Thanks for your comment Amr. I am really surprised that people are still finding this helpful nearly two years after I posted it. It looks like the problem of obtaining “spare” batteries for the Assist bikes still exists. I checked the Halfords site today and they are still listing the Apollo battery at £275 (post 2019). This is the one I got and it’s still working fine. It’s possible that the pre 2019 (£245) might not fit the later bikes. You probably are aware of this already, but to keep the batteries in best condition, it’s important to not let them get too cold, or store them in a discharged condition. I suggest topping up the charge every month, if not in use and storing the batteries indoors, to get maximum life. If a lithium ion battery drains all its power, it becomes impossible to charge, as the charger can’t “see” it. Kind regards
Hi Amr, Just for interest, Amazon have a Jospower 24 volt 10.5ah battery for £150 which from the description and photos, should fit the Assist. I see that one of the reviewers bought it for a Halfords bike 😊
@@davidcurrie6362 exellt video. This is another person who's found this helpful. I've just bought a assist great little bike. But I did wonder if battery was replaceable when it finally does go. Id bought mine second hand,. Any other bikes that use same battery that you know of? Thanks
Hopefully the other assist bikes batteries are all interchangeable. Because I bought one of the 8ah assist crossbar batteries for my 20" assist hybrid. They look as though they fit. Might protrude at back a bit more
Halfords now do a stepthrough and full size version of the Assist bike that has the double size battery too - not sure if they do spares for them but if anyone was thinking of getting the Assist it's something to look at as they're not much more expensive especially compared to other full size ebikes on Halfords
Hi Andy, Don’t know whether you’ve tried this yet. Run the battery until the bike stops and then fully charge it. Do this about three times and you’ll get a bit longer range each time. I ended up buying an extra battery and it was well worth it, as I use up the lower capacity one first and then know I’ll have more than enough power to get me home.
Hi Jus, Thanks for your comments. Just a couple of thoughts. The generic charger you have has an output of 5amp. This is much too high for the battery you have. The charger shipped with it has an output of 2amp and the battery is rated at a maximum of 2.35amp charge rate. (Not actually stated on the assist battery). Is there any sign of life in your battery? Such as a single bar when you press the test button? It’s just possible that the fuse may have blown. You can check this by either unscrewing the fuse holder at the side of the battery (assist 4ah) or the fuse cover (Apollo 8.7ah). Either way, the charger you have could possibly damage your battery, by applying too high a charge current. Best wishes D
Hi, and thanks for the video, I am currently waiting for a new assist bike battery, it has been on order for 2 months now! After seeing your video I am thinking of cancelling the order and buying the apollo battery you recommended. I just wanted to double double check that it works well as £ 275 is a lot of money, many thanks and kind regards Keith.
Hi Keith, I’m sorry I didn’t notice this till now. My answer would be that at the time I did the video it absolutely did work and the Apollo battery I bought is still working perfectly with the assist. My only concern is that in the intervening period, changes may have been made to the assist bike. As you know manufacturers often update and change equipment and battery packs (for example Screwfix’s Titan and Erbaeur tools) while still retaining the name. I would check with Halfords that they have not changed the assist battery fitting in the past couple of years.
Amazon have a Jospower 24volt 10.5ah e-bike battery for £150 which from the photos and description should fit the Assist. I see one of the reviewers bought it for a Halfords bike.
Hi Andy, The battery shipped with the Assist is only 4ah and a 20 mile range is a very optimistic claim for such a small battery. (Maybe for a light person on totally flat ground, pedalling along with the motor) I find the best I can rely on is about 10 miles (I’m 14st) and my wife (under 8st) can get about 14miles on a charge. There’s quite a few hills where we live. Best advice is to never use level 3. That just eats the battery for very little extra speed. The Apollo battery is 9ah and has a much better range.
Han win technology do a battery that fits it too. Double the 4.ah. 8.7ah. So will should double the range. Charger fits too hopefully be strong enough to fully charge it
Hi Stan, I note you say that I didn’t mention the amps output of the two batteries. I did say in the video that the assist was rated at 4ah and the Transport at 8ah (it’s actually 8.7ah). The amount of amps drawn from the battery will depend on the wattage of the motor and the load placed on it (weight of rider/steepness of hill etc). The bikes controller will cut out if the load placed on the battery is too high for the batteries current capacity. I believe the Assists controller is rated up to 10.5amp, which appears to be pretty average for these 24volt 250watt bikes. As I suggested, using a battery not specifically approved for the bike could invalidate its warranty, but in practice all these batteries are made up of very similar cells. The ones with higher amp hrs just have more of the cells wired in parallel. I don’t claim to be a battery expert, but so far I’ve had no problems and battery/bike is performing perfectly and charging normally. If you’re concerned, please do your own research and satisfy yourself, before buying one of these batteries.
One final note. The output voltage of the Assist battery when fully charged is 28.7 volts and the Apollo measured 28.6 volts. As you can see they are practically identical. Another reason there should be no problem with the substitute. It is normal for 24volt ebike batteries to put out 28+ volts when fully charged.
