Any Info on Evolv Electric Bikes out of Huntington Beach

[RoadWrinkle]

There website states its a family run business and they have some ecruisers that look very solid. Does anyone have any experience with them or their products?


http://www.evolvelectricbikes.com/#!48v/c1xk8

 

[wesnewell]

Cost more than twice as much as a diy faster, more powerful bike. Other than that, they look fine.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Cost more than twice as much as a diy faster, more powerful bike. Other than that, they look fine.

There "Cruiser Max" is about a $400 electra-type cruiser with a better frame and disc brakes with 7-speed, add a 48v 15Ah on a DD 750w hub motor and custom battery bag mouted where it should be... External controller...LED computer... we are talking easily $1000 worth of e-components off of the shelf... their price is $1995.00, total (and it is not a "Frankenbike").

So I guess I would beg to differ with your "cost more than twice as much" statement. No way you can build this for $1k or less, Friendo. :wink:


But I have never ridden their bikes, so I am really interested in hearing from people who have had experience with this company and the cruiser-conversion they do, a bike-owner would be great!

 

[dogman dan]

Looks like a decent motor, not the old design with the screw on disk mounts you still see on the cheapest kits. 48v 15 ah lifepo4 is the same thing I often recommend. You'd have true 20-30 mile range for sure.

And bing! There's your cruiser with dual disk brakes. You don't get that at walmart for 90 bucks. Looks worth 2k to me. I would likely spend $1500 or more duplicating it.

 

[wesnewell]

RW, then just buy it and don't come asking for opinions about. And yes, I can put together a 7spd beach cruiser that is a lot faster with more range for under $1000 with ease. If you can't, well then buy theirs and then post a review.

 

[maurtis]

It is certainly a clean looking bike, but to me it looks like they are basing the build off a $200 Greenline aluminum cruiser frame:

Some of the gas bike guys have used Greenlines, quality-wise seems to be a little better than Walbikes, but not much. I would think at 48V they would be okay, but hardly an Electra.

It looks like their 36V build does not modify the fork/frame at all and uses v-brakes, and on the 48V I am thinking they are welding on the front and rear disk brake mounts? You can still see the v-brake attachment points on the fork and rear.

It still seems like a decent deal if you do not want to go through the work.

Roughly looks like to build something almost exactly like they are delivering you would go with:

- Greenline BC-206: $200
- MXUS 500W kit with disc brake wheel, controller, etc: $375 shipped
- Avid BB7 disc brakes front and rear, $50 each with rotors: $100 shipped
- Front wheel with disc brake hub: $50
- Ping 48V 15AH pack with 5A charger: $686 shipped
- Custom welded disc brake mounts (assuming you cannot weld yourself): $100
- Cycle Analyst: $135
-------------------------------------------

$1646 (plus other odds and ends surely to come up)


Of course, you can save a lot by going with the faster wind Yescom kit, lipo batteries, and a used 7 speed cruiser off Craigslist (I got my bike shop quality Schwinn for $50), but I was just trying to go apples-apples here...

 

[nukezero]

If you are looking for those kind of bikes, then check out Motiv Electric Bikes. The company/owner is in southern california so they have great support and service nearby. I just picked up a Motiv 48V 3 weeks ago and it does 26MPH, 10Ah NCM battery, 18-20 mile range. I only did 14.5 miles maximum and it still had enough juice to push me over 20mph. The bike is light-weight.

I paid just under $2k out the door for it which seemed a bit pricey. But consider this, the manufacturer gives me 2 years warranty. Battery, motor, wheel, etc. I had a specific issue with the battery and they are taking care of it. But other than that, it is a great bike, and rides real smooth. It isn't for everybody (super enthusiast) but it does get the job done to owning and learning how your first ebike works while giving you plenty of power.

The bike came with a Bafang 48V 500watt code 12 motor. They also sell the 36V version with 10Ah and 15Ah capacities.

I originally planned to convert my Townie Electra 21D to electric but I was having problems with getting the parts from China (including battery) because it is hard to ship lithium batteries over by air right now. Then you have to consider the support factor because a lot of these vendors will take your money and leave you dry when you have issues. The kit I was originally going to buy (Mac kit) was nearly $1800 USD. Nearly the same price as if I just bought the Motiv bike. Again the Motiv did provide me with some extras like upgraded brakes (7" disc), 12-gauge spoke wheels front and back, integrated controller and integrated battery into the frame.

