Greetings to all, and to all greetings.
I have been lurking around for about 2-3 weeks as I was searching for recommendations on EVs. This site is a wealth of information...
Just received my XB-700li - delivered in perfect condition - easy to put together (big thanks to rossasaurus). Up-and-running in an hour or so (not including the 3 hour charge for the battery - which brings me to my question....
...after charging the battery - off bike - when reattaching the battery I hear an 'arc' of electricity when the power is reconnected. Is this usual? I expect a wisp of smoke after a pop like that.
So that is my question.. and this is my thoughts on the bike - definately removing the flame-faster-stripes... those high-school kids really can be mean :-(. Was able to attain a 45-50kmh (on the speedo) on a level ground (I weigh a tiny 200lbs). Climbing an incline dropped me to 35kmh (expected) but that was with a dead start from the base of the hill.
Forget using the pedals - badly positioned and one can tell they are only there for legal purposes. Following the instruction manual was pretty straight forward - using the pedals to get the bike going before using power really is not easy to do... I mean bike+me=350lbs... and with little-to no-torque on the pedals at all... pedal-assist really is not something you were meant to do.
Overall - I am, so far, really impressed with the handling and speed of this unit.. My friend and I were joking about the windshield really is not going to cut any wind. We could probably blow harder than the head-wind.. but the bike has put us in our place. You get a good bit of wind in the face.. and in 4 degree weather it get's a little chilly.
Many thanks to those who have made their reviews of the bike and those who have given deep play-by-play of their construction, issues and anything else with this unit... you really are a wealth of information.
Regards
I think the popping sound you heard is caused by the capacitors charging in the speed controller. Once the power has been connected you should be able to plug/unplug without the arcing as long as the power is not drained from the capacitors.
Sounds like the 700li is a nice setup. Lithuium batteries are the way to go. 50km/h is plenty for a "bicycle". ;)
Glad you're enjoying it. My new 500 is a bit small/underpowered for me but still fun to play with.
My apologies on 1) not actually making an understandable title for my thread and 2) not clarifying the battery 'arcing'.
When reconnecting the battery to the XB-700li is when I hear the 'arc' pop - I took the battery off the bike and charged it directly and not by plugging the charger into the bike.
50km/h is quite good - I believe though I am falling for the misreading of the speedo that some folks report.. I will be picking up a onboard to verify speed.
I do have to say that on my drive to work - about 3 hills enroute - I had to "pedal" 3 times. I found it cumbersome, but it actually did assist with getting some power into it. Only had to pedal for about 1 minute (at most).. so I eat-my-words of earlier about them being on for legal purposes.. I'm a big man, I hold my hand up to that.
Let's just see in the AM how my ride home is - guessing I'll be using the brakes a bit downhill!
Quite a bit chilly on the ride to work - definately some glasses and facial masking would really help. I decided NOT to get a full motorbike helmet - just the head and ears are covered (perhaps a mistake).
I've got one nemesis hill where I need to pedal. I almost make it but the pedals really help. Otherwise they are like you say -- next to useless. No point in trying to pedal from a stand still.
I'm going to open the controller over the weekend and look at putting in a shunt...not sure if I can without opening the thing up. I'll let you know how it goes.
It is a fun bike. I get a lot of looks and honks with thumbs up.
My neighbor was giving me the business a couple of weeks ago about going 23mph instead of 30 until I saw him pouring gas in his excalade. I stopped and gave him the business back. Touche. That was fun. He pored in $80 to fill his gas hog and I was just laughing the entire time. I may be slow but I'm not pouring gas money out the window either.
Later.
Thom
Thom, I think the gas drivers are just too proud or macho to admit that something so tiny could make so much sense. I had a fellow e-biker tell me that the only way to get the American public out of their gas-hogs was at end of a gun. I think the next gas embargo circa 1974 will do the trick or an oil production reduction by OPEC.
Happy Scooting
Ben - Modesto
First... any thoughts on the battery 'arc' noise every time I plug the battery into the bike connection? Normal? Damaging?
Secondly.. my ride home from work - quite speedy. One small hill to climb - 10 seconds of pedal power - and we are off again to speed. Using the brakes are quite handy at this point too :)
I do ride over train tracks (to and from) which shows the stabilisation is a really low... at least with a pedal bike you can use your knees for extra stabilisation by standing (difficult on the 700) and free wheeling.
