BionX PL-350 Kit with Pre-Built 26" Wheel Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a review of the BionX PL 350 electric motor rear wheel conversion for a bicycle. I ordered a 700C wheel, not the 26" size. Also I have the optional rack unlike the photo that accompanies this review, which has the water bottle mount.
I was in a bike shop and saw the Trek Ride+ line of bicycles. They have a BionX system factory installed with the bike designed around it. It was a joy to ride.

I have a Trek T-200 tandem. My wife and I still enjoy riding but don't do near as much of it as we used to. Plus we are a bit older and a little heavier. So I thought "Wow what if I could put that motor on our bike". Turns out I can.
I searched around the internet and found [...]. I called them and they said that the BionX PL 350 was the system they would recommend for this application. We thought about it for a day or so and decided that it would be fun so I ordered the unit.
[...] is great to deal with. They shipped the item out right away. That's where the problems started;
Observations;
*I ordered the optional rack for an extra $100. There are two main cross members on the floor of the rack. The rear one was bent sharply upward preventing the insertion of the battery. I had to pound it straight. NO ONE had tried to put a battery in this space before sending out. It was completely impossible to insert.
*I did not get the spacers I needed to go between the hub and the freewheel consequently my upper pulley was rubbing on the hub.
*The wheel was not true. To me, this is an unconscionable oversite given the high cost of the item.
*The lock that you must use to keep the battery from vibrating loose did not come with the retaining nut. I called the [...]. They said they would have to get one from the manufacturer. I looked at 5 places here in town to get one and was finally told by the good folks at Precision Industrial and Machine Company, that the lock is "non-standard" and I could look to my heart's content but would never find a stock nut that would fit. So I put a rubber band around it and await the factory made nut.
*There is a very sharp edge underneath the battery where you are supposed to grip it and pull to facilitate removal.
*The mounting bolts that hold the stays that go from the rack to the seat stays were so high that they interfered with the insertion of the battery. After I locktited them I used a mini grinder to shave them down so they wouldn't rub on the bottom of the battery.
*The axel spacing is 135 mm on the wheel. The dropout spacing on my tandem is 140 mm. Two axel spacers fixed that issue, but I really think it would have been okay without them. It is a steel frame and can take that much bend, but I wouldn't try it on an aluminum frame. This wheel should be ordable with various axel spacings.
The bad;
*It is heavy.
*The additional weight changes the balance of the bike quite a bit. I didn't think this would be a big deal on the tandem since it is already pretty heavy, but I do notice it. I have to pay special attention when loading or unloading the bike. It has a strong tendency to tip over.
*I have fears, so far unfounded, that we will be left out on a ride with a flat battery and plenty of hills left to climb.
*I had to go through a reset routine to get the battery indicator on the control module to read correctly. Bush league.
The good;
*IT WORKS! There is no mistaking when the motor engages. I was initially concerned that being a tandem the boost would not be significant enough to justify the expense. Those worries were unfounded. I have the optional throttle, which I would recommend. You can definitely feel the boost on level 3 and 4. Not so much on level 1 and 2. Certainly there is a strong assist when the throttle is opened. I found it surprisingly useful in situations that I wasn't expecting to use it, i.e. when first starting from a stop, trying to get my foot in while the stoker is pedaling. Now I can just get the bike rolling (the motor won't engage until you are already moving) and hit the throttle. This gives me a chance to get my feet clipped in.
*I am sure that I can't express the joy we felt while riding the bike with the motor. It was even more fun that the first time we rode a tandem. Seriously. We have had this bike for 18 years and I have never had more fun than the ride we took today.
As far as [...]; I would give them 4 out of 5 stars. I would give them 5 except that they should be looking closer at these products before shipping them out to customers. I suspect they know there are some quality control issues and they should be taking measures to fix any problems before they send them 2,000 miles to me and expect me to fix them, or send it back, which due to the size and weight is non-trivial.
As far as BionX; I would give them 2 out of 5 stars for quality control.
As for the BionX PL-350; Once I got past the installation; 5 out of 5. Ton's of fun. My wife and I could hardly keep from smiling the whole ride. The electric assist really takes the starch out of the hills.
I don't know how long BionX has been making these products, but is "seems" new. As if it isn't quite ready for prime time, still just a little experimental. I find myself being a concerned about potential warranty issues.
Overall, I am satisfied with the purchase. However, if I were to do this again, I would try to find a local shop to work through. I had to take the bike in any way to have the wheel trued and the spacers put on. I can't say enough about Kelly at the Bike Rack in Omaha, NE. He did a great job getting everything to work right.


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