One thing to note, the v2 model of this, or "newer" v1 models can go down to about ~12% "safely" with a newer controller. On the older original versions like the one I have the bike goes into eco mode at ~36% so some hills/heavy loads can be a struggle if you go below this. There isn't a risk with going below this with a battery, it's more an issue leaving it for long periods of time below 20% or over 80%.
Great review, thank you very much. Very seriously considering buying this model. My only concern is that its not a step through. I am tall but my knees are a little messed up. Is it easy to get on when a kid is in the back?
@@clloyd77 Good question. I usually step over the bar rather than swing my leg over the seat because my seat is quite a bit higher than the bar. Setting 18 I think, and the entire length is above the bar. Sometimes when I'm feeling sore from exercise I like to have the pedal on the opposite side at its lowest point so it is out of way. It isn't a step through, but not very high either.
Hi. First of all, thank you for your honest and comprehensive review: it was the most helpful of all those I've seen on RUclips (yeah, I'm looking at you sponsored partners who had it on try for a week at best) and I understood and learned many things. I have a couple of questions for you: the Decathlon's website says that deep maintenance of the drivetrain (especially the chain) is necessary - as with all bikes, I would say - but for this cargo bike the issue is different given its bulk and weight. Have you had the chance to clean (and lubricate) the chain and sprocket yet? Is this a complicated procedure? What about the tires? Is it complicated to remove the wheels to replace the tires? Regarding the front basket: is it useful? How to make the best use of it? Are there dedicated bags or boxes as for the rear rack? Or would it be better to use bungee cords or an elastic motorcycle spider? Thanks again.
I have over 3,000km on it now. I think the drive train was maintained once. At my one year maintenance the tech said the drive train could wait til next time (3 months or 1,000km). I typically get the maintenance done at Decathlon because it is so cheap and I don't have experience with e-bikes.
I've had two rear tires damaged and because of the way motor is set up I got them changed by the shop. You have to move the motor to demount the rear wheel.
I use the front basket to hold my gloves and helmet when I'm arranging things and for bringing eggs home from the store (in a bag so they don't slide out the side). I don't use it nearly as often as the rear storage. The lower rear bags cost 100 and I like them. I just use bungee cords and a plastic tub on the upper part, but I think a motorcycle spider would work better, especially if you take the plastic bin off regularly. Good questions!
@@WhatIfBrigade thank you for the replies! The nearest Decathlon to me is 50km away and, if you don't own a car (like me), is not reachable with public service. So I think those two are very concerning points with my decision.
@@lucagiangrande9514 You are welcome! Even with heavy use (5 days a week to work and groceries on Saturday for a family of four), I've really only had it in the shop three times in a year. Once the rear tire was destroyed by something in the road, for the 6 month checkup, and the 12 month checkup. However, when I blew the rear tire it was a big hassle, had to borrow a car. Blew another tire before the one year checkup and I rented a van because I was bringing in two other bikes. Based on my experience, you want to ask local shops what they'd be comfortable with, because e-bikes can be tricky. For example the Decathlon bike you need to demount the motor to change the rear tire. A neighborhood bike repair service or mobile bike repair truck might not feel confident enough to do that. As a person without a car, I view selecting a qualified workshop as almost as important as the e-bike.
The gist of the review is at 23:45. "Are there better 5k bikes? Yes. Does this one take me to work 5 days a week and takes my groceries on Saturday? Yes.
Thanks for a great review and good maintenance advice. We just got the bike. We like it but are having trouble removing the key when the back tire is locked. Have you experienced this issue?
I rarely have that issue, sometimes the lock isn't down all the way. For me the issue is I need to rotate the tire sometimes to get into a position where I can lock the bike. And of course it is much harder with the bags on because I can't see anything, all by feel.
@@taggartdavis It definitely has to be all the way down to lock. This is an unobstructed view with everything off: ruclips.net/user/shortsg0lxrs5aSw4?feature=shared
I haven't done a good eco mode test yet, but I got 33km in Normal mode 2 without going into the under 25% battery reserve. Weight, speed and grade matters a lot so I'm looking forward to the eco mode test!
