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Q. I have been told that Chain Drive Systems are not as efficient as hub motors because the motor drives via chains?
A. This is a 'twist' on the facts. The gears will cause a loss of ONLY approximately 1%. However the gain in motor efficiency (and other components) more than compensates for this since the motor is always able to be driven at its most effective speed. So OVERALL efficiency is far better. Net gain can be as high as 15% over hub motors.
Q. Do I need a license, registration or insurance for an electric bike?
A. Not in most countries. Definitely not in Australia, New Zealand, North America and most of Europe.
Q. What sort of life can I expect from the batteries?
A. A LiFePO4 Battery Pack can give up to 1000 cycles. NiMH batteries are specified to accept up to 500 charges. However, a number of factors contribute to the number of cycles any one battery pack can achieve. These factors include discharge rate, depth of discharge, charge rate and temperature. It needs to be remembered that battery usage for transport is power intensive and demanding on ANY type of battery technology. So we recommend that you obtain the best technology you can afford to get the maximum possible performance.
Q. Are brushless motors more efficient than brushed motors?
A. Yes. Brushless motors (BLDC) are 5-15% more efficient than brushed motors, however, if they are then used in an inefficient drive system the gain (plus more) is lost. Much like a car engine, electric bike motors are most efficient in a certain speed range. Electric bikes that do not use the motor through the gears must control the bike speed directly via the motor speed, so most of the time the motor is operating outside it s most efficient speed range. Since our system uses the bike's gears we are able to keep the motor in its efficient range and vary the speed with gears, just like cars.
Q. I have seen other systems that appear to be a lot cheaper than your system. Why can they be sold so cheaply?
A. I suppose like all things, "You get what you pay for". The cheapest conversions tend to use a front wheel hub motor with lead-acid batteries. They typically weighs around 20kg, over 3 times the weight of the eLation system. Some hub motors appear okay, but have been placed in a wheel with steel spokes (not stainless steel) and when rotated can be just off round. This makes the ride ‘bumpy’, and since it is a front wheel drive it is also prone to sliding out from under the rider if power is applied incorrectly in the wet, on gravel or cornering.
Q. I saw a bike advertised as an ebike with hub motor and 18 gears. Isn ’t this the same as the eLation eBike?
A. No. A lot of electric bikes are advertised like this. What is not stated is that the motor does not and cannot use the gears. The gears are there solely for the rider and so the motor does not get the benefit of the gears for improved torque..
Q. Is there a limit to the size or power of the motor I can use?
A. Generally yes when used on public roads, bike paths and/or public access areas, Australia is limited to 200W, New Zealand 300W, North America is generally 500-750W and Europe is generally 250W. In addition to power limits some countries impose speed limits
Australia is currently reviewing it laws with the following considerations:
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power to increase to 250W
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Peddle permit system. This means that the motor can only operate while peddles are rotated.
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25kph upper speed limit, at which point the motor will stop operating
These are only proposed changes at this stage. It is anyone's guess what will be the final regulations and when they will be implemented. But rest assured the eLation system is already 'enabled' to be able to comply to any new regulations that are put in place.
Q. Can we use a more powerful motor on private property?
A. Yes, just like dirt bikes.
Q. How is the eLation system different from other electric bikes on the market?
A. There are a number of points that make the eLation system different/better.
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Can be retrofitted to you favourite bike or added to a basic model or up market bike. The choice is yours.
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All the bikes existing gears remain and are then made available to the eLation motor also.
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Designed for simple installation to the majority of bikes on the market.
Q. Does the bike keep its original number of gears?
A. Yes. If your bike is a 21 gear bike, after conversion it will be still have 21 gears available.
Q. Can the eLation kit be used on any bike?
A. The eLation system is compatible to most bikes on the market. "out of the box" there are some rear suspension bikes that are not suited. Also some folding bikes are not suited due to how bike folds. This does not mean that the kit is not suited; it may just mean a simple modification to the mounting bracket. This has been done in the past to allow for installation on trikes and recumbent bikes.
Q. Can the average person install the eLation system?
A. Yes. The instructions supplied are detailed and minimal tools are required. In addition to online support should difficulties arise then the rider can also have their local bike shop assist or do the complete install. The more difficult parts relate to bikes and so the average bike mechanic will have no problems.
