Is the Phoenix II worth the money?

[scphantm]

im looking for a kit. i want a really good kit, im looking for about 20 - 30 mile range on a charge and the ability to do some pretty serious hills on occasion and pulling a trailer when needed.

im looking at the Phoenix II 4840 or maybe the 7240, but $1500 is a LOT of money for a kit and SLA battery. i don't mind spending the money if i get the value that i want out of it, but the general question is, are these kits worth the money?

 

[tuxman]

IMHO, it's the best direct drive kit money can buy. Factor in that you are paying for their customer service. It cost money to have a brick and mortar store, and a staff to service what you sell. In the past few weeks as I was shopping around for my next ebike, they quickly answered my emails in depth, and updated their website almost daily.

They didn't get my business, not because of price or service, but because I didn't want a direct drive kit. I am a gear man myself.

 

[neptronix]

it is a lot of money.

Because you can buy the motor inside a wheel + a controller for around $600 shipped elsewhere.
Check the for sale - new section on this forum !!!

And is it a good hub motor? well it hasn't been around for long. But Crystalyte makes solid stuff, and so far the reports from members on ES are that it's awesome.

 

[dogman dan]

In any case, you will want to get the torque model for hauling cargo up a hill. And forget the lead, no way your'e going 30 miles on lead.

Of, course, we know they named it wrong, since it doesn't have singificantly different torque, but it will climba hill cooler, and be more efficient at lower speeds.

The king hill climbing hubmotor is also for sale in the for sale new section. Methods has the 9 continent in 2812 winding. Climbs beautifully on 72v.
Very nice price too! Less than $150, so about $200 once relaced into a 26" rim. The 2810 is not a bad climber either. A 5306 clyte might be better still, if you can locate one for sale.

If you don't live in the USA, you might need to look elsewhere, and pay a lot more than we are used to here.

 

[CVillalobos]

I bought the Phoenix II kit because I'm new to the ebike scene and I wanted something that was dependable and went fast. The people at Electric Rider actually answer the phone and email requests. See my review http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=27552

I peronally do not care for ElectricRider's battery choices so I went with Zippy lipo from HobbyKing.

The kit comes standard with Crystalyte's Power Meter PDA. Like a Cycle Analyst.

Some of the main reasons I bought from Electricrider was: They answered the phone! They post their kit's proformance. They are in the USA.

Chris

 

[scphantm]

yea, i realize that trying to get 30 miles out of lead would result in a fairly effective boat anchor and a few pounds lost from all the walking, but i can switch out the SLA with Pings or whatever later.

what about the controller on these? from what ive been learning, the three most likely things to fail on these are the batter, the controller, and the throttle. whats the word on these controllers?

 

[John in CR]

im looking for a kit. i want a really good kit, im looking for about 20 - 30 mile range on a charge and the ability to do some pretty serious hills on occasion and pulling a trailer when needed.

im looking at the Phoenix II 4840 or maybe the 7240, but $1500 is a LOT of money for a kit and SLA battery. i don't mind spending the money if i get the value that i want out of it, but the general question is, are these kits worth the money?

That price is larcenous and is directed toward cyclists who are already accustomed to larcenous bicycle and component pricing.

 

[999zip999]

Electric rider promise 20 miles on the lead kit they sold me 5303 and 4840. They told me lifepo4 would blow up. So I brought the kit and it got 8 miles that's 8 miles. I felt rip off. They said I could send back the batteries at 80usd shipping so I keep them. Yea it had balls but 8 miles. Did I say 8 miles then dead. I think 1250usd.

 

[MadRhino]

Your best option is to buy separately, make your own kit for your specific need.

Dogman is right, you're best with a slow winding. The Clyte HT or the 9C 2812 both are a good choice, and must be able to be fed of about the same power.

Lyen's controllers are a sure value, I'd go for the 18 fet 4110 for climbing hills with these motors.

Get a direct plug-in Cycle Analyst from Ebike.ca

Buy a remote BBQ thermometer, you need to monitor heat when you ride big hills

Batteries a a matter of personnal choice and can be a big investment, but don't buy lead for it gives poor performance for alot of weight and volume. I'd suggest Lipo, if you are OK with learning to use them; they are the best value for weight and performance, and can be assembled in various configuration when you decide to try higher voltage with Lyen's programmable controller.

 

[Gordo]

You can read this same story repeated 100 times on ES. New guy comes and wants cheap e-bike to carry 400 lbs 30 miles up steep hills. The poor vendor tries to talk the guy out of lead, but the customer wants cheap, so he gets cheap. E-bike does not do what the guy expected and we either loose another one or he spends double the money and gets a bike which works.
PLEASE LISTEN AND DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. We want to help you.

 

[FMB42]

Lead is dead.

Lipo and LifePo4 batteries, along with brushless motors, have revolutionized the e-bike/vehicle and RC world. However, few (if any) LifePo4 batt.s are capable of supporting the current demands of these Phoenix systems.

This, of course, leaves you with only one option:

Lipo.

 

[MadRhino]

... few (if any) LifePo4 batt.s are capable of supporting the current demands of these Phoenix systems.

This, of course, leaves you with only one option:

Lipo.

Come on, X5 have been powered by other chemistries, and even established records with them. Then, Lifepo4 are not all the same, you can buy hi-C rate that can deliver more than cheap Lipo.

 

[Ypedal]

Headway and PSI cells can cope with 40 amp controllers ( PSI do a better job ) but not the a 10ah Ping or such...

Regardless of all that, Lipo rules ! 8)

 

[neptronix]

However, few (if any) LifePo4 batt.s are capable of supporting the current demands of these Phoenix systems.

This, of course, leaves you with only one option:
Lipo.

I don't agree with that either.
Lifepo4 can kick out the amps needed; Headway and a123 will do it handily.
I am sure that there are 2C nominal cells that will do it too, if given a large enough pack.

Lipo should only be considered when low weight and small size is desired.... AND the user is able to understand the needs of the chemistry..

 

[FMB42]

Ok, I just scanned the Headway website...which proves that I'm wrong in my original unfounded assessment(s).

However, I must say that I'm still a huge fan of Lipos when regarding the generally favorable C ratings, size, and weight advantages that they offer.

The bottom line is that there is always more to learn (which is why I frequent ES as much as I do).