Up to you to make a decision but I'm all for the more integrated look and the hand-holding support from my local electric bike shop. I run down to the shop whenever I have problems with the bike now and the owner knows me by name now. But hey thats the "Ultimate Service" you get when you pay a premium like buying the "Ultimate Driving Machine"

 

[slacker]

wesnewell,i know you are very qualified about e-bike's but please give it a rest and try to understand everyone is not as expeirienced as you about these thing's.I CAME TO THIS FORUM to learn about e-bike's and am grateful for people like dogman and too many other's for their patience and advice.I have noticed alot of hostility as of late and i find it extremely disturbing.I just hope we can all get along as this is a really rewarding hobby and a fun way to get out and enjoy the outdoor's.I am not trying to offend you and if you feel that way i am sorry.. i hope that this work's out because i think e-bike's are going to be very much a everyday thing like they are in china.by the way i built both of my bike's and have enjoyed the process.some people want to buy pre-built and that is fine.please show a little compassion as some people are obviously not as smart as you about these thing's.hope you have a good day. :|

 

[gestalt]

.I have noticed alot of hostility as of late and i find it extremely disturbing.

This.

I think a few ESers need to get their panties unbunched and just enjoy the ride and good vibes. Far be it from me, the permanoob to judge the ego driven "experts" here though.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

RW, then just buy it and don't come asking for opinions about. And yes, I can put together a 7spd beach cruiser that is a lot faster with more range for under $1000 with ease. If you can't, well then buy theirs and then post a review.

I'm sorry wesnewell , did not intend to offended your deeply sensitive feelings about DIY vs. Turn-key. Just trying to get some exercise that I actually enjoy without buying a Lemon. Sorry you have to endure my postings....


BTW, if you can make a better, faster bike for under 1k, you should move to Maui and open a shop...you will make a fortune.

 

[spinningmagnets]

I have no doubt that the average enthusiast can assemble a similar E-bike for less than $1,950 listed for the 48V dual-disc brake cruiser.

I like the rectangular pack mounted in the triangle instead of a cargo rack. I suspect the size of this triangle allowing a 15-Ah rectangular pack played a part in that particular frame selection. Huntington beach is fairly flat, so a DD hub is fine, and a winding that provides only 24-MPH from 48V suggests it is fairly torquey. There's a ton of cruisers out there with a rear hub and a rear cargo-rack battery that is only 10-Ah.

But there are things that have been left out so far in the price checklist.

The warranty covers the entire thing for 12 months, including the battery. There will be warranty claims so...how much should be added to the price of each bike to cover "good customer service" concerning the average amount of warranty claims?

If they don't make a profit, they will not survive, so...how much profit is reasonable compared to a DIY kit? perhaps 20%? If yes, that knocks the price down to $1,600-ish for the parts, assembling, and providing a warranty.

They are making it look easy. Put one together and sell it, to see if if it really is that easy, or maybe there's a little more to it. Who knows, maybe you will become the local supplier of turn-key E-bikes, and actually make a profit from your hobby.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The bike nukezero listed (http://www.motivelectricbikes.com/) probably ships from China complete. Nothing wrong with that, but it looks like a lot of the bikes available on Aliexpress/Alibaba.





 

[RoadWrinkle]

Great assessment spinning magnets. I called them today and s/w with Conner Sullivan, the owner, he answered my questions in a pretty straight forward way. The frame is a hydro aluminum 6061 T-9 from Greenline. 12 month warranty on all components including the battery, but a five year warranty on the frame. The comments about projected costs to build a similar bike are interesting (save a few outlandish claims of under 1k). No question a DIY'er could build it for less than the current asking price of 2k, but not that much cheaper( I believe is your point).



So I went ahead and bought one after Conner agreed to split the cost of shipping. **WARNING**: newbie ebike review coming soon!

I am still planning to build a 2WD Rock Hopper 29'er with 48v 15Ah, running dual 1000w hub motors (later), but this pre-built cruiser is a good start for my first ebike.

 

[majornelson]

I like the bike. I think I'm a sucker for a cruiser style bike. Particularly when you're by a beach...

IMHO, a real comparison would be to a new Electra Townie 7 speed with an em3ev.com kit at 48v (I like Paul's kits and he's one of the best, if not the best, vendor in China). I did a quick check and a 48v kit shipped to Washington DC (where I live but most likely more to the West Coast) would be $1,175 (high end pick-n-mix 500/1000w 48v rear mounted motor, charger and the 50v 12.3 AH triangle battery). A new Electra Townie (with flat-foot seating ) is about $500. So for $1,700 you can pick up the parts to assemble a pretty decent bike. It will go 30 + mph and cruise at 20 mph for approximately 35+ miles. Not bad...

