Ridstar E26 pro review and opinions

BiggKidd

10 mW
Joined
Oct 15, 2024
Messages
26
Location
South Central Virginia
I bought a Ridstar E26 week before last and have put 168 miles on it as of today. The picture was taken a week ago. The bike performs flawlessly so far and without the front motor would be in a world of hurt with the hills and mud around here. It doesn't have the power the seller advertises unless my math has gone to pot. I say that because it claims 1000 watts on each motor yet the controller is set at 12 amps 12A times 48V is NOT 1,000 watts. Having said that it has power enough for most terrain. With both motors it's about 1,100 watts IF it's using two controllers at 12 amps. The controller(s) can be turned up as high as 20 in the M5 display. I personally don't see the need to turn it up at this time. I would like to figure out how to adjust the MPH of the PAS settings. It uses the M5 display if anyone knows how I can change the PAS speeds? It would be nice if I could set PAS 1 to about 7-8 mph for rough off roading which I do two miles of every time I leave the house before I hit pavement and PAS 2 to 15mph for easy pedaling at slow speed for battery conservation. As it came PAS 1 does 13 and PAS 2 does 18 which I have to pedal faster than I'd like to help the motor along in PAS 2. A larger chainring is coming next month I hope, that should help alleviate that issue. Maybe I can even get the gearing up enough to pedal along helping at even higher speeds like 25. It looks to have a 48 tooth chainring now and 52 is about as high as I see for sale right off. I'm also trying to figure out if I will need a longer chain for that swap if anyone knows? Also if anyone knows where I might find a sprocket larger than 52 teeth for it? A link would be great! It uses the tapered square drive type chainring and crank arms.

I have a new handlebar supposed to be here this week, one with 120mm rise. Why in the world do they put these flat bars on this type of bikes? It makes it so the rider has to stay hunched over all the time.

All in all my only regret with this bike so far is that I didn't buy one sooner! It looks, feels and rides like it's well made and I have been thoroughly enjoying it. It has full suspension with a nice rear rack and came with DY Island hydraulic brakes, headlight, turn, tail, and brake lights along with a horn and cell phone holder with a charging port. It uses the same basic 7 speed as most of these bikes.

The only gripe I have with it at this point is no regenerative braking. I could really use it with the hills we have as I often worry about over heating the brakes and miss the power that could be generated going down these hills. Welding up the freewheel in the rear motor isn't an issue but I don't have any idea if it would work with the electronics is has. If anyone knows please shout out!

I'm sure everyone wants to know the top speed and miles it can travel on a single charge. Well top speed is just over 30mph and in PAS 1 at 13mph I've gone 41 miles and still had a little juice left when I got back home. Now grant you I was pedaling the entire time and using every trick I could think of to extend the range as far as possible! The battery is a 48 volt unit with 23AH of power storage.

I did order and install Flat Out in both tires after seeing so many complaints about how easy these tires puncture.

If anyone has any questions or comments please feel free to ask or comment.



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On some bikes you can access the "menu" to change settings by depressing the + & - PAS buttons simultaneously.
 
Just got a real quick 5 mile ride in testing out the new handlebar. I like it no more bending over to reach. One downside is the cup holders I just got for the other handlebar doesn't fit these well enough to put a drink in. I can still use one for my wallet and phone etc. but nothing that spills... One step forward half step back.

With the new handlebar it feels like a giant BMX bike with motors! LMAO
 
I also recently purchased an E26 Pro. Starting my search for programming information. My previous ebike was a Himiway D3 Cruiser. Electronics were very customizable. I've emailed support for any documentation above what was in the manual and will share if they respond.
 
I also recently purchased an E26 Pro. Starting my search for programming information. My previous ebike was a Himiway D3 Cruiser. Electronics were very customizable. I've emailed support for any documentation above what was in the manual and will share if they respond.
Hope you like it as much as I like mine. Rode another 28 miles yesterday, getting close to 300 since I bought it less than a month ago!
 
So far it's fine. The central shock assembly developed a loud squeak after about 40 miles. Solution was to loosen the through bolts. Will need to keep an eye on them to assure they don't loosen further on their own. I have a shock absorbing seat post as well. Also, I rearranged the handlebar mounted controls for better ergonomics. I use the PAS more than the horn. I moved their cellphone holder to the right side to installed my own. We do some serious trail riding.
 

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New challenge after loosening the suspension to eliminate the squeak and creek, the tire has started rubbing the controller housing when the suspension compressed under normal pedaling. I suspect the "shock absorber", which is just a spring, is weakening. My temporary solution is to torque down all the rear suspension joints until they bind, eliminating the suspension travel. This brought back the squeak and creek, but it is better than tire rub. My long-term solution will be to replace the spring with something solid, like a section of pipe, and rely on the suspension seat post to do the job.
 

