E-Go Max+ Folding Electric Bike 250W

Excellent company excellent bike

I ‘upgraded’ to the E-go Max+ from the E-go Max I’d ordered because at the time the Max+ was readily available while the Max had become subject to a longer lead time.

The service I received from the Eco Bike Co during the purchasing process was excellent and the bike was with me just a few days after ordering. Full marks to Jarred and to Sasha for keeping me well informed throughout.

I viewed the change as a sound substitution because I’m a bit “Max+” myself, weighing in at around 104 kg; the fat tyres are said to support heavier riders well. What I didn’t understand at the time was the extent to which the 4.25” tyres and wide mudguards would add character to the bike. I love the way it looks - low-slung and somehow purposeful in its low-sheen black paint finish. However, it comes at a cost. Replacement tyres are about the same price as the average car tyre and are, as I’ve discovered, nigh on impossible to source in UK. I’ve purchased one (an Innova of similar type to those fitted as OE) along with an inner tube, against the eventuality of tyre failure; it came from Berlin. I’ve also put green slime into the tyres to offset the risk of punctures.

There’s not a great deal to do to get the bike on the road - having said that, I found assembly took longer than I expected. The most challenging part, for me, was fitting the hooped struts to the mudguards - you don’t have to be afraid to stretch the hoops apart so that they’ll accommodate the mudguard. The rear rack, which came as a promotional extra, was also a bit tricky, but this was because the one I received was severely distorted and needed to be pulled back into shape before it would go anywhere near the bike.

An essentially similar bike is marketed in the USA as the 350w “Qualisports Beluga” and the information on-line is a great help when it comes to completing assembly. I’m grateful to an earlier respondent, Mr Jason Low, for pointing the way to those and other resources.

As the owner of a “fat tyre bike” you come to realise that you’ve joined the ranks of a particular breed of cyclist - one that puts the accent on off-road. There’s a bit of science attached to working out what tyre pressures to run, but no definitive answers; pressures in these high volume tyres can be quite low and need to be managed according to rider weight and nature of terrain. My first impression of handling was of a strange combination of understeer and oversteer when cornering. I’ve gradually increased pressures to about 25 psi rear and 22 psi front and the machine has become much more stable on ordinary tarmac roads.

I’ve bought a Sold Secure Gold U-lock of sufficient size for the bike, as security is obviously a concern, although at 2 kg it’s a lot of extra weight to haul around. I’ve also fitted an audible alarm. It does concern me, though, that the battery remains potentially vulnerable if left on the bike.

I really enjoy riding the E-go Max+. As someone having less vigour now than 55 years ago, I got it - as many will - to get a bit fitter and there’s no doubt it goes places where I’d normally be getting off to push - and so increases my range. It’s surprising what a boost the motor gives and it’s a real asset on uphill stretches. It’s also interesting learning how to balance the motor with the dérailleur gears, in order to get the best blend of exercise and assistance. It’s a heavy machine - according to the manufacturer’s leaflet 28 kg - but on reasonably level ground it’s easy enough to propel without help from the motor.

I’ve not needed to fold it yet (except by way of experimentation) but I plan to take it with me when I start to go places in the Summer. If I keep up the cycling in the meantime, I should become fit enough, by then, to lift it in and out of the car.

Now the proud owner of a E-Go Max + Electric cycle.
Have had a few issues with looking for a new cycle and initially ordering one online from China. only to be led up the garden path with false information , lack of response to Emails Etc,.Finally cancelling and starting again and after much scanning the mass of purchasing opportunities finally settled for the E-Go Bike Company.
This was a very wise choice as help gained from them was excellent and the delivery (2days) was brilliant.
The Bike itself has turned out to be first class with good design and simple operation of the controls. the bike arrived very well packaged and only needed the mudguards and rear carrier to be assembled.
With the bike ready to go having checked it and topped the battery up we were off. Wow what a delight we zoomed off effortlessly peddling and enjoyed a very comfortable ride.
I said “WE’ that includes my dog Bonnie who has this very bespoke upholstered wicker basket on the rear carrier, and is enjoying a new experience.
The bike itself has proved very well designed and the manufacture is of excellent quality. have no qualms in saying well worth the purchase.
Many thanks Jarrard of Eco bike Co.

This is my first electric bike, and I have only ridden a mid drive hire bike and Japan prior to this. I bought this bike as I have arthritis and would like to improve my activity level.

Out of the box
The bike was well packaged, the only things that needed attaching with the supplied tools was the bike pannier (not included), mud guards, lights and bell. Tires came inflated but only enough to hold it shape. don't do what I did and cycle on them with out inflating as it was very difficult to turn and hard to pedal. The panier was very fiddly to install, especially as one of the predrilled holes on the frame was not predrilled properly which meant that after many tries and scratches of the paint and contacting ECO Bike co (Jared was really helpful) I found out that there was a bad batch of bikes with 1 hole predrilled incorrectly. Jared told me a workaround. Warning it's a big bike! check the dimensions before ordering. It seems even bigger when it is folded!! It does fit into my little red VW polo on its side with the seats down. I did get a flat front tire within the first few cycles. It is very difficult to find replacement inner tubes for these so when you find some and at a good price order them. I also recommending putting puncture resistance green slime in the tires. Get Halfords to to do it for you for £10 per tire it is really worth it.

Riding
The bike is heavy, I am starting to hear a few squeaks and creaks after 300km cycling, I think a few things just needed tightening up. I am 120kg (on a good day) and I managed to do 73km on a single charge and there was still some juice left even though the battery showed empty. This was with conservative cycling, 0 assistance on the flats and seldom using the level 5 assist, average speed 17km/h. I do recommend getting a panier, although the paint on the one sold with the bike is wafer thin and is already showing scratches after a few weeks of cycling. The paint on the bike is holding up well.

EGO website and information.
The information on the bike is very limited. EGO came from a family bikes that are pretty much identical, but just altered to match the local laws. To find more information and in-depth reviews from EBR and other youtube vids you can search the Qualisport Beluga and French version Eovolt (No fat tire version yet) for more information. For more info on the digital display search KT-LCD5 which will tell you the menu options etc.

Accessories
I bought a Quadlock smart phone mount, Topeak expanding pannier and a Abus Bordo Granit X Folding lock. With bike locks, you will need to get one big enough to go round the fat tires and the frame. The lock I have purchased can only go round the the frame, or the rear tire, it is worth buying an extra long d lock or chain, but make sure its a Sold Secure Gold - The one shown on the EGO bike is definitely not on the Sold secure website list "yet" , The brand is called E Took - ET 480.

Summary
I love the bike, I love the fact that I am more active now and having improved blood circulation and once you start riding, you do not want to stop. If I did it again I may have gone for the EGO max with the thinner tires I would definitely buy the mud guards again though. Panier: maybe go for an after market one.

ECO Bike - Jared was always super fast to respond to all my questions, even at the weekends as well.

Why 4 stars and not 5
It wasn't perfect. The defect with the predrilled hole which meant the panier rack not installed as it was designed. If that went without a hitch I would have given 5 stars as it is a fun bike to ride.

Bought 7 bikes from here, the best services you can experience. Jarrad Is super helpful always available and has excellent knowledge about bikes.

Great bikes, well made and fun to ride, ideal for use with my motorhome.