Rode this puppy in the rain (quite cold too) but still got me to work in good time (10 minutes bike - 7 minutes car) and reasonably dry (a little near the lower leg).
I do about 30 miles a week - found that around 23m the battery hits a wall and goes from full to empty REAL fast. I full charge on Sunday... next charge day is Wednesday. So not too bad. Although I will possibly do a "top-up" charge on Thursday due to extra work day.
Just wondering how this is going to handle with some snow on the ground!
What are folks thoughts on storage? I leave the bike outside (battery too) overnight (at work) and daytime (at home).. as I said the battery comes in on Sunday and Wednesday for charging.
Picked up a 'perfect-fit' bike cover for the 700.... works great and for $45 not too pricey. Keeps it dry - was outside during heavy rain - just a quick 'once-over' with a paper towel on the seat (due to moisture) before riding and all was good.
Broken record but this unit is a delight to ride - removed the 'go-fast-flames', only the name and HYBRID POWERED remains. Got the license plate in today "GOT 120v" not original, but it get's the idea across...
...almost forgot.. the local constabulary decided to pull me over (for doing a bicycle move)* and requested 'license and registration'. Told him that it did not need it and he was giving a few odd looks at the unit. So I am on the PD radar - hopefully he made note of this so being stopped will not be a regular occurance.
Looking forward to reading more about folks experiences with the 700 and, of course, the mods (relating to getting the speed a little higher) and other sundries they attempt/fail/succeed.
*I took the bike across a red-light close to the walkway. Been so long since riding a bike I forgot that even though riding a bike across a walkway when NO traffic is coming (on a red light) is regular practice - it is still an illegal move.
Uh oh. You got lucky.
Here in Oregon I just ride mine as I would a gassy scoot. On the side of the road and always following the traffic laws. I was stopped once after crossing a bridge using the bike path/ sidewalk. After explaining my position relative to the 40mph traffic and the E bike statutes I was told that I should "Use your best judgment." So I went back and reread the laws and after a very careful review discovered that riding an electric bicycle on a sidewalk is illegal here. So I got lucky. All in all over 200 miles and no more hassles.
Happy, safe and hassle free scooting to all, Scott.
Here in California the electric assisted bicycle (700Li) is classified as a regular pedal bicycle and gets all the privledges and responsibilities of the same. However, ebike and pedal bike riders must follow the rules of the road as any motorized vehicle i.e. car, truck, etc. when coming to intersections, traffic signals, lane changes and so on.
I don't drive on the sidewalk or cut crosswalks due to the 700s size, speed and the liability should I hit a pedestrian. I can use the marked bike lanes, but yield to pedal bikes when I come up on them. I use my signals, stop at intersections and try to drive as I would drive my now-garaged Volvo gas guzzler.
The Modesto Police and Stanislaus County Sheriffs Deputies have never given me a second glance. Perhaps when they see a 50ish male, wearing a helmet, eye protection, gloves, reflective vest and using turn signals they figure I'm harmless.
Happy scooting - "Riding glasses may not look cool but it's better than a rock in the eye".
Ben - Modesto
Instead of filling the forum with another thread - I decided I may as well just add to my original one.
It's been about 8 months since I last rode my 700 - specifically because I took a bad turn, when a car got a little close, and hit a 6" curb with cracked the front wheel rim.
Anyone know where to get a front wheel rim for the 700?
I was looking at an upgrade to the motor (Dave Stout has an incredible MOD thread), debating doing it. Keeping the same battery, but just upping the motor - don't really need "extra power" but would like that little-extra going up-hill.
Although my wife has been asking me to let go of the bike and sell it. I keep trying to convince her it's difficult to sell due to the sheer size and weight. Whomever purchased it, would have to collect it.
But after riding this bike - the longest run was a 16 mile roundtrip - it would be difficult to see this go. Sorry for the rant off my original question.. but for those who got this far and forgot my original question;
Anyone know where to get a front wheel rim for the 700?
Thanks to all.
I'd go to ...
http://www.x-tremescooters.com/electric_bicycles/xb700li/parts.html
Front Wheel Rim 10 x 2.5
Item#: XB700-420F
http://secure.internetwebpros.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=api&Product_Code=XB700-420F
They're pretty good at filling orders if they have stock on hand.
Keep riding!
Mark