But... you'd have to assemble it yourself. There is no warranty on the entire bike.

So, if you like projects and can assume the risk, building an ebike can be fun (but at times pretty stressful). On the other hand, if you want to just get out and ride, an assembled bike is great.

My two cents...

 

[majornelson]

One more thing...

Direct drive motors can be heavy. Geared motors are much lighter (5 - 9 lbs vs 14 lbs). You really won't feel the weight on the bike if everything is down low. But if you have to carry or move it, the batteries, motor, etc. all add up pretty quickly.

 

[majornelson]

I just realized that you purchased the bike... looking forward to the review!

 

[wesnewell]

There's nothing outlandish about my claims. I can build a faster, more powerful 7 spd beach cruiser for under $1000.
$150 http://www.2wheelbikes.com/touch-7sp-m-beach-cruiser.html
$290 48V 1000W motor kit. Theirs is what, 500W?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Wheel-Electric-Bicycle-Conversion-Kit-24V-36V-48V-250W-500W-700W-800W-1000W-/290754592384
$288 12s 888wh 400A rated 20ah battery pack. Just like I have now, except mine is configured 24s
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__18631__Turnigy_5000mAh_4S1P_14_8v_20C_hardcase_pack_USA_Warehouse_.html
$16 http://www.bikepakmart.com/ib-fb1.html
That's $744 total for a bike that will leave theirs in the dust. Now I could take the extra $250 and the $288 and buy A different battery pack for even more speed and range, or use it for something else.

 

[nukezero]

I'm not trying to defend Motiv because it isn't a perfect bike but the comparison on Evolv electric website is inaccurate. Plus, when they said LifePo4 is the "state of the art" latest battery technology, that's also not true. LifePo4 is out the door now while NCM is the new battery technology.

http://www.evolvelectricbikes.com/#!compare/cz7b

The Motiv 48V is capable of 25MPH, 26-27 hot of the charger. The manufacturer lists it as 20-25 but realistically, it can hold a steady 25mph for a 150lb rider like me. Evolv has it listed at 20mph. It does say that the battery is 10Ah lithium polymer but the battery pack is quite light weight compared to LifePo4. Also, the slender aluminum cased battery is locked into the frame. So it is quite hard to jimmy it out as there is a slide bar bolted to the frame on the inside. The screw for the slide is facing the inside so there's no way to mess with that with the battery in the way. You probably can't leave your battery unattended on the Evolv bike when you lock up the bike at the store, mall, or beach for even 5 minutes. The Motiv's battery is also easily removable or locked with keys they provide. Can be charged on or off the bike and slides into and out of place in 3 seconds. The only con is the slightly reduced battery capacity and it isn't directly in the center of the bike frame for maximum weight distribution, but it is a small sacrifice. At least you can mount a lock or water bottle still in between the frame.

Lastly, the bike retails for $2149 yes it's true, but that's not the price you'll pay when you go to the local bike store. I got mine for several hundred below retail. Also, Motiv is forever warranty on the frame as long as the original owner owns the bike and 2-year warranty on everything else, (motor, controller, battery).

I'm not dogging Evolv but I'm just saying for the price point, you can do a slightly better value. Oh, did I mention you can get like 400 different color combinations.

 

[Ykick]

-20 stock for linked HK RC Lipo? First bike? Sure, just grab some RC Lipo and tape it on frame. That'll rival a turnkey build. JFC...

 

[dogman dan]

Yes, there is a big difference between buying some stuff as cheap as possible, putting it together and riding it, and making a business out of selling and customer servicing it.

I don't doubt that Wes can build a bike cheaper, but to use the same quality of components, type and size of battery, the cost is indeed going to be closer to $1500 bucks, not $1000.

FWIW, we moderators are calling this year, "the summer of discontent". We have just banned several people this week alone. They all have the same thing going on, more interested in making a fuss than providing the benefit of their experience.

BE NICE FOLKS. Argue your opinion all you want, hard as you want. But don't pick fights, call people stupid, or dog a particular persons threads. Don't flame somebody for disagreeing with you. Just use logic and experience to put forth your opinion better.

Anybody here you are sick of? Use the ignore button. Bet I have more people with me set to ignore than anyone here.

