YuenX
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The below is my list of must-haves for a battery-powered bicycle. We will go over the reasons why later.
- Decent motor to aid with steep inclines
- 21 speeds/gears for tackling difficult, uphill climbs
- Pedal Assist System (PAS)
- Rides and looks like a normal mountain bike
- Detachable, large battery for long rides and convenient charging
- Suspension (either Front only or both Front & Rear)
So, what did I think of the Funhang EB-M1 (Gray Silver) electric mountain bike after riding it for a couple days? It worked well, looked good, and was far less expensive than other 26" 500W eBikes I had tested/bought.
IN A NUTSHELL
Like the Metakoo Cybertrack 100, the Funhang EB-M1 (Gray Silver) is no Santa Cruz mountain bike and I would never trust my life to a relatively new brand going down the steep, rocky hills without worrying whether the frame or wheels would hold up to abuse. But comparing a $500 electric bike to a professional one that costs 12x more is unfair. The Funhang checked all my must-haves AND addressed the shortcomings of the Metakoo: a powerful motor, large-enough detachable battery, 21 Shimano gears, pedal assist, mountain bike style, and electronic horn and headlight. Its front fork also had a suspension.
The very rapid, smooth acceleration afforded by its 500W motor (nominally 43% more powerful than the Cybertrack) evoked feelings of both fear and exhilaration. The battery, too, holds a little more capacity that could translate to longer distances and provide an endless amount of power to the horn and headlight. Funhang’s stem adds an advantage with its variable height and angle adjustment to accommodate different rider heights and styles.
The shipping package was well-protected, some assembly was required, but compared to others I had built/tested, not much had to be done here: the front brake worked nearly flawlessly out of the box (had to make a minor adjustment to loosen up the slight rubbing). If you had never built a bike before, it would be possible to do so on your own with some patience, but an experienced person could easily assemble the entire product with ease. All the parts were already pre-tuned, but some small adjustments were still necessary to ensure the front disc brake did not rub and the 3-speed gears properly shifted. You may consider taking your new bike into a professional shop as needed.
Funhang’s frame looks and feels sturdy, but again, I would not trust it with hardcore, rocky downhill rides, though the mechanical disc brakes performed well for quick, controlled stops. The heavy, Lithium-Ion battery enclosure is waterproof, could be securely locked to the frame with a pair of keys, and has a button to show charge levels in 25% increments. Its charging port is protected with a water resistant cover.
The brushless motor was turned on with the handlebar-mounted controller, and battery capacity was displayed in 20% increments. There were 5 assistance levels controlled via the +/- buttons and about 20 mph (as confirmed with a smartphone GPS) was reached with a 190 lb bicyclist. The manufacturer claims support for up to 330 lbs, and the frame should accommodate riders between 5’2″ – 6’3″ tall (roughly the same as the Metakoo). Cranking the throttle on the right-side handle engaged the motor for when you wanted temporary assistance: the more it was turned, the higher the assist and faster the speed.
TIP: The less the motor is engaged, the greater range, battery life, and exercise you will have during the ride.
Keep in mind that prolonged use of the motor at maximum performance could overheat it. Funhang claims a range of “25-45 miles” under pure electric mode. This should translate to about 40-55 mi via pedal assist. The Pedal Assist System (PAS) is useful for when you want to pedal with a small amount of electrical help, and that will result in a greater range and battery life when less of the motor is used.
So, which bike was better? That was a really difficult decision to make. It ultimately came down to preference. My brother loved the power and acceleration of the Funhang, but the rapid speed increase often elevated my heart rate far too much while trying to ensure a safe ride for my young children sitting inside the bike trailer. Metakoo’s cleaner look (not saying that Funhang was ugly -- it still looked great!) was my preference as I primarily used it for manual pedaling, engaging the motor only for climbs.
PROS
- Smooth, rapid, silent acceleration with brushless motor
-- Nominal (average) power: 500W
-- Top speed: 20 mph, tested (California speed limit is 20 mph)
- (4) Power modes
-- Fully electric: No pedaling necessary
-- PAS – Pedal Assist System: Get assistance while pedaling (1-5 levels)
-- Motor off: Move bike with the power of your own legs ;-)
-- On demand: Turn handlebar throttle to manually increase speed and motor assist level
- Battery: Li-Ion
-- Detachable with Lock and 2 keys for more convenient charging
-- These types of batteries have a 500+ cycle lifespan and lose about 20-25% capacity after every 500 cycle
-- Waterproof
- IPX4 water resistance – “Resistant to water splashes from any direction”
-- Bikeable in rain but do NOT go through water that is high enough to reach the motor or battery!
