My neighbour got the latest model:
Compared to my model from 8 years ago it features:
- New colours
- Bosch motor
- Belt drive instead of chain
- Hub gear shift
- Foldable pedals for easier storage
- Shopping basket
- Strong foldable lock mounted on frame
Experiences with my Electric Bicycle, a Swiss made "Flyer", model "i:sy"
2021-03-20
New model with Bosch motor, belt drive, hub gear and foldable pedals
2020-11-06
New Power Pack has Arrived
The new power pack has been delivered. It is larger than the old one, but it fits pefectly.
The display shows that it is fully charged.
How will it perform?
Panasonic Battery Worn out After 9 Years
Coming from the supermarket with two bags full of groceries, I started my return trip home as usual: Battery check. Full, no worries, off we go. After about 300 meters hill up on the slope, the power indicator flickered and went from nearly full capacity to zero. Luckily, I managed to reach my house without a total power stop.
Immediately,I ordered a new batteryr,the first one after 9 years!
I paid 369 Euro for a brand new original Panasonic 16 ah power pack.
At this very moment, the postman has delivered it.
2015-05-20
Accu (Battery) Check
In spring I take my "Flyer" electric bike out of the garage, I insert the accu battery and I start enjoying again.
The performance of the accu (battery) after four years of riding
is still good.
One reason may have helped to keep it going: During the frost period of winter I did not leave it in the cold garage but took it into the house because its exposition to extreme temperatures should be avoided.
The performance of the accu (battery) after four years of riding
is still good.
One reason may have helped to keep it going: During the frost period of winter I did not leave it in the cold garage but took it into the house because its exposition to extreme temperatures should be avoided.
2012-05-21
With Swiss E-bike "Flyer" on a Hiking Trail in the Mountains
Riding my Swiss made electric bike "Flyer" model "i:sy" in the urban jungle has been a great success as you can see from my previous postings. - The bike`s design has the looks of possessing good durability and of being a young life style product at the same time. Any pleasure rider will love its most important typical e-bike feature: it takes the exhaustion out of going up hills.
With a proven success record as an ecological vehicle in the big city, how does it rate on a hiking trail in the mountains? Made in Switzerland, the country of mountaineering, should be a guarantee for its good performance on steep hiking trails. Is this true?
On a fine day in May I rode the "i:sy" on one of our most attractive hiking trails along the Rhine, the Rheinsteig, starting in Bonn.
The electric drive of ,my "Flyer" gave me an enjoyable ride through the woods of the "Siebengebirge" on the edge of the Rhine valley. But when I came to the steepest slope leading up to the mountain "Petersberg" I had to descend for the last 500 meters. The hiking trail is not meant for bikers at this part of the route. But thanks to the bike`s push button for a boost while walking, it gave me a comfortable support when pushing the bike up the small, slippery wet and rocky trail.
Now, what is my answer to the question: Can you do the Reinsteig on a "Flyer" model "i:sy"?
The answer is: You can go very well on some parts of the trail, if you are an experienced biker on rough terrain, but you would be much better off on a mountain bike.
With a proven success record as an ecological vehicle in the big city, how does it rate on a hiking trail in the mountains? Made in Switzerland, the country of mountaineering, should be a guarantee for its good performance on steep hiking trails. Is this true?
On a fine day in May I rode the "i:sy" on one of our most attractive hiking trails along the Rhine, the Rheinsteig, starting in Bonn.
The electric drive of ,my "Flyer" gave me an enjoyable ride through the woods of the "Siebengebirge" on the edge of the Rhine valley. But when I came to the steepest slope leading up to the mountain "Petersberg" I had to descend for the last 500 meters. The hiking trail is not meant for bikers at this part of the route. But thanks to the bike`s push button for a boost while walking, it gave me a comfortable support when pushing the bike up the small, slippery wet and rocky trail.
Now, what is my answer to the question: Can you do the Reinsteig on a "Flyer" model "i:sy"?
The answer is: You can go very well on some parts of the trail, if you are an experienced biker on rough terrain, but you would be much better off on a mountain bike.
