My new Vial Lento

[AlliR]

Hi all, picked up my baby-blue Via Lento Wednesday!! Whooweee! Rode around town, up a couple of small hills, with a bit of zig/zagging I even made it higher on one than my gas-powered moped did. Got home, put on a speedometer and a bulb-horn and am trying to figure out how to attach a box over the rear rack for shopping. Now, on to my second day and off to work I go. Cruising along, trying out both TAG and PAS. Not as fast as the moped but I'll be satisfied with 15 - 20 mph with light peddling. BUT, oh you know there had to be a "but"...just before the little hill on my way to work, no power! No power!! Fortunately, this bike is very easy to peddle, MUCH easier then the moped! Upon checking it out, I discover that there is a loud rattle inside the lithium battery case! I call Dave at Electric Bikes of Willits, who sold me this beautiful Via Lento, and he in turn tells me that after speaking with Currie, they will be sending me a new battery as there should be NO rattle inside the case. Also be sending me a return label. So, tomorrow I'll see how the SLA battery works (oh, so much more heavier!) for my trips back and forth to work, home for lunch, back to work then return home.

Update: Ok, so I charge up my SLA battery during Thursday night. Upon plugging it in, the red light comes on but almost immediately goes to green. Heck, what do I know? My first ebike and first time dealing with batteries. Anywho, morning comes and I install the battery onto my Via Lento, start to pedal and...whadda ya know? No power...still! Oh! I thought maybe it's on TAG mode. Nah, nothing doing, oh oh oh the motor 'tries' to catch but only gives me a little surge then nothing. Well, lock up the bike and get into my Tercel for trip to work. Call Electric Bikes of Willits and leave a message. Dave later calls me back and says that he contacted Currie for replacement parts of the controller, throttle and new LiFePO4 battery (as it had something loose inside the case). Unfortunately, he's on vacation starting Monday and won't be back until the end of this month!!! Ack! Brand new ebike and I only got to ride it for an afternoon! I'll see just how this works out when Dave gets back and gets my new parts installed. I'd hate to think that I've wasted my money on this ebike venture. I'll let you all know how it turns out.