Anyone have experience with, or heard of, Go Bikes USA?

[joke_LA]

They are based out of San Diego, CA. I tested one out and liked it, but I haven't ridden any other e-bikes before so I don't know what to look out for.

Does anyone here know anything about these bikes? It seems to be a new company; I haven't been able to find any reviews online, or anything about them outside their website for that matter. If not, any suggestions for something similar from a trusted brand would be welcome! I like that it can seat two or carry cargo on the back - really it's almost more like a scooter than a bike (step through frame, mirrors, lights etc.).

Here's their website - there is hardly any info on it but it's got pictures of the bike:
http://www.gobikesusa.com

Thanks!

 

[e-beach]

I don't know anything about them but for $1300 range the specs look OK. The one thing I didn't see is the battery chemistry type which is critical to a purchase like this. All batteries eventually ware out and you need to know the battery replacement cost and life span to effectively plan the cost effectiveness of this purchase. Find out what battery chemistry they use and report back so we can post opinions on the battery.

Product Specs

60V12Ah 450W electric bicycle

Motor: 60V 450W
Battery: 60V 12Ah
Controller: 60V 9 tubes 23Ah
AC 110-240V, 5-8 hrs charging time
Changer: Included
3 Speeds
Max speed: 20 mph
Max load: 350lbs
Range: 20-25mi
Brake: Front & rear Drum brakes
Front suspension: Φ 50.8 straight tube Fr. Fork
Wheel: 17″ aluminium alloy + spokes
Tire: Fr. 22*2.25″ & Rr. 22*2.5″, thickened aluminum rims
Anti-theft alarm & remote control
Front basket and rear rack included

 

[joke_LA]

I emailed them, here's what they said about the battery:

The battery is, sealed lead acid 60 volt 12AH. It has 5 12v cells. Being a standard battery we or you can replace them very easy and inexpensive compared to lithium ion.

Lead acid... that's like what's in a car battery, right? Sounds like it'd be quite heavy and bulky. I don't know much about the types of batteries used in electric bikes so any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[spinningmagnets]

Car batteries are actually Flooded-Lead-Acid (FLA), and the batteries E-bikes often still use are Sealed-Lead-Acid (SLA), and the electrolyte is a gel, instead of liquid.

SLA are still the cheapest purchase price battery, but they are bulky and heavy, and you can only truly use half of the rated Amp-Hours (Ah) of range.

 

[e-beach]

The battery is, sealed lead acid 60 volt 12AH. It has 5 12v cells. Being a standard battery we or you can replace them very easy and inexpensive compared to lithium ion.

Lead acid... that's like what's in a car battery, right? Sounds like it'd be quite heavy and bulky. I don't know much about the types of batteries used in electric bikes so any thoughts would be appreciated!

Yes heavy, something like a car battery only smaller, more like 6 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches. 6x4x4 only there would be 5 of them.

12 volts x 5 batteries = 60 volts. They would cost about $200 to replace them.

SLA batteries have a limited cycle life. I ran mine on my first e-bike configuration for about 8 months until they started to lose range. But then I went to LiFePO4 and have been very happy.

 

[joke_LA]

So that comes out to like 50 lbs. just in battery weight. Wow

What's the weight difference by comparison for an equivalent pack of lithium batteries, would it be a noticeable difference in speed/handling? And how much longer would they last?

Sounds like I'll probably do what you did and start out with SLA before deciding whether I want to upgrade.

Thanks for the help!

 

[e-beach]

My 12ah 36v sla battery pack weighed about 25lbs and got me around 12 miles before they were in need of recharge. It took about 5 hours to recharge them.

My 15ah 36v Headway LiFePO4 pack weighs about 15 lbs and they get me around 20 miles before they need recharging. My 12ah charger recharged them in 90 minutes. (That charger just died, so I just got another one, a 6 amp one, that recharges my LiFePO in about about 3 hours.)

 

[triggeraa]

Look up Hybikes...same thing...mixed reviews.

 

[dogman dan]

If you are going to carry almost 50 pounds of lead, those look designed for it. Regular bikes struggle with that much lead.

A lithium battery cost a whole lot more, but is much much lighter and smaller. They don't need quite as much tlc as lead, and tolerate 100% discharges better than lead. Lead needs to be discharged only 50% as much as possible.

Hard to tell from a picture, but in most cases bikes like this are not really something you pedal. The pedals are there for legal purposes mostly. So if you like pedaling, convert a regular bike, or get a bike designed with a normal bike frame.

 

[joke_LA]

Hard to tell from a picture, but in most cases bikes like this are not really something you pedal. The pedals are there for legal purposes mostly. So if you like pedaling, convert a regular bike, or get a bike designed with a normal bike frame.

There is a pedal-assist mode that can help extend the range a bit, but I agree I wouldn't want to try pedaling that thing under my own power. They said it's possible, but it'd be geared pretty low and doesn't sound like it's meant to be ridden that way.

I would definitely be keeping my conventional bike for when I want exercise, and use this to go places I don't want to be showing up sweaty (work) or if I need to bring home groceries or things like that. Basically, this will function as a second vehicle to use around town instead of driving - my wife and I are selling one of our cars, so I think for our situation something like this would be ideal as a replacement.

I'll be sure to put up a review on here if we end up getting one! This forum has been a great resource. Thanks for all the help!

 

[dogman dan]

They look ok to me. But like many mopeds, bikes like this tend to be geared very low, so pedal assist riding would be like 5 mph.

I can dig not pedaling better now, my chronic fatigue makes me pay hard time for pedaling much. I tend to ride no pedaling 80% of the time now. I used to pedal hard all the way to work, 30 miles a day, and had a custom sprocket to pedal hard at 30 mph. Mostly my ass felt much better on very long rides if I pedaled.

 

[e-beach]

After sleeping on it for a couple of nights...IMHO this is bike is a bit over priced due to the fact that you will need new SLA's every year. And, you will be locked into non standard parts propitiatory to the manufacture of this bike...ie: break drums, mechanical parts, electronics, anything else that might break. Like all electric bikes, parts you can't find might be hackable, but who wants to go through that......If you want a step through consider a used A2B. Or even go to wall mart and get a cheap iZip. Or hang around here for a while and then build your own. 8)

Just my 2¢

 

[Ykick]

12Ah SLA is really only about 6-7Ah and it ain't gonna get better over a short period of time. $1200-$1300 seems over-priced IMO for that chemistry. Maybe not if they use great forks, brakes, etc. but I don't see it? Radial laced 22" wheel? Kinda oddball to me but maybe more common than I'm giving credit?

 

[sk8norcal]

Here's their website - there is hardly any info on it but it's got pictures of the bike:
http://www.gobikesusa.com

Thanks!

Those look like the emopedbikes that Chinese people use to get around
or else they use e-scooterbikes.
(from what i have seen on videos, they don't use euro/american style ebikes and they don't pedal)

here's one getting voltage upgrade...
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=20160&hilit=china#p425383

[youtube]qFkKgXrvVso[/youtube]

probably sells for $400 in China....

 

[sk8norcal]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bid/4018646033.html

hybikes