Entry Level E-Bike Genius? RUBBEE BIKE | Subscribe to Fully Charged PLUS
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- Опубліковано 11 лис 2021
- If you like cycling but also want the option of a battery boost when required, then the Rubbee X could be for you!
This completely wireless, portable e-bike conversion kit has a modular battery system which means you can choose how much performance and range you need. The design of the Rubbee X means it's really simple and easy to convert you original bike to an e-bike and then back again, without complicated wires. The system has great traction control and responds to how you are riding and adjusts to offer support, and there's even the option for regen braking.
We're pretty impressed, but what do you think? Tell us in the comments.
Find out more: www.rubbee.co.uk/
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#ElectricBikes #EBikes #ElectricVehicles #RubbeeX #EBikeConversionKit #EBikeReview - Наука та технологія
I have a e bike convention conversion kit (front wheel motor) on an old mountain bike, but for my road bike I took your advice and bought a Rubbee. Your review was absolutely accurate and I am very happy with the Rubbee. I have only one complaint and that is when using the Rubbee I’m not getting an adequate workout, so I periodically get off and raise the Rubbee to eliminate the power assist when riding on level terrain. I wish there was an “off” switch you could access through the app. But the device works perfectly, and on “eco” mode provides a gentle assist and on “power” mode helps me get up the significant hills - perfect. I am 73 and appreciate the assistance. Thanks for your thorough and informative review.
Did you find the battery plate removal to be a chore or is that just me?
@@davidniven9996 Yes, that was a small difficuty
I drive a TREK mountain bike for years now. Did not like e-bike untill this Rubbee appeared. As I am getting older (72) some uphill tracks got me very tired. How good is it in uphills? And what range can you get with it in lowlands?
Impressive anticipation of audience mental processes in this video. Every time a question popped into my head the presenter answered it a second later. This motor is certainly an interesting engineering solution (for some cycling applications)...
This is Helen Czerski, research fellow in mechanical engineering at UCL and a PhD graduate from Cambridge - she knows her shit!
This is a genius invention. The regen braking in particular. This should have been on the main channel - bikes will be more important than cars in the transition to sustainability.
I had been watching Rubbee thru Kickstarer for many years, and was super excited to get my RubeeX in August 2021. I actually got two seat-post adapters - one for mine and my partner's bike. In that respect it's amazing to have the flexibility, and no wires, no dismantling the bike - everything is over bluetooth. The 250W didn't feel like much support at all, so we went for the 350W and enabled 'Cargo mode' in the App - and that is super. However, it still feels a bit less aggressive than say a typical Bosch-powered mid-drive. One major pain-point however is that even if the road is slightly damp the roller WILL slip. It's relatively quiet when it's dry, but makes a really awful noise when it's on/near the limit of cohesion... and after that it just spools up, screams and cuts off (it's got a sort of anti-slip algorithm). I would just reach back, yank it off the tyre and turn it off! Also, in the dry over bumpy terrain (a typical UK pavement is enough), the roller slips and I can smell rubber!
Agree with what you're saying; I'm going to try it out on a race bike in the rain with skinny near tread less tyres; I'm thinking much of the water get trapped in treads and pools up against the motors drive wheel.
A very usefull comment. Thx
Great - I want one! I'm kind of attached to my old 1980's Raleigh Royal bicycle, this would let me make it into an E-bike whilst still keeping my old bike. I love the fact that it does Regen. I remember, on a cycling holiday, doing 8 miles uphill and then 8 miles downhill, up and down a small mountain. The E-assist would be great for going up. I remember having agony from aching hands coming down, having to hold the brakes on pretty much all the way with increased pressure to slow enough for each hairpin bend, and being aware I was wasting all that energy I had put in climbing up. It would be lovely to control that speed with regen, and put a bit back into the battery ready for the next climb as a bonus - and then nice then to know that I was climbing being assisted by the energy I had put in on the previous climb.
