RoadWrinkle
100 W
I purchased an eCruiser from Motiv, based in Southern California on their website http://www.motivelectricbikes.com/ for shipment to Hawaii.
View attachment 4
WHY DID I BUY:
I was looking for a cruiser style bike but could not find much out there with a multi speed cassette, dual disc brakes and 12ga spoked rims. The Motiv had everything I was looking for and they were being accepted and sold by bike shop "dealers" on the west coast. So they were not just being sold from a garage or website; other bike pros liked the bike and were selling them. Add to that the 2 year warranty on components and lifetime on the frame, all the color options... I was sold.
THE TRANSACTION:
I dealt with "Cameron" at Motiv through out the entire process and the level of customer service is above and beyond the norm. Their website allows you to "build" your bike with many options and colors. He went out of his way to find a great shipping option, he explained everything in detail, he sent emails, he called me, he sent an invoice, I paid through PayPal and he shipped within a few days of receiving payment. Total cost with shipping to Hawaii was $2300, so it was about $1950 without shipping and I got the color, and fat tire upgrade.
SHIPPING/RECIEVING:
The boxed and bubble wrap-entombed bike arrived safely just three days later via Air Freight. It was really packed over-kill, but arrived over 2000k journey with no problems or damage at all. Out of the box I installed the handle bar-goose neck assembly with all levers and electronic components already wired and attached. Installed the pedals and seat post, dropped in the front wheel...done deal!
The disc brake rotor aligned perfectly as soon as the rim went on. The battery was fully charged; plugged the connectors together at the throttle and had full lights and full power. Ready to ride in about ten minutes.
THE BIKE:
48v10Ah "EVE Energy Co." Lithium Polymer, Bafang 500w geared model 12 motor, Hydro 6061 Aluminum frame, Shimano 6-peed (Tourney TX ,16-24), Tektro Novela Mech disc brakes front and rear, Schwalbe Fat Frank tires, forged alloy suspension seat post, full spring flat foot saddle. Frame is purpose built and designed by Motiv, wires and cables are concealed within the frame (mostly).
THE RIDE:
I am 235LBS (and dropping!), rode @ 50psi tires on smooth to semi smooth roads, no rain, no wind, some 5% or less hills, one 7% grade. First, the bike feels very solid. The glide is very smooth on these hubs and it is very maneuverable and balanced. I was able to torque up about a 7% grade with out a lot of peddling effort. I was surprised how much torque this Bafang motor has given my weight. On the flats I was able to reach 22mph without peddling, about 27 mph with effort (using an inexpensive wireless OD). With the rear hub motor, battery mount behind the seat rail, and the rider on the seat, I assumed the bike would feel back-heavy, but it felt balanced. It was not a wheelie machine, the front tire has ample grip in turns and on downslopes and you don't feel like you are going to slide out in turns. The seat and bars are very comfortable, and the bars do not have the flex that most cruiser bars have. Braking was very good and no drag, no misalignment at the calipers. Basically, Motiv designed a cruiser that has a frame, wheels, components and stopping power you need for ebiking. It is a cruiser on steroids, in my opinion. (Many Pictures coming when I figure out how to resize them for ES limits)View attachment 4
View attachment 4
WHY DID I BUY:
I was looking for a cruiser style bike but could not find much out there with a multi speed cassette, dual disc brakes and 12ga spoked rims. The Motiv had everything I was looking for and they were being accepted and sold by bike shop "dealers" on the west coast. So they were not just being sold from a garage or website; other bike pros liked the bike and were selling them. Add to that the 2 year warranty on components and lifetime on the frame, all the color options... I was sold.
THE TRANSACTION:
I dealt with "Cameron" at Motiv through out the entire process and the level of customer service is above and beyond the norm. Their website allows you to "build" your bike with many options and colors. He went out of his way to find a great shipping option, he explained everything in detail, he sent emails, he called me, he sent an invoice, I paid through PayPal and he shipped within a few days of receiving payment. Total cost with shipping to Hawaii was $2300, so it was about $1950 without shipping and I got the color, and fat tire upgrade.
SHIPPING/RECIEVING:
The boxed and bubble wrap-entombed bike arrived safely just three days later via Air Freight. It was really packed over-kill, but arrived over 2000k journey with no problems or damage at all. Out of the box I installed the handle bar-goose neck assembly with all levers and electronic components already wired and attached. Installed the pedals and seat post, dropped in the front wheel...done deal!
The disc brake rotor aligned perfectly as soon as the rim went on. The battery was fully charged; plugged the connectors together at the throttle and had full lights and full power. Ready to ride in about ten minutes.
THE BIKE:
48v10Ah "EVE Energy Co." Lithium Polymer, Bafang 500w geared model 12 motor, Hydro 6061 Aluminum frame, Shimano 6-peed (Tourney TX ,16-24), Tektro Novela Mech disc brakes front and rear, Schwalbe Fat Frank tires, forged alloy suspension seat post, full spring flat foot saddle. Frame is purpose built and designed by Motiv, wires and cables are concealed within the frame (mostly).
THE RIDE:
I am 235LBS (and dropping!), rode @ 50psi tires on smooth to semi smooth roads, no rain, no wind, some 5% or less hills, one 7% grade. First, the bike feels very solid. The glide is very smooth on these hubs and it is very maneuverable and balanced. I was able to torque up about a 7% grade with out a lot of peddling effort. I was surprised how much torque this Bafang motor has given my weight. On the flats I was able to reach 22mph without peddling, about 27 mph with effort (using an inexpensive wireless OD). With the rear hub motor, battery mount behind the seat rail, and the rider on the seat, I assumed the bike would feel back-heavy, but it felt balanced. It was not a wheelie machine, the front tire has ample grip in turns and on downslopes and you don't feel like you are going to slide out in turns. The seat and bars are very comfortable, and the bars do not have the flex that most cruiser bars have. Braking was very good and no drag, no misalignment at the calipers. Basically, Motiv designed a cruiser that has a frame, wheels, components and stopping power you need for ebiking. It is a cruiser on steroids, in my opinion. (Many Pictures coming when I figure out how to resize them for ES limits)View attachment 4
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