Carrera Vulcan E-Spec review - (EMTB review, Ebike review, Suntour HESC)

Initial thoughts and comments on the budget Carrera Vulcan e-bike, including specification and possible upgrades!
Why not check out some of my other videos on e-biking below:
- Carrera Vulcan E-Spec cut-out problem and solution - • Carrera Vulcan E-Spec ...
- BH Bigfoot e-fatbike unboxing - • I bought a new project...
- Fat biking on Camber Sands - • Fat biking on Camber S...
- How to wash your e-bike - • How to wash your e-bik...
- Riding the Flitch Way - • Riding the Flitch Way ...
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Please hit the like/dislike buttons, comment and share so we can help build this online community!
** ATTENTION - For any of you looking for a manual for the Suntour HESC system, I have found one..finally! This is actually very useful and provides the error codes as well! the-bionic-cyc... **

[@PEMBYSGAMINGWORLD]

Lots of electrical faults with these bikes, so much so that i replaced the back wheel with an ordinary wheel and replaced the whole electrical system with a Bafang mid drive motor - massive improvement i can tell you!

[@mughal_gtown]

I have the same bike and I am binge watching all your videos ✌🏽

[@IceReef]

Hamza Ahmad Thanks dude. Hope you are enjoying it and you join the community! I’ll be posting a few more vids about this bike very soon

[@mughal_gtown]

Someone should definitely make a Facebook group for Vulcan E owners

[@kaicampbell2493]

Hi i have this emtb as well had it since feb 2018 i think it good value for the money i ride all sorts of trails with my bike and never had any trouble with it so far climbing forest trails/single track with roots rocks etc... , battery life is very good ive found for what i need , i think the extra weight helps keep it on the ground so it feels really stable gripping on muddy climbs etc and just as good as going downhill on the bike seems stable enough great video i will look out for more you do in the future it just a great fun electric mountian bike .

[@IceReef]

kai campbell Hi Kai. Thanks for the comment - I’ve just done a 40 mile test run on it along a very muddy and undulating bridelway so I’ll be posting that video soon. It was a range test and a durability test of the battery and bike in wet muddy conditions - which it passed with flying colours. I even dropped the bike on the derailleur quite heavily and it was fine. All impressive so far.

[@Paganiproductions84]

Fit a Rockshock Reba can get from 100 mm travel

[@IceReef]

Rockshox are pretty expensive, but I will look at a few options. I'd like to either keep 120mm or go up to 140mm.

[@Paganiproductions84]

I love my Reba on my Orbea

[@airaction2257]

Would like to buy one second hand but how can you be sure how good and how old the battery is it might be at the end of it's life ?

[@IceReef]

One easy way to check is to hold down the power button on the battery for a few seconds - this will flash up how many bars of life the battery has thus displaying it's health.

[@Horriblebastad]

I have the gphl,which when on full gives a good bvd,and the kph goes up. The WDA is better when you incorporate the YZD,and HTS, especially rougher terrain with the original BDT.

[@motorcyclesandthings8633]

What diameter steerer tube do I need to look for please , gonna look out to upgrade my forks in the nr future , thank you Shane uk 🇬🇧

[@IceReef]

It is a good old fashioned 1 1/8 inch steerer tube. This is typical of lower to mid range bikes, but you can still get some decent upgrade forks. You could look at some of the older Rockshox Recon or Reba or a mid range Suntour like a Raidon or Axon. You can either run a 27.5 inch regular fork or a 29 inch fork which should enable you to run a plus size 27.5 tyre in the front.

[@saphire6735]

Thanks for sharing👍

[@jacekscotland29]

I warn everyone who thinks about buying this bike, do not buy it just a waste of money !! I know what I say because I had this bike and after a year of problems I turned the bike to halfords and as compensation gave me another more expensive, but you also have the right consumer who guarantees you a refund. So if you have this bike and problems then go to the store and say that you want money back, my advice is better to put down more money and buy a better bike eg with a shimano or bosh engine.

[@Paganiproductions84]

You schould fit a Carbon Rigid fork that would be a huge upgrade will make the front end much lighter.

[@IceReef]

Paganiproductions I’m not sure what I want to do at the moment - problem with going carbon is that the bike is very heavy and I use it on rough trails, plus the rear of the bike is very heavy so I need some balance!

[@seswan9254]

My dad just bought this any idea what upgrades would be good as hell no doubt want to start upgrading soon enough thanks

[@IceReef]

itz Sonny Yes my friend - I’d leave the wheels and drivetrain alone for now as you’ll punish them on an ebike and you don’t want anything too expensive. I’d definitely upgrade the tyres (2.35 - 2.4 will squeeze on the back), possibly wider bars, front and rear rideguards (mini mudguards) and I’d eventually change the fork to something like a Fox or Rockshox

[@seswan9254]

Ice Reef he's already bought some bigger mudguard I'll go tell him what you said thanks bud

[@IceReef]

itz Sonny No probs - subscribe and tune in for more vids as I’ll do a video on upgrades very soon 👍

[@seswan9254]

Ice Reef will do bud

[@motorcyclesandthings8633]

looking at this video , only just noticed my frame has sqaure section bits on the two main frame tubes, so presume mine is a mk2 model , i must be blind L O L ,thanks shane uk

[@brothert68]

What size frame is it and how tall are you I'm thinking about getting one but unsure what size frame to get

[@IceReef]

Hi mate - I have an XL which is a 22 inch frame and I'm just over 6ft. That is pushing it a bit - suggest going for a 19 or 20 inch if you are around 5 10 - 6 1

[@brothert68]

@@IceReef thanks mate

[@geoffsutty]

Mine is 2yrs old in november not had any problems till recently. I keep getting error code 42 motor not communicating properly. I've been in touch with halfords and I'm waiting till we come out of lockdown.. Not sure whether to go for a Bosch mid drive

[@IceReef]

Hi Geoff. Simplest issue could be a loose or bad connection between the male and female ends of the motor cable. That is the connection protected by the neoprene HESC cover on the chainstay.

