Ridstar E26 pro review and opinions

[amberwolf]

My SB Cruiser trike doesn't handle winds as badly as I expected it to, given it's basically a box with a parachute (canopy) on top.

But it is vulnerable to side gusts for both of those parts, and the only collision (very low speed, thankfully) I've ever had was caused by 30-50mph-gusting-wind pushing me so hard from behind as i was approaching a corner right turn that I didn't realize how fast I was being pushed and couldn't slow down enough by the time i turned and the wind was now pushing me from the right side toward the line of cars waiting to turn left from the raod I was turning onto, and because it's a trike I couldn't turn hard enough (would've flipped and rolled) so I ended up bumping a car waiting to turn left, right in the middel of it's front bumper.

Didn't damage the car, but it broke my fork, and would've left me stranded were it not for a helpful and kind jogger....

The SB Cruiser : Amberwolf's 2WD Heavy Cargo Trike & Dog Carrier

Got interrupted for the above post....but some crappy news: Short story long, the "blue" phase is shorted to the stator/axle, somewhere other than the phase wire itself (in the windings?). Added some thin (unshrunk) heatshrink slipped over the teflon wire that will pass thru the axle bearing...

endless-sphere.com

I had some serious problems riding in a similar wind piped right down the canal path some years before that on CrazyBike2 (post about that somewhere in the thread for that bike).

 

[BiggKidd]

My SB Cruiser trike doesn't handle winds as badly as I expected it to, given it's basically a box with a parachute (canopy) on top.

But it is vulnerable to side gusts for both of those parts, and the only collision (very low speed, thankfully) I've ever had was caused by 30-50mph-gusting-wind pushing me so hard from behind as i was approaching a corner right turn that I didn't realize how fast I was being pushed and couldn't slow down enough by the time i turned and the wind was now pushing me from the right side toward the line of cars waiting to turn left from the raod I was turning onto, and because it's a trike I couldn't turn hard enough (would've flipped and rolled) so I ended up bumping a car waiting to turn left, right in the middel of it's front bumper.

Didn't damage the car, but it broke my fork, and would've left me stranded were it not for a helpful and kind jogger....

The SB Cruiser : Amberwolf's 2WD Heavy Cargo Trike & Dog Carrier

Got interrupted for the above post....but some crappy news: Short story long, the "blue" phase is shorted to the stator/axle, somewhere other than the phase wire itself (in the windings?). Added some thin (unshrunk) heatshrink slipped over the teflon wire that will pass thru the axle bearing...

endless-sphere.com

I had some serious problems riding in a similar wind piped right down the canal path some years before that on CrazyBike2 (post about that somewhere in the thread for that bike).

After not being on a bike for 40 years then starting riding again mid October I felt lucky to have stayed upright and thanked god no cars had been coming. After being pushed from the right shoulder to the left and then down a steep bank I was real happy with those fat tires. I've had gusts nearly push my truck off the road in the same place before. A wind tunnel or funnel for sure.

 

[BiggKidd]

Just found this and ordered one. My first ever order from Ali Express. I ordered the 4 amp version. This will hopefully give me a back up charging option for the bike when I'm out and about and give me a way to charge my 48 volt battery from a 12 volt battery on the fly. I had already gotten a 12 to 48 volt converter but it was literally 48 volts which is okay but with the 54 volt option I can get full power back in my bike battery and not just 48V. Those few volts between 48 and 54 do make quite a difference. Also with it being rated at 54 volts it should never over volt the bike battery...

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803620452349.html

 

[Zambam]

Where are you getting your 12 V power source from? A car? Whose car? You will need to run the engine to keep the battery from getting depleted.

 

[amberwolf]

Keep in mind those DC-DCs are not typically capable of CC-CV operation, which is what's needed for a charger.

Usually they just shutdown (or even fail) when the current they are capable of is exceeded, which happens when they are connected to a battery that is not at or very close to the voltage the DC-DC is outputting.

Same thing with laptop bricks and most other types of power supply.

LED PSUs are one of the few that is designed like a charger for CC/CV operation, and almost always work as chargers.

So if it doesn't do what you expect, that's probably why.


BTW, while actual reviews on aliexpress are pretty useless most of the time (especially since they changed the system so they may not even be for the product you are looking at, but can come from "similar" products anywhere on the site), the number of purchases of a product or the rating of a seller as a whole in their "store" is still useful for picking safer sellers.

If you buy from a seller with no sales, or an item with no sales, especially from a "shop02385902345"-named seller, risk is higher than otherwise.