@@CannondaleF700 so sorry I didn’t reply to you. Was not watching this post. I believe the tyres on the Assist are 1.75. I will check and get back to you if they are not. If you don’t hear from me again tomorrow, they are 1.75 😊
Brilliant bikes. Im on my second one. And only sold the first to pay a debt off. Comfortable and good strong motor,. Good enough range. Even better if u turn off on flats and downhill. Second one i bought arrived charged the night before and did 15miles. Then three next day. Good to know about apollo battery
Thanks for helpful video After a week of using I noticed it was very particular hills and angles the battery worked well with but otherwise just helps stay steady for commuting easier. Whats the extra screen i noticed added on handle bars?
Hi, Sorry I just noticed your post. The screen you refer to is a very simple little bicycle speedometer/computer which I bought off Amazon. You attach a little sensor to one of your spokes and it sends a wireless signal to the unit. Think it cost about £16.
Sorry Bruce, I just noticed your query today. I’m sure you’ve already sorted this, but the battery I got was the later one (2020). I checked the Halfords site today and it seems to be back in stock (£275).
Hi! The gearing is too high for me. Is it possible to change the rear sprocket. The handlebars are too high. Can you adjust the stem? Thanks for the tip on avoiding the third level on hills.
Hi Since making my original post almost 3gears ago, I have modified my bike by installing a six speed shimano type system. The six speed hub fits, but was a tight fit and so had to spread the fork’s about 10mm to get it in. The rear wheel I picked up S/H and the derailleur , hanger and chain came from Decathelon (total approx £25) Quick Change 6 speed Shimano lever £12:50 off Amazon. It can be done and mine works very well, but 6 speed hub was a tight fit and I had to spread the forks about 10mm to get it to fit. You certainly couldn’t fit anything bigger.
It’s quite easy to change the height of the handlebars. You just need an Alan key to loosen the bolt at the top of the handlebar shaft. You then hold the wheel between your knees and wiggle the handlebars while pushing downwards. Be sure to line up your front wheel straight and tighten the nut securely after adjusting. You just need to loosen the bolt a couple of turns till it feels slack. DON’T take it out.
Alternatively you can run a smaller ratio front crankset with lower chainring or run a bigger freewheel 18t this bike comes with 16t freewheel. But running 6-speed cassette is the best option but you need a rear derailleur and 6-speed twist or trigger shifter for additional gearings for climbing.
The standard battery contains 14 x 18650 cells in a 7S2P configuration. I’ve just built a 7S4P battery consisting of 28 x 18650 cells. This obviously doesn’t fit inside the case so I’ve ran a cable from the connector inside the battery case to a bag on the back of my bike that contains the new battery pack. This has doubled my range.
Hi David . I hope your able to read this comment as im having problems. I have lost my key to the battery. So unable to take it off my bike . Ive phoned halfords and they said the havnt got any and dont get them in anymore. PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME INFO . Thankyou x
Hi I so sorry I didn’t see your post and hope you’ve got sorted by now. If not I can tell you that I bought two of these bikes, one for my wife and one for myself. The keys for each bike fit the other, so I suspect that it might be a “universal” key. Might be an idea to take your bike into Halfords and see if the key from one of their display models fit?
Should handle 9 miles without a problem, provided it’s not up hill and you don’t use maximum power. There’s very little difference in performance between stage 2 and stage 3, but a big reduction in range if you use max power, particularly up hill.
@@davidcurrie6362 thanks for the reply, I received it at the weekend and so far I'm very impressed, considering the price. Definitely a good one for a novice like myself 😀
@@Pop_Punk87 I’m 5ft 10” and it’s fine for me 😊. Please be aware that I made my original post over two years ago. My bikes still working well, so I can confirm it’s build quality and reliability. I read somewhere that they now come with a better battery ??
I find the bike really struggles up even medium hills that's with assist on high. Ordered a new Brushless DC controller that is 36/48V 500w with a new LCD and a throttle. The motor can easily do 500-600watts comfortably and from my testing the stock controller is only outputting around 150-180 watts max. the stock controller is limted to 7amp cont and 10amp peak new one is 20 Amp which is needed for hills. Along with changing the controller I attached a 3s2p 12v lithium pack in series with the original 24v battery bringing up the total to 36V. This increases power and speed of the motor by about 40-50% with the option of going 48V in the future although this bike shouldn't be going that fast with its small frame and weak brakes.
@@coaldust01 had no idea lol. However this motor runs at 48v very well. I can reach 40kmh very quick and that's too fast for the brakes anyways. For range will eventually build a custom battery.
