It works! And boy does it work - it is fantastic! Thanks very much for all your help in answering my various emails so promptly and helpfully, and of course for sorting out my order.
You can probably understand that I was a little nervous of buying the kit - I am on the other side of the Atlantic and was buying it without being able to try it out. I am delighted to say the kit performs superbly - even the charger!
You may recall that I have a bit of a disability and am recovering from an operation on my leg in April, and am still using a walking stick to walk. Even when I am fully recovered, my knee will only bend to about 90 degrees and my leg will always be weak, so you can see just how useful it is for me to have a electric motor for bicycle - I love cycling and it is the best (just about the only) exercise for my knee and for my leg, but I struggle up hills and into winds.
These links may give you a bit more of an idea -
General stuff about my leg
My modified crank By way of warning
I did a lot of research into electric bike kits online as well as here in England. I tried out an eBike in the UK which confirmed to me that an electric bike was the way to go, but I didn't like the quality of the bike compared to my existing Trek, and wanted the freedom of a kit so that I could change bikes later if I wanted to. Having tried both, I can say that I made the right decision.
The only kit that seemed to do what I wanted was the BionX PL350: it keeps the bike a bike without adding masses of weight; it gives pedal assist as well as throttle control; the package seemed to be very well thought out indeed as I did not want something that I would have to mess around with to keep working - the list goes on which I am sure you know. However, it was still a step into the unknown for me as I could not try the kit out first but I am delighted to say it fits the bill perfectly, and I do not understand some comments I have read on various forums about it being no good up hills as I can pedal up most of the ones around here (with full assist) in top gear! I think it helps that I and my bike are light and that I have 25mm wide slick tyres - maybe those who don't like the kit are very heavy, on heavy mountain bikes with fat tyres.
I also tried to research the shops selling the kit - I am sure you can appreciate that I was a little nervous about sending all that money to a shop I had never been to! Luckily, Bionx recommended you to me and various comments on forums echoed that.
Anyway, this is just a long email to say thanks for your help and to congratulate you and Bionx on selling such a fantastic product - I don't think I have ever said that to anyone before about anything, but this really does open up a new world for me as you can appreciate from the links to my website.
Thanks and regards
Nick Ryan, UK
Update:
The Bionx continues to impress me and does just what I need.
I was out on it this morning cycling up and down some hills on maximum assist (up!) or generation (down!) and it cut out on me but maybe it had just got a little hot? The motor was warm to the touch but seemed OK. Anyway, I turned it off for 5 minutes and then it was fine and, the joy of being light, I was able to carry on in the meantime - although it came as a bit of a reminder as to just how much assistance the Bionx gives! I cycled just short of 20 miles in two goes and there's no way I could cycle that distance at the moment without the Bionx.
Everyone who's seen it has been impressed by the neatness of the whole thing, although it's amazing how many people think it can give assistance whilst you cycle along charging it...
Thanks again, Nick