Specs/etc from that link below for reference (not that they are necessarily correct or applicable to it). Note that one image says it has short circuit output protection, and another says you cannot connect the two output wires together (which wouldn't be a problem if it really did have good SC protection):

*********************************
DC/DC converter is a voltage converter which can effectively output fixed voltage after converting input voltageDC/DC converters are divided into three categories: Boost type, boost&buck type, and buck type.

Three kinds of control can be adopted according to the demand. PWM control type has high efficiency and good output voltage ripple and noise. PFM control type has the advantage of low power consumption even if it is used for a long time, especially under small load.

PFM control is implemented when PWM/PFM converts to small load, and it is automatically converted to PWM control when heavy load occurs. At present,DC-DC converters are widely used in mobile phones, MP3, digital cameras, portable media players and other products. It belongs to chopper circuit in the classification of circuit types.

II. TECHNICAL PARAMETER

Brand​	Great Inverter​
Product Name​	12V to 54V step up converter​
Type​	No Isolated​
Model​	GI-DTD12S541​	GI-DTD12S542​	GI-DTD12S543​	GI-DTD12S544​
Output current​	1A​	2A​	3A​	4A​
Output rated power​	54W​	108W​	162W​	216W​
Input voltage range​	10-20VDC​
Input rated voltage​	12VDC​
Output voltage​	54VDC​
Machine size​	74*74*32(MM)​
Net weight​	300G​
Material of shell​	Aluminium​
Working temp​	-20~80℃​
Waterproof Level​	96%​
Certifications​	CE，ROHS​
Conversion Efficiency​	IP 65​
Customize​	Support​
Sample order​	Support​
OEM & ODM​	Support​
Protection function​	Over Heat Protection​

 

[BiggKidd]

Keep in mind those DC-DCs are not typically capable of CC-CV operation, which is what's needed for a charger.

Usually they just shutdown (or even fail) when the current they are capable of is exceeded, which happens when they are connected to a battery that is not at or very close to the voltage the DC-DC is outputting.

Same thing with laptop bricks and most other types of power supply.

LED PSUs are one of the few that is designed like a charger for CC/CV operation, and almost always work as chargers.

So if it doesn't do what you expect, that's probably why.


BTW, while actual reviews on aliexpress are pretty useless most of the time (especially since they changed the system so they may not even be for the product you are looking at, but can come from "similar" products anywhere on the site), the number of purchases of a product or the rating of a seller as a whole in their "store" is still useful for picking safer sellers.

If you buy from a seller with no sales, or an item with no sales, especially from a "shop02385902345"-named seller, risk is higher than otherwise.


Specs/etc from that link below for reference (not that they are necessarily correct or applicable to it). Note that one image says it has short circuit output protection, and another says you cannot connect the two output wires together (which wouldn't be a problem if it really did have good SC protection):

*********************************
DC/DC converter is a voltage converter which can effectively output fixed voltage after converting input voltageDC/DC converters are divided into three categories: Boost type, boost&buck type, and buck type.

Three kinds of control can be adopted according to the demand. PWM control type has high efficiency and good output voltage ripple and noise. PFM control type has the advantage of low power consumption even if it is used for a long time, especially under small load.

PFM control is implemented when PWM/PFM converts to small load, and it is automatically converted to PWM control when heavy load occurs. At present,DC-DC converters are widely used in mobile phones, MP3, digital cameras, portable media players and other products. It belongs to chopper circuit in the classification of circuit types.

II. TECHNICAL PARAMETER

Brand​	Great Inverter​
Product Name​	12V to 54V step up converter​
Type​	No Isolated​
Model​	GI-DTD12S541​	GI-DTD12S542​	GI-DTD12S543​	GI-DTD12S544​
Output current​	1A​	2A​	3A​	4A​
Output rated power​	54W​	108W​	162W​	216W​
Input voltage range​	10-20VDC​
Input rated voltage​	12VDC​
Output voltage​	54VDC​
Machine size​	74*74*32(MM)​
Net weight​	300G​
Material of shell​	Aluminium​
Working temp​	-20~80℃​
Waterproof Level​	96%​
Certifications​	CE，ROHS​
Conversion Efficiency​	IP 65​
Customize​	Support​
Sample order​	Support​
OEM & ODM​	Support​
Protection function​	Over Heat Protection​

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Long as it doesn't hurt the bike or battery it'll be fine. It's a $20 gamble but I've used many similar things doing similar things in my years. I happen to have 16) LifePO4 105AH Eve cells that are not otherwise being used at the moment. Now I may one day put all 16 on the bike somehow, that's a lot of weight. For now four cells will do if they nearly double my current range from a 23AH 48V battery I'll be tickled pink! lol If this unit doesn't try and over produce and blow out it should be fine. From my experience these small units just lose voltage when overloaded and keep on kicking until they catch up. I have seen several 20+ amp units of this type take a dump the first time they were overloaded by just a little. Then again I've only done similar things a dozen or so times so limited experience. Plus I was never in any electronics fields nor am I knowledgeable in this subject.