I converted an old bike and just had the batteries in my panniers.
All changing it back to standard requires was cutting some cable ties and swapping the wheel.
We have a 20 inch folding ebike and a Rubbee equipped 20 folding Tern bike.
The ebike is better equipped with fenders, carrier , lights , disc brakes and rear hub motor. A heavy solid bike.
The Tern is a light bike that is very responsive and comes with a internal hub gear box.
The ebike is 250 w but it has more torque. For example I can start up a long hill in third gear and switch into fourth near the top. I would start my Rubbee in first gear and could be in fourth gear at the top. I do a lot of gear shifting on the Tern. My ebike has a clunky gear box that does not encourage a lot of use. The Rubbee has no throttle.
The Rubbee really shines on flat roads. It goes very fast very quickly. It goes up to 32 k effortlessly and encourages you to ride fast.
The Rubbee pedal assist is smooth and linear whereas the ebike is jumpy and the power cycles on and off unless you are at speed.
The
Rubbee feels much better at slow speeds as the it drives like a regular bike.
The ebike is more comfortable because the Tern has a poor geometry.
The ebike battery seems to last forever whereas the Rubbee might go only
30 k at the middle power setting.
The Rubbee top power setting is maybe equivalent to a 4 on the ebike. I guess you might use a 5 on the ebike using the throttle on a hill.
The ebike has disc brakes but my Rubbee does not. The regen feature on the rubbee works as a brake but it is unpredictable. If I had disc brakes I would not use that feature.
Surprisingly our ebike is not quiet and the Rubbee not that noisy. I have not tried the Rubbee in the rain. The Rubbee was ok on gravel and dirt.
The Rubbee app on the iPhone is excellent but I prefer the buttons on the ebike . The Rubbee middle power setting is great for biking overall . It makes you smile where as the ebike is competent but boring.
I can recommend the Rubbee but only if you have a great bike already. I also think a bike with disc brakes is better given how fast these bikes can go. I would not buy a bike then add a Rubbee. Ebike prices are coming down but if you like your bike you will like it with a Rubbee even more.
Caveat. Your seat post as to be tight and the Rubbee attached more or less at a right angle to the post. Too steep or shallow results in a loss of power. Before each ride I check my Rubbee alignment and adjust if required.
This device is genius and your review is excellent, I so much enjoyed it, great job! :)
LOVE seeing a Triban out in the wild :)
Yeah! Amazing bikes, and well priced!
This is the best electric bike conversion I've ever seen. I agree with the point that a delayed assist is better!
This is great, they had the same system on the solex in France many years ago(with a petrol motor on the front wheel). that way you could keep dry and carry items on the rear.
Nice one team, very informative. Thanks for helping me confirm my next purchase!
Thanks for the review, Helen. Well done.
Friction drives have worked just fine ever since the first ones a hundred years ago. As a kid we had headlights and taillights operated by friction generators. The biggest problem with friction drives is that they wear out your tire a lot faster. Any situation that reduces the friction, like rain or snow in you're better off with less torque on the tire anyway, so that's not a problem either.
I just love people that have extremely strong opinions about things of which they have no actual knowledge. 🙄
Loved my dynamo batteries were very expensive and didn't last very long! Being on bike everyday back in the day it was a life saver
yeah that "why havent people done this before" was bullshit. There've been IC and electric friction drive bike motors before.
Wow I'm impressed. Recently bought a foldie ebike, this device will surely be in my radar.
I have been enjoyed, so thank you for delivering.
What a great review !
( I'm not talking about the device ,which also seems great ) but the review itself: intelegent ,informative ,comprehensible and complete ,
Just great.
Very cool, thanks for showing it.
This looks great! Kudos to the engineering and design team. I don't think it'll work on my mt.bike since I have a dropper post. I wonder if they ever considered a custom rear bike rack to attach to. That way it doesn't attach to the seat post. And when the Rubbee is off, I can still use the rack for other things. Great job and I hope to see it in California soon!