@@coaldust01 mine was literally free due to a Scottish government grant. Had to be bought from a retail store and I only knew a few nearby. Totally get what you mean. I own a motorcycle so anything more than 5 miles and the big bike comes out anyways. I'm going to be posting a mod guide soon. The motor took 900 Watts continously without heating which is way more than the restricted 250
iv brought one these of facebook marketplace but she had lost the keys to battry i would love change it for stronger battry do you know how could get it off
@@ashlam3710 I personally would not try to do that, as while the motor itself could possibly cope with the extra voltage, the control unit, which is designed for 24volt, would probably burn out.
@@ashlam3710 I saw in the posts where someone put together a much more powerful battery system and fed it into the motor. They designed a new controller to manage the power and claimed the motor was able to handle it. I wonder how long the motor lasted. 😊
Just for interest, I did carry out this conversion last year, as I live in a hilly area. It cost me about £75 and requires some degree of DIY knowledge and skill. You will need a 20” wheel with 6 shimano gears. (Mine cost £30 from eBay). This will be a tight fit in the forks and they will need to be spread apart about 1/2 an inch. You need to be careful not to apply too much force, which could damage the frame of the bike. Do not try to exceed 6 gears. You will also need a derailleur to select gears (£12:99), a derailleur hanger £6:99, a chain £9:99 and a thumb gear shift selector £12:99. I bought most of the parts from Decathelon at the above prices. You may also need some tools like a chain splitter and a basic knowledge of how to adjust shimano type gears. I have to admit that it has been worth it to do the conversion, as it has made the bike more versatile and easier to ride uphill.
@@davidcurrie6362 or you could you what I did and buy a secondhand folding bike with 6 speed gears and transfer all the electrics to that, either way both work
One additional thing I would suggest, is that using a different manufacturers battery might invalidate a warranty if some problem developed with the bike, which had nothing to do with the battery. If you have to return the bike for repair during warranty, send it back with the original battery 😅
Hi Carly, I do think if you ask Halfords to get you a replacement battery, they will, but the battery is very expensive compared to the total cost of the bike. Also it is only 4amp/hr. The Apollo transport battery is cheaper and at twice the capacity will take you a longer distance.
There is currently a 24v 10.5amp/hr battery complete with charger for a MIFA Prophete ebike on eBay for £169. This should also fit your Assist. Can’t be 100% sure as I haven’t tried it, but the case looks identical and the output is correct.
So Sorry for not replying Tyler. I haven’t been watching this post. I’m sure you’ve got a charger by now, but if not you should be able to get a suitable one on ebay or Amazon. They should have an output of 28-29 volts at 2amps. I see one on Amazon with a variety of adaptors for different batteries at £14:95. The output voltage needs to be a bit higher than 24 volts, for the battery to charge. Hope you’re already sorted. D
Sorry for the long delay in answering. I haven’t been monitoring this post. You probably know the answer by now, but all ebikes with a motor no larger than 250 watts, have a maximum speed of 15.5mph and that are pedal assisted (not throttle controlled) are legal to ride on the road in the UK and N. Ireland. You must not be able to start the motor without turning the pedals. The Halfords assist meets these requirements and is legal for use on public roads if over 14yrs old. If an ebike has a larger motor (eg 350 watts) or can be started without pedals, or can exceed 15.5mph, then it is illegal to use as a bicycle on public roads. Such a bike needs to be taxed and insured, have number plates and the rider must wear a motorcycle helmet. There are lots of illegal ebikes on sale, especially on the internet. They are OK to use off road (eg mountain bikes). The police largely ignore these bikes if not causing a problem, but it’s a different story if you knock someone down on one.😳
Hi just bought my girlfriend one of these bikes and the battery range is terrible. I have a 2015 Giant Twist ebike n that can just bout di 20miles on a charge but the halfords one struggles to do 10 and I'm 2x the weight of my girl. How have you found the range
Hi, Sorry I didn’t see your question. The answer I would suggest is probably no. The reason is that the bike only has one gear, which is fine if the battery is charged. If however your battery runs out on a hill, one gear is not enough.
All legal electric bikes in the UK require you to turn the pedals for the motor to kick in. You don't actually have to push on the pedals, just turn them slowly, but if you stop peddling the motor will stop. There are three power settings. On level flat ground with a 8-10stone rider, you'll get about 9-10mph on the first setting, 10-12mph on the second and about 12-17mph on the third. The maximum assist speed the motor is allowed to provide to be legal is 17.5mph.
Correction. I said the maximum legal assist limit was 17.5mph, its actually 15.5. The bike will reach this speed on the flat (no head wind) without you putting any effort into pedling 😁
Well done .... I'm thinking of buying one for my friend .... She will likely ride about 10 to 15 miles and she's about 9 stone so hoping she will get that out the battery but I'll buy the other battery if she struggles. Have you tried to see how far you can get on the original one ???
I've two problems in giving you a fair answer. Firstly I'm 14stone and secondly there's lots of hills on my normal routes. Last year on hols, I got 12miles on flat ground before I got to the last but one marker on the gauge. So I reckon I could have got 14miles if I had run it till flat. My wife who is just under 8 stones had three markers left at this distance and would almost certainly have got 15-16 miles if not more. You'll get much longer distance if you don't use level 3 power (especially up hill). This really drains the battery for very little noticeable difference in assistance.