Just learned about this bike. Decathlon says this bike does up to 90 km in eco mode and 50km on power. Your numbers are much lower. I figure France has more hills , but any idea how this would do in the Netherlands. I'm also tall, so I'm interested in the long term comfort for someone of 195.
I'm 185cm. I'm about at the limit if you prefer an upright riding style. If you raise the seat, probably a more mountain bike style ride. My understanding is the range depends a lot on weight, speed, etc. I think I could have gone about 45k. in mode two if I ran it completely empty, but I am 90kg and brought water bottles, snacks, the toolkit, U-lock, etc. I often haul a lot of stuff for work and even my summer clothes use 5% less battery life than my winter clothes. 90/50 sounds obtainable for my 15 year old running it empty on flat ground with no wind.
Good question! On regular hills I don't even notice the hill, leave it in the hardest gear. The steepest hill I regularly encounter it slows a bit near the top, I maybe shift gears but still super easy after a hard day at work. I love it when biking into the wind or uphill.
Um, I ah um am um, so um ah glad, that um you um tube um allows um allows to um adjust um the um, the um play, um playback um speed, ah, to ah, allow um some um sort um of ah um way um to um speed um the um, ah speed um of ah the um video to um make um it a um a little bit um watchable....
Thank you for an honest and informative review. Swedish soon to be owner of this bike.
You are welcome! I hope you like it as much as I do!
Great review, thanks. In summary the negatives are: Variable battery range and wood might be subject to mold in humid countries.
Yes, thanks for watching!
One thing to note, the v2 model of this, or "newer" v1 models can go down to about ~12% "safely" with a newer controller. On the older original versions like the one I have the bike goes into eco mode at ~36% so some hills/heavy loads can be a struggle if you go below this.
There isn't a risk with going below this with a battery, it's more an issue leaving it for long periods of time below 20% or over 80%.
Yes, mine is 13 months old now. Battery tech is always improving!
Great review, thank you very much. Very seriously considering buying this model. My only concern is that its not a step through. I am tall but my knees are a little messed up. Is it easy to get on when a kid is in the back?
@@clloyd77 Good question. I usually step over the bar rather than swing my leg over the seat because my seat is quite a bit higher than the bar. Setting 18 I think, and the entire length is above the bar. Sometimes when I'm feeling sore from exercise I like to have the pedal on the opposite side at its lowest point so it is out of way. It isn't a step through, but not very high either.
Hi.
First of all, thank you for your honest and comprehensive review: it was the most helpful of all those I've seen on RUclips (yeah, I'm looking at you sponsored partners who had it on try for a week at best) and I understood and learned many things. I have a couple of questions for you: the Decathlon's website says that deep maintenance of the drivetrain (especially the chain) is necessary - as with all bikes, I would say - but for this cargo bike the issue is different given its bulk and weight. Have you had the chance to clean (and lubricate) the chain and sprocket yet? Is this a complicated procedure? What about the tires? Is it complicated to remove the wheels to replace the tires?
Regarding the front basket: is it useful? How to make the best use of it? Are there dedicated bags or boxes as for the rear rack? Or would it be better to use bungee cords or an elastic motorcycle spider?
Thanks again.
I have over 3,000km on it now. I think the drive train was maintained once. At my one year maintenance the tech said the drive train could wait til next time (3 months or 1,000km). I typically get the maintenance done at Decathlon because it is so cheap and I don't have experience with e-bikes.
I've had two rear tires damaged and because of the way motor is set up I got them changed by the shop. You have to move the motor to demount the rear wheel.
I use the front basket to hold my gloves and helmet when I'm arranging things and for bringing eggs home from the store (in a bag so they don't slide out the side). I don't use it nearly as often as the rear storage.
The lower rear bags cost 100 and I like them. I just use bungee cords and a plastic tub on the upper part, but I think a motorcycle spider would work better, especially if you take the plastic bin off regularly. Good questions!
@@WhatIfBrigade thank you for the replies! The nearest Decathlon to me is 50km away and, if you don't own a car (like me), is not reachable with public service. So I think those two are very concerning points with my decision.