This would be really useful if you want to travel with your bike.. my ebike is too heavy for most bike carriers.. if they could work out how to install panniers to this it would be an excellent alternative to conventional ebikes
Sinclair made something like this in the late 90s called a Zeta. It was rubbish though and I ended up returning mine. This looks way better.
Awesome, and a great presentation 👍
Excellent video, thank you.
brilliant and very promising design!
This is like the French Velo solex Autocycle except its electric and on the back not the front. Very simple but works well. Very good Rubbee.
VERY helpful this , like most folk i had virtually discounted direct drive of this nature......definitely has me thinking .
Hub drives can easily do regen and a few do. It's mid drives that are utterly incapable of regen unless they have a chain completely separate from the pedals.
Fantastic review and explanation
Great description of the regen on a car vs bike.
On our car, about 1% of energy is recuperated via regen (1340kg BMW i3REx in mountainous Seattle USA area).
Favorite benefit is saving brake wear (and near elimination of reaction time during emergency braking maneuver)
Lightweight, high drag bicycle would regen far less, although impressive that it was engineered into this device.
Great video, thank you for the advice :)
I have used a friction drive Solex. These work very well and I see no reason why this electric version would not. I did my own mid-drive ebike conversion and use it to commute to work. However, the Rubbee is significantly - 3 times - less expensive and being able to swap back to your original bike is a big advantage.
This is a really good solution!
This is pure genius!
Great concept, plus Helen is great!
I like this much more than the other options
This reminds me of the small petrol engine powered friction drive units you could get in nineteen sixties Britain. Apparently they wore the rear tyre out fairly quickly. I really like the rear light, great idea.
The difference is that the power from an electric is delivered more smoothly, the old style petrol engines delivered power according to the piston power stoke. My Cyclemaster, engine within the rear wheel, tended to flat spot the tyre. The modern equivalent is of course the rear hub E-bike motor.
You are referring to the Velosolex gas driven front tire
@@mariotiongco2584 thanks for that. Come to think of it, it did drive the front tyre (which was the tyre that wore out (that was 60 years ago so I can forgive myself for getting front and back mixed up).
Hub motors are actually great for regen, most front hub motors have a one way clutch so allow you to free wheel which in most cases is more useful on a bike than regen, you need a fixed hub or weld up the hub for regen.
Someone _did_ think of this before ! Clive Sinclair (bless him) made the Zeta in the 90s, rear wheel drive first and later a front wheel version. It needed a lead acid battery hanging off the crossbar, the motor overheated a lot and you had very little control over it. It was also quite noisy and quite slow. This Rubbee device looks much better in every way of course. I do wonder about tyre wear and how the slippage is with a wet tyre.....the roller must have a tiny contact area...
Forget panniers this seems great unit for boosting your peddle power.
Design to accommodate rear paniers would be good, as would a security locking bracket so no-one can unclip and run off with it. Otherwise good.
Yep. That quick-release is neat but vulnerable when the rider's stationary. Of course, some cyclists don't bother to stop at red lights, so the thieves wouldn't stand a chance... 🤪
@@EleanorPeterson Traffic lights are only there to manage inefficient and dangerous cars. Pedestrians and people using bikes shouldn't be forced to conform to the car industry's restrictive vision for our cities. I say ignore the lights entirely unless you are in a car.
I bought one, it's really nice to walk away with the expensive part.
Thank you!
It's the same idea as the old CycleMaster motors, except that it uses an electric motor instead of a small two-stroke engine. They have been around for at least 65 years, and were known affectionately as 'Cycle Mashers' or 'Tyre Shredders', and a few of them are still in regular use.
When I remember the "old days" when I had a bottle dynamo for bicycle lighting and how often it did NOT work properly, because it slipped on the tire as soon as it got wet or muddy, I don't know how practical this is. But as you apparently can't use a mudguard at the same time, it seems like a "nice weather only" drive anyway.
