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

[EMGX]

Years ago I got my wife the first ebike that I bought which was a Currie Trailz and had that type drive unit with 24v lead acid batteries (heavy). Wife only rode it for about a year until she got her strength up and went back to a non-assist bike so I sold it (now she's back to needing a ebike). It worked surprisingly well but no way I'd buy anything like it again.

 

[metanewbie]

Years ago I got my wife the first ebike that I bought which was a Currie Trailz and had that type drive unit with 24v lead acid batteries (heavy). Wife only rode it for about a year until she got her strength up and went back to a non-assist bike so I sold it (now she's back to needing a ebike). It worked surprisingly well but no way I'd buy anything like it again.

I am surprised it actually works. Does it offer resistance when it’s powered off?

 

[EMGX]

I don't remember the particulars but I think the Currie had a freewheel mechanism on the motor drive side so it didn't drag. It's been years since we had it. My wife rode it all over hilly routes and I took it on very steep rides where it performed admirably even though it was heavy due to the lead acid batteries. Not a huge range but still impressive given the small lead batteries.

 

[metanewbie]

I don't remember the particulars but I think the Currie had a freewheel mechanism on the motor drive side so it didn't drag. It's been years since we had it. My wife rode it all over hilly routes and I took it on very steep rides where it performed admirably even though it was heavy due to the lead acid batteries. Not a huge range but still impressive given the small lead batteries

So it might be an option for what I would use it for. Tempting. What would make you never try it again?

 

[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.

Any luck getting it working and stable?

 

[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.

So is that one of the main problems with the Pro version — the weird voltage requirement? Is the Mute more compatible with third-party batteries?

 

[EMGX]

Without having an opportunity to test the Mute vs Pro I was more interested in the 24v Mute, which I later regretted because the Mute doesn't offer sufficient assist for me and where I ride. Qiroll voltage ratings aren't the same as familiar ebike batteries which, for example a 36v nominal battery charges to 42v. The Qiroll 24v battery charges to only 24v, like power tool batteries. Someone earlier in this thread noted that the 33v Pro won't run on a battery charged to 38v, if I recall correctly. I haven't checked the maximum voltage that the Mute version will run on but it has worked well for me using either 48v (54v fully charged) or 36v (42v fully charged) batteries when I use a Buck converter to step voltage down to 24v. There are 24v power tool batteries like Kobalt or Greenworks that presumably should work for the Mute. 33v isn't as easy to accommodate.

Regarding the old Currie type rear wheel side saddle type motor, they don't offer any advantage over other options and I doubt that the after market version that you linked has an associated free wheel, you'd have to check. If I recall the Currie motor was fairly loud, sounding like a swarm of bees. Good luck with your choice, whatever that might be.

 

[metanewbie]

Without having an opportunity to test the Mute vs Pro I was more interested in the 24v Mute, which I later regretted because the Mute doesn't offer sufficient assist for me and where I ride. Qiroll voltage ratings aren't the same as familiar ebike batteries which, for example a 36v nominal battery charges to 42v. The Qiroll 24v battery charges to only 24v, like power tool batteries. Someone earlier in this thread noted that the 33v Pro won't run on a battery charged to 38v, if I recall correctly. I haven't checked the maximum voltage that the Mute version will run on but it has worked well for me using either 48v (54v fully charged) or 36v (42v fully charged) batteries when I use a Buck converter to step voltage down to 24v. There are 24v power tool batteries like Kobalt or Greenworks that presumably should work for the Mute. 33v isn't as easy to accommodate.

Regarding the old Currie rear wheel side. r, it doesn't offer any advantage over other options, and I doubt that the aftermarket version that you linked has an associated free wheel; you'd have to check. If I recall, the Currie motor was fairly loud, sounding like asaddle type motoGood luck with your choice, whatever that might be.

Yep, I was watching a video. Wow it's way too loud and too much of a hassle to even play around with. I really was hoping to find something that I would enable once in awhile and for the most part not use at all. A lot of the ebike solutions are all or nothing. My main goal isn't for a motor to take over my ride. I just want an occasional assist on my 'arthritic' days, where the system gives me a 10-20% boost. This is why something like QiRoll looks good on paper, but I guess in practice it's far from that, unfortunately. It doesn't seem anyone is selling used ones. Perhaps not many have been purchased.

 

[metanewbie]

It should fit on Birdy MK2 below rear stay behind the tires, i can see lots of ample space to mount there so no problem.

As for assist mode either both ECO and SPORT; if you clutch the friction roller on the rubber tires lightly according to installation manual you can easily pedal without much effort on both mode (unless you wanted to pedal faster than ECO) but it might slip a lot in wet condition. In my case i prefer to clutch the friction roller on rubber tires tight and hard, this causes makes it hard for me to pedal but an advantage when running in wet condition and mostly i prefer to ride full button press for instant scooter mode. You'll get the idea and feel once you get your qiroll. I'm planning to get foldies soon, saving up either Fnhon or Brompton clone.

Did you give up on your QiRoll or still use it?

