As it turns out REI has a flagship store extremely close to
me. They have a good reputation and do
bicycle repairs. Moreover, REI
membership has its privileges with a generous warrantee and “Satisfaction Guaranteed” for Co-Op members. For me, that makes a compelling case to buy
from REI.
Since this would be a starter e-bike, I considered getting the more economical option, so that I could have experience in case that I upgraded. Admittedly, I would have missed the front rack, but I rationalized that I could have gotten by with a shoulder bag for my daily commuting routine.
I was strongly impressed with comparing the estimated range for models of e-bikes with more particularized battery estimates. I knew that the e1.1 had the lesser battery, with a 36v/11.4ah capacity compared to the e1.2 which had a 48v/14ah capacity. REI advertised that the Co-Op e1.1 would have a range of up to 30 miles whereas the Co-Op e1.2 would have a range of up to 60 miles.
I currently have a relatively short commute of around three miles roundtrip. In a workweek, that would mean 15 miles, although I suspect that between holidays, remote work and convenience, it would be less than that. Mindful of Lithium-Ion battery best practices, it is best not to drain your battery before recharging, so I would want to plug it in at the half way mark.
Based on the best case scenario for range, that would mean
recharging the e1.1 battery every week, which seemed amenable. However, when I considered the drop in range
efficiency due to weight considerations, it told a different story
However, further research on range and e-bike batteries changed my mind. Like car MPG, the actual mileage can vary based on various factors. The same is true with e-bike batteries, but the variable conditions make the impact much more dramatic.
In order to measure range, manufacturers determine the
number in a laboratory environment, which does not account for bad
weather. Presumably the testing
conditions are flat terrain (which will give the highest range numbers). The dirty detail which skews these range
reports is the weight of the rider. In
cars, MPG in a two ton vehicle is not going to be impacted by the weight of the
driver. But REI Co Op e-bikes only weigh
54 pounds. So a pixie weighing 125 lbs.
commanding the cockpit of an e-bike will have a much better result than a
portly peddler.
Other factors which remove the rosy range scenario include hilly conditions when the pedal assist on a
class 1 e-bike would be key and cold weather, which can sap a battery’s
capacity.
So I was all set to buy a REI Co-Op Generation e1.2 bike. I looked online to ensure that the bike was in stock, but when I arrived at the store, I learned that it was the only e1.2 on the premises. When inspecting the unit, I saw some cosmetic damage which could have been a negotiating point for a lower price. To get a pristine new e-bike might have taken a few weeks.
Surprisingly, I was Co Opt-ed by the e.1.1. The was not driven by a sales pitch but some information on REI’s return policy as well as considering my use case scenario.
For REI members, the co-op has a one year satisfaction
guarantee policy (Ninety days for non members).
I have been forthright that I am anxious to utilize DC’s upcoming e-bike
incentive. In that case, I might switch
out e-bikes. The REI salesperson noted
that they might look askance at that rationale.
But if I got the e1.1, it would be the same type of utility/cargo e-bike
but lacked a front rack and has a lesser range than the e1.2. So after a few months of road testing, I
could rightly come back and return it – either for an upgrade or a refund. That
is a compelling choice. Plus, I saved
$240 in an initial outlay.
Time will tell if my initial qualms were overblown or if
the REI Co- Op e1.1 just the first generation of e-bikes for me.
[Editor's Note: As it turned out, the REI Co Op e1.1 proved to be a starter bike after only 100 days]
Comments
Post a Comment