Just an extra comment. There is now a lot of choice for your money out there in this price range. I would suggest to look at the offerings from Argos. For very little difference you get six gears and a foldable bike. Very useful if your battery does run out.
I see you can now get a 24v 10.5ah battery for the Prophete bike (which should also fit the Assist) for £159 from eBay (mainland only). Also battery’s for some Coyote models also fit.
I have been asked by Mig if the assist charger will work with the Apollo transport battery and how long to charge it for. The Assist charger has an output of 2amp and the Apollo battery can take a maximum current of 2.35amp, so it’s well within its charge limits. The charge will take almost twice as long, as the Apollo battery has twice the capacity (8.75 amp/hr instead of 4 amp/hr). The charger will behave in exactly the same way, reducing automatically and changing the light to green when fully charged. Hope this helps.
Hi Jus, Also just noticed that you say your charger is 12volt 5ah. This could never charge a 24volt battery, as the output voltage of the charger has to be slightly higher than 24volt to charge a 24 volt battery.
Yeah the charger won't charge and I took it halfords today and they're charger won't work either with it and I can't afford to buy a battery or find anyone to repair it either
Sorry to hear your having these problems. Even if your battery is dead, you’ll find it will sell on ebay, as people buy them to rebuild them with new cells.
Hi, Thanks for your comment. Just for info, Ive now been using the Apollo battery in my Halfords assist for over a year, with absolutely no problems. It takes quite a bit longer to charge, because it is twice the capacity, but this is normal and to be expected, I use the assist battery on my outwaed journeys and keep the Apollo in my pack as a spare. This means Ill always have power to get home. Still love the little bike, but I think it has real competition now. Argos are selling a 20" folding ebike with gears for £500.
Hello and thank you, as I also have this very same E bike and was looking for spare battery 2 months ago ,Halfords said they wanted £499. for a new batt , I did not get one. Then to day I watched your video , have just ordered one at £275. pick it up Friday 26th .a lot of hills were I live this will be good as a back up, Thank you again. (cycling heaven ) will my charger work , and how long to charge the battery ?
@@mspinkchick67 Hi have got the new battery , and yes it gets up the hills much better lasts a bit longer , and now i have two i charge both and can go on longer rides. WOW , so thanks for your help . [ and if one battery fails it won't spoil my bike ride ] so thanks again.
@@jeysi16 hi i did buy it at halfords it was down in price at the time £275 but that was 2 years ago , its still good to this day ( 6.05.23 ) i dont know the price now you have to look around . hope this helps.
Hi Devine, Im so sorry I didnt reply sooner, as I have not been monitoring this post. I'm sure youve probably made a decision by now. My wife and I are still very happy with our little assist bikes and really enjoy using them. I did buy an extra battery as described for each. Since I bought the bikes, Halfords have reduced them by £100 to £499. At this price they are really good value. The only issues you should consider is that these only have a single gear. This is no problem if you have battery power left, as the gear is a perfect match for the motor. If the battery dies and you have hills to climb on the way home, Then it is a problem. Argos currently have a 20 inch ebike which folds and has gears for £500. It has a similar motor and battery to the Halfords Assist. My advice to you would be to go for that one, as it would be easier to ride as a normal bike. David
The original battery supplied with the bike is much smaller on the inside as it has half the number of cells (4.5ah) than the Apollo one (9ah). The case is just able to accommodate the larger number of cells for the higher output battery. This is why I think it’s unwise to pay a higher price for the original battery, when it has half the capacity.
this is a genuinely helpful video, I rarely feel this satisfaction watching someone explaining something on youtube
thanks mate for the info
Thanks for your comment Amr.
I am really surprised that people are still finding this helpful nearly two years after I posted it.
It looks like the problem of obtaining “spare” batteries for the Assist bikes still exists.
I checked the Halfords site today and they are still listing the Apollo battery at £275 (post 2019). This is the one I got and it’s still working fine. It’s possible that the pre 2019 (£245) might not fit the later bikes.
You probably are aware of this already, but to keep the batteries in best condition, it’s important to not let them get too cold, or store them in a discharged condition.
I suggest topping up the charge every month, if not in use and storing the batteries indoors, to get maximum life.
If a lithium ion battery drains all its power, it becomes impossible to charge, as the charger can’t “see” it.
Kind regards
Hi Amr,
Just for interest, Amazon have a Jospower 24 volt 10.5ah battery for £150 which from the description and photos, should fit the Assist.
