Turbo vs Competition (Raleigh Misceo ie in particular)

[kermit_xc]

I am actively researching the current pedal assist bikes available in the US. The very first one I tried was a 2016 Specialized Turbo - WOW! I felt like a 10 year old again riding that thing up and down the street with a huge grin. Next I had a opportunity to test a Raleigh Urban bike with a Shimano Steps system - I managed to do 30miles on that Raleigh bike commuting to work one day.

The Shimano Steps cuts off at 19.9mph - and it's very obvious and annoying - I didn't think it will be so noticeable at first but now I am looking back at the 28mph Turbo, here are some questions:
- the Turbo seems very proprietary - real wheel is harder to service - has this been a issue with say spoke replacement etc.?
- I like the Raleigh Misceo ie Shimano steps system with integrated Di shifting - anybody have any experience comparing those bikes to Turbo ?
- What are the pros/cons of a hub motor over a bottom bracket systems - has anybody seen issues with the hub motor due to vibrations ?
- I am 6'4" 240lbs - is the Turbo really going to push me up the hill and keep the 28mph on flats? if so - over what range realistically speaking?
- and now the Turbo vs Turbo X / S question: is the motor really different and if so - how?
- 6'4" 240lbs - at what range am I realistically looking in a flatish 40 miles commute - I pretty much have the exact same commute: http://electricbikereport.com/electric-bike-cheating/ 40miles/day


thanks!

 

[Douglas Ruby]

Don't know the Raleigh, but I do know the Turbo.

1. The 2016 Turbo is identical to the 2015 Turbo (same bike). With the 468Wh battery and using mostly ECO40% mode, I can get over 35 mile range on combined rolling hills and flats. With ECO40%, I can average around 17 mph on a 10 mile ride to my daughters house using 25% of battery. At full TURBO, I can average 20+ mph but use 45% of the battery. I think 40 miles one way is kinda pushing it with this bike. If you are talking 40 miles round trip, you can charge while you work and 20 miles is no problem. I am estimating that I can do 40 miles IF I am rigorous about using ECO40 and staying away from the addictive TURBO button.
2. I am 6' and 240 lbs. I re-geared my Turbo to an 11-36 rear cluster and 44 tooth front sprocket to give me 20% lower first gear for hills. I still have plenty of 9th and 10th gear for cruiising at 25 mph+ at a comfortable cadence of 75-90 rpm. See my discussion on this topic here: http://electricbikereview.com/commu...on-my-base-model-2016-specialized-turbo.3200/
3. Pros and cons of hub vs. bottom bracket. See MANY articles in this forum on this topic. Suffice it to say that the Turbo is VERY smooth and quiet. The rear wheel is very strong. It is designed to be an ebike wheel, rather than a standard bike converted with a Bafang bottom bracket motor. Due to size of hub, spokes are shorter than typical 700C spokes and are VERY strong. I am sure the Raleigh is probably plenty sturdy as well.
4. Pulling the rear wheel is not hard at all on this bike. Can be done on the built in stand. Your need a 5mm Allen wrench (my old Campagnolo T-wrench). Just unplug the electrical connector (easy), unscrew the axle (easy), and then pull the axle and pull the wheel (a bit harder). This wheel is VERY heavy compared with geared hub motors due to lots of magnet.
5. Turbo = 200W motor, Turbo X = 250W motor, Turbo S = 500W motor. Big difference between Turbo and Turbo S. Not so much with Turbo X.
6. The 692Wh battery in the Turbo S combined with a low ECO setting (ECO30 or ECO40) would probably be the best bet for extended range.

 

[kermit_xc]

Awesome, thanks alot for your reply. My only big concern is the charge cycles, basically 40mile round trip commute equals 0.75 cycle / day = dead battery after 24 months

 

[Douglas Ruby]

Replacement battery is $800. Keep one at each location. Charge cycle of .35 extends life substantially. Or look at is paying $1 a day for your commute. By the way, the rated 300+ chsrge cycles assumes 100% cycles and de rates the battery to 75% if I read the manual correctly.

 

[kermit_xc]

rented a Turbo S this morning - got it with 78% charge ran it at ECO40 with sporadic use of Turbo on a climb or two: 30miles in 1h38m.

I don't think it was a 2016 Turbo S - what are the main differences?

 

[Douglas Ruby]

2015 Turbo S was 250W motor and 504Wh batttery vs 2016 500W motor and 691Wh battery

 

[kermit_xc]

So how does this work? eco40 on a 500W motor = eco80 on 250W. Also, 2016 Turbo base is 200W or 250W

 

[Douglas Ruby]

2015 and 2016 Turbo base is 200W. 2015 Turbo S and 2016 Turbo X are 250W. I am assuming ECO40 is 40% of motor capacity, whatever that is.