Ecobike Vatavio

[k9leader]

I recently decided to get into e-biking, primarily for my 5-mile commute to work. After some research on the Internets I decided on the Ecobike Vatavio, a folder with a rear hub motor. The company's website is at: http://www.ecobike-usa.com. There are several dealers from whom you can order the Vatavio and there are some mini-reviews out there. Check 'em out.

I've now had it a couple of days and got to ride it to/from work for the first time today. It was a very enjoyable ride - of course, it helped that it was a beautiful almost-Fall day. The ride took about 15-20 minutes, including lengthy stops at three traffic lights. I'm an elementary school teacher and we have a classroom set aside for faculty meetings and such that is across the hall from me, so it's a perfect place to park the bike during the day, so I don't have the problems of keeping it out of the weather and keeping it secure.

Aside from the 10-mile roundtrip commute, I've put another 15 - 20 miles on it since it arrived a couple of days ago. Very early first impressions:

It does make the hills more manageable. I used to ride road and mountain bikes fairly seriously, but have not ridden much in the past 10 years due to back problems and work demands and inertia. So, at 47 years old and about 50 lbs overweight, with a bad back and bad knees, I appreciate the little boost that makes the hills not almost-insurmountable.

Anyone who thinks they can use this as a motorized-only scooter better be more svelte than I and not have any serious hills to climb. Okay, being more svelte than me isn't really that difficult. Anyway, the motor is great for boosting your leg power on hills and for getting moving from a stop, but I find that on the flats or downhills, I can pedal it fast enough in the highest gear that I don't think the motor is able to provide any boost. In fact, I wish the gearing were a little more aggressive; however, I know this is a "commuter bike" and not "built for speed." On the flats, it is quite easy to cruise at 18-20 mph with the same effort that would get my mountain bike going at 12-14 or my road bike at 15-16. Slightly more exertion will get you in the 23-24 range, but even really hammering won't get you much past 25 due to the gearing. Have to wait for the downhills to get some speed. Lighter folks may be able to get more speed from just the motor alone - but if that is what they want, an electric or gas scooter may be a better choice. This is still a bicycle and works best when some leg power goes into it.

It seems well made and well-designed. The long-neck stem flexes a bit when I pull back hard on the handlebars, but it's a folding bike so short of a high-priced titanium or carbon fiber stem, it's going to flex and I just have to get used to it.

The folding pedals are kind of cool and certainly useful for making it as compact as possible; however, I found them to be too easy for my foot to slip off. In addition, I like to use toe-clip like "toe cups" (Nashbar sells a set, as do Mt. Zefal, Delta, and a couple of others). They are strapless scaled-back clips that help you correctly position your foot, keep it from slipping, and give you a little upstroke grip (though not as much as clips or clipless). Anyway, the folding pedals have no holes on which to mount the toe cups. I changed the pedals out the second day with some basic, inexpensive platform mountain bike pedals with Nashbar toe cups. Perfect for casual riding. I do have clipless on my road bike and clips on my mountain bike, but I far prefer these toe cups for casual riding.

Not sure I like the saddle, but I've always needed to try several saddles on all of my bikes before settling on something that is just right.

The plastic chain guard thing was the only thing damaged when I received it, and that was just that one of the screw mounting holes was broken off. Even if it was not damaged, I would have pulled the thing off. I plan to usually, if not always, ride in shorts or close-fitting pants (such as sweat pants) instead of the khaki pants I usually wear at school so the chain guard is not really needed.

The rear rack is very sturdy and it does include an elastic strap; however, the strap is so tight that anything strapped down gets the big squeeze (think tuna fish sandwich and some tortilla chips). I will probably add something like Blackburn's rack strap or maybe just pull some bungee cords off the workbench.

Anyway, if there are any other Vatavio owners or owners of similar folding e-bikes out there, share your thoughts and experiences here.

Happy riding!

[k9leader]

Update after a couple of more days of commuting:

Lotsa fun - nice weather, no problems with cars (so far).

Arrived at school invigorated but not sweaty and smelly. The other teachers and the kids think it's cool that I'm biking to work.

Gearing is definitely tame - I might look into a larger ring up front or a different cassette on the rear (gee, is it a cassette?).

