Weldandgrind,
I LOVE THIS THING! More fun that should be allowed and the best thing that I have ever bought. I sound like a broken record!
At 20mph I can still petal the bike. The range with petaling at 20mph, should even exceed the estimated total 35 mile range of the bike. I had the bike out today and took it to a local bike shop. The owner took it for a spin. He came roaring passed a crowd of people with a smile that would not stop. He couldn't stop smiling and thanking me for bringing it by. He said it was the coolest bike he had ever ridden. He said that I could bring it by anytime.
I did buy a few parts from them over the past few days, about $200 worth and I ordered a new RockShox adjustable hydraulic seat post for the bike. They also mounted a tire for me. Everybody, except my old riding buddies like the bike. Not everyone gets it and I'm ok with that. I like it and I'm having a great time with it. I plan to take it out tomorrow and check the range.
Yes, it does have regenerative braking. It's quite a hit when you push the button. Meaning it slows you considerably. I only use it on steep descents. This thing is awesome on trails. I've had it through the yard and I can tell that it would be killer on tight singletrack trails.
Most people do not understand, why I want to petal at high speed. For me this is a bicycle, if I can't petal what is the point of having petals. Using it is a workout and I want that. The electric motor should be like an assist. I don't want it to do everything. I want to be a part of getting there, if you know what I mean. Today, I rode it from the bike shop about 3 miles through traffic and beat my wife to the restaurant for lunch. About 25 to 30mph petaling all the way. You should have seen the looks I got. People do not know what it is and as I said before, I feel like Superman because I can break the laws of physics with it.
I'd really like to have the Stealth Bomber. I will post a picture of the red Bomber that I want to buy. This bike has a top speed of 50mph and can be petaled at 50mph. The Bomber is the more expensive big brother to the Fighter. It has a range of 50 miles. I love the Bomber but it requires much more maintenance than a Fighter. It has a VBoxx 9-speed planetary gearbox. Very cool and very expensive. Check the petal location and the sprocket location in the picture. The Bomber costs $14,000 with the pictured upgrades. Several Bomber owners have contacted me and told me that I purchased the best bike, when I bought the 2012 Stealth Fighter. The newer version has a new computer that will not allow upgrades. Mine does not have that new computer. These people do not care to petal at 50mph. With a new motor, a new controller and a bigger battery pack, my bike would out perform a Bomber. Not cheap but much cheaper than a new Bomber. My Fighter weighs 75lbs. A new Bomber weighs 116lbs. The Fighter weighs less and is easier to handle on single track bike trails, that's why everyone likes it better. It will really be a toss up as to what I will do. Saving money for a new bike is priority one for me now. When the 6kW or 6.5kW version of the Bomber comes out, I want to be ready. It should have a 60 to 70mph top speed and a much higher range. With petaling that is all I need. Technology is moving pretty fast with these bikes. Sales will only get better. But not everyone will be spending $14,000 on a bicycle. Of course, that price includes better MRP forks from White Power, a much better rear shock, Magura MT8 disc brakes and several other upgrades. A regular Bomber could be purchased for around $9500USD. Air Freight shipping from Australia is between $200 and $300.
cheesy,
The Schlumpf drive is wicked cool. Click the button with your heel and you can change the gear ratio through the complete range of gears. On a regular bike this would be like having a 2-speed transmission. All this is contained in the bottom bracket of the bike and is independent of the normal shifters and gears on the rear axle. It effectively doubles the gears in your bike. My bike only has one gear but it does help quite a bit. I can petal it slow around the yard with no electric on and then click the button and twist the throttle up to 30mph with constant petaling. It's awesome to use. The Stealth Bomber does not have the Schlumpf drive. It is only available on the Fighter.
Glad you like it! It's really cool to be able to have something like this. I am very fortunate and blessed to have found one for such a great deal.
SamM