A battery extender makes so much sense - you can ride the bike lighter when you don't need it, and easily plug it in when you do. Plus it's great for running hot laps. The way I see it, it not only enables adding power, but also enables getting a bike with less power and having the backup when needed.
Yes, extenders and different size extenders are a key part of ebike progress. Not perfect yet but definitely improves bike and riding options. Integration and charging ease need to be improved but I'm sure we'll see that in the future.
When you plugged it in when the main battery was dead, the 22% was 22% of the WHOLE range. 750 + 250 = 1,000. So the 250 watt battery had 22% of around 1,000 watt hours.
This is awesome and might be the winter ticket for me if I buy a Pivot. For winter storage, I can remove the main battery and run off a range extender on short rides and therefore store the main battery in a warm place while my bike is in my non-insulated garage.
Thanks for the video, I went back and forward with this range extender solution, specifically from Bosch. I decided it wasn't for me. The new HD 800wh battery from Bosch is lighter than a 600wh plus 250 range extender. I almost always want to carry around more power, especially when you have limited time and can just turbo the entire ride. Furthermore, I personally do not want another connection to fail or wear out. Also smaller battery's will be charged more often over the life of the larger batter, so potentially won't last as long.
Glad to see it discharges both batteries when in use. This is the way it should be configured by default. The Orbea system discharges the range extender first. The problem is the cutover. When the range extender is dead, the bike goes into limp mode for ~1.5 miles. Depending on where you are in the trail, this can be a pretty big problem. I got really sick of having no power half way through every ride. Yes you can unplug it but now you have the charging port open to the elements, or you have to remove and carry it in your pack. Huge PITA. Orbea is well aware of the issue and chose to just add a blurb in the manual that power may be reduced instead of actually fixing it 😡
FC. You didn't mention that the 160Wh range extender (RE) batteries can be taken on passenger planes; whereas, the larger-sized REs cannot. So, the 160Wh REs do have a place in that aspect. Plus, I often use my 160Wh RE when I ride with friends having full-powered ebikes or longer rides; but, don't need it (or want its weight) for lesser rides.
Cons :- 36v system. not compatible with older Bosch systems, plugin port on pivot is possible to foul the cranks and leave the socket protection flap sticking out with cable connected.
Yeah, that is unfortunate about older Bosch compatibility. It would have extended the life of many older Bosch systems with additional range. Hey the charge plug cover needs to be removed completely when the extender is installed.
I don't like how the charging cover is left flapping about but I've heard you can plug the cable in the other way round so it traps the flap behind the cable. Is that true?
I believe the flap needs to be removed completely when the extender is connected. When no extender, a free-standing cover is used. Definitely a work in progress.
A battery extender makes so much sense - you can ride the bike lighter when you don't need it, and easily plug it in when you do. Plus it's great for running hot laps. The way I see it, it not only enables adding power, but also enables getting a bike with less power and having the backup when needed.
Yes, extenders and different size extenders are a key part of ebike progress. Not perfect yet but definitely improves bike and riding options. Integration and charging ease need to be improved but I'm sure we'll see that in the future.
When you plugged it in when the main battery was dead, the 22% was 22% of the WHOLE range. 750 + 250 = 1,000. So the 250 watt battery had 22% of around 1,000 watt hours.
That is brilliant my good man. I really appreciate your accurate explanation!
This is awesome and might be the winter ticket for me if I buy a Pivot. For winter storage, I can remove the main battery and run off a range extender on short rides and therefore store the main battery in a warm place while my bike is in my non-insulated garage.
No doubt, opens up options
Thanks for the video, I went back and forward with this range extender solution, specifically from Bosch. I decided it wasn't for me. The new HD 800wh battery from Bosch is lighter than a 600wh plus 250 range extender. I almost always want to carry around more power, especially when you have limited time and can just turbo the entire ride. Furthermore, I personally do not want another connection to fail or wear out. Also smaller battery's will be charged more often over the life of the larger batter, so potentially won't last as long.
Great thoughts there. Yes, these are the early days of battery extenders so the connectors and charging systems definitely need to be improved.
Love your channel always provide us with very good information
I appreciate that! When I learn a lot while creating a video, I know I'm on to something.
Glad to see it discharges both batteries when in use. This is the way it should be configured by default. The Orbea system discharges the range extender first. The problem is the cutover. When the range extender is dead, the bike goes into limp mode for ~1.5 miles. Depending on where you are in the trail, this can be a pretty big problem. I got really sick of having no power half way through every ride. Yes you can unplug it but now you have the charging port open to the elements, or you have to remove and carry it in your pack. Huge PITA. Orbea is well aware of the issue and chose to just add a blurb in the manual that power may be reduced instead of actually fixing it 😡
FC. You didn't mention that the 160Wh range extender (RE) batteries can be taken on passenger planes; whereas, the larger-sized REs cannot. So, the 160Wh REs do have a place in that aspect. Plus, I often use my 160Wh RE when I ride with friends having full-powered ebikes or longer rides; but, don't need it (or want its weight) for lesser rides.
Great points !!!
The Orbea range extender is 252 Wh, not 210.
Cons :- 36v system. not compatible with older Bosch systems, plugin port on pivot is possible to foul the cranks and leave the socket protection flap sticking out with cable connected.
Yeah, that is unfortunate about older Bosch compatibility. It would have extended the life of many older Bosch systems with additional range.
Hey the charge plug cover needs to be removed completely when the extender is installed.
I don't like how the charging cover is left flapping about but I've heard you can plug the cable in the other way round so it traps the flap behind the cable. Is that true?
I believe the flap needs to be removed completely when the extender is connected. When no extender, a free-standing cover is used. Definitely a work in progress.
@@EMTBReview Thanks for the reply, the view at 4:41 was what I was looking at, was that a stock image from somewhere or a bike you had?
Are these available in the US? I have never been able to find them in stock online, and my LBS said it was a 2025 product.
They are hard to find and mostly available on waiting list, preorder.
Trek Rail 2023 gen4 with smart system... no compatibility.