I see that one of the reviewers bought it for a Halfords bike 😊
@@davidcurrie6362 exellt video. This is another person who's found this helpful. I've just bought a assist great little bike. But I did wonder if battery was replaceable when it finally does go. Id bought mine second hand,. Any other bikes that use same battery that you know of? Thanks
Hopefully the other assist bikes batteries are all interchangeable. Because I bought one of the 8ah assist crossbar batteries for my 20" assist hybrid. They look as though they fit. Might protrude at back a bit more
Halfords now do a stepthrough and full size version of the Assist bike that has the double size battery too - not sure if they do spares for them but if anyone was thinking of getting the Assist it's something to look at as they're not much more expensive especially compared to other full size ebikes on Halfords
Hi Andy,
Don’t know whether you’ve tried this yet. Run the battery until the bike stops and then fully charge it. Do this about three times and you’ll get a bit longer range each time.
I ended up buying an extra battery and it was well worth it, as I use up the lower capacity one first and then know I’ll have more than enough power to get me home.
Hi Jus,
Thanks for your comments. Just a couple of thoughts. The generic charger you have has an output of 5amp. This is much too high for the battery you have. The charger shipped with it has an output of 2amp and the battery is rated at a maximum of 2.35amp charge rate. (Not actually stated on the assist battery).
Is there any sign of life in your battery? Such as a single bar when you press the test button?
It’s just possible that the fuse may have blown. You can check this by either unscrewing the fuse holder at the side of the battery (assist 4ah) or the fuse cover (Apollo 8.7ah).
Either way, the charger you have could possibly damage your battery, by applying too high a charge current.
Best wishes
D
Hi, and thanks for the video, I am currently waiting for a new assist bike battery, it has been on order for 2 months now! After seeing your video I am thinking of cancelling the order and buying the apollo battery you recommended. I just wanted to double double check that it works well as £ 275 is a lot of money, many thanks and kind regards Keith.
Hi Keith,
I’m sorry I didn’t notice this till now.
My answer would be that at the time I did the video it absolutely did work and the Apollo battery I bought is still working perfectly with the assist.
My only concern is that in the intervening period, changes may have been made to the assist bike. As you know manufacturers often update and change equipment and battery packs (for example Screwfix’s Titan and Erbaeur tools) while still retaining the name.
I would check with Halfords that they have not changed the assist battery fitting in the past couple of years.
Another thing to note is that the battery I got was “after 2019”. Apparently they are still selling a pre 2019 battery, which may not fit.
Amazon have a Jospower 24volt 10.5ah e-bike battery for £150 which from the photos and description should fit the Assist.
I see one of the reviewers bought it for a Halfords bike.
Hi Andy,
The battery shipped with the Assist is only 4ah and a 20 mile range is a very optimistic claim for such a small battery.
(Maybe for a light person on totally flat ground, pedalling along with the motor)
I find the best I can rely on is about 10 miles (I’m 14st) and my wife (under 8st) can get about 14miles on a charge.
There’s quite a few hills where we live.
Best advice is to never use level 3. That just eats the battery for very little extra speed.
The Apollo battery is 9ah and has a much better range.
Han win technology do a battery that fits it too. Double the 4.ah. 8.7ah. So will should double the range. Charger fits too hopefully be strong enough to fully charge it
Hi Stan,
I note you say that I didn’t mention the amps output of the two batteries. I did say in the video that the assist was rated at 4ah and the Transport at 8ah (it’s actually 8.7ah). The amount of amps drawn from the battery will depend on the wattage of the motor and the load placed on it (weight of rider/steepness of hill etc).
The bikes controller will cut out if the load placed on the battery is too high for the batteries current capacity.
I believe the Assists controller is rated up to 10.5amp, which appears to be pretty average for these 24volt 250watt bikes.
As I suggested, using a battery not specifically approved for the bike could invalidate its warranty, but in practice all these batteries are made up of very similar cells. The ones with higher amp hrs just have more of the cells wired in parallel.
I don’t claim to be a battery expert, but so far I’ve had no problems and battery/bike is performing perfectly and charging normally.
If you’re concerned, please do your own research and satisfy yourself, before buying one of these batteries.
One final note. The output voltage of the Assist battery when fully charged is 28.7 volts and the Apollo measured 28.6 volts. As you can see they are practically identical. Another reason there should be no problem with the substitute.
It is normal for 24volt ebike batteries to put out 28+ volts when fully charged.
Please tell me what size tyres are please 1.5 or 1.75 ? Thank you
@@CannondaleF700 so sorry I didn’t reply to you. Was not watching this post.
I believe the tyres on the Assist are 1.75. I will check and get back to you if they are not. If you don’t hear from me again tomorrow, they are 1.75 😊
Brilliant bikes. Im on my second one. And only sold the first to pay a debt off. Comfortable and good strong motor,. Good enough range. Even better if u turn off on flats and downhill. Second one i bought arrived charged the night before and did 15miles. Then three next day. Good to know about apollo battery
Thanks for helpful video
After a week of using I noticed it was very particular hills and angles the battery worked well with but otherwise just helps stay steady for commuting easier.
Whats the extra screen i noticed added on handle bars?
Hi,
Sorry I just noticed your post. The screen you refer to is a very simple little bicycle speedometer/computer which I bought off Amazon. You attach a little sensor to one of your spokes and it sends a wireless signal to the unit. Think it cost about £16.
