Merida Powercycle Electric bike Comments?

10-21-2004, 02:25 AM

What you you think of this model electric bike? Could someone post
comments on using this bike and how it compares to others? How is it
on Hills?

I've heard of a Throttle mod so you just push a switch you add to get
extra power or full power and a mod to extend the RPM/speed sensor so
you can go faster than the 15 MPH motor cut off limit. I don't know
the details of the mods but someone on ebay was selling the plans
earlier this year for the model 500 and 550 Merida Powercycle. If you
know the mods please post it for all to enjoy. I heard you cut one
wire for the Throttle mod so it's fairly simple.

Anyway to change the electric motor control algorithm of the
Powercycle 500 to keep the motor working at it's most efficient point?
I believe it can be changed to increase the performance with little
extra battery consumption.

Some info on the Merida PowerCycle Electric Bicycle:

Merida is one of the world's largest bicycle manufacturers. They own
49% of Specialized, and make bikes for many other bike brands found in
North America's better bike shops. In Europe and Asia, bikes with the
Merida name are highly regarded, and Merida's women's mountain bike
team continues to dominate the World Cup.

Because Merida is a bicycle company, when they decided to design an
electric bike from the ground up, they did so with the knowledge and
experience to do it right, using the same high quality materials and
components that are used on their pedal-only bikes. The result is an
electric bicycle that has had universal praise for it's exceptional
design, quality and, value.

Power assisted ones, or Pedelecs (Pedal Electric Cycle) where
electrical motor is active only during pedaling and it augments the
pedaling action.

Power assisted electrical bicycles are more advanced, and from the
user perspective much easier to ride. The rider just needs to pedal
and change gears as with any other, non-electric bicycle. A
computerized sensor monitors force applied to the pedals and
multiplies rider's power. Output from the battery-powered motor is
greatest when rider needs it the most: starting and climbing. To
maximize the range, the power assist decreases as speed increases.
The assist tapers to zero above the specified speed. The max assisted
speed depends on the bike model and it is usually 24 km/h (max speed
as per Japan's regulations), although number of models have max
assisted speed of 32 km/h (as per Canadian and US regulations).