4 kilo's does give a lot of downward force, something that the bottle dynamo's didn't have. But I wonder how it works with snow, that tends to stick to dynamo's. But here in the Netherlands most bicycles have a rear mudguard, so it won't sell well here anyways.
EDIT: I think it would be fairly easy to mount some sort of custom mudguard to that thing, although if you park your bike, you are supposed to take it with you I guess? Meaning carrying a wet, muddy thing around.
I remember them bottle dynamo, they were rubbish, you still had to manually switch over to a battery when you stopped because the lights went out,
Looks good! Ebike kit's not bad either!
Further to my recent comments on using the Rubbee X - I've had it for about 2 weeks and I'm looking forward to the iOS app being updated so that all of the features work. The android version, still has a few things that don't work such as the ability to upgrade the firmware of the Rubbee X - I'm curious to see what "cargo mode" does.
I'm really enjoying riding with the electric assist on my bike. It's a little noisier when the road is wet, but the noise generally doesn't bother me. I'm going to try a longer ride (greater than 25kms) soon as I would like to see how much I can get with just using Economy mode. Power mode makes the batteries get hot - so this can diminish the benefits quickly.
Like an old Solex but électrique ⚡ and rear wheel drive!
Great Helen, been looking forward to seeing this in action. I bought an ebike to keep me sane in lockdown, I call it my SMV*. Living with ME/CFS I don't have any power in my legs and that handy pull you get the moment you touch the pedals is vital for me to be able to move the bike at all. However I got my wife to have a go, forgetting her dispraxia and it confused her into falling gracefully over sideways. She rode a cycle as a youngster and if she had one now using one of these devices she could keep up with me on the hills but not be dragged over!
*Stealth Mobility Vehicle if you hadn't guessed 😉
Get your wife a E Trike
@@ronaldusher39 we did ponder that idea for me actually, at the time storage was the problem. Had not thought of one for her but you're right and I think I've seen more compact ones recently. Thanks for resurrecting the idea. 👍
@@judebrown4103 they have great storage but I would get the 750w version to help with Hills 250w just isn't enough. Even though they are not legal the police would not know the difference and they don't bother with escooters so if you get one have fun
That is by far the most enticing and well described e-bike upgrade to a 'normal' bike that I've seen! I have been very tempted by Swytch Bike. This looks better, but I want to use panniers on a cross-Europe tour ... decisions, decisions. Perhaps a 'support crew' (ie partner) can carry my gear? She isn't so keen to camp.
This chick is so amazing. So well spoken.
Thanks Helen, nice review! Actually only 'geared hub motors' cannot do regen braking, while Direct Drive hub motors are able to use it.
What happens when you exceed 25km/h and assistance goes off, can you still go faster ?
I think though it's quite noisy ("wheeeeeein"...)
Wonderful
Thanks for the review. The Rubbee X looks very interesting. Helen, or anybody else; I'm curious how much the Rubbee X helps up steeper hills, and what effect the added weight of the Rubbee X on the back of the bike has on the steering/"cycling feeling." 3 to 4 kilos added on to my 10 kilo road bike makes me curious how it would feel. :) Thanks for any feedback, or information on my questions!
I got my Rubbee yesterday and I think this review by Helen is spot on. I have two batteries and conquered the biggest hill in town. My iPhone app works. One caveat. I purchased the Rubbee for my folding bike. I would say that two battery speed reach the and maybe surpass the capabilities of my bike. A full size bike with disc brakes would be more appropriate. The installation is easy except for the inclusion of the battery. Do it in the day time under a blazing sun. The door was difficult to get on and off as well. Overall though I think the Rubbee is a great addition but you also need a good bike.
Considering getting one for my commute. Are you still using yours?
@@billcaulway9910 Yes, but just for fun. It goes really fast and I like my bike. You can fashion a fender with some ingenuity but you would have to disengage the Rubbee in the rain. If you do get one go for three batteries. Also reply to me again if you order as I have a couple of installation tips.