Is this the "pre 2019" or "post 2019" version of this battery? Bizarrely the pre 2019 is still available from Halfords, but the post 2019 is not!
Sorry Bruce, I just noticed your query today. I’m sure you’ve already sorted this, but the battery I got was the later one (2020). I checked the Halfords site today and it seems to be back in stock (£275).
Hi! The gearing is too high for me. Is it possible to change the rear sprocket. The handlebars are too high. Can you adjust the stem? Thanks for the tip on avoiding the third level on hills.
Hi Since making my original post almost 3gears ago, I have modified my bike by installing a six speed shimano type system.
The six speed hub fits, but was a tight fit and so had to spread the fork’s about 10mm to get it in.
The rear wheel I picked up S/H and the derailleur , hanger and chain came from Decathelon (total approx £25) Quick Change 6 speed Shimano lever £12:50 off Amazon.
It can be done and mine works very well, but 6 speed hub was a tight fit and I had to spread the forks about 10mm to get it to fit.
You certainly couldn’t fit anything bigger.
It’s quite easy to change the height of the handlebars. You just need an Alan key to loosen the bolt at the top of the handlebar shaft. You then hold the wheel between your knees and wiggle the handlebars while pushing downwards. Be sure to line up your front wheel straight and tighten the nut securely after adjusting.
You just need to loosen the bolt a couple of turns till it feels slack. DON’T take it out.
Alternatively you can run a smaller ratio front crankset with lower chainring or run a bigger freewheel 18t this bike comes with 16t freewheel.
But running 6-speed cassette is the best option but you need a rear derailleur and 6-speed twist or trigger shifter for additional gearings for climbing.
The standard battery contains 14 x 18650 cells in a 7S2P configuration. I’ve just built a 7S4P battery consisting of 28 x 18650 cells. This obviously doesn’t fit inside the case so I’ve ran a cable from the connector inside the battery case to a bag on the back of my bike that contains the new battery pack. This has doubled my range.
Hi David . I hope your able to read this comment as im having problems.
I have lost my key to the battery. So unable to take it off my bike . Ive phoned halfords and they said the havnt got any and dont get them in anymore. PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME INFO . Thankyou x
Hi I so sorry I didn’t see your post and hope you’ve got sorted by now. If not I can tell you that I bought two of these bikes, one for my wife and one for myself.
The keys for each bike fit the other, so I suspect that it might be a “universal” key.
Might be an idea to take your bike into Halfords and see if the key from one of their display models fit?
I'm looking to get a suspension seat post for this bike, what diameter seat post should I orger
Whats the range like with the standard battery? I''ve just ordered for my commute 4.5 miles there and 4.5 back so 9 total each day, 3 times a week.
Should handle 9 miles without a problem, provided it’s not up hill and you don’t use maximum power. There’s very little difference in performance between stage 2 and stage 3, but a big reduction in range if you use max power, particularly up hill.
You’ll need to charge it each evening, but it might not take too long, as you’ll have some power left to start with.
Your weight makes a difference too 😊
@@davidcurrie6362 thanks for the reply, I received it at the weekend and so far I'm very impressed, considering the price. Definitely a good one for a novice like myself 😀
Hello! Where did you buy the new battery?
Hi im 5ft 9 would this bike be ok for me?
@@Pop_Punk87 I’m 5ft 10” and it’s fine for me 😊. Please be aware that I made my original post over two years ago. My bikes still working well, so I can confirm it’s build quality and reliability. I read somewhere that they now come with a better battery ??
@@Pop_Punk87 The distance you get will depend on the riders weight. My wife, who’s a lot lighter than me, always got a few miles more 😊
@davidcurrie6362, that's great. Thank you for the quick reply! 🙏
I find the bike really struggles up even medium hills that's with assist on high. Ordered a new Brushless DC controller that is 36/48V 500w with a new LCD and a throttle. The motor can easily do 500-600watts comfortably and from my testing the stock controller is only outputting around 150-180 watts max. the stock controller is limted to 7amp cont and 10amp peak new one is 20 Amp which is needed for hills. Along with changing the controller I attached a 3s2p 12v lithium pack in series with the original 24v battery bringing up the total to 36V. This increases power and speed of the motor by about 40-50% with the option of going 48V in the future although this bike shouldn't be going that fast with its small frame and weak brakes.
@@coaldust01 had no idea lol. However this motor runs at 48v very well. I can reach 40kmh very quick and that's too fast for the brakes anyways. For range will eventually build a custom battery.
@@coaldust01 mine was literally free due to a Scottish government grant. Had to be bought from a retail store and I only knew a few nearby. Totally get what you mean. I own a motorcycle so anything more than 5 miles and the big bike comes out anyways. I'm going to be posting a mod guide soon. The motor took 900 Watts continously without heating which is way more than the restricted 250
iv brought one these of facebook marketplace but she had lost the keys to battry i would love change it for stronger battry do you know how could get it off
You can take the battery housing apart and remove the battery. Then remove the lock.
