XB-310Li Folding Electric Bicycle - Lithium Power Assisted Mountain Bike

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Price: $779.00    

XB-310Li Folding Electric Bicycle - Lithium Power Assisted Mountain Bike Review

UPDATE: A few more things to think about:

1) The brakes on this bike are of a somewhat baffling make, which means if you ever need to replace the pads you may well run into some problems. Even the manufacturer cannot supply the pads alone - you have to get them together with the calipers for $36 a pop.

2) There is a better version of this same exact bike for the same exact price: EW-475 by Electric Wheels, that has a number of key upgrades, including a 36 volt battery, which is absolutely crucial (it will give you more range, and a lot more power/speed, making the experience a much more confident one). Another good thing about it is the sturdier battery mount, which another reviewer reported problems with (mine broke also, and I had to order a replacement from the manufacturer). A final plus about the upgraded bike are the folding pedals and possibly better seat, a bell, fenders, etc (though you will need to add your own rack for storage - worth it overall, IMHO).

So if you're interested in the XB-310li, I would seriously consider the EW-475 first.

- - - [on to the review] - - -

*** You can get this bike online for about $999, so don't pay too much.)

*** WARNING. If you get this bike, don't use the throttle and pedal assist at the same time! You will probably burn out the controller, like I did once. And keep in mind that the pedal assist is almost always on, unless you turn it off with the key.

I've owned this bike for about a year and a half. I am quite happy with it. For the most part, it's got quality components where it really counts (battery, which is now LiFePO4 chemistry and should last for years, gear shift, motor, etc). The speed and range are both quite suitable, especially given that the battery recharges in about 3 hours or so (6 if you deplete it fully, which isn't recommended by the manufacturer). I have no problem riding it in either pedal assist or throttle mode to work or to a friends house, recharging it there, and riding home. If I forget the charger or something, it will get me there and back without a problem. (Max range is probably about 20 miles, maybe even a bit less if you use the throttle and have a lot of gear).

That's another good thing about it. Gear. Cargo. The rack is quite nice, and I've added two quality paniers (search for Arkel Utility Baskets online), as well as a small tool bag, and a handlebar bag. I mean, I load this thing up! And for the most part it handles it very well. Acceleration can be a little slow, especially uphill, but I usually feel I have enough power.

Note that the bike itself is heavy, which is both good and bad. It's good because it will protect you somewhat in case you get hit by a car, as I did not long ago. I got clipped by a car going something like 30 mph while I was going 18, and the only thing that happened was that I tipped over somewhat suddenly to one side. The weight of the bike absorbed a lot of the energy - otherwise I could've gone flying into the air.

Oh yeah, I might as well reiterate that it's slick! It doesn't even look like an electric bike unless you scrutinize it, which I sort of appreciate. I like to fit in, especially if I have to use sidewalks. Not only will you fit in as a bicyclist and not some strange-contraption-rider, you will probably get complemented.

The downsides:

- You will need to replace the uncomfortable seat and the cheap headlamp. Not a big deal. (Oh yeah, the tools they supply are cheap and sort of useless too.) Best seat I've found is a Sunlite Cloud-9, can't remember what kind exactly. You'll probably want to head to the bike shop so you can actually test it out, otherwise you might end up buying and returning a bunch of saddles online.

- The handlebars are kind of low and far away and not adjustable. I think this is typical for a mountain bike - gives you better control or something on slopes - but it's annoying for a commuter and can cause back and neck strain. I've been meaning to get different handlebars/special grips which can fix this.

*** UPDATE: Ergon GC3 grips with "bar ends" solved the whole handlebar business! I highly recommend getting them in a "Rohloff/Nexus" configuration, where the left grip is shorter than the right, so that it fits perfectly with the throttle. (I can't confirm that Amazon actually provides the proper configuration, since I bought them from a different site. According to one review the set on Amazon are both the same length...you might want to get them elsewhere...but get em!)

- This thing is heavy (relatively - its actually light for an electric bike which tend to be even heavier monsters). Good and bad, like I said. Bad because you will not enjoy yourself if the battery fails or runs down and you have to pedal it under your own power. Also, you will not want to mess with hoisting it up onto a bus rack. Or into a car trunk. Which is another thing:

- Although it folds, it is quite big even when folded, even with the handlebars removed. Bigger than I expected. It will only fit in a very LARGE car trunk. Otherwise you'll need to leave the trunk open. Combined with the weight, this defeats the purpose somewhat, in my opinion. Not a huge thing, but good to realize this before the fact, not after the fact.

- Not truly waterproof, though I've been lucky. I haven't had any problems personally (survived many severe downpours), but I've read on forums about the motors and/or controllers shorting out because of rain. Having tinkered around with the controller case a bit, I'm not surprised. There are no rubber gaskets or seals around the controller - just loosely fitting plastic.

- - - [final note] - - -

I have a few complaints, but I'm quite happy given the price and its performance over the past year and a half.

*** Oh yeah, and fill the tires to 65 PSI like it says on the tires, not whatever low ball number it says in the manual (checked this with the manufacturer). Get armadillo puncture proof tires, with "thorn resistant" threads, and a bottle of Slime and you should never need to worry about getting flats.

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