 

[EMGX]

I did put it back on a bike but not riding that one because the Qiroll just doesn't work for what I want. Maybe your experience would be different than mine. Too bad that there isn't a way to test before buying but that's not possible - otherwise I'd be very interested in seeing what the Pro version could do for me, especially if they went back to the S1 actuator which isn't at all likely to happen. BTW the regen does work to some degree on my Mute Plus on long downhill runs. The Pro has more robust regen braking would should be nice.
I thought about listing mine for sale but not worth the hassle especially with lithium battery shipping restrictions.

 

[metanewbie]

I did put it back on a bike but not riding that one because the Qiroll just doesn't work for what I want. Maybe your experience would be different than mine. Too bad that there isn't a way to test before buying but that's not possible - otherwise I'd be very interested in seeing what the Pro version could do for me, especially if they went back to the S1 actuator which isn't at all likely to happen. BTW the regen does work to some degree on my Mute Plus on long downhill runs. The Pro has more robust regen braking would should be nice.
I thought about listing mine for sale but not worth the hassle especially with lithium battery shipping restrictions.

What region are you located in? (If you don't mind my asking. I won't take it personal if you don't want to mention.)

Also, what are the restrictions? I've shipped stuff back to Amazon that has batteries. Just required a special label. Or is there a high cost I'm not aware of?

 

[metanewbie]

SW Washington, west end of the gorge near the Columbia if you are familiar.

Yep. My spouse and I did a complete tour from Washington back to SoCal, visiting every lighthouse. They are magical places.

I'm curious about the restrictions for shipping batteries since I can order them from Amazon or eBay with no problem.

How much would you consider selling your Mute for?

 

[EMGX]

To be honest it wouldn't be worth the time for either of us. If you are interested in the low power Mute version Qiroll now sells a version that accepts regular 24v or 36v batteries or higher per their web site for $216 including shipping.
I've read that private parties can't legally ship lithium batteries or it would be prohibitively expensive.

 

[metanewbie]

To be honest it wouldn't be worth the time for either of us. If you are interested in the low power Mute version Qiroll now sells a version that accepts regular 24v or 36v batteries or higher per their web site for $216 including shipping.
I've read that private parties can't legally ship lithium batteries or it would be prohibitively expensive.

Your honesty is much appreciated. I didn't know about those limitations. That sucks.

I was wondering about that version. If it's easier better to get 36V (non-battery version) and also get something like this:

https://batteryhookup.com/products/36v-5-2ah-187-2wh-lithium-ion-ebike-battery-with-bms

Is the 36V Qiroll the same as the mute but 36V? (Edit, says, Mute Flex, so I assume yes)

And would it be easy to adapt it to that battery?

Edit: I noticed that ordering the Flex is far cheaper with shipping as well. So it's really the battery shipment that is a problem, even overseas.

 

[EMGX]

You can contact Qiroll with questions directly through their site. I had asked a question pre-sale and one post sale and both were answered.
I might reconsider a Qiroll Pro if they come up with a "flex" version that I could use with the 36v or 48v batteries that I already have, would depend on price as it'd still be an unknown regarding performance.

 

[metanewbie]

You can contact Qiroll with questions directly through their site. I had asked a question pre-sale and one post sale and both were answered.
I might reconsider a Qiroll Pro if they come up with a "flex" version that I could use with the 36v or 48v batteries that I already have, would depend on price as it'd still be an unknown regarding performance.

I've emailed them, and I've gotten no response, which might tell me something.

Edit: They responded!

 

[R2D2]

Any luck getting it working and stable?

I took the Qiroll off my Bike Friday and am waiting to install it on my Birdy folder. It needs some extra long metric M5 bolts to mount the motor. I ordered it from Amazon but it's taking longer to get to me. My Bike Friday has the dropbar with Shimano 105 shifters. The S2 switch just doesn't work well on dropbars. I can't find a comfortable spot on the bars without my fingers getting tired. It should work better on the Birdy with the flat bar.

I'll report back in a week or so with the result. I'm on the North East so the weather is getting colder very day.

 

[metanewbie]

I took the Qiroll off my Bike Friday and am waiting to install it on my Birdy folder. It needs some extra long metric M5 bolts to mount the motor. I ordered it from Amazon but it's taking longer to get to me. My Bike Friday has the dropbar with Shimano 105 shifters. The S2 switch just doesn't work well on dropbars. I can't find a comfortable spot on the bars without my fingers getting tired. It should work better on the Birdy with the flat bar.

I'll report back in a week or so with the result. I'm on the North East so the weather is getting colder very day.

I hope they arrive on time for you. Did you get the tape issue figured out?

 

[metanewbie]

Jason from Qiroll replied to me about the flex battery compatibility with a third party battery. I'm asking him a couple more questions, but it's promising. That can make or break a sale, whether or not someone responds to me with support. The more I research options, the more the Qiroll might be worth the risk. As I go down the ebike research rabbit hole it looks to be more expensive, more hefty, and more hassle than risking it with this QiRoll to see what I can get out of it.

 

[metanewbie]

Jason from Qiroll replied to me about the flex battery compatibility with a third party battery. I'm asking him a couple more questions, but it's promising. That can make or break a sale, whether or not someone responds to me with support. The more I research options, the more the Qiroll might be worth the risk. As I go down the ebike research rabbit hole it looks to be more expensive, more hefty, and more hassle than risking it with this QiRoll to see what I can get out of it.