@@davidniven9996 Thanks David. My plan was the 3 Batteries. I will reach out to you if I get it. Why do you have to disengage in the rain...thats a downside.
I am also considering to Revos. $200 less cost, you sacrifice some speed and distance, 5mph and 5mile, but it is designed to work in bad weather.
@@billcaulway9910 The rubbee loses friction in the rain . I am surprised that the Revos does not according to the mfg. I have only ridden the Rubbee once in the rain but I think that might seat post was not tight enough. I thought that the Revos was really expensive - to the point where getting a real ebike was preferred.
@@billcaulway9910 I would love to see a comparison between the two systems.
Interesting concept. You'd think there would be significant power loss with friction drive on a bike tire but it seems to work well, and regen is a nice bonus. I'm guessing that tire pressure is fairly critical, and I'm wondering whether tire wear could be an issue. Besides the pannier / rear rack issue, the permanent lack of a rear fender would be a major downside in a wet climate. But for occasional use it could be fun.
A rear mudguard with a strategically placed hole might work.. I don't think it would take much to design a flip up rack and pannier frame etc either.. maybe they will..?
I'm not sure the regen is such a good idea in practice. Today I rode up a big hill with the Power setting and about 80% of the way up the hill I noticed the power dropped off markedly. I suspect that the Lithium batteries overheat and the internal resistance increases - lowering the power out of the batteries. Coming down the hill on the other side, the batteries are too hot to charge regeneratively. I would make a guess, that even under ideal conditions, regeneration would contribute less than 5%. I also noticed that setting the regeneration to 100%, it kicks in when you should be coasting pleasantly, so you find yourself having to pedal again. A less aggressive setting of 50% regeneration still seemed to be too much for my liking. I'll try 20% next ride.
@@bikeham Hi. Could you explain more how well, or not, the Rubee X works/helps going up hills? Especially steep extended hills? And, how are you getting along now with the issue you mentioned in your comment? I live on a very hilly Greek island and thinking of possibly getting the Rubee X, but have not seen much info about how well it works/helps on hills. Thanks for anymore insight you could give me bikeham!
@@51jjm I'm not sure I can add more to my previous comments. I think the range with three batteries is probably closer to 30km if you have hills and you are using the Power setting. Overheating is a problem for all lithium batteries, so I don't think regenerative charging is that useful.
The iPhone app currently does not work fully - the main useful feature, battery capacity is stuck on 100% and this is so important if you want to go on a long ride.
The android version apparently works fine.
Cycling up a challenging hill is so much better with Power mode engaged. It makes a worthwhile difference.
@@bikeham Thank-you. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply and give excellent feedback on my comment/questions. Cheers.
Great article, how about a mini series on sustainable technologies for commuting, recreation or adaptations which tests what's on the market and investigates payment options (lease, buy, share)? Maybe Fully Charged, Out & About series?
Willmont ? 🙉😂
If you want to go on a long hike & use the electric for some hills, or windy stretches, can you raise the power wheel clear of the bike, without taking it off the bike completely? ie by, say 2 inches. This would allow you to ride without having to turn the motor over on the flat bits where you might not need it.
Looks interesting, but rules out using mudguards too. What is tyre wear like? Does the friction roller wear out, and are spares available. With a little modification could two be fitted on a trike?
Been using my Rubbee for a while. Very important to get the seat post as tight as you can. I would even recommend a torque Allen key for the seat post adapter. I tried to install the Rubbee on another bike but it would not fit. I even bought a longer seat post. This geometry of the bike was such the top level of the tire was higher than top of the seat tube. Ideally you want the seat post tube to be equal to or above the level of the tire. You need a reasonable gap between the tire and the Rubbee when the Rubbee is in the up position.
I bought a longer Hex Key and got the seat post attachment much tighter. I tightened the main bolts and the tiny ones on the side. Not worried about bumps any more. I was zooming today.