- 110W wall charger (2A @ 54.6V) for rapid-charging
- Range: 25-45 mi on fully-electric (according to manufacturer), 40-55 mi on pedal assist modes (my estimate)
-- Approx. 110 mi with occasional pedal assist based on my Metakoo 25 mi ride with motorized help on uphill climbs (while towing 195 lb rider, 40-95 lbs cargo, and 46 lb bike itself)
- Shimano 21 speeds (3 front, 7 rear)
-- When the battery is out, the higher number of gears will allow easier, more effective, manual pedaling
- Dual, mechanical disc brakes for faster, more controlled stopping
- Front shock suspension for smoother, comfortable handling, although there is no rear shock absorber
- LED Control Panel
-- Displays battery level (20% increments) / motor assistance amount (0 off, 1-5 assist levels)
--- When motor assistance level is set to off, motor does not turn on, and you will pedal fully manual
- Arrived nearly fully assembled
-- Took 20 mins to finish build
--- Attach handlebar, pedals, front wheel, kick stand, seat post, front headlight, and make small, tuning adjustments
-- Stem angle and height are adjustable
- Frame with rider support for up to 330 lbs, according to Funhang
-- Can accommodate 5’2″ – 6’3″ biker height with its quick-release seat post
- 26″ Tires (26 x 1.95 tube) for more controlled, comfortable rides
-- Uses Schrader valve with recommended pressure of 40-65 psi
- Built-in headlight and horn powered by the battery
- Weight: 50 lbs, similar to Gyroor C3 and a non-electric Santa Cruz Heckler
- Tools included
CONS
- Some assembly required
-- Those not well-versed with bike building may struggle a bit, especially if some tuning needs to be performed. A YouTube video shows the major steps
- Not built for advanced mountain biking
- Acceleration may be too rapid for some due to its 500W motor
- Electric wiring could be managed and hidden better for a cleaner look
- Rear does not have shock suspension
- Heavy at 50 lbs, though similar in weight to the Gyroor C3 and a non-electric Santa Cruz Heckler
- Very limited mounting options on the frame, such as for a water bottle cage or tire pump
-- Control box underneath seat saddle takes up additional space
- Top tube may be too wide for child seats made for traditional bikes
-- Shotgun Kids MTB Child Seat can expand to fit nearly any frame thickness
TIPS
MAINTENANCE
- Before first use, charge the battery fully
-- Covered charging port is on the removable battery itself
-- AC charging brick LED: Red = Charging. Green = Full
-- Lithium Ion batteries are known to be volatile and could catch on fire
--- Do not charge overnight or unsupervised for prolonged periods of time. Stop charging once full
--- Do not leave the bike in full sun or below freezing
-- Keep battery charged at 50% or more to prolong battery’s 500+ cycle lifespan. Try to never let it drain completely
--- Lithium-Ion batteries lose about 20-25% of capacity after every 500 charging cycle
- Before riding, check the tire pressure (40-65 psi) and tighten any loose screws
-- Ensure seat post is locked and tight
OPERATIONS
- Motor: Enable it by pressing the “Power” button on the control unit
-- Pedal the bike, and you will feel the motor assisting (Pedal assist/PAS)
-- To power off the motor so you would only be able to pedal manually, press Power (Pedal only) or set “Mode” to off on the control unit
- Manual power assist: Press and hold “-” button for 2 secs to activate motor at low speed
-- Helps with walking the bike uphill
- As battery neared empty, I noticed that maximum speed gradually lowered
- Do not brake hard. Doing so could make you painfully tumble, skid, and/or wear out the tires
-- Be aware of unexpected obstacles. I tumbled once while mountain biking and was hurt quite badly. It was not fun
AIRCRAFT TRANSPORT
Most, if not all, airlines prohibit electronic scooters and bikes that do not meet specific criteria. United Airlines, for example, allows collapsible ones whose battery is both removable and below 300 Wh. This bike’s is larger than that. Lithium-ion batteries are known to be volatile, and the higher their capacity, the more risky they are. Check with the airlines for more details.
MOTOR BIKE LAWS
I first learned about laws governing motorized scooters when reviewing the Joyor X5S last year, and unfortunately, they were (and still are) not straight-forward. There had been a number of accidents involving scooters hitting pedestrians or riders hurting themselves. I get it. Laws are there to protect people from each other and themselves, especially from irresponsible individuals.
Surprisingly, the laws governing electric BIKES are much more lax. They are very similar to non-motorized bikes, in fact! There are different classes of eBikes. This Funhang one falls under the lower-speed Type I with a maximum speed of up to 20 mph, and as such, can be used on bike paths. Be sure to check with your local regulations. Some States categorize eBikes as mopeds or motor vehicles.
CALIFORNIA LAW
Disclaimer: I AM NOT A LAWYER. Please consult your local city, police department, and/or legal professional for advice.
The following is my interpretation of how I understand the law. It has been shortened to only point out parts that I found interesting or noteworthy.
- Does NOT require riding with a Driver’s License or Instruction Permit (eScooters require them!)
- No license plate required
- Passengers are allowed as long as the bike was designed for it
- Can ride on existing bike infrastructure
- Speed limited to 20 mph
- Follow most of the same laws as non-motorized bicycles
- Helmet required for riders 17 years and younger
- No minimum age limit
CONCLUSION
Funhang EB-M1's more powerful, 500W motor and higher capacity, larger battery gave it a definite edge in sheer strength and acceleration over the previous eBikes I had reviewed. It also included a built-in headlight and horn that were powered by the very same battery, and like all the eBikes I had worked with, it had its maximum speed limited to 20 mph to keep within legal guidelines.
I very much appreciated the ability to remove the battery for much easier charging at home or work without having to bring the entire bike inside. Additionally, the battery itself could be securely locked to the frame to minimize the risk of theft. Shifting between the 21 gears was seamless with Shimano derailleurs, and the disc brakes performed as expected for controlled stops.
The Funhang bike was quite a powerful one to ride. Its rapid, smooth acceleration made my heart race every time with both excitement and fear of having gone too fast, and that was exactly the kind of bicycle my brother fell in love with.
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