2012-05-02
The Pleasure of Riding at Night
On the web pages of my Indian bicycle friends (http://cyclists.in/group/nightbikeriders) I read that there is a group of 259 members who have joined behind the idea of riding at night. The location is Mumbai.
I agree with their observation, it`s a pleasure to ride at night, even here in Bonn, Germany. After a visit to a beer garden, I did about 8 kilometers near midnight from the city center to my suburb, and there were only three public buses going by and two cars coming my direction.
Having the road for myself, I left the lane for cyclists. Amazing the difference, the lane for cyclists is often rather bumpy, whereas motorists are enjoying a nice smooth black-top surface. We bicycle riders need to do a lot more lobbying for better lanes. --
And the air was fresh and cool, how nice after a day (May 1, 2012) of 30 degrees centigrade in the shadow of my porch.
Before closing down my computer, I saw the British website of nightriders. They have scheduled a big event in June. Interesting is the charity aspect. By fund raising activities they are planning to collect 1 million pounds for a good cause. Here is the link: Nightrider.org.uk
I agree with their observation, it`s a pleasure to ride at night, even here in Bonn, Germany. After a visit to a beer garden, I did about 8 kilometers near midnight from the city center to my suburb, and there were only three public buses going by and two cars coming my direction.
Having the road for myself, I left the lane for cyclists. Amazing the difference, the lane for cyclists is often rather bumpy, whereas motorists are enjoying a nice smooth black-top surface. We bicycle riders need to do a lot more lobbying for better lanes. --
And the air was fresh and cool, how nice after a day (May 1, 2012) of 30 degrees centigrade in the shadow of my porch.
Before closing down my computer, I saw the British website of nightriders. They have scheduled a big event in June. Interesting is the charity aspect. By fund raising activities they are planning to collect 1 million pounds for a good cause. Here is the link: Nightrider.org.uk
2012-04-04
First Technical Service: Chain Replacement
The other day I took my pedelec, a Flyer "i:sy", back to the dealer for the first technical service.
After nearly half a year of riding the bike without any problems, I had assumed that the service would amount to little less than oiling and tightening some screws and bolts. But it was not that simple at all. The mechanic, a friendly and higly professional man, showed me his measurements with a Rohloff rule. The chain was elongated and needed replacement. He also found that the smallest sprocket had worn out and did not work any more. His explanation: probably poor chain maintenance on my part, i.e. insufficient cleaning and greasing. I was disappointed, granted, I am not a semi-professional and definitely not a bicycle racer who looks after his bike with meticulous care every day, whiping off every little piece of dust and dirt, but I have ridden bicycles all my life and never had a sprocket and a chain worn out in the first half year. He called the Flyer company in Switzerland to find out if they would give me a free new sprocket. They declined. When I learnt that the dealer had no spare sprocket on stock to fix the problem immediately, I was disappointed again. In a reproachful manner, the manager and owner of my service station told me I could not expect him to have all kinds of sprockets on stock. At that, he lectured me that chain and sprockets are parts that wear out depending on the maintenance quality provided by the user. And he was certainly right. - I had learnt my lesson.Once the proud owner of a Flyer model "i:sy", I left the service station`s yard, unamused and dissatisfied.
Could it not be that the electric drive is putting chain and gears under more stress than an unelectrified bike? Should a new electric bike customer not be cautioned to avoid putting in the highest gear when starting the bike in order to prevent a premature wear-out of the sprocket? Shouldn`t customer and dealer cooperate and find a solution together?
One thing has become clear to me. If you are a pleasure rider who is willing to pay an almost luxury price for a pedelec like the "i:sy", don`t buy it with a chain derailleur. Spend more money and get one with a hub gear system.
