phillybill

Hi... I am new to this electronic bike stuff, but have decided after doing some research to jump in head first and go with a ampedbikes geared front wheel SLA kit (I figure that I can change over to a better battery later if I like it). In any event my real question is which bike to use, or it might not matter.

I have a new Trek FX2 that I use as my errand bike that works just fine for what it is. It's a bit heavy but aride is nice most days. Of course it has an aluminum fork which I do not know it that is an issue with a front geared wheel. The other option is my winter bike project, a 2007 Jamis Coda sport frame and fork that I have not gotten around to yet. It's all steel and just waiting to be re-purposed. I have ridden the experience frame before, so I know the riding properties of it. But it is all Steel...

Just figured I throw it out there and see if I can benefit from someone else's knowledge and experience.

Thanks

Ypedal

I put this together a while back, might help you :
https://ypedal.com/rant/rant.htm

The thing to look for is flat dropouts, if the fork has cupped drops you will have a hard time bolting down the motor axle properly and this is a problem.... The geared kits are nice, they freewheel internally when not using power so you can pedal without any drage from the motor ( not significant imo, even copared to direct drive, and i've had plenty of use from each type )

Lead acid is a cheap way to get started, just remember that they should be kept fully charged when not in use, always, even if you go for a 2 minute ride up the street, plug it in when you get back home, to make them last as long as possible. Lithium is hands down the better bet if you can justify the expense.

phillybill

mmm.....would of expected a few opinions on this one.

phillybill

Going to go with the jamis.....nothing like a fresh bike build on a wet weekend. Will post some pics.
thanks ypedal for posting that useful information.

phillybill

Pics of the start
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

phillybill

An Update

I am starting to get the impression that they are a second rate organization that does not value customer service. I had a problem with the Front wheel direct drive unit that I brought from them. After putting it tougher and going around the block a few times... I could tell that the unit was not well balanced for the bike I had. In any event I emailed them about the weight distribution problem and they said to send it back. Now that I have sent it back... they do not want to refund my monies. Talk about @#%#$@# people. They are fine when you are buying, but when it cones to customer service... they stink and do not care. So I have to go through Paypal to get my monies back. I opened up a claim, and before I could reply to any of their accusations the escalated it in less than 10 hours so I could not reply.

biker

Hope you get your money back.

I don't like the way front hub motors handle at all.

Heinzmann rear hub stuff is well worth searching out !

phillybill

The front hub is what they told me to get..... it felt totally unpredictable in traffic....

DarthSensate

Only problem with front hub I have had is hitting gravel.
What trouble were you having? I didn't see your final build in your photos. I like the Jamis though!

My SLA's are on a rear rack in panniers.
I ride in traffic, up hills, water crossing, cinder trails, etc.

My next bike will be a rear motor though, I hit some gravel on a freshly ground down road the other day at full throttle and had to take a turn, was a bit scary.

I've been a customer of AmpedBikes since 2008. I have two front drive motors. I've found them to be a very responsive company to questions and repairs. I also started volunteering this year as moderator on their web forums. They're not a huge company, but they will address your issues. I've never seen them not.

-DS

phillybill

I am glad that they are great to you...... but when you return something they are not that friendly.

phillybill

I have had to take this dispute up with paypal and the credit card company now as they still refuse to return my monies for a product that was returned and did not live up to my expectations. I do not care that they are a small company... they treat people like @#$% that do not agree with them.

powell

did you contact them BEFORE returning kit?
They don't require MRA for returining?
Are you sure terms of sale say you can return just like that, kit is not faulty?

phillybill

yup.. talked to them.... they have no return policy on their website.

DarthSensate

Yes. They do. It's right in the installation instructions:

ampedbikes.com/installation.htm
Any kits may be returned within 30 days for any reason. They must be in perfect condition and there will be a 15% restock fee in order to allow us to re-open, retest and repackage. Any and all returns that are under warranty will be reimbursed for no more than original shipping costs.

I know there have been some very humorous discussions regarding nasty gummed up kits that have been returned. One came in sometime in the last couple weeks that was covered in duct tape residue, improperly packed and the wiring had been smashed on the hub motor. On top of that whoever shipped it, opened a dispute with Paypal before the package ever arrived.

Some other guy last year ranted on and on and on about how unfair it was that Amped wouldn't accept a return on a kit that had been modified and over volted. The guy had cut the wiring at the controller and screwed up the wiring making his own "better" connector because he didn't like the Molex connectors.

I am going to assume that you packaged yours nicely and all and the whole kit was in perfect condition.

Hope you resolve you issue, PB.

To anyone else reading, don't forget to insure your packages when they ship to any ebike vendor. You wouldn't believe the damage UPS, Fedex, and USPS can do to these kits even when packaged reasonably well.


-DS

phillybill

Imagine that they do not refund you monies when things are returned properly in 30 days..... this company is bad news....
You make it sound like these people are saints....maybe Ampedbikes makes the return process hard on people so they hope they will give up. Some that is sent back in their packaging is not always the comsumers problem. These people are mean on the phone and in their emails and they pull out all the stops not to take a return.

Sangesf

I've never had a problem using Paypal claims...
As long as you used tracking and put that tracking into the paypal resolution center, I don't see why paypal wouldn't return your money...

Was it unbalanced because of an issue with the motor or you just didn't like the way the entire kit felt on your bike with the heavy SLAs?

phillybill

I really had a problem with the handling... I rode in heavy traffic and going between power and pedaling was unnerving. Also when pedaling the bike did not pedal normally ( and it was a geared front wheel), it was very stiff and was at least 25% harder... which they told me it would not be (false advertising). In general if I want a 60lb 2 wheeled vehicle I will get a moped.

phillybill

Just to wrap this up... they finally said they wanted to settle outside of paypal..... So I stopped the claim to take them at their word.... guess what.... the @#$@'s never came through on their word. Guess I have to start the process all over again.

pieroy

I am just wondering does anybody have interest on lipo cell doing DIY?
I think it is much more better than SLA on safety & weight..but except the price...