 

[wesnewell]

Yes, there is a big difference between buying some stuff as cheap as possible, putting it together and riding it, and making a business out of selling and customer servicing it.

I totally agree. That's why the diy route is so much cheaper for the consumer.

I don't doubt that Wes can build a bike cheaper, but to use the same quality of components, type and size of battery, the cost is indeed going to be closer to $1500 bucks, not $1000.

I totally disagree. I'd much prefer the steel bike I used compared to an all aluminum bike. The motor I chose is much more powerful than the one they use. If I just wanted to duplicate what they sold, I could cut $55 off the motor kit price, add that to the $288 battery price and use a 15ah lifepo4 battery pack like theirs. Price would still be ~$750. Or i could just buy one of these for under $1000, which is probably where they get theirs.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Personal-Transport-Commuter-Bicycles-48V-1000W-More-Powerful-Electrical-Bike-with-Brushless-Gearless-DC-Hub-Motor/507352630.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/IZIP-E3-Zuma-Electric-Bicycle-Electric-Cruiser-Electric-Bike-500W-Men-s/1173363170.html

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Wesnewl, do I have to put you on "Ignore"? The thread asks for info on the company and their bikes, why do you highjack the thread to show off your building, penny-pinching skills or to insult people that don't have the same knowledge set as you? Do you know all of the intricacies of Constitutional law and appellant procedure like I do? Because if you don't, I might lose respect for you and take every opportunity I can to highlight your "ignorance" on the subject.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Also, the slender aluminum cased battery is locked into the frame. So it is quite hard to jimmy it out as there is a slide bar bolted to the frame on the inside. The screw for the slide is facing the inside so there's no way to mess with that with the battery in the way. You probably can't leave your battery unattended on the Evolv bike when you lock up the bike at the store, mall, or beach for even 5 minutes. The Motiv's battery is also easily removable or locked with keys they provide. Can be charged on or off the bike and slides into and out of place in 3 seconds. The only con is the slightly reduced battery capacity and it isn't directly in the center of the bike frame for maximum weight distribution, but it is a small sacrifice.



The evolve has a keyed battery as well, but not a slide out. It was a toss-up between the Motiv and the Evolv for me. The 15Ah on the Evolv, v. the 10Ah on the Motiv was the tie breaker (and I actually like the All Flat Black scheme these Evovl's have).

Thanks for the info that everyone has posted (even Wesnewel) this is a great forum. Evovl eCruiser Max review coming soon!

 

[RoadWrinkle]

I like the bike. I think I'm a sucker for a cruiser style bike. Particularly when you're by a beach... .

I have the same reaction when I see a nice cruiser! Now with a magic electric engine on one, you can "cruise" for miles and miles.....

Thanks for your input and info, I appreciate it...

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Yes, there is a big difference between buying some stuff as cheap as possible, putting it together and riding it, and making a business out of selling and customer servicing it.

BE NICE FOLKS. Argue your opinion all you want, hard as you want. But don't pick fights, call people stupid, or dog a particular persons threads. Don't flame somebody for disagreeing with you. Just use logic and experience to put forth your opinion better.

Always the voice of reason....thanks Dogman for the info and 'moderation', I sometimes need to remind myself to be nice.....

 

[nukezero]

Also, the slender aluminum cased battery is locked into the frame. So it is quite hard to jimmy it out as there is a slide bar bolted to the frame on the inside. The screw for the slide is facing the inside so there's no way to mess with that with the battery in the way. You probably can't leave your battery unattended on the Evolv bike when you lock up the bike at the store, mall, or beach for even 5 minutes. The Motiv's battery is also easily removable or locked with keys they provide. Can be charged on or off the bike and slides into and out of place in 3 seconds. The only con is the slightly reduced battery capacity and it isn't directly in the center of the bike frame for maximum weight distribution, but it is a small sacrifice.



The evolve has a keyed battery as well, but not a slide out. It was a toss-up between the Motiv and the Evolv for me. The 15Ah on the Evolv, v. the 10Ah on the Motiv was the tie breaker (and I actually like the All Flat Black scheme these Evovl's have).

Thanks for the info that everyone has posted (even Wesnewel) this is a great forum. Evovl eCruiser Max review coming soon!

Both the Evolv and Motiv should be comparable. The evolv does have avid bbs brakes. Also the evolv is using lifepo4 and it is heavier while the Motiv uses polymer NCM chemistry.

I would love to see the review when you get the bike. My girlfriend is also looking for a new cruiser bike.