Hi David,
Could you please tell me more about this device. What maximum mileage do you get with 2 batteries? Is it good for bumpy off roads & the device holder material would not break off? Thanks
@@muhammadsuleman8100 I purchased Allen Keys or Hex Keys (metric) that were longer in length. They give the leverage to really tighten the four main bolts and little bolts on the side. Now bumps are not a problem. I have never measured my distance but I would say it is not quite as good as your typical ebike. On a flat surface it easily gets up to full speed very quickly. I would only use the Rubbee if you have a really good bike to mount it on. Get all three batteries at the same time to save on shipping. I went with the rubbee because it is difficult to find a kit that works well with my folding bike. Using an iphone attached to the handle bars is pretty much obligatory. The Rubbee has no throttle option. I wish it had. I do not find it noisy .
I live in a very hilly part of Portugal, which makes cycling almost impossible for me. I've tried getting my old Claude Butler bike out, but just end up walking up the hills and freewheeling down. This could be exactly what I need.
This has been done before. Sir Clive Sinclair brought out similar device in the 80's.
I have the Rubbee since last year and i like it very much. It works really well ! The only problem is the battery (CR2032) in the sensor : it discharges very quickly. On the one hand you have to have spare batteries with you. On the other hand, the sensor must be disassembled to change the battery. (I'm talking about the sensor located on the pedal board).
So far that has not been my experience. Could you contact Rubbee for a replacement?
Same problem with my pedal sensor. But what I did I used the strong rubberband with velcro strap to mount my sensor on the pedal (so can detach easily to change batteries) and I bring couple of extra CR2032 and a small screwdriver in my toolkit just incase.
I had exactly the same problem. Lasts a bit more than 6 months
Bad news for me: my rubbee doesn't work anymore. I did not use it this winter and came out this spring. I do not know if the batteries (three) are HS or something else. When I start pedaling I have the impulse (always an extraordinary feeling, especially with three batteries!) but it does not last, the motor stops (with a noise that makes a kind of "POK") at the end of a few minutes. It stays on and nothing happens.
@@compo36 doesn't sound good. did you reach out to the company / was there any warranty support or any support in general?
I remember thinking of such an idea and then they've came out with it...
I have a couple of Zipforce units (One and Distance). I wonder how they compare to this one. I like it because you don't need to worry about the wheel with the hub motor will be stolen after parking it outdoors
Hi there. Thanks a lot. What about the thread on the tire. Will it work with a mountain bike?
Any thoughts/review information on tire wear after using it for however long?
Proof of Concept. My wife purchased a commercially made folding ebike and I did a road test comparison with my folding Rubbee bike. I thought the Rubbee came off really well . I think that bike part of my Rubbee bike is better than hers. Less weight, better gear box and more agile. I think the Rubbee is a great conversion but I would not buy a bike and then add a Rubbee.
I like it
Two rubbees fitted to one bike 2 wheel drive be good fun
This reminds me of Solex (originally Velosolex), a French (ICE) bike/moped, that had a friction drive roller on the front wheel. (in the fifties and sixties). Now there is an electric version, Electrosolex.
Almost a direct copy of the Zeta-1,yes Sir Clive Sinclair over 30 years ago, he had a catapiller track for better grip I think. If he'd have invented a decent battery?!
Well remembered! Oh how we laughed! Wish I had bought one, think of the nostalgia collectible value now, particularly if on a small wheeled shopper bike.
Yes, Clive had ideas that the tech of the time couldn't handle. Imagine a weatherproof C5 with a larger composite shell, a windscreen, modern motors, and Lithium batteries. I suppose China's already got something similar, albeit not for export.
Clive might have come up with a sensible alternative to the Aptera, too. Nothing fancy - no sensors or self-driving or air-conditioning or screens or solar panel promises or ridiculous whizzy toys - just something crude but customisable that sold for £2,000, not £30,000, and got people mobile.
