 26mph or so on a flat road with me pedaling on my 20" wheels.

That's impressive. Do you have any hills around you? Can the device be engaged or disengaged physically, easily? I'm thinking if it works to use it mainly when returning home (up a bunch of hills) but leave it physically disengaged (if possible) for flat or downhill.

 

[R2D2]

That's impressive. Do you have any hills around you? Can the device be engaged or disengaged physically, easily? I'm thinking if it works to use it mainly when returning home (up a bunch of hills) but leave it physically disengaged (if possible) for flat or downhill.

I didn't try it on a hill yet and hopefully will do it soon. To engage or disengage, you'd have to stop, get off the bike, and turn the nob. @EMGX and another user here have modified the mount to include hardware (self-closing door hinge) that can work as a clutch. I might try to do something similar in the future. Right now, I'm trying to find longer screws/bolt so I can mount this motor on another bike with flat handlebar.

 

[metanewbie]

I didn't try it on a hill yet and hopefully will do it soon. To engage or disengage, you'd have to stop, get off the bike, and turn the nob. @EMGX and another user here have modified the mount to include hardware (self-closing door hinge) that can work as a clutch. I might try to do something similar in the future. Right now, I'm trying to find longer screws/bolt so I can mount this motor on another bike with flat handlebar.

It appears there is a quick release attachment that can be purchased, which I imagine would help with swapping it with diffferent bikes.

I would take the entire thing to a local hardware store and tell them what you need. If it has a well trained and friendly staff, they can help you match the screw/bolt types and sizes exactly, but longer as you need them.

 

[R2D2]

It appears there is a quick release attachment that can be purchased, which I imagine would help with swapping it with diffferent bikes.

I would take the entire thing to a local hardware store and tell them what you need. If it has a well trained and friendly staff, they can help you match the screw/bolt types and sizes exactly, but longer as you need them.

I'll try Ace's hardware. I might pickup some grip tape there as well.

 

[metanewbie]

I'll try Ace's hardware. I might pickup some grip tape there as well.

Good idea. Someone posted the exact model and brand of tape they use. I'm sure ACE will have that or similar. Good luck, and looking foward to your results.

 

[metanewbie]

I didn't try it on a hill yet and hopefully will do it soon. To engage or disengage, you'd have to stop, get off the bike, and turn the nob. @EMGX and another user here have modified the mount to include hardware (self-closing door hinge) that can work as a clutch. I might try to do something similar in the future. Right now, I'm trying to find longer screws/bolt so I can mount this motor on another bike with flat handlebar.

I was told this by the seller on eBay:

"The uphill performance is like this, the MUTE motor can only exert its maximum power after exceeding 8km\h, so when your uphill speed exceeds this speed, the motor can provide an additional continuous power of about an adult."

Does the Pro version also require going past 8km\h to activate?

 

[EMGX]

Just my opinions and only based on my Mute Plus version YMMV as the Pro has more power:
Given the elevation profile that you posted the Qiroll might not be the best choice. Depending, of course, on how much assist you are looking for. I live in a very hilly area and the Qiroll isn't helpful while Tongsheng TSDZ2 torque sensing mid drive works great on the same rides. Recently I rode 60 miles around the Crater Lake area with 6500ft elevation gain using the TSDZ2, I wouldn't have considered it using a Qiroll (Mute).
Qiroll advertises the S2 controller as an upgrade over the S1 but I'm not buying it. It gets tiresome having to press a small button continuously for assist, I found it difficult to consistently and accurately actuate the button especially while wearing cycling gloves. The discontinued S1 with lever actuation looks to me to be a better mechanism.
The friction "sticker" is a near complete failure and that opinion has been echoed by others. Qiroll needs to do better.
The big Qiroll advantage is light weight, it's up to you to decide if the tradeoffs are worth it.

 

[metanewbie]

Just my opinions and only based on my Mute Plus version YMMV as the Pro has more power:
Given the elevation profile that you posted the Qiroll might not be the best choice. Depending, of course, on how much assist you are looking for. I live in a very hilly area and the Qiroll isn't helpful while Tongsheng TSDZ2 torque sensing mid drive works great on the same rides. Recently I rode 60 miles around the Crater Lake area with 6500ft elevation gain using the TSDZ2, I wouldn't have considered it using a Qiroll (Mute).
Qiroll advertises the S2 controller as an upgrade over the S1 but I'm not buying it. It gets tiresome having to press a small button continuously for assist, I found it difficult to consistently and accurately actuate the button especially while wearing cycling gloves. The discontinued S1 with lever actuation looks to me to be a better mechanism.
The friction "sticker" is a near complete failure and that opinion has been echoed by others. Qiroll needs to do better.
The big Qiroll advantage is light weight, it's up to you to decide if the tradeoffs are worth it.