Can i use 36v battery instead of 24v battery with 250w motor
@@ashlam3710 I personally would not try to do that, as while the motor itself could possibly cope with the extra voltage, the control unit, which is designed for 24volt, would probably burn out.
@@ashlam3710 I saw in the posts where someone put together a much more powerful battery system and fed it into the motor. They designed a new controller to manage the power and claimed the motor was able to handle it. I wonder how long the motor lasted. 😊
Different subject, but does anyone know if I can add gears to this bike ?
Just for interest, I did carry out this conversion last year, as I live in a hilly area. It cost me about £75 and requires some degree of DIY knowledge and skill.
You will need a 20” wheel with 6 shimano gears. (Mine cost £30 from eBay). This will be a tight fit in the forks and they will need to be spread apart about 1/2 an inch. You need to be careful not to apply too much force, which could damage the frame of the bike. Do not try to exceed 6 gears.
You will also need a derailleur to select gears (£12:99), a derailleur hanger £6:99, a chain £9:99 and a thumb gear shift selector £12:99.
I bought most of the parts from Decathelon at the above prices.
You may also need some tools like a chain splitter and a basic knowledge of how to adjust shimano type gears.
I have to admit that it has been worth it to do the conversion, as it has made the bike more versatile and easier to ride uphill.
@@davidcurrie6362 or you could you what I did and buy a secondhand folding bike with 6 speed gears and transfer all the electrics to that, either way both work
@@crp4409 Wow!
The Assist battery is 18650 li-ion.
One additional thing I would suggest, is that using a different manufacturers battery might invalidate a warranty if some problem developed with the bike, which had nothing to do with the battery.
If you have to return the bike for repair during warranty, send it back with the original battery 😅
Tire size please 20x1.5 or 20x1.75
Thank you
Why do halfords make the 20" wheel assist electric bike if you can't get new batteries?
Hi Carly,
I do think if you ask Halfords to get you a replacement battery, they will, but the battery is very expensive compared to the total cost of the bike. Also it is only 4amp/hr. The Apollo transport battery is cheaper and at twice the capacity will take you a longer distance.
There is currently a 24v 10.5amp/hr battery complete with charger for a MIFA Prophete ebike on eBay for £169. This should also fit your Assist. Can’t be 100% sure as I haven’t tried it, but the case looks identical and the output is correct.
Where can I buy an after market charger for the assist battery?
So Sorry for not replying Tyler. I haven’t been watching this post.
I’m sure you’ve got a charger by now, but if not you should be able to get a suitable one on ebay or Amazon.
They should have an output of 28-29 volts at 2amps. I see one on Amazon with a variety of adaptors for different batteries at £14:95. The output voltage needs to be a bit higher than 24 volts, for the battery to charge.
Hope you’re already sorted.
D
Are these legal to ride on public road? I believe the output is within the legal lemits to do so
Sorry for the long delay in answering. I haven’t been monitoring this post.
You probably know the answer by now, but all ebikes with a motor no larger than 250 watts, have a maximum speed of 15.5mph and that are pedal assisted (not throttle controlled) are legal to ride on the road in the UK and N. Ireland.
You must not be able to start the motor without turning the pedals.
The Halfords assist meets these requirements and is legal for use on public roads if over 14yrs old.
If an ebike has a larger motor (eg 350 watts) or can be started without pedals, or can exceed 15.5mph, then it is illegal to use as a bicycle on public roads.
Such a bike needs to be taxed and insured, have number plates and the rider must wear a motorcycle helmet.
There are lots of illegal ebikes on sale, especially on the internet. They are OK to use off road (eg mountain bikes).
The police largely ignore these bikes if not causing a problem, but it’s a different story if you knock someone down on one.😳
hi , how to order this ebike?
Hi just bought my girlfriend one of these bikes and the battery range is terrible. I have a 2015 Giant Twist ebike n that can just bout di 20miles on a charge but the halfords one struggles to do 10 and I'm 2x the weight of my girl. How have you found the range
U didn't say what amps the new battery was.
How is the breaking system? Is it good choice for uphill ride?
Hi,
Sorry I didn’t see your question. The answer I would suggest is probably no. The reason is that the bike only has one gear, which is fine if the battery is charged.
If however your battery runs out on a hill, one gear is not enough.
With regard to the brakes. They work well, although most modern bikes use discs, not these old design stirrup brakes.
How fast it is without pedalling? In miles per hour .
All legal electric bikes in the UK require you to turn the pedals for the motor to kick in. You don't actually have to push on the pedals, just turn them slowly, but if you stop peddling the motor will stop.
There are three power settings. On level flat ground with a 8-10stone rider, you'll get about 9-10mph on the first setting, 10-12mph on the second and about 12-17mph on the third. The maximum assist speed the motor is allowed to provide to be legal is 17.5mph.