After nearly half a year of riding the bike without any problems, I had assumed that the service would amount to little less than oiling and tightening some screws and bolts. But it was not that simple at all. The mechanic, a friendly and higly professional man, showed me his measurements with a Rohloff rule. The chain was elongated and needed replacement. He also found that the smallest sprocket had worn out and did not work any more. His explanation: probably poor chain maintenance on my part, i.e. insufficient cleaning and greasing. I was disappointed, granted, I am not a semi-professional and definitely not a bicycle racer who looks after his bike with meticulous care every day, whiping off every little piece of dust and dirt, but I have ridden bicycles all my life and never had a sprocket and a chain worn out in the first half year. He called the Flyer company in Switzerland to find out if they would give me a free new sprocket. They declined. When I learnt that the dealer had no spare sprocket on stock to fix the problem immediately, I was disappointed again. In a reproachful manner, the manager and owner of my service station told me I could not expect him to have all kinds of sprockets on stock. At that, he lectured me that chain and sprockets are parts that wear out depending on the maintenance quality provided by the user. And he was certainly right. - I had learnt my lesson.Once the proud owner of a Flyer model "i:sy", I left the service station`s yard, unamused and dissatisfied.
Could it not be that the electric drive is putting chain and gears under more stress than an unelectrified bike? Should a new electric bike customer not be cautioned to avoid putting in the highest gear when starting the bike in order to prevent a premature wear-out of the sprocket? Shouldn`t customer and dealer cooperate and find a solution together?
One thing has become clear to me. If you are a pleasure rider who is willing to pay an almost luxury price for a pedelec like the "i:sy", don`t buy it with a chain derailleur. Spend more money and get one with a hub gear system.
2012-02-07
Flyer E-Bike Battery in Bitterly Cold Weather
In my last posting I said that the weather had been relatively mild this winther. This is no longer true.
Yesterday the country experienced one of the coldest nights in years. Here in Bonn, the temperature was down at 14 degrees centigrade below zero.
Would you have left the Flyer`s battery pack at your bike in the garage? I did not dare to do so.
The experts are saying that temperatures way below zero may damage the battery. On the internet I found the following tips: Avoid extreme temperatures and don`t reload the battery when it is frosty. Ideally, recharge at room temperature.
That is why I removed it from my bike and carried it inside the house where I have stowed it away on the basement.
Last Sunday morning I went by bike to the neighbouring village to the baker`s for fresh rolls. So I got the battery from the basement, inserted it as usual in the middle of my bike and off I went. - The low temperature of minus 8 centigrade did not affect the functioning of my e-bike, as far as I could notice.
Yesterday the country experienced one of the coldest nights in years. Here in Bonn, the temperature was down at 14 degrees centigrade below zero.
Would you have left the Flyer`s battery pack at your bike in the garage? I did not dare to do so.
The experts are saying that temperatures way below zero may damage the battery. On the internet I found the following tips: Avoid extreme temperatures and don`t reload the battery when it is frosty. Ideally, recharge at room temperature.
That is why I removed it from my bike and carried it inside the house where I have stowed it away on the basement.
Last Sunday morning I went by bike to the neighbouring village to the baker`s for fresh rolls. So I got the battery from the basement, inserted it as usual in the middle of my bike and off I went. - The low temperature of minus 8 centigrade did not affect the functioning of my e-bike, as far as I could notice.
2012-01-28
Riding my e-bike "Flyer" in the cold
This year`s winter has been relatively mild in Germany: no snow so far in the Bonn area.
On my recent trips I did both the city and hiking paths in the country. Consequently, I can tell you of a new riding experience.
If you have read my previous blog entries, you will remember what I wrote about roads and curbsides: "bumpy" and "dangerous". I had become aware of these conditions of cycling lanes in Bonn because my e-bike has Schwalbe Balloon tires that were inflated to the utmost for the sake of less rolling resistance..
Now in January, with temperatures around 5 and 8 degrees centigrade during the day, the feeling for the road was entirely different. Thanks to the low temperature, the air pressure in my Schwalbe ballon tires had decreased and my rides had become rather comfortable. Granted, there are still a lot of places with dirt and gravel and traditionally cobbled pavements. My Swiss made e-bike "Flyer", model "i:sy" has proved to be sturdy enough to take anything, from cobbles in the city to dirt and gravel in the mountains. Thanks to a saddle post with a suspension and the cold weather that taught me to appreciate the use of the balloon tires with less pressure than the instruction manual suggests, I have been enjoying comfortable and smooth rides.