Also rode it to the grocery store on Sunday to pick up a few things.

Have been stopped by several people asking questions, including a guy in a Prius who wanted to know where to get one - gave him the company's website.

Disappointed that I have to drive tomorrow - it is supposed to be another beautiful day.

[k9leader]

Another update after a month with the Vatavio:

So far, it's been great - I love my morning and afternoon rides. I have taken to keeping clothing at school so I don't have to haul it back and forth with me.

Another thing I have found I like is that when I get home, I am already changed into comfortable clothing, which my dogs love as it means I stay outside and play with them instead of disappearing into the house for 15-20 minutes to change.

I really wanted to be able to take coffee with me to drink at school, but none of our many insulated coffee travel cups (my wife is in marketing with a pharmaceutical company so we are always getting freebies) fit a water bottle holder quite right. I found a stainless steel water-bottle shaped coffee cup from Trek (the Soho?). It works like a charm - lid and slding sip hole cover are tight and don't leak. From the time I pour it in the cup and get to school and take my first sip, it is about 35-40 minutes and the coffee is still warm enough for me (although I prefer it just warm and not hot). One downside of the stainless steel is that it can't be popped into a microwave to warm it up a little bit - again, not so much a problem for me but most others would want it hotter.

Bike is great - works like a charm. I did neglect to charge it one night and the battery gave out on me about 4/5 of the way to work. So, I got almost one-and-a-half round trips out of a charge (about 15 mles). It is touted as having a range of up to 20 miles. I expected that it would be less for me as I am something of a Clydesdale (about 240 lbs). So about what can be expected.

I dug out my panniers and I do prefer not having a loaded backpack on my back but do not like not having some sort of briefcase/backpack that I can just pull off the bike and have all my school papers and books in while at school. I have some briefcase/backpack bags (more marketing freebies) that might make good panniers that would work. I would just have to figure out how to add some mounting hardware/bungees to them. There are some ideas on this on the Internets, found by using the Google.

Happy pedaling!

[safe]

So, at 47 years old and about 50 lbs overweight, with a bad back and bad knees, I appreciate the little boost that makes the hills not almost-insurmountable.

We're the same age. I'm not overweight, but my body is definitely fading away as is normal for all people. We all wear out.

I'm really excited about the electric bike because I've always had a love for the idea of being able to get around with the minimum amount of weight and effort.

Stick around and post from time to time... I'm trying to get this place a little more active... it's basically an empty forum right now, but that's nice because it hasn't become overpopulated yet.

[richmpdx]

Thanks for the information about the Vatavio. I have been very interested in this ebike and it is great to get some info from someone who purchased the bike. I am interested in using the bike for commuting. My weight is quite similar to yours and I am 6' 4" tall. I am not so concerned about the top end gearing, but rather the low gears. I live in Portland, OR and hill climbing ability is quite important for my commute. It is my understanding the hub motor for this bike is geared. The geared motor plus 20" wheels may provide enough torque for serious hill climbing. Is the cassette gearing (for rider assistance) + motor torque OK for long hills, perhaps as steep as 20%? Also any thoughts about a relatively tall rider using the Vatavio?

Rich

[k9leader]

Richmpdx:

Actually, now that I've had to pedal it up a serious hill after the battery died a couple of times I'm okay with the gearing. I'll give up more aggressive top gears when using the pedal assist for the low gears for when I have to pedal it up hills without power.

So, when I do remember to recharge it so I don't lose the battery just as I get to the serious hill, the power assist is fine for getting up those serious hills. Of course the more hills on your commute, the faster you will drain the battery. I've been able to get about 14-15 miles on both of those occasions. I'm not a total moron - the second time, I knew enough to take the charger with me so I could recharge during the day.

I'm 5-9 and it's comfortable for me. The only way you will really be able to tell is to try it out. But, you're in luck - the dealer I ordered mine from is local for you so you should be able to visit their shop and try it out:
http://www.thegreensceneev.com

Let me know how it goes . . .

K9Leader

[k9leader]

Ecobike Vatavio Update - 2/10/2009

Have not ridden much the past few weeks -- winter weather, early darkness, etc. I think I rode it to school (work) only one day in January, although I've ridden it yesterday and today and this week looks promising for another day or two.