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I always thought the cheap full suspension bikes had to fail pretty quick unless they were somehow using high quality bearings.
 
New challenge after loosening the suspension to eliminate the squeak and creek, the tire has started rubbing the controller housing when the suspension compressed under normal pedaling. I suspect the "shock absorber", which is just a spring, is weakening. My temporary solution is to torque down all the rear suspension joints until they bind, eliminating the suspension travel. This brought back the squeak and creek, but it is better than tire rub. My long-term solution will be to replace the spring with something solid, like a section of pipe, and rely on the suspension seat post to do the job.
Contact the seller they SHOULD send you a slightly longer shock. My bike, fender, and shock look slightly different than yours. I know there were some shipped with a shock they later deemed as being to short so they should send you the correct one.
 
I always thought the cheap full suspension bikes had to fail pretty quick unless they were somehow using high quality bearings.
Time will tell I'm only at a little over 300 miles and everything is working as it should and still impresses me. I've been very happy with the bike so far! Yes there are some things I have already changed and others I will change as time moves on. So far I think it's a great place to start.

You should check out Papa Blue Shirt He's put over 15,000 miles on two different CHEAP E-bikes and documented it all.
 
46 miles on the bike today, Blackstone and back my longest ride yet! It was a gorgeous day for it! Got a new seat at Walmart after looking at the gel covers and not being impressed. Not sure yet if I like the new seat, time will tell... One thing I really do like about it is it's about two inches taller the the original and that gives me perfect leg geometry with the seat post at full extension.

I think I'd also like a little more top end speed, had a couple very fast dogs outrunning the bike at WOT, 33mph today. One was a pissed off looking fighting type dog, the other not sure.
 
Racking up the miles crossed 350 miles sometime this morning while running errands and shopping. Went ahead and ordered that 11-34 cassette this morning along with a cheap bike tool kit to change it out with.

On another crazier note I also ordered a step up converter so I can break down my 5kw 51.2 volt battery and use part of it instead of trying to haul all 80lbs. It'll soon be time to break out an ammo can to put either 4) or 8) 105AH cells in to extend my range... Still need to open the controller box and see what kind of connector the battery uses so I can order the parts to connect the added power cells.
 
In the wee hours of the morning I ended up also ordering a 11t-28t freewheel since it looks like the cassette is not going to be right after all. In several places the sellers call the MF TZ500-7 a cassette and in many others they call it a freewheel. Now either way I have it covered.

I also spent hours playing math games trying to figure out what chain ring will give me the best match to make the pedals and PAS 1-5 levels all be useful. Might have to move up to a 54t from the 48t to get the best all around match but I'll wait and see how it does with just the one change first.

This is reminding me a bit of my 20 years of drag racing, always going for a little more! LMAO
 
Turned out it was a freewheel not a cassette. But it's swapped out now, bye bye to the 14-28 hello to the 11-28. Now I can pedal along with the motor at 13, 18, and somewhat at 23 mph. I think I'm still going to change the chainring. BTW It took me forever to learn the method for adjusting the derailleur! I almost went ahead and welded up the clutch in the motor but in the end decided to wait.

After swapping the freewheel I went for a 20 mile faster than normal for me ride mostly at 18 and 23mph and still had a little over 50% charge when I got back so it does help extend the range at higher speeds.



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Update on my E26 Pro adventure. Decided to benchmark the minimum range. On a level paved former railbed I set the PAS to 5, engaged both motors, and rode full throttle for distance. I am 6'5" at about 300lbs. The results: 20 miles. This is a useful number to know since it is a consistent worse case scenario. Just thought I'd share.
 
Update on my E26 Pro adventure. Decided to benchmark the minimum range. On a level paved former railbed I set the PAS to 5, engaged both motors, and rode full throttle for distance. I am 6'5" at about 300lbs. The results: 20 miles. This is a useful number to know since it is a consistent worse case scenario. Just thought I'd share.
Good to know. I'm a lot smaller than you and only use the front motor as needed and have yet to just run flat out for more than 30-45 seconds, just long enough to out run dogs.

What are you topping out at? With my weight and size I hit about 33 on mine.
 
Good to know. I'm a lot smaller than you and only use the front motor as needed and have yet to just run flat out for more than 30-45 seconds, just long enough to out run dogs.

What are you topping out at? With my weight and size I hit about 33 on mine.
Definitely not my normal mode of operation. Top speed on mine is 34.1 mph.
 
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