Hello all, I just joined, and am looking after a womens Boardman HYB 8.9E (slightly off-topic to the original poster).
My thoughts after 3 weeks ownership / fettleship:
Overall:
- it's a game changer if you've reached the 'I can't be bothered to cycle today' stage
- there are several minor irritations, but nothing that would stop us buying another one.
Pros:
- it works seamlessly, and has transformed our rides. Hills are no problem (my better half spins up on the Boardman, with me battling to keep up on a normal bike)
- the design is 90% there, I'd say. It's very tidy, relatively light, and simple to use.
Cons:
- battery removal could be easier, as mentioned by several owners previously. It's easy after practice, but it probably the least friendly part of the design.
- The battery lock has no positive action, you just turn it fully clockwise with no resistance, click, etc. There's no indicator on frame as to which way is locked/unlocked. Unlocked = fully clockwise
- you have to take the key with you. If you set off without switching the battery on, you'll need the key to unlock and press the (now hidden) start button.
- odd exposed area underneath where the sensor wires enter the bottom bracket. Looks like a cover was thought about, not not supplied/created, since there are clip holes for one.
- app has poor support for different phones*. The failure seemed to be linked with Android 9. Android 7 & 8 devices worked fine. I'd be interested to know if that fits other people's findings.
- Boardman-specific cons:
- the screw at the bottom of the seat tube (for mudguard attachment) has the Fazua cables directly behind it. Screwing a long bolt (longer than the brazing) in there will damage the cables at quite a cost, so beware.
- the screw holes on the rear are blocked with paint (someone else mentioned this)
Front mudguard fitting is tricky (well, for me) There are no eyelets at the bottom of the forks. There is a screw hole on the inside of each fork about 1/3rd up, and that's where you have to attach the mudguard stay. This requires two things:
- a spacer to keep the stay away from the fork / disk brake caliper
- and a bit of stressing of the stay, since you're no longer fitting the stays in a near-perfect radius to the wheel. For that reason you also have to cut a lot of excess off the bottom stay.
Also, a couple of comments on points raised in the thread:
> People are paying a high price for what is essentially just a bicycle with a battery and an electric motor. One would have thought they could manufacturer something as simple as this, without any of the problematic issues people are experiencing.
It's a simple system to understand and use. It's not a simple system to create (mechanical complexity, battery tech, motor tech, sensors, software, throw in some Bluetooth for fun, and finally design to the smallest size). I can understand the reason why they currently cost a fair chunk - although I'd agree the pricing is probably loaded 50% on having recover all those upfront design costs.
> The Fazua phone app, 'Rider', shows you how many times the battery has been charged (along with other system data.) It connects to the system via Bluetooth, so there's no need to buy cables and download software. I think it can also check your software version and download/install any updates.
Updates are only via the PC/Mac/Linux software, not the app. The cable is standard, but two iterations out of date compared to phone cables:
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable £3.89
*I'm an app developer, so I tested it with several of our phones. Some worked, some didn't, so I emailed the app developer. Initially, he talked, but then went quiet on me after I gave him all my findings. Shame. So I don't bother using the app.
Many companies consider apps to be an add-on, whilst completely forgetting they're a very direct contact with customers. Fazua obviously think the same. They need to consider it as part and parcel of the e-bike experience, not some afterthought.
