Hello eveyone,
I am considering taking the step to an electric bike.
I doubt between buying a Trek 700+ electric bike (with BionX parts) and a conversion BionX kit and mount this on the bike I’m driving with now.
I went to see a dealer (who sells Trek) and het tried to convince me to buy a Trek 700+.
One of his arguments pro this solution was that BionX developed special software for Trek. So that the console of a Trek bike works better than the one of a conversion kit.
I have serious doubts about this argument, but to be sure I am asking you here if anyone has experience with this subject?
Is it true that consoles on Trek bikes run under special software? (Or could this just be a little lie from my dealer because he prefers to sell a Trek?)
If yes what could be the difference?
Regards,
René
By "special" he is probably referring to the missing throttle lever, leaving the Trek models pedal assist only, where the kits also have throttle. I doubt that there is any other difference. Buying the kit, also gives you options on battery sizes and mounts and motor power. If you have a bike you like, and the BionX will fit it, go for the kit.
My local Trek dealer is a great bike shop, but they really are ebike idiots, and you would be better served by a BionX dealer, then by most Trek dealers who know next to nothing about BionX.
-- Alan
Yes I agree with Alan. Get the size you need and go for it. The Bionx is a great kit and you will love it BionX needs to train there dealers more. A real good Bionx Dealer is www.Bicycleman.com I am sorry I did not buy from them.But now i just Email Bionx direct if i run into a problem.
Hello Rene, Trek has parts from Bionx with external differences. Internal they are the same, they are branded.
The software however is a different story. Many open codes from Bionx are locked by Trek, speed limit is one of the most requested codes by Trek owners.
So software could be the downside here, but on the other hand it is cheaper to purchase a complete Trek bike with all goodies then the Bionx kit.
Trek T700+ is equiped with the 48 Volts motor, the SL type. This motor is lighter but has a lot of drag in the motor. It just does not run smooth like the first motor from Trek (Bionx). The system has the 320 W-h battery and in the broshure they claim 100 km. Forget it!
If you choose the T500+ you do not get the remote on the handlebar and have to change setting on the console itself but you also get the `old` wheel that runs on 40 Volts. So you get a beter motor, get more life from the battery and for the rest frame and fork are equall.
Hope this helps you into the right direction.
Regards, Infaassie.
Hello Infaassie,
thank you for your reaction.
If I understand you well, the new 48V motor isn’t yet on point and is still suffering from growing paints. Did you try it out? And what exactly are his negative points?
I was planning to buy the SL 48V motor because of his weight (3,5kg instead of 4,7kg for the G1 motor).
No problem for me to switch to the G1 motor if that is better quality.
I suppose the combination G1 motor + SL battey 48V also works perfectly? Than I combine a motor with proven quality with a high performance battery.
What do you think?
René
ReneVE
Hello Rene, I used to work at a Trek dealer and had my hands on both bikes; T700 and T500. The T500 is by far the better bike, but lacks some battery power. I hooked a 39 cell 48V battery to my normal 250W motor and it's a whole different bike now. The "old" motor consumes 40 volts, the SL motor 48 volts. I drive setting 1 or 2 max and can do almost 50 Km on one bar from the power meter in the display. I don't want to change back. I also have used a regular T700 for commuting and with max level 2 I could not even make 30 Km.
Infaassie.
Hello Infaasie,
I use a T500 to commute,
I always felt like the battery was the weakest part in the chain too.
I have the 44 cell 260wh model of battery i think it is 40Volts.
Now that this battery is aging it is getting worse and it is loosing power very quickly until it dies at about 20km.
So i am thinking about buying a spare battery but than i would have to change it half of my ride.
Getting a battery with more capacity woud definetly be an even better.
Could you give us some more details on the type of battery you are using?
Do I understand it correctly that you are using a standard T700 battery on your T500?
kind regards,
Trekman.