It was a faulty battery

Just an afterthought.

The battery did turn out to be the problem.

It tested ok on the bench, but when the Gazelle technicians put it in another bike they encountered exactly the problem I had. It registered full charge but did not supply any power to the motor.

They downloaded new software and that fixed the problem.

The battery also required a new backplate (the part with the LEDs).

Not sure if the two problems were related.

I cannot fault the service I got from Gazelle. They were courteous, patient and genuinely pursued a resolution to the problem.

Just difficult to do it from 400 km away.

One thing I was a bit surprised at was the warranty on the battery. It was a set time (2 years), not a set number of discharges.

My Final Analysis

I think it is time to call it a day on this blog.

I have had the Gazelle for 4 years. It has been an interesting experience.

Over the last few months I have also had the opportunity to compare it to a good all-round conventional touring bike.

The verdict.

The Gazelle is a bike built for the city and commuting. In my brief experience in those conditions it was magic.

Unfortunately those are not my conditions. The Gazelle has done over 1500km service since I bought it. The 1500km says it all. I would have expected to ride more than double this each year of ownership, but I struggled. Its weaknesses were longer distances, unsealed roads and remoteness from service backup. When it worked it worked well. But when it did not it was simply a very heavy and ill geared bike with too many compromises that relied on that electric motor.

Don't get me wrong. The problems would not, under different circumstances, have been significant. But given my remoteness from service assistance they were painful. I was left wondering why the motor wasn't engaging too many times. After a couple of particularly gruelling rides without any motor (despite fully charged batteries, properly adjusted sensor and clear indication that the system thought it was working), I developed a definite preference for simpler and more reliable technology.

Probably the single biggest failing of the Gazelle for my use was no manual override of the sensor control system.

So I am sending it to a friend who lives in a city with a Gazelle service centre. I am sure it will provide years of enjoyable and relatively trouble-free electric-assisted commuting.

For me, I will stick to the touring bike for the moment.

Battery Mystery

I have sent the mal-functioning battery to Gazelle Australia.

It has been tested and found to be fully charged with no analytical signs of malfunction.

As a follow-up, I have asked that they make sure that the battery works properly when used in another bike.

If it does then I will have another mystery to solve.

As the situation stands it appears that one battery works with my bike and another, that has tested as functional, does not. That suggests a problem with the interface between the battery and bike for that particular battery.

Interestingly, I have been informed that the battery only comes with a 2 year warranty. I thought that it was guaranteed for a certain number of cycles. When I did my calculation of whole of life cycle cost I did not factor replacing A$700 batteries every 800km of use (that is the most that this battery would have done).

Battery problems?

I have been riding the Innergy a bit more recently. It is easier now our youngest is at school.

Yesterday I encountered something that may explain the problem I mentioned in the 'First Thousand Kilometres' post.

I use two batteries - one to get me into town, one to get home. If I am in town long enough then I simply charge the battery - saves me carrying the second one.

Yesterday I rode in on one batter and everything was perfect. I changed to the second before riding home. On the way home the motor did not work at all.

The display showed full power, the lights were working, but the battery was not providing power to the motor. I rode the 30km home and the battery was still showing full power. On the way home I removed the battery and control unit on a number of occasions in the hope that it was just a connection/communication problem. I switched the pannier from one side to the other - perhaps it was interfering with the sensor? I pedalled very hard and very soft. All to no avail.

Given that the bike was working perfectly with one battery and not with the other, I strongly suspect the battery is the problem. This battery is not old, not overused and always treated with care. I have called the Gazelle distributors for Australia and will send the battery to them for checking. I will let you know when they give me their verdict.

Previously I suggested that the problem of no assistance may have been due to an axel mounted trailer upsetting the rear-dropout mounted sensor. Now I can suggest an alternate hypothesis - a malfunctioning battery.

Back on the bike

I have ridden the Gazelle and Vivente back to back.

It has confirmed my initial feelings.