My new formula is: take a little more rolling resistance but enjoy the full comfort of balloon tires plus more grip.
On my recent trips I did both the city and hiking paths in the country. Consequently, I can tell you of a new riding experience.
If you have read my previous blog entries, you will remember what I wrote about roads and curbsides: "bumpy" and "dangerous". I had become aware of these conditions of cycling lanes in Bonn because my e-bike has Schwalbe Balloon tires that were inflated to the utmost for the sake of less rolling resistance..
Now in January, with temperatures around 5 and 8 degrees centigrade during the day, the feeling for the road was entirely different. Thanks to the low temperature, the air pressure in my Schwalbe ballon tires had decreased and my rides had become rather comfortable. Granted, there are still a lot of places with dirt and gravel and traditionally cobbled pavements. My Swiss made e-bike "Flyer", model "i:sy" has proved to be sturdy enough to take anything, from cobbles in the city to dirt and gravel in the mountains. Thanks to a saddle post with a suspension and the cold weather that taught me to appreciate the use of the balloon tires with less pressure than the instruction manual suggests, I have been enjoying comfortable and smooth rides.
My new formula is: take a little more rolling resistance but enjoy the full comfort of balloon tires plus more grip.
2012-01-03
First 500 km Performance of my e-bike "Flyer", the pedelec model "i:sy"
After three months of riding my e-bike "Flyer", model "i:sy", a Swiss made pedelec, I have finished the 500 km mark. Now it`s time to return to the dealer and ask him to perform the first maintenance work as requested in the instruction manual.
My daily rides were often about 15 km. I have ridden the bike during good and bad weather, several times in a drizzle of rain. Every time I returned home, I had to make it climb a steep hill. And a number of trips I did in the near by Siebengebirge, which is a mountain region of mixed altitudes between 100 and 360 meters.
How did the bike perform?
It performed very well, to just one exception. After a few days of rest in the garage, I took the bike out for a ride and when I had just mounted it and started pedalling, the chain came off. Upon a qick inspection,I found that it looked rusty and needed greasing. Presumably the dealer had not noticed the state of the chain when he delivered the bike.
I greased the chain and my bike went on smoothly as ever. I went on riding it to my great joy and perfect satisfaction.
My daily rides were often about 15 km. I have ridden the bike during good and bad weather, several times in a drizzle of rain. Every time I returned home, I had to make it climb a steep hill. And a number of trips I did in the near by Siebengebirge, which is a mountain region of mixed altitudes between 100 and 360 meters.
How did the bike perform?
It performed very well, to just one exception. After a few days of rest in the garage, I took the bike out for a ride and when I had just mounted it and started pedalling, the chain came off. Upon a qick inspection,I found that it looked rusty and needed greasing. Presumably the dealer had not noticed the state of the chain when he delivered the bike.
I greased the chain and my bike went on smoothly as ever. I went on riding it to my great joy and perfect satisfaction.
2011-12-04
Enough "juice"? - Battery Charge Almost Running Out
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| PanasonicLithium Mangan Battery in Adapter for Charging |
I rode along the riverside, and I noticed that my ride was smoother than on previous days. Evidently the tires had lost a bit of pressure, probably because the temperature had decreased.
As I approached the former parliament building in Bonn, I was confronted by a police barrier. They were keeping the area around the World Congress Center closed because of the the international conference on Afghanistan to be held on Dec. 5 with 85 nations participating.
On my way around the enclosure and to Bad Godesberg I saw a group of about 100 protesters, Afghans of Indian origin who were trying to tell the world about their religious suppression by the government of Afghanistan.
After my visit to the Christmas market with nice stands and traditional craftwork from Germany`s Erzgebirge in Thuringa, I took the ferry across the Rhine in order to go home, up the mountain via Oberdollendorf and Vinxel. A look at my bike`s computer display showed me that only two fifth of my battery charge was left.
Would I make it up hill and all the way back home?