I bought one. They were awful. Slipped in the dry and extremely noisy. I returned mine.
my 3 yr old E-bike has regen on the 750w direct drive. It only does 250w regen, not sure why it isn't more, but I'll take what I can get.
So it works well with road tyres, how does it manage on knobbly mountain bike tyres ? only asking as I can see it wearing those tyres fairly quickly on those peaked knobbles or losing grip easier with less surface to push in damp conditions.
So far most reviews praise how well it works, but the biggest flaw is apparently the build quality and design. The tell-tale sign is the batteries are loaded from the bottom and held in place by a screwed on panel; which over time could break open from the weight of the batteries.
Very good option now that people are going around with angle grinders and taking ebikes with impunity
I am considering getting this for my commute. Do you still use it after your review. Would like to here a long term review. Thanks so much for this fantastic review. I am also considering to Revos from Bristol.
I wish I could buy it here in the USA.
It wouldn't take much to design a bracket for panniers and a mudguard with a sliding aperture either..
Nice that you can use it on all of your (8 ..ahem) street bikes too (not for knobblies, I presume)
I had something similar about 20 years ago made by sinclair
I wonder if it works as good as you show in the rain 🌧️
The 3 batteries plus electric motor in one package makes the motor pretty small for that unit. The electric motor is always engaged so wondering how long it would last. If the motor could disengage from the rear wheel when not is use would be ideal. I'm 75 years old and get around on my 28" wheel Cannondale hybrid pretty well yet without motor assist. There are only a few steep hils where I live and I'm happy just to walk up those. This is the best electric motor idea yet and I would consider buying one.
I bought two of these devices from the Rubbee website back in November 2021 with the addition battery packs this was a big investment with the additional import duties. They just don't work together, both motors and sensors seem to use the same frequency and get confused. One minute you are aided with the motor the next you are restricted and find it a work out riding up a slope. I have contacted Rubbee's customer service and the advice given was start the bikes up away from each other! This was a pain and didn't work. We have now been waiting for an app update which apparently will solve this problem. We are still waiting and just want our money back if this isn't sorted as we can't use the bikes together.
Could anyone help please?
Update please. Thanks
Did you get sorted? Interested to understand their customer service capability.
Would love to have this! Too bad I couldn't buy it without paying ridiculous custom fees in my country.
Very interesting, but rather one-sided review. You didn't really cover any of the inherent disadvantages of a friction drive, which no friction drive will ever overcome because of simple physics. So here they are: They are much less efficient (hence the rather paltry range of this device compared to standard e-bikes despite a similar battery size), they cause tyre wear, and they may not work so well in wet or muddy conditions, or with some types of tyre. Electronic anti-slip mechanisms help, but can't completely avoid this problem.
That's not to say this device is bad - it could certainly could have its place in the commuter market, as it's fairly inexpensive and easy to fit. Particularly, if you have more than one bike, you could effectively convert them all into e-bikes for the price of a single unit if you can swap it between them with comparitively little effort (and indeed they do sell the mounting kit separately, so it's literally just a case of clipping the motor unit onto whichever bike you want to ride today). So this system has both advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to be aware of both when deciding if it's right for you.
Why has no-one done this before? they have. When I was a kid in the 1950's bikes with small 2 stroke motors drove the wheel by resting a roller on the tyre of the wheel.
I'm in the us, I just bought a Brompton and I'm now very curious if this would work! 🤔
It's a cool item to adapt to any bike,
Not sure how well it's going to compete in the market, especially when you can purchase an entire new electric bike from Halfords for the same price.
Maybe, but those cheap e-bikes generally have pretty low-end components, not to mention being very heavy, and many don’t even last a year before bits start falling off. But I guess your point is true, because most first-time ebike buyers and the public in general don’t know the difference. I still think it will do well, though, because it’s priced right and works well.