[@geoffsutty]

@@IceReef I've checked those and followed them into the battery box.. Someone mention Hall sensors? I think there's 3 of them. One interesting point I've observed is as your pushing the bike the speed fluctuates so I put some tape on one of the spokes. The fluctuation happens at the same point each revolution

[@lukerider]

Hello Ice Reef, i'm currently very interested in this bike for both commuting and weekend fun in the countryside. I wanted to ask you about the back end of the bike, how does the bike feel when on bumpy terrain and sat down when you also have the heavy motor on the back wheel? Do you get a lot of nasty feedback into your posterior or do you find its OK?

[@IceReef]

Hi there...it is a pretty sturdy and relatively well built bike, but it is one hell of a HARDtail! The weight of that rear hub motor combined with the rather unforgiving saddle make it quite savage on undulating terrain. You will see, however, that I have added a suspension seat post (I made a video on this - Suntour NCX) which does ease the problem somewhat, but don't expect rear suspension levels of comfort!

[@thesytex6839]

How do I put it in mph

[@IceReef]

**ATTENTION - For any of you looking for a manual for the Suntour HESC system, I have found one..finally! This is actually very useful and provides the error codes as well! the-bionic-cyclist.co.uk/2017_bike_manual.pdf

[@buttoxbrown]

Where did you get the mudguards?

[@IceReef]

Hi Matthew - it is a RideGuard 'Mr Hahn' special. They can bought on Ebay. Link below www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MTB-Front-Fork-Mudguard-RideGuard-PF1-Enduro-Guard-Mountain-Bike-Funky-Fender/253221092923?hash=item3af5273e3b:m:mFZWy25KmRnm6tKGNVXshqw:rk:1:pf:0

[@johnhewer0]

Mine is three weeks old and cuts out randomly. Once it felt like the motor was stuck engaged as it was a pig to pedal.

[@IceReef]

maddog Hi mate - irritating to hear, but a lot of the time it can be easily fixed - check out my vid on what I experienced and how I sorted it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2Kak6ingsuViJI - it may help you

[@Captain4468]

How many speed modes does this have ?

[@IceReef]

Hi. There are four assist levels

[@IceReef]

For those experiencing errors on their Vulcan E-Spec, please check out my video on this topic and possible solution - it may help some of you - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2Kak6ingsuViJI

[@All-rc804]

Stay away from these bikes they have cutout issues that cannot be fixed. Took my bike back to halfords 6+ times nd still not sorted

[@tounovtwin]

I've bought a carrea crossfire e, it keeps cutting out on me all the time, halfords are just a waste of time.

[@All-rc804]

Jonathan Castelino hi m8 its bad but not too bad because all u have to do is remove battery nd should be ok for 100 mile or so

[@timmybunting]

I bought mine on cycle to work scheme and never had any cut out issues 🤔

[@PEMBYSGAMINGWORLD]

I had a bad experience with E00 errors because the digital unit on the handle bars had bad contact points, so a new one cost me £60 - very frustrating, so always make sure the points that make contact are always clean and in good condition.

[@IceReef]

NEW VIDEO ADDED - If you are one of the many people that seemingly suffer cut out issues with the power to the hub motor, I think I may have found the solution - this new video documents the problem and my potential solution - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2Kak6ingsuViJI

[@archie497]

Don’t waste your money £1500 First failure is sensor > then after 2yrs warranty > battery > sensor again > battery terminal > very expensive to maintain for a incompetent bike. Too much drag on up hill you can’t go faster then 16/18mph as if it’s recharging the battery but it doesn’t, more like kills your legs. I have a Scott MTB 20 years old and I can easily go up hill and do more miles than this incompetent bicycle. Please read reviews, before purchasing anything in the future.

[@IceReef]

NEW VIDEO ADDED - 40 mile range test of the Carrera Vulcan E-Spec, including a review on durability overall, and a bonus section on keeping fit with an e-bike! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnPKgWqoj6xog9k

[@jonny5789]

Got another question if you don't mind answering 😉 Is it easy enough to cycle if the battery goes flat? Also do you carry any tools e.g. pump, spare tube etc.

[@kevintorevell2406]

I have the same bike, and Its not too bad to ride without battery power but by no means easy, especially hitting hills etc, I have spare tube, tools etc and I pedal without assist quite often,,,

[@jonny5789]

Hi mate, I'm 6ft 5 and weight 20st. Halfords said a 22 inch version would do me. Would it be ok for me just going 30mile a day via hills and flats?. Not been on any bike for at least 20 yr. I'm 35 now lol. Thank you

[@IceReef]

Randy Marsh Hi - I think you’d be fine on a 22inch frame. Not sure if there is a weight limit but it is reinforced so I’d think you’d be good at 20 stone as well. You’d probably get 30 miles on hilly terrain as long as you didn’t flick out of Eco mode too much, but it won’t take you long to drop some weight if you keep that type of route going every day or every few days!

[@jonny5789]

Thanks m8