The most amazing drivetrain for an ebike - is it worth it?

[@Area13ebikes]

Which do you prefer? Belt drive reliability or cost effective chain?

[@porthole2]

Have had belt drives on my motorcycles for many many years and prefer it.

[@Hoggdoc1946]

I would go with the belt drive.

[@prational]

The gates belt drive system is far superior to any chain cassette drive system. Having a virtually zero maintenance drivetrain makes biking much more enjoyable. Especially in adverse biking conditions where you're riding through sand and dust continuously.

[@Dev-lc4cd]

Electronic, automatic or semiautomatic, internal shift/transmission. Lets get there.

[@prational]

I currently have the MD750. It is a super bike! I use it mainly to explore the Mojave Desert in and around Las Vegas. I've only had it for 3 months and I have over 2,000 miles on it. I'm in the process of converting it to an MD1000. I have a Rohloff hub on order. Unfortunately there is an extended lead time for these hubs. My builder informed me that it won't be ready until early to mid-January. I'm really excited to get rid of the chain and derailleur, it is a nightmare. I've already worn out, at 1500 miles, a chain and cassette. The type of riding I do in the desert with lots of dust and sand is very abrasive to the chain. MD750 is already an outstanding bike and upgrading it to the Rohloff Hub and the gates belt is going to make it even more of a great bike. The only problem that I'm having is that the motor controller is on a CAN bus which is not compatible with the current 3rd party programming tools. I have on order a new motor controller that has the UART interface and I'm hoping that I can swap out the controller and hook up a EggRider interface allowing me access to the controllers firmware parameters. The main problem with the current settings is that the assist levels are way too aggressive for my type of riding. Assist level one always tries to accelerate me up to 20 miles an hour. Also the motor does not shut off when you remove any torque input to it for at least one second. Highly recommend Bikonit bikes. A link to my website: kzbin.info/door/IWBePOFNjDJtp7Kb4ofSog

[@l3beast3]

This thing looks like a beast.

[@mb7050]

chain drive and a 1000w mid motor + 1000w rear hub motor

[@84imreplica]

I see three problems with the Rohloff hubs. First, is the price. The optional price, on the Watt Wagons bike I just receive, was $2000 more for the Rohloff. That's a lot of money! Second, there has been some owner complaints about hub leakage. Third, and this relates to #2, is that if you have a problem with a Rohloff hub it has to be sent to the Rohloff repair facility, if you live in N.A. No easy fix at your local bike shop here. Even though the hub has some downsides, I would consider using one on my next ebike, if Rohloff can 100% fix their leaking problem.

[@petebatfish1373]

this is the bike ive been waiting for

[@mikelech1545]

Nice ride . Got my 203 Galfer rotor, wow , very nice.

[@chriswf]

Wonder what it can really stand up to. You'd think for these prices, they'd have a solid warranty.... So I can slap it behind a 4kw cyclone and drop a cassette once and for all.

[@petebatfish1373]

the 14 rohloff is the GOLD STANDARD LEXUS of IGHs. Start making this bike!

[@MrJob91]

these gearboxes are a marvel. They can last upto 30.000km normal cycling with just a few oil changes on beaches snow sand mud

[@Area13ebikes]

Pretty amazing

[@steventrott8714]

I’ve heard numbers closer to 100,000km and I believe it. It takes nearly 5000km just to break em in.

[@melvinbelcher7606]

Is the new warthog belt drive limited to 28mph

[@WyoXJ]

I am trying to find the perfect hunting bike and there is nothing that checks all the boxes so far, and that is mostly due to my size. Being 6ft 5 300lbs most bikes are not up to that weight class. This bike here if it had a 350-400lb capacity would be the perfect bike.

[@stoutdog56]

Dan, look at eCells Super Monarch and TimberTrails ebikes, and RUNGU ebikes. No doubt your inseam is going to be an issue as you already know.

[@ripp3rjak934]

i have a question. How do i maintain the health of my Rear hub motor? i took it out a few test runs and ever since i came back it made like some griding ish noise its not a severe grinding. Its like i need to lube up the joints type of griding. Mind you this was during winter but the roads were clear but there were still liek those Salts on the ground. the motor still runs fine its just it makes me wonder how i could maint the health of it. Like how should i lube it and stuff

[@wildbill23c]

I don't think there's anything you can really do to those hug motors unfortunately. I'd like to know as well though if there is something serviceable to give it a longer life.

[@practice4617]

Seems like Shimano Nexus 8-Spd is best Bang-for-Buck internal hub ATM

[@symstilo1]

The manufacturer is very reluctant to supply with the rulloff belt drive. Keeps pushing the chain option.

[@doughull6161]

Does the Experimental bike have a ThrottleIs independent of having to move the pedals? Right hand twist and go highly preferred, right hand thumb might be OK.. How wide are the actual tires 4"~ 4.5" ? Throttle power is very important when going slow on rough terrain !!?

[@CoachKevandhisFitnessFriends]

Tires are 4.8” / left hand thumb throttle

[@Timbodacious]

Rohloff is the bet for the mid drive. it has a slight slight bit of efficiency loss due to the large seals inside it and the belt but it can handle the power as long as you don't shift in the wrong gears under power.

[@timchapman5553]

Was this prototype a mid and hub drive?

[@chrisprice1603]

Does the motor benifit from the gear being used?

[@sakostwwy1903]

YES!! That's the advantage of a mid drive bike.

[@Hoggdoc1946]

Kyle so you are saying the new version with 14 speed hub will be over $7999? Just adding the the retail price of the hub that could push the price close to 10K.

[@Area13ebikes]

It is currently listed for $7,799 for the newest version with Rohloff hub.

[@ivansampson7055]

And you will never know if you are buying junk or not because it will be covered up.