Honesty is what counts the most and I appreciate it! I was mainly interested in Qiroll because of its lightweight, small footprint, etc. But if those problems it has are deal breakers, I'm listening. The expense of a mid-drive and its bulk are a concern. I've also been checking out https://www.lvbu.tech/en/product offerings because they have ones with only two parts (battery/controller + wheel) or even an entirely integrated wheel. But would those hubs help with the hills or melt?

 

[EMGX]

Unfortunately a hub motor forces you to choose between your small wheel and large wheel bikes. I've read a lot on this site about hub motors overheating and failing but never experienced that myself with the two hub motors that I have. Again this has been on very hilly rides - my neighborhood road alone gains 400 feet in 1 mile and much of that gain is with two shortish sections. I'm not hawking the TSDZ2 but it is fairly easily transferred from one (compatible) bike to another and offers very natural torque sensing assist. As with all mid drives weight is an issue as is chainline.

 

[metanewbie]

Unfortunately a hub motor forces you to choose between your small wheel and large wheel bikes. I've read a lot on this site about hub motors overheating and failing but never experienced that myself with the two hub motors that I have. Again this has been on very hilly rides - my neighborhood road alone gains 400 feet in 1 mile and much of that gain is with two shortish sections. I'm not hawking the TSDZ2 but it is fairly easily transferred from one (compatible) bike to another and offers very natural torque sensing assist. As with all mid drives weight is an issue as is chainline.

I'm open to the possibility of a mid-drive. I had a Bafang mid-drive once but didn't like it. It felt too much like riding a motorcycle and always needed to be working hard with the cadence stuff. I see TSDZ2s on sale often. But what about batteries? I'd prefer to have a small water bottle battery, but there seems to be a lot of controversy about safety. What do you use for batteries, or can you suggest a good small type?

Which hub motors have you had?

 

[EMGX]

I don't have battery recommendations. Got a few off of Amazon that were widely panned on this web site but they have been great for me, as old as 5 yrs without any issues. No guarantees about quality of Qiroll battery either though. I'm careful with charging and storage but I'm careful with my Yamaha batteries too. I dislike the weight of conventional ebikes, they always seem to hover around 40 pounds, which is why I went with the Qiroll. Where it looks to me like the Qiroll thrives is how it is used by 3dxl as a commuter on fairly flat terrain, his did fail though after a few years resulting in replacement. I regret not having purchased a minimally used Pro on Ebay before I bought my Mute, less expensive plus it even had the S1 actuator.

I bought a few very inexpensive hub drives, a 36v 250w MXUS on Amazon, a 250w bafang on Ebay that was a sell off from some renta-bike firm that failed and a no name 48v 500w rear hub drive on Amazon. Never an issue with overheating, all provided good assist but also cadence sensing which is OK but not my preference. I was just messing around with them but one resides on my wife's Biria bike and she loves it.

 

[metanewbie]

I don't have battery recommendations. Got a few off of Amazon that were widely panned on this web site but they have been great for me, as old as 5 yrs without any issues. No guarantees about quality of Qiroll battery either though. I'm careful with charging and storage but I'm careful with my Yamaha batteries too. I dislike the weight of conventional ebikes, they always seem to hover around 40 pounds, which is why I went with the Qiroll. Where it looks to me like the Qiroll thrives is how it is used by 3dxl as a commuter on fairly flat terrain, his did fail though after a few years resulting in replacement. I regret not having purchased a minimally used Pro on Ebay before I bought my Mute, less expensive plus it even had the S1 actuator.

I bought a few very inexpensive hub drives, a 36v 250w MXUS on Amazon, a 250w bafang on Ebay that was a sell off from some renta-bike firm that failed and a no name 48v 500w rear hub drive on Amazon. Never an issue with overheating, all provided good assist but also cadence sensing which is OK but not my preference. I was just messing around with them but one resides on my wife's Biria bike and she loves it.

View attachment 184891

I'll keep looking.

I also found this tempting since it is Amazon Prime but I’ve not read any reviews of it outside of Amazon.

From what I can tell it engages and disengages physically via the throttle or switch but I might be misunderstanding the function. Would it have the same issues as the QiRoll?

 

[EMGX]

No idea, you'll have to do a review when you get one . Nice that it doesn't have some unique 33v requirement like the Qiroll Pro, that was the main reason that I didn't buy the used Pro when I had the chance.

 

[metanewbie]

No idea, you'll have to do a review when you get one . Nice that it doesn't have some unique 33v requirement like the Qiroll Pro, that was the main reason that I didn't buy the used Pro when I had the chance.

Ha! I May or may not get that. It's just tempting because of Prime. Agreed on the 48v. My concern with that one is it doesn't seem to use a tape or have replacement wheels.

This one is interesting in a MacGyver kind of way. What is it?