 

[BiggKidd]

555 miles as of today. Made another short trip in to town for groceries. Getting from the house 2.2 miles to the road was the real challenge! After that it was all gravy.

Paid more attention to the gearing today. 7th gear in PAS 3 @23mph is just a bit to fast on pedal RPM for me at around 70-75RPM. I can maintain 60RPM without loosing my air at 70RPM and above I start gasping after a minute or so. When I got back my 60 tooth chainring had been delivered. Which is great but now I'm not sure I want to go that high. Since I've got it I'll likely give it a try but I have a feeling it may be to much. My gut is saying I need a 56T to maybe a 58T chainring. I did make it to town and back about 12-14 miles with errands mostly at 23mph with 50% battery left. Not sure when I will ride again so I think I'll leave the battery level as is for now. In fact since reading here and other places I've quit charging the battery as soon as I get home and leaving it to the day before the next ride before charging. Sometimes if I know I'll be riding in a few days I charge it an hour or so each day until my next ride.

The little top tube bag did barely fit and I used it today. To give Rockbro's credit where it's due my phone fits in it very well and I can hear my music perfectly. I can jam a few small items in there too but I'm still bummed that I can't put the air pump and such in it.

 

[BiggKidd]

So Ali Express shipping was actually faster than expected. The 12 to 54 volt 4 amp converter came in today. Amazon also delivered the 2nd chain I ordered after getting the new chainring and realizing the original chain length wasn't going to work. Once the weather warms up I'll try this stuff out. Really can't wait to see if the 12 to 54 volt converter will keep the bike's battery topped off from a 12V 105AH LifePO4 battery. I am also excited to try out the new 60t chainring along with the stainless steel chain.

 

[hillslayer@]

So Ali Express shipping was actually faster than expected. The 12 to 54 volt 4 amp converter came in today. Amazon also delivered the 2nd chain I ordered after getting the new chainring and realizing the original chain length wasn't going to work. Once the weather warms up I'll try this stuff out. Really can't wait to see if the 12 to 54 volt converter will keep the bike's battery topped off from a 12V 105AH LifePO4 battery. I am also excited to try out the new 60t chainring along with the stainless steel chain.

4 amps that's like plugging a charger in won't keep up while riding. An actual correct voltage battery would be more efficient to haul with you.

 

[BiggKidd]

4 amps that's like plugging a charger in won't keep up while riding. An actual correct voltage battery would be more efficient to haul with you.

I have a new bike and battery. This is a range extender I'm making with stuff I had laying around and a new voltage converter. The way I ride I typically use less than 30 watts per mile. This should double my range to nearly 100 miles when riding slow and easy for mileage.

 

[hillslayer@]

I have a new bike and battery. This is a range extender I'm making with stuff I had laying around and a new voltage converter. The way I ride I typically use less than 30 watts per mile. This should double my range to nearly 100 miles when riding slow and easy for mileage.

So this may be slightly better than just hooking up an inverter and plugging in your charger.

 

[BiggKidd]

So this may be slightly better than just hooking up an inverter and plugging in your charger.

I hope so and the weight may be a little less.

 

[BiggKidd]

Made a fast trip in to town after dumping the bike in the mud / ice / water disaster my road currently is. Did a number on my left calf the pedal tried to go between the muscle and bone. Now there's a nerf football size lump on top of my calf muscle. lol

Anyway I flew into town at WOT 33.6mph fastest trip I've made on the bike so far. It was a little funny in the 25mph zone I passed 7 cars. lol

The bike made the trip very well even though I ended up face down in the logging road mess 4 times. That was my fault for being in a hurry! A lot of the logging road consists of 2 inch thick slabs of ice mixed in the mud and water. Not sure any other kind of bike other than a dual motor 26x4 fat tire bike could have made that trip with such a lousy rider like me! Once I hit pavement it was all gravy!