Q. Does the eLation come with a warranty?
A. Yes. The elation system carries a 12month warranty on all parts; except the battery which is for 6 months. The battery is lower because of given riding conditions or use that can cause the battery to operate towards higher end of it's operation. In the unfortunate event a system stops working correctly we will offer email and/or phone assistance to try and isolate or rectify the problem. If we are unable to resolve the fault remotely, the the purchase needs to be returned to our factory (QLD) at the buyer's expense. Once received we will repair or replaced parts as required and dispatch returned goods at elation's expense.
Q. How heavy is the eLation kit?
A. Depending on battery options the installed system can be as low as 6 kg (13.2lb).
Q. When the motor is running do I have to keep pedalling?
A. No. The pedals will freewheel, allowing you to rest your feet on the stationary pedals.
Q. Does the motor "load me down" when I am pedalling and it is not rotating?
A. No. The motor has a freewheel built into it and is stationary when not powered.
Q. I weigh in excess of 100kgs, will this affect the performance of my electric bike, when I am going up hills and make it go slower even if I am pedalling?
A. At low speed (say 10km/hr), on a 2 degree hill, a 75kg person would use approx 25W less power than a 100kg person. In general the heavier a person is, the more power required for the same performance.
Q. Is there any way to secure or lock the battery when I leave my electric bike parked or do I have to take it with me?
A. The battery is quick locked onto the bike frame. Naturally you still have the choice to take the Battery Pack with you.
Q. Can the bicycle be ridden with just pedal power?
A. Yes. The choice is yours - battery power, pedal power or a combination of both, the latter actually achieves the best results.
Q. When should I recharge batteries?
A. The battery can be charged after every ride. We do recommend that when using NiMh cells that every 20th charge you run the battery flat and give it a full charge. This is easily done by riding the bike in top gear, up hills without pedal assist. With LiFePO4 cells we recommend that you charge at the end of each ride to minimise Depth of Discharge.
Q. How long does it take to re-charge the batteries?
A. This depends on a number of factors. The cell type, the charger type, depth of discharge, battery age, temperature at time of charge, etc, etc. Modern day charging is not like the old days where a constant voltage was applied and the battery "just charged". Add to that the battery capacity and charger capacity and charge rates could range from 15 minutes to 6 hours.
Q. How far will the bicycle travel between recharges?
A. A large number of factors come in to play here. Weight, speed, hills, tyre profile, tyre pressure, wind, etc, The eLation system can get up to 30-40km on a single charge.
Q. What are the factors that affect the performance of the ebikes?
A. Some of the factors that affect the performance of ebikes are:
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Hills
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E-bike speed (range at 15 kph is 8 times as far as at 20 kph)
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Wind conditions (going 15 kph against a 5 kph headwind feels like 20kph to the bike)
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Correct tire inflation (under-inflated tires slow you down)
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Battery capacity (Ahr)
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Weight of rider and baggage
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Overall drive system efficiency
Q. What happens if the battery goes flat?
A. Should battery go completely flat then the bike is still able to be ridden like a normal bike. The only additional effort required by the rider is to ‘carry’ the extra weight of the kit.
Q. Can I ride in the rain?
A. Yes. The kit is weatherproof. Be aware though, it is NOT waterproof. Riding through puddles that submerge the motor may cause the system to fail.
Q. Will I be able to change from my NiMh batteries and use the Lithium LiFePO4 if, at a later date I decide I wish to do this?
A. Yes. You would also need a different charger though.
Q. Will there be any modifications required to my eLation eBike if I decided to change the battery from NiMh batteries and use the Lithium LiFePO4?
A. No.
Q. Are spare parts readily available?
A. Yes. A full range of spare parts are available for the eLation system.
Q. What maintenance is involved?
A. Beyond standard bike maintenance there is very little extra required. Just ensure moving parts are lubricated and that electrics do not get submerged.
Q. How does the energy used by a bicycle compare to a car?
A. An electric bicycle uses approximately 0.03MJ per KM. By comparison an average car (10l/100km) uses 3.3MJ per KM. This is a difference of approximately 100 times.
Q. I read it is not compulsory to have insurance for the eLation eBike. What will happen if I injure someone or their property when I am riding my eLation eBike?
A. This question is best answered by your local authority. I assume the same as a person riding a normal bike. The road rules would be considered and who was at fault or negligent in their actions.
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