Would also depend on what style of bicycle you have (or going to buy) and when/how much you use your bicycle.
If you are a sporty cyclist that only uses a bicycle when it is fine weather and the roads are dry, no fender? No problem!
if you use your bicycle every day to get to work and/or shops, the lack of fenders and some cargo-space options is quite limiting, not forgetting that you dress for the destination, not the ride.
For the money, better off buying a brand new eBike unless you have some exotic or expensive bike you wish to adapt. The backer price of 250GBP, even 300 is the limit on how much this should cost for the market it is targeting.
The Halfords ones last two to three years if you are lucky. Then you are left with a heavy leg powered bike and have to pay more for a new battery, which is the single most expensive component.
Great review. I’m looking at converting my road bike to enable my 25 mile commute to and from work. Ideally I’d like to be averaging 25 mph on a hilly route. Can this deliver that with the 3 battery modules? Thank you 😊
Rubbee has a faq . Top speed on a level road would be approx 20 mph. Top distance would be 30 miles on a level road.
How's is this in the rain? Tempted to buy one.
No one is mentioning how much it affects wear and tear of the tire? This is the main problem with stationary rollers.
Tyres are cheap
@@berniejaw6552 BUT...
RubyX is NOT cheap.....
700 € !!!!
Are 'you' INSANE?!???
yES, IF you buy one
Its a veloSolex fcol!
@@iStrong113 u can get a basic electric bike that does far more & cheaper
@@Free__Speech yeah but a crappy worthless Walmart bike with a hub motor.
@@Free__Speech The Rubbee is a good product if you already have a good bike. Like Helen’s bike. A good quality hybrid with disc brakes. The Rubbee is just a lot of fun.
Please review the Pikaboost as well once you get your hands on it :)
Nobody thought about this before? Ever heard about Vélosolex? They made over 6 million from 1946 to 1988.
big desire. I wish i have
So how does this work with mudguards or a rear rack?
Any idea how well this would work with studded/fat tires?
Will there be a version for mtb/gravel bicycles? the knobs on a mtb/gravel tyres will not work for the current version.
Great video, but not entirely sold on it. Any chance of a demo using it up a muddy rutted hill in the rain? Very interested to see how it would perform. But maybe it's not designed for that sort of use?
My ride yesterday included dry tarmac, muddy bridleway, rutted tarmac with puddles, muddy road, cobblestones and grass. All on a road bike.
Soo muddy tire didn’t affect the rubbee?
It should come with a mudflap attachment for wet conditions 🤔
I installed Rubbee 2 weeks ago with 3 batteries Well what the hell I live in the rural back roads. Just brilliant! Except...Lots of rain on the road with power cargo mode, the grip on tire not so good.
Seems to trap water in front of Rubbee power wheel and bzzz looses traction. Cruise mode is OK. No worries for me I'm not a rainy wet road rider at full 350 watt power.
I can get along at 32-34 kph and could go faster if Rubbee wouldn't power off at the extra speed. No matter really, because trying to pedal faster speed on a mountain bike is too much effort anyhow.
Unless I'm racing off another rider! Now I've bought a second mounting bracket so I can now swap Rubbee on to my carbon race bike. I'll be at same max speed but maybe less battery power required with the race bike being light weight and with larger diameter wheels and skinny tires.
Interesting, I will have to try the low power setting in the rain. The only technical problemsI have had is in keeping the seat post really tight and finding the best attachment point that is not too steep or too flat. Personally I keep the regen feature at 50% as a brake.
Surely this will wear on the tyre, just like a traditional turbo trainer?
Interesting, but not for me, just a few points some hub motor Ebikes do have regenerative braking my Ebike has also has cruise control and the controller can be set up to give you reverse if you have a trike or heavy cargo bike, depending what state in the US and Canada their legal limits start from 20mph with a 500w motor up to 1Kw.
250w limit here. Though no legislation about torque. So we have '250w' motors with the torque of a small hatchback