Not sure I'll be able to walk by tonight as my leg is getting pretty sore...

I also went ahead and bit the bullet and ordered a set of the Rockbros 32L black panniers. I'll soon be able to carry more groceries! LMAO

 

[tpkidd3]

On Nov 15, 2024, I contacted Ridstar to ask what CUR is supposed to display since mine always displays 0000.0.
We have been troubleshooting over the past 6 weeks to determine why my bike does not display the current.
Ridstar sent me a new display and motor controller, but still no fix.

 

[BiggKidd]

On Nov 15, 2024, I contacted Ridstar to ask what CUR is supposed to display since mine always displays 0000.0.
We have been troubleshooting over the past 6 weeks to determine why my bike does not display the current.
Ridstar sent me a new display and motor controller, but still no fix.

Mine doesn't show anything either and everyone I talked with just said it wasn't compatable with my system. They were not from Ridstar just individuals who generally know ebikes.

 

[amberwolf]

Most likely it's:
--a function not implemented in their controller firmware, so that the controller is not sending that data to the display
or
--it's in a form the display doesn't understand (the two firmwares not tested together at the factory to be sure it all works)
or
--the display firmware doesn't implement the function of displaying that data (even though ti has a field for it).

If they actually made their own stuff they would already know which of these it was and could "easily" fix it.

If they have them custom made for them (instead of just buying whatever is available when they make a batch of bikes), they could simply have their supplier fix the firmware and send them the update files and a procedure to correct the problem. End-users probably wouldn't have the capabliity to do this, but new units sent out and repair parts sent to end users would then be fixed.

 

[BiggKidd]

After more than a month without a bike ride I managed to get a few miles in today, maybe 15. It was a beautiful day for it the weather was perfect high 60's and sunny! Everything worked as it should without any drama at all. My poor bike is one muddy mess though. It needs a real good wash and wax, might have to use a little rubbing compound where I tend to drag my right foot across the top bar.

One thing I noticed today after getting groceries on the way home the battery was getting down close to half power and I could tell it was straining with the hills more. Then again I did have an extra thirty plus pounds of cargo.

Once the weather gets decent and stays I need to spend a day working on it and adding all the stuff I've been stacking away.

 

[gromike]

I assume your bike not displaying current that you also don't have a power reading either. Most handy to have, though I do have one bike that all I can read is the voltage level bars. Great bike, nonetheless.

 

[BiggKidd]

I assume your bike not displaying current that you also don't have a power reading either. Most handy to have, though I do have one bike that all I can read is the voltage level bars. Great bike, nonetheless.

It has a current place on the display but it doesn't function. It does have the voltage though. Along with the battery gauge which is a joke.

 

[hillslayer@]

Mine doesn't show anything either and everyone I talked with just said it wasn't compatable with my system. They were not from Ridstar just individuals who generally know ebikes.

More than likely they don't want you to know the bike isn't even close to outputting what they advertised it at.

 

[BiggKidd]

Just back from a chilly 14 mile round trip to Nutbush store to get my monthly smokes. It was 48-50f with semi sunshine and a little more breeze than is comfortable at these temps. I should have added another layer before leaving the house. Other than the mud it was a great ride with very little traffic. LOVE MY BIKE!!!!!!!!!!

BTW: Got back with about 65-70% of charge left.

@hillslayer@ I don't know I would have to say my guess is the peak power is actually pretty close to the rated power. The controllers are 12 amp continuous (adjustible upto 20amp) and 28 amp peak.

 

[hillslayer@]

Just back from a chilly 14 mile round trip to Nutbush store to get my monthly smokes. It was 48-50f with semi sunshine and a little more breeze than is comfortable at these temps. I should have added another layer before leaving the house. Other than the mud it was a great ride with very little traffic. LOVE MY BIKE!!!!!!!!!!

@hillslayer@ I don't know I would have to say my guess is the peak power is actually pretty close to the rated power. The controllers are 12 amp continuous (adjustible upto 20amp) and 28 amp peak.

12 amp sounds about right for 500 watt motors that are called 1000 watt .

 

[BiggKidd]

12 amp sounds about right for 500 watt motors that are called 1000 watt .

All I can say is I am very HAPPY with the E-bike I got and it's performance!

 

[mikal4prez]

I got a e26 pro the headlight doesn’t turn on, and solutions.

 

[BiggKidd]

You have to hold down the up button for a couple seconds to turn it on. It's not the on off switch that controls the front motor.