Ebike, AWD
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: Knife2sharp
11-Mar-21
I'm looking at getting an E-bike and considering the Rambo Krusader, with two 500w hub drive motors. But their 750w mid-drive motor model is a few hundred less. From my previous research, mid-drive motors are better. Also, the AWD bike only has one rear sprocket/gear. The properties I plan on using it are not very far rides, nor real hilly, so I would probably be using the motor w/out pedal assist. But having two wheels turning at the same speed without a differential seems a bit odd for maneuvering and you can't turn off one of the motors. These just came out last year, so I'm not sure anyone on here has one, but may have test road one, or has an opinion on the different types of drives.
From: DanaC
12-Mar-21
"...and you can't turn off one of the motors. "
That's dumb. Being able to shut one down would allow you to conserve battery power when you don't need extreme pulling. Sounds like this is still 'not ready for prime time.'
From: t-roy
12-Mar-21
Knife2.......there was a Rambo vendor at the Iowa Deer Classic last weekend. He said that they were out of Wisconsin somewhere, and they will be one of the sponsors at one of the big archery shoots in Wisconsin in mid-late July. (The R100 in Sparta, possibly?) He said they would have all of their different models there, so guys could test drive them in real world conditions vs just riding on a street. I’ll look and see if I still have his card.
From: Redman
12-Mar-21
I have owned them all....get an UBCO. I know a guy that has one for sale if you are interested
From: Jaquomo
12-Mar-21
Just be aware that public land agencies everywhere are limiting most uses to Class 1 and 2, which means less than 750 watts. USFS will almost certainly follow Interior's lead when they get around to it. So unless you intend to ride only public land or vehicle roads, keep that in mind.
From: jingalls
12-Mar-21
Get a Backou and you can flip it back and forth from 750 to 1000. Hub drives are a pain for maintenance. Keep that in mind. When you get a flat tire and need to remove it...you will wish you had a mid-drive unit. Good luck!
From: Knife2sharp
13-Mar-21
I'm looking at a bike with no derailleur.
From: Knife2sharp
13-Mar-21
Well, I pulled the trigger and ordered one. Got a great deal on a combo that includes, rack, bags, trailer, rack and fenders. This bike has a beafier chain and you can still pedal if the battery was to drain, which I don't forsee, but nice to know. I posted on the Rambo Owners Group, and just like the reviews I found, everyone who's ridden one likes it. It should arrive on time for fields to be thawed out and turkey season.
From: Jaquomo
13-Mar-21
Which one did you end up getting?
From: Knife2sharp
13-Mar-21
I got the Krusader. The dealer did say he was partial to his Bushwacker and did agree that removing a wheel with a hub drive is tricky, because the power cables don't have much play when removing the wheel. But hey, who doesn't like to be challenged once in a while. I grew up on BMX and freestyle bikes and have a mountain bike as well, although there will likely be a learning curve working on one of these.
From: Knife2sharp
13-Mar-21
I saw their vid from the ATA show last year, and although they have two 500w hub motors, essentially 100w total, they're still a class 2.
From: Jaquomo
14-Mar-21
Interesting. From the Rambo website: "These two motors give a combined nominal power rating of 1000W and a peak power rating of 1500W". Not sure how a nominal power rating of 1000W = 749W maximum but this new public school math is puzzling too. I need to talk to the Rambo folks about something else next week so I'll ask them how this is possible. The law is pretty clear.
Either way, you'll have a blast. Enjoy!
From: eBike John
14-Mar-21
AWD is good, and having both motors getting traction they climb better than a simple rear hub motor. Riding an AWD ebike takes a little getting used to. If the terrain is not too bumpy it's a nice ride, the only thing to get used to is when you're riding on terrain that is bumpy and the front or back wheel can be lifting off the ground from time to time. Reason being, imagine you are using both motors but you encounter a bumpy spot and you front wheel comes up and you lose traction, the motor is still spinning the at 20mph and as soon as the front wheel touches down again and gets traction it could jerk you a bit.
Regarding the wattage limit of 750 watts. It states the motor should not exceed, not the overall total of watts on the bike. A silly discrepancy if you ask me, you will soon have someone trying to build an ebike with 3 motors next.
I recently added E-Cells brand to my website and they only produce AWD like the Rambo Krusader.
But Lou, when you talk to Rambo, let us know what they say about the total watts question.
From: Knife2sharp
14-Mar-21
Knife2sharp's Link
Actually found the link, I was looking on YouTube, but it was on a bow hunting site. Says the bike is actually categorized as a mountain bike, falling under a class 1 or 2 Ebike.
From: eBike John
15-Mar-21
Reply from Rambo about AWD ebike class
Reply from Rambo about AWD ebike class
I got this clarification from Rambo which was my understanding, but it's good to get it from them too.
From: Jaquomo
15-Mar-21
Hmmm, another case of technology getting ahead of lawmakers. But if it is governed down to 19 mph and has a sticker saying "Class 2" then any LEO that checks it won't have a problem. In the four years I've had mine, no LEO has ever checked it for compliance.
From: Knife2sharp
15-Mar-21
Update, I changed my order from the AWD model, to their mid-drive model, thanks to a great video by Bakcou. They went on to say they had tried developing a dual hub motor, but didn't gain more torque than a single hub motor, and the front tire can become slightly uncontrollable when lifting and contacting ground again.
From: Jaquomo
16-Mar-21
I can see that. On some of the rough steep stuff I ride, my front wheel does occasionally does come off the ground going over a rock or a log. If the front wheel suddenly accelerated, seems logical there could be a "yikes" moment.