andrew.box
100 W
I recently sold my Trek carbon STP 200 XC moutain bike and got a Sanyo eneloop. I purchased it on ebay for significantly less than the MSRP, it was new in the box with scratch and dents on the box but the bike is mint. It uses a drive train licensed from Rabbit Tools Inc. which includes a 250 W brushless DC motor, 5.6 AH li-ion 26V battery pack and a regen capable controller. This is a pedelec bike, there is no throttle and the response of the torque sensor seems fine. I've read that some people say this bike is terrible b/c of the response of the torque sensor but I find it to be smooth, intuitive and overall a wonderful experience. You can just get on and go and reap the benefits of having an ebike without worrying about minding a throttle.
I've now ridden it to work about 8 times. It's 5.8 miles each way with a couple of steep medium length hills. I don't have any experience with other ebikes (yet at least - I'm building a 9C kit on a late 70's raleigh right now. My wife loves the eneloop so much I need to build another one so we can ride together) but I can say so far I'm really satisfied with the eneloop. My concerns were that the bike would be low quality b/c it's not clear to me who actually makes the frame etc, slow due to the 250 W motor, have a short range due to the relatively small battery or have limitations due to the 3 speed hub gearing.
What I've found is that these concerns were unfounded. I like the 3 speed hub - 1st gear is really quite low, 2nd is perfect for crusing up to about 10 mph and 3rd will take you up and past the speed where the motor stops assiting (15 mph). Yes - it could be faster and I often find myself coming up against the maximum assist speed, but then I remember the point is to cruise comfortably and efficiently not to haul oats and I find it's quite satisfactory. Build quality is overall good - not a $5000 Trek but good. The hub and shifter is shimano and seems fine. I had to adjust out cable stretch but it shifts smooth and confidently.
As for range, I'm using about 1/2 the battery in my 11 mile round trip to and from work so I believe the range on this bike is around 20 miles if you are using a good amount of assist. Probably much more on more level terrain. I ride in "auto" mode. The only difference I have noticed between auto and standard mode is that in auto you get regen when coasting downhill, even on a slight decline. Whenever the controllor senses an increase in speed while you're not pedeling it will engage a slight amt of regen, but it feels like you get a bit more when pressing the brake. In standard mode regen is only engaged when the rear brake is depressed and not while coasting.
I haven't used power up mode at all really since I'm primarily interested in maximizing range and still getting a bit or a workout. I can post some links to pics of the bike if anyone wants to see any up close shots. The battery has several standard philips screws that hold it together, I would imagine it uses standard cells inside and could be rebuildable but I haven't cracked it open to find out.
I've now ridden it to work about 8 times. It's 5.8 miles each way with a couple of steep medium length hills. I don't have any experience with other ebikes (yet at least - I'm building a 9C kit on a late 70's raleigh right now. My wife loves the eneloop so much I need to build another one so we can ride together) but I can say so far I'm really satisfied with the eneloop. My concerns were that the bike would be low quality b/c it's not clear to me who actually makes the frame etc, slow due to the 250 W motor, have a short range due to the relatively small battery or have limitations due to the 3 speed hub gearing.
What I've found is that these concerns were unfounded. I like the 3 speed hub - 1st gear is really quite low, 2nd is perfect for crusing up to about 10 mph and 3rd will take you up and past the speed where the motor stops assiting (15 mph). Yes - it could be faster and I often find myself coming up against the maximum assist speed, but then I remember the point is to cruise comfortably and efficiently not to haul oats and I find it's quite satisfactory. Build quality is overall good - not a $5000 Trek but good. The hub and shifter is shimano and seems fine. I had to adjust out cable stretch but it shifts smooth and confidently.
As for range, I'm using about 1/2 the battery in my 11 mile round trip to and from work so I believe the range on this bike is around 20 miles if you are using a good amount of assist. Probably much more on more level terrain. I ride in "auto" mode. The only difference I have noticed between auto and standard mode is that in auto you get regen when coasting downhill, even on a slight decline. Whenever the controllor senses an increase in speed while you're not pedeling it will engage a slight amt of regen, but it feels like you get a bit more when pressing the brake. In standard mode regen is only engaged when the rear brake is depressed and not while coasting.
I haven't used power up mode at all really since I'm primarily interested in maximizing range and still getting a bit or a workout. I can post some links to pics of the bike if anyone wants to see any up close shots. The battery has several standard philips screws that hold it together, I would imagine it uses standard cells inside and could be rebuildable but I haven't cracked it open to find out.