@@lucagiangrande9514 You are welcome! Even with heavy use (5 days a week to work and groceries on Saturday for a family of four), I've really only had it in the shop three times in a year. Once the rear tire was destroyed by something in the road, for the 6 month checkup, and the 12 month checkup. However, when I blew the rear tire it was a big hassle, had to borrow a car. Blew another tire before the one year checkup and I rented a van because I was bringing in two other bikes. Based on my experience, you want to ask local shops what they'd be comfortable with, because e-bikes can be tricky. For example the Decathlon bike you need to demount the motor to change the rear tire. A neighborhood bike repair service or mobile bike repair truck might not feel confident enough to do that. As a person without a car, I view selecting a qualified workshop as almost as important as the e-bike.
The gist of the review is at 23:45.
"Are there better 5k bikes? Yes. Does this one take me to work 5 days a week and takes my groceries on Saturday? Yes.
Exactly! An excellent summary!
Great review thanks for all the information, a question where did you buy the black box you have in the back?
Thanks
On Amazon France: amzn.eu/d/6ejAnva
@@WhatIfBrigade Thanks!
Thanks for a great review and good maintenance advice. We just got the bike. We like it but are having trouble removing the key when the back tire is locked. Have you experienced this issue?
I rarely have that issue, sometimes the lock isn't down all the way. For me the issue is I need to rotate the tire sometimes to get into a position where I can lock the bike. And of course it is much harder with the bags on because I can't see anything, all by feel.
Thank you. Maybe I just haven't fiddled with it enough. I also have the bags which are very obstructive. Thank you!
@@taggartdavis It definitely has to be all the way down to lock. This is an unobstructed view with everything off: ruclips.net/user/shortsg0lxrs5aSw4?feature=shared
Good review. What would the range be in eco mode?
Btw, the volume in your video is varying quite a bit.
I haven't done a good eco mode test yet, but I got 33km in Normal mode 2 without going into the under 25% battery reserve. Weight, speed and grade matters a lot so I'm looking forward to the eco mode test!
Great review. thanks.
You are welcome!
Just learned about this bike. Decathlon says this bike does up to 90 km in eco mode and 50km on power. Your numbers are much lower. I figure France has more hills , but any idea how this would do in the Netherlands. I'm also tall, so I'm interested in the long term comfort for someone of 195.
I'm 185cm. I'm about at the limit if you prefer an upright riding style. If you raise the seat, probably a more mountain bike style ride. My understanding is the range depends a lot on weight, speed, etc. I think I could have gone about 45k. in mode two if I ran it completely empty, but I am 90kg and brought water bottles, snacks, the toolkit, U-lock, etc. I often haul a lot of stuff for work and even my summer clothes use 5% less battery life than my winter clothes. 90/50 sounds obtainable for my 15 year old running it empty on flat ground with no wind.
I don’t know where this guy is filming it but I can find this bike on Decathlon for less than £3K in England.
Bought it 18 months ago in France. I think the current model is slightly different than mine.
Thank you for your video. How does the motor perform on hills?
Good question! On regular hills I don't even notice the hill, leave it in the hardest gear. The steepest hill I regularly encounter it slows a bit near the top, I maybe shift gears but still super easy after a hard day at work. I love it when biking into the wind or uphill.
@@WhatIfBrigade a useful and rapid response - thank you!
@@RichardGaskill You are welcome! Glad I could help. Buying an e-bike is a big decision and I want to give people as much information as possible!
Thanks for review. Good!
Thanks for watching!
I wish this guy would stop saying urn ar if he comes annoying to watch. Unfortunately I’ve cut this video short.
Me too. Me too.
Um, I ah um am um, so um ah glad, that um you um tube um allows um allows to um adjust um the um, the um play, um playback um speed, ah, to ah, allow um some um sort um of ah um way um to um speed um the um, ah speed um of ah the um video to um make um it a um a little bit um watchable....
Thanks for watching!
To be fair, you gave great review points, but it was just very difficult to keep following them with the persistent breaks.... 🙂
Can i know where you get the hi-vis jacket?
Yes, I also got it at Decathlon.
It is the Triban brand at Decathlon