[@Area13ebikes]

@@ivansampson7055 ?

[@Robbie_Wozzlegummich]

Can you drop ship to Australia?

[@ginginthing]

These bikes need a rear suspension before I'd consider buying one.

[@Linda-br1od]

Please why not a belt drive on the 750??

[@Area13ebikes]

Linda, they're essentially the same bike besides the drivetrain. So they do, it's this one. 😀

[@dad7720]

Rohloff is a total waste of money on an ebike. I have a R&M Charger with 11 speed Shimano and spend 95% of my time in gears 6 to 9. 14 speed is nuts.

[@l1ncs]

if you ride loaded, the range makes sense

[@LordHolley]

Yes it would be nice if they made one that was a bit beefier but that was maybe a 9 speed. Is that being said, getting rid of the derailleur is a nice option for an E-MTB.

[@enam100]

They should go with 2XL tires. Just saying.

[@l1ncs]

whether it's Rohloff or Pinion, both are having a complete laugh with their prices .. keeping production volume low to raise prices could be called exploitative

[@practice4617]

Nexus 8-spd

[@Scatterbrain70]

Is there a reason why this bike went up more than $2,000 in price? That used to be about 5000 now it's more than 7,000

[@Area13ebikes]

The retail on the hub alone is about $1,400.

[@sammyjames1929]

So like Lunas Apex that came out years ago but, just not as good🤣

[@CapNemoDRS]

This 5speed gearbox is fool shit. Its broken in 5 days. I am replace this 5speed to 3 speed awesome sturmey-archer gearbox hub. It have some problems with hand made spacers, but it work nice now.

[@CapNemoDRS]

14 speed rolhoff is absolutly stupid investition. 3 solid gear is all of you need for this powerful 1kw bafang motor!

[@Kobwo1]

Can they be retrofitted to an Aventon Adventure?

[@Area13ebikes]

That would be a major undertaking and likely not worthwhile. The Aventon is a hub motor vs this being a mid drive.

[@Kobwo1]

@@Area13ebikes didn’t get to see the vid yet. The pic looks like it’s hub. Sad. Adventure needs one more top end gear

[@Area13ebikes]

@@Kobwo1 it's an internal hub shifter, as opposed to a motor.

[@mitchellgiles1143]

Will they be able fit into the previous md1000 with the sturmey archer 5 speed?

[@Area13ebikes]

@@mitchellgiles1143 Yes, a previous MD1000 could be retrofitted to this.

[@TheGreatDadoo]

hard tail that doesn't even go 30m/h for 8 grand? oh my gosh... F that ... buy a 591 from costco for 3 grand (full suspension carbon) and add a bafang and battery for 2 grand and get a much better bike for 5 grand that is NOT speed limited!

[@joebuck4496]

“Bikonit is working on bringing this bike back to production, and making it available in big quantities again”…of course that is just for people over 6’ tall. It’s the most ridiculous business model that I’ve ever heard of.

[@monkeyhaters9258]

$1400 for a transmission for my bike . ??😳 or $1400 for a transmission for my car,,,,, hmmmm🤔

[@gmeister03]

Almost 8 grand. Jesus fuck

[@willwhitby757]

Sensors on bikes No Letting never seen them before never tried power and no Chard England and let me know and I want to go TripAdvisor more pudding out some fun England I could try with me and never win anything about

[@practice4617]

Sounds like a bot

[@gmeister03]

Why buy a bike you can’t control at the end user? Time for a controller swap

[@CoachKevandhisFitnessFriends]

I am very disappointed in you and the earlier video you made about the MD1000 with the Sturmey-Archer 5 speed rear hub. I bought the bike because I trusted your review. I paid almost $5,000 for that bike and it only lasted 500 miles before the Sturmey rear hub completely broke down. The Bikonit company has given me a run around for months and months. Be careful with dealing with Bikonit. They will destroy your good reputation.

[@Area13ebikes]

Sorry you didn't have a good experience. Bikonit is standing behind every bike they've sold and offering solutions. Replacement parts have been a problem, but that's industry wide and not specific to Bikonit.

[@Zetler]

Why not just get a real electric dirt bike when it get this huge?

[@SoldierBoy3064]

bike costs 7 grand

[@Area13ebikes]

Fantastic ebikes do have a cost to them. Just like a high performance car. Worth it.

[@ivansampson7055]

I'm extremely disappointed in Bolton for not pulling down Videos showing the original MD 1000. Myself and several other people got rucked into buying this This piece of junk.. We are still struggling trying to get a working bike. Now we don't have what we bought... belt drive nor do we have a working bike bike. Please consider not promoting Bikonit junk bikes.. They are a very dishonest company. Knowingly selling Bikes that do not work to people. I have over a 100 emails many phone calls and still do not have An operating bike. I have bought a lot of Bolton products but an extremely disappointed that you continue to support a company that you KNOW has screwed a lot of customers.

[@Timbodacious]

what happened? they never shipped it because the sturmeys would break?

[@Area13ebikes]

I don't believe Bikonit ever sold a bike knowing it had issues. The Sturmey archer hubs did have issues (hence today's video addressing the change moving forward...) but that wasn't discovered when the bikes were first sold. I don't have intimate knowledge of communications between Bikonit and their customers, but I know that we've done our best to resolve each and every case for bikes purchased from us. That may have been swapping for another bike model, sending alternative drivetrain parts, or even refunding bikes in full. Aside from delivery delays beyond their control, Bikonit has been correcting any issues and providing parts needed.

[@Timbodacious]

@@Area13ebikes yeah i emailed them awhile ago to buy one and they would not sell me the sturmey because it was breaking

[@Hoggdoc1946]

Where did you buy your bike? Sounds to me like if you bought it from Bolton you may have some issues but Kyle would've fixed them.