When I was at one of the last steep slopes, the display showed that only one fifth was left. I was getting nervous. Then the indicator`s bar line had become very small, and it started to flicker.
Okay, I got home all right enjoying the full support of my little electric assistant. I had done 32 kilometers, and when I took the battery out to be recharged, the bar indicator was still flickering.
2011-12-03
My Flyer Model "i:sy" and the Handlebar "Speedlifter"
My Flyer Model "i:sy" and the Handlebar "Speedlifter"
The micro-computer screen mounted on my Flyer electric bike tells me that I have travelled over 300 kilometers in the past three weeks on my daily trips to town for shopping and in the area around the house for recreation.
I am using my bicycle more often since I have had the Flyer with its Panasonic battery powered support system. The car stays in then garage when a trip of 15 kilometers is to be made because I do not shun the elevation parts of my bicycle rides any more. I do not arrive at home out of breath and needing a shower after climbing the hills on my way back from a trip into the Rhine valley. There is a simple formula: Less hard pedalling work means more fun and more frequent use of the bicycle.
My joy starts when I take the bike out of the garage where it is parked in a space saving manner thanks to the convenient adjustable handlebar "Speedlifter". This unique and new handlebar system enables me to set the handelbar in seconds to my height and out of the space saving parking position for which it is turned 90 degrees and into a straight line with the frame.
The "Speedlifter" has been invented by Markus Schulz, a bicycle expert with a large record of extreme tours, and by his company here in Germany. On their web-site I learnt that they are cooperating with the the Swiss bicycle maker Flyer. Without my new electric Flyer bike I probably would not have got to know this extremely convienient handlebar system which is still a world novelty.
I am using my bicycle more often since I have had the Flyer with its Panasonic battery powered support system. The car stays in then garage when a trip of 15 kilometers is to be made because I do not shun the elevation parts of my bicycle rides any more. I do not arrive at home out of breath and needing a shower after climbing the hills on my way back from a trip into the Rhine valley. There is a simple formula: Less hard pedalling work means more fun and more frequent use of the bicycle.
The "Speedlifter" has been invented by Markus Schulz, a bicycle expert with a large record of extreme tours, and by his company here in Germany. On their web-site I learnt that they are cooperating with the the Swiss bicycle maker Flyer. Without my new electric Flyer bike I probably would not have got to know this extremely convienient handlebar system which is still a world novelty.
2011-11-26
Bumpy Roads and Dangerous Curbsides
Right from the beginning of my pedelec riding experiences, I noticed that high pressure tires on bumpy roads are a bit uncomfortable.
My Swiss made bike "Flyer", model "i:sy light" has 20´` wheels with Schwalbe Big Apple balloon tires.
In order to keep the rolling resistance low, which enables the rider to make distance with relatively little energy,
the tires have to be pumped up to 4.5 bar, according to the instruction manual.
Yesterday I went out for a ride, and as usual, I wanted to cross over a sidewalk in order to reach the bicycle lane. I had done this many times before on my other bikes, and I had always taken the curbside successfully, cautious and well aware of the risk of slipping out. But this time I did not make it. The high pressure tire slipped off the edge and I fell. Bike and driver were on the pavement. Luckily, this happened at a very low speed and no harm was done.
I learnt my lesson, though, and I want to advise other riders: Beware of the hard, high pressure tires when crossing curbsides or the rails of the tram. They may be slippier than you would imagine.
My "Flyer i:sy light" has a seatpost with suspension which absorbs nicely the bumps on the road. I wished I had also a front fork suspension.
2011-11-20
Ten Good Reasons for Riding an Electric Bicycle
The following ten reasons for using an electric bicycle I found on a British website. Here is the list with my comments:
(British Site: Electric Bike Advantages)
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(British Site: Electric Bike Advantages)
2011-11-14
My Pedelec is the Swiss Made brand "Flyer", model "i:sy". First Rides.