I have broken two spokes on the rear wheel. The dealer I got it from sent me two spares and I used one of those as a repair and have not yet changed the temporary repair (shortened a longer spoke) as it seems to be holding up well enough. I will have to order some appropriate length spares in case I break any more. Replacement is a pain because there is no quick easy way to disconnect the power cable to the hub motor so you have to work on the wheel or tire with a wire tether. It really should come with a quick disconnect somewhere along the wire or where the wire enters the hub. I may try to create something like that.

Also, I had to replace the kickstand. The kickstand is bolted to a small flange welded to the bottom of the left chainstay. While working on the bike, I had it tilted up on the kickstand so I could rotate the rear wheel and it tipped over, with the kickstand flange snapping off. Not repairable. I put on a Greenfield that mounts on the chainstay and the tube from the hub up toward the seat area (can't remember what that one is called right now). Seems sturdier than the original and more out of the way - just worried about clamping something to the tubing and causing damage. However, as a commuter bike, the kickstand is necessary. Don't and won't have them on my mountain bike, hybrid, or road bike, but necessary on the Ecobike.

Still love riding to work - it is invigorating both in the morning and afternoon and can't wait for better weather so I can ride more often.

K9Leader

[safe]

Spokes break when they are either too loose or too tight. Since you've owned the bike for some time the odds are that all the spokes have loosed up a bit and if you don't actually give an all around tightening the spokes will keep breaking.

My Project #001 bike is very heavy and I ride it very fast and for a while I was breaking spokes on the rear wheel all the time. When I finally conceeded that it wasn't enough to just replace the spokes and that it needed an all around tightening job that was what it took to cure the problem.

It helps that I used to work at a bike shop and know how to true a wheel. If you take it in to get the spoke replaced they will not tighten the wheel overall, so you would have to ask for that extra. If you want to do it yourself, just go all around the wheel on one side at a time and give all the spokes one quarter turn. Do the other side. Then see if the wheel is true and if there are spokes that seem abnormally tight or loose. Check the roundness of the wheel. Basically you need to go through the whole wheel true sequence at the end.

If you don't get the spokes tightened then spokes will break all the time...

[elegance]

I was happy to see your posts regarding your Ecobike Vatavio, they are very informative. I have an Ecobike too, the Elegance 36 commuter model. Just like you I have been very pleased with it's performance. I have owned my Elegance for about 8 months now and have not had any issues with it! The Elegance has 26" wheels and is a wonderful commuter bike. I ride everyday. My commute has some decent hills, which the bike climbs just fine with little effort from me. It is very comfortable and has been alot of fun, especially now that the weather is getting better here. I bought it from a local bike shop here in Oregon and take it in regularly for tune ups. The people at the bike shop are very helpful, they have been telling me about a 14 amp battery upgrade for my bike, which I am planning on purchasing once it becomes available. I have been told that it will increase the miles per charge on my bike. Since you seem so informed about the Ecobikes I was wondering what you think about the battery upgrade...Any comments? I look forward to your future posts about your Ecobike.

[elegance]

Just a little update on my Ecobike Elegance 36... I have been riding just about everyday now for 9 months, no problems at all. Keeping up with the regular tune ups as recommended by the bike shop I bought it from and it still works as well as it did the day I got it. I estimate that I have ridden around 3200+ miles so far and have enjoyed every mile, this is a great bike and has been lots of fun, I'm even starting to get in better shape, I find myself using the pedal assist more and more lately which is my favorite feature on this bike. When I bought my Ecobike I was so out of shape I could no longer pedal my old beach cruiser without getting winded... Thank you Ecobike for making such a great bike!!!

[lsolo]

Hi there! A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to buy a used Ecobike Elegance in GREAT shape, practically brand new. The problem with this is, of course, I'm not sure what recommended scheduled maintenance for the bike is! I'm actually finding the instruction manual (thin as it is) incredibly unhelpful.

So I'd appreciate a little advice on the subject. It hasn't needed much of anything so far except a replacement link on the chain. I want to know how often/how many miles I should have it serviced. I'm not using it much except for leisure rides at the moment, but I expect and hope to be using it to commute to work a few miles away once work starts up again.

Thanks for your help!