I rode the Gazelle back from town (30k) with my 5yo son on the back and a light load. It is definitely a very enjoyable experience and less work than cycling solo on the Vivente over the same route. I also travel quicker on the Gazelle.

So I get home faster and feel fresher at the end of the ride on the Gazelle.

But the Vivente works better with heavy loads, over longer distances and where charging batteries is a problem.

The Vivente is a gorgeous bike and wonderful to ride. Can't wait to go touring. When I have a bit more time or I want a bit more exercise I will certainly be riding the Vivente to town.

Some Serious Questions

When I first thought of purchasing the Innergy I had a number of concerns about its use in my circumstances. Here are the concerns with my impressions following a few serious outings.

How long will the batteries last?

I have run the bike on ECO most of the time. That has been more than enough assist under most circumstances. The batteries lasted 60 km on a full charge cycling with a light load (10 kg) over flat to undulating sealed roads. Over mixed dirt and tar, carrying about 20 kg, including a 6 km hill in 1st/2nd gear, I got just under 50 km. With more serious hills and towing a lightly loaded trailer, running a mix of ECO and BOOST the range has been closer to 40 km. Running the bike on BOOST with some big hills, 20 kg of gear and 6 km of dirt, the battery was just about done in 35 km. Fully laden with the groceries (trailer plus 40 kg load), using BOOST up the big hills and the battery does the 30 km trip from town to home which includes an overall altitude gain of 400 m.

Or course - all of this depends on what level of assist you set the ECO and BOOST at. My ECO has been set at 65% of the 250 watt motor's capacity. With less assist I would be able to get proportionally more range. But the current settings work well for my circumstances.

What about the gear range?

I had the choice between derallieure and hub gears. I wanted hub to minimize gear and chain maintenance. The tradeoff was range of ratios.

Even with significant weight on the bike and on dirt roads with steep hills the gears aren't limiting. Under light loads I generally don't use first gear. Under moderate loads and with hills, first and second get a workout but I never feel limiting. Under heavy loads (towing 50 kg of trailer and groceries) the steep hills challenge first gear. I have not had to walk yet, but I have had a decent workout.

For my use, I will fit a larger rear sprocket. I would prefer to spin up hills rather than grind. This will lower the 8th gear. This is no loss as I have not really used 8th gear in its present ratio.

How will it handle the dirt?

Great! I have done close to a third of my riding on dirt including our home road which is in terrible condition. There has been no significant wheel spin even when climbing steep hills. I have reached downhill speeds of up to 50 kph, covered corrugations and even hit the odd pothole. It is not a mountain bike but it is quite happy on the dirt. It is no problem to average about 19 kph on the dirt roads. My only comment is that under very rough conditions at speed (over 30kph) I did notice the unsprung weight up front.

What about the roller brakes?

No complaints at all. They had more than enough feel and bite for their intended purpose. Even under fast descents and with load I never feel like I need more brake. I have had one emergency stop and the brakes stopped me dead.

General

This is an unconventional bike for Australia. It looks so strange and is so understated. Neither are a problem for me.

I love the ergonomics! The easily adjustable riding position is fabulous - it is just fantastic for the back/neck/shoulders to be able to sit upright and then with the flick of a lever to be able to lean forward to put in some serious effort. The saddle is the best I can remember riding on. The rack is very confidence inspiring. Both my younger children love the bobike seat - they want to ride everywhere with me. The integrated lock is so convenient. The lights work a treat and I love being able to ride through puddles without getting muddy.

New bike

My how time flys!

I won't give you a run down on why I haven't posted for over a year. Let's just say life has been totally absorbing.

Today I bought a new bike - but before you judge me as an unfaithful bastard... It is a dedicated touring bike, a complement not a replacement for the Gazelle.

The new bike is a Vivente World Randonneur and it is beautiful.

Thank you to Ollie at Omafiets in Marrickville (omafiets.com.au), nice to find genuine and interested customer service.

The plan is a family cycle tour June 2014.

The Gazelle will remain my country commuter. The Vivente will be the workhorse and long distance tourer.

Will keep you posted on progress.