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| Swiss made electric bike "Flyer", model "i:sy light", 2011 |
Bonn City - Holzlar, Roleber, Gielgen
Now I have done the 20 kilometer trip Gielgen (Holzlar) (about 168 m) down into the Rhine valley to Bonn City (approx.. 68 m) several times on my newly bought electric bike "Flyer is:y". It`s a pedelec model "i:sy light", chain gear shifting, 9 gears, 26 V 12 Ah rechargeable battery, 25 km/h version.
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| The power assistance can be changed between "high", "standard" and"eco" to "no assistance" |
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| The white push button isn used when walking the bike up a steep slope. |
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| The battery is locked with the same key as the ABUS anti-theft lock for the rear wheel. |
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| Ìt`s easy to take the battery out or to put it in. |
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| The battery charger |
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| The charger with mounnted battery |
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| The gears and derailleur |
| A |
| Tire: Schwalbe Big Apple, Pressure 4.5 Bar ! |
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| Very good Lumotec head light |
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| Saddel with cushion comfort |
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| Sturdy rear rack |
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| ABUS anti-theft lock |
"Up the Hell of Roleber" in 5 Minutes
Once in the Rhine valley, I usually ride along the river for about two kilometers, make a short stop somewhere in the city and then I go back up into the mountains to Roleber and Gielgen. The final kilometer of my trip includes 400 meters of a rather steep slope of 11 %. It used to be known as the "hell of Roleber" at the time when Germany`s annual cycle race took place in the Bonn region.
Today I rode my pedelec up the "hell of Róleber" at a speed of 9 km per hour with the electric assistant put into "high". It took me about 5 minutes to reach the top, and my pedalling efforts were moderate. Upon arrival in Roleber village, I was not out of breath, I just felt like having had a nice steady workout as on a hometrainer. Now. a look at the distance of approx. 10 kilometers from Bonn to Roleber and Gielgen: 25 minutes. This is the same time the local bus needs. The weather was nice, a bit cold, about 9 degrees centigrade.
Speeding downhill at 50 km/h
And what about going down hill? Great, this bike is fast thanks to the tires pumped up to the utmost.
At one point I reached the speed of 50 km/h, going down to Oberkassel without any electric assistance, well understood.
The Fun of "Flying" the Flyer
And when riding a level distance, like along the Rhine, no assistance is needed either. But it is much fun to use it, nonetheless. The support it gives you makes you fly along like a well trained cyclist with muscles and physical power.
Electric Energy Consumption?
About 20 kilometers ridden in approx. one hour cost me
2/5 of a full battery charge. The experts say the eletric power drawn from the power grid at home would amount to less than half a Euro.
It`s fun to ride the Flyer i:sy.
2011-11-01
My E-Bike is a "Flyer i:sy" Pedelec
The family was highly sceptical about buying an electric bicycle. Especially since I had in mind to buy a rather expensive Swiss made model. On my way to the ebike dealer, I thought I might as well buy another folding bike, this time not a Brompton (see my blog My folding bike Brompton) but a German made "Birdy" by Riese-Müller.
In the shop, however, I saw the shiny Flyer model "i:sy" again which I had opted for in my previous visit of the shop. The shop assistant said: "All right, your family may be sceptical. But please take this ebike with you. In case they definitely dislike it, bring it back and then buy your folding bike Birdy. Give the family a first ride, and you will see the fun factor."
So it happened. I bought the bike, transported it home in the trunk of my car after I had taken off the saddle post and the front wheel, and I gave the family the opportunity to have a test ride. Result: Everybody enjoyed the bike immediately. We will keep it and I will let you know more in future postings in this blog.
In the shop, however, I saw the shiny Flyer model "i:sy" again which I had opted for in my previous visit of the shop. The shop assistant said: "All right, your family may be sceptical. But please take this ebike with you. In case they definitely dislike it, bring it back and then buy your folding bike Birdy. Give the family a first ride, and you will see the fun factor."
So it happened. I bought the bike, transported it home in the trunk of my car after I had taken off the saddle post and the front wheel, and I gave the family the opportunity to have a test ride. Result: Everybody enjoyed the bike immediately. We will keep it and I will let you know more in future postings in this blog.
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