Correction. I said the maximum legal assist limit was 17.5mph, its actually 15.5. The bike will reach this speed on the flat (no head wind) without you putting any effort into pedling 😁
It might sounds silly but can you show how to charge the battery?
I’m so sorry I didn’t reply. I wasn’t watching the post. 😊
Well done .... I'm thinking of buying one for my friend .... She will likely ride about 10 to 15 miles and she's about 9 stone so hoping she will get that out the battery but I'll buy the other battery if she struggles. Have you tried to see how far you can get on the original one ???
I've two problems in giving you a fair answer. Firstly I'm 14stone and secondly there's lots of hills on my normal routes.
Last year on hols, I got 12miles on flat ground before I got to the last but one marker on the gauge. So I reckon I could have got 14miles if I had run it till flat. My wife who is just under 8 stones had three markers left at this distance and would almost certainly have got 15-16 miles if not more.
You'll get much longer distance if you don't use level 3 power (especially up hill). This really drains the battery for very little noticeable difference in assistance.
Just an extra comment. There is now a lot of choice for your money out there in this price range. I would suggest to look at the offerings from Argos. For very little difference you get six gears and a foldable bike. Very useful if your battery does run out.
@@davidcurrie6362 Thanks for your advice ... Appreciated 👍
I see you can now get a 24v 10.5ah battery for the Prophete bike (which should also fit the Assist) for £159 from eBay (mainland only). Also battery’s for some Coyote models also fit.
thank you
I have been asked by Mig if the assist charger will work with the Apollo transport battery and how long to charge it for.
The Assist charger has an output of 2amp and the Apollo battery can take a maximum current of 2.35amp, so it’s well within its charge limits.
The charge will take almost twice as long, as the Apollo battery has twice the capacity (8.75 amp/hr instead of 4 amp/hr). The charger will behave in exactly the same way, reducing automatically and changing the light to green when fully charged.
Hope this helps.
Hi Jus,
Also just noticed that you say your charger is 12volt 5ah. This could never charge a 24volt battery, as the output voltage of the charger has to be slightly higher than 24volt to charge a 24 volt battery.
Yeah the charger won't charge and I took it halfords today and they're charger won't work either with it and I can't afford to buy a battery or find anyone to repair it either
Sorry to hear your having these problems. Even if your battery is dead, you’ll find it will sell on ebay, as people buy them to rebuild them with new cells.
@@davidcurrie6362 I think it's the charging port itself shame I don't no how to rewire it
Brilliant. Thanks 👍
Hi,
Thanks for your comment. Just for info, Ive now been using the Apollo battery in my Halfords assist for over a year, with absolutely no problems. It takes quite a bit longer to charge, because it is twice the capacity, but this is normal and to be expected, I use the assist battery on my outwaed journeys and keep the Apollo in my pack as a spare. This means Ill always have power to get home.
Still love the little bike, but I think it has real competition now. Argos are selling a 20" folding ebike with gears for £500.
Hello and thank you, as I also have this very same E bike and was looking for spare battery 2 months ago ,Halfords said they wanted £499. for a new batt , I did not get one. Then to day I watched your video , have just ordered one at £275. pick it up Friday 26th .a lot of hills were I live this will be good as a back up, Thank you again. (cycling heaven ) will my charger work , and how long to charge the battery ?
How was your bike with the new battery? Did you notice much of a difference?
@@mspinkchick67 Hi have got the new battery , and yes it gets up the hills much better lasts a bit longer , and now i have two i charge both and can go on longer rides. WOW , so thanks for your help . [ and if one battery fails it won't spoil my bike ride ] so thanks again.
Hello! Where did you buy new battery?
@@jeysi16 hi i did buy it at halfords it was down in price at the time £275 but that was 2 years ago , its still good to this day ( 6.05.23 ) i dont know the price now you have to look around . hope this helps.
Thanx Mig Well !
should i buy the bike is it worth it sir
Hi Devine,
Im so sorry I didnt reply sooner, as I have not been monitoring this post. I'm sure youve probably made a decision by now.
My wife and I are still very happy with our little assist bikes and really enjoy using them. I did buy an extra battery as described for each.
Since I bought the bikes, Halfords have reduced them by £100 to £499. At this price they are really good value.
The only issues you should consider is that these only have a single gear. This is no problem if you have battery power left, as the gear is a perfect match for the motor. If the battery dies and you have hills to climb on the way home, Then it is a problem.
Argos currently have a 20 inch ebike which folds and has gears for £500. It has a similar motor and battery to the Halfords Assist. My advice to you would be to go for that one, as it would be easier to ride as a normal bike.
David
Open it up and you will find its smaller, much smaller, on the inside….
The original battery supplied with the bike is much smaller on the inside as it has half the number of cells (4.5ah) than the Apollo one (9ah). The case is just able to accommodate the larger number of cells for the higher output battery.
This is why I think it’s unwise to pay a higher price for the original battery, when it has half the capacity.