Your

Instruction Manual

Mar-13

Version 1c March, 2013

i-cycle NZ Sport Cruiser Owner’s Manual

CONTENTS

 General Instructions

 Assembly

 Charging Instructions

 Safe Riding Requirements

 Riding Instructions

 Maintenance

 Troubleshooting

© i-cycle NZ pg. 2

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

DEAR USER:

Thank you for buying one of our superb electric bikes! You’re one step closer to realising a new way of cycling that is fast, fun and friendly to the environment.

Our electric bikes incorporate all the advantages of bicycles which have evolved over the past 150 years of mainstream cycling development, whilst utilising cutting-edge modern materials and technologies to ease our transition from petroleum-dependency into a cleaner and healthier lifestyle.

At i-cycle, our pledge to quality means that all of our electric bicycle components are high-value, purpose-built and reliable. We have added many safety devices for correct usage.

It is your responsibility, however, to acknowledge and understand the safety implications and possible risks of cycling.

So, in order to ensure your safety during riding, please read this manual carefully!

Special Instructions/ Disclaimer

 This manual is sketch-map only for your information about most aspects of normal bike operation.

 It is possible that there may be some differences or unconformity with your electric bicycle and this manual due to the continuous technical and product improvement processes we employ in our manufacturing and assembly of the bikes finally delivered. (The manual is usually updated after any such changes are made.) Your i-cycle dealer should point this out at the time of purchase, however.

 It is strongly recommended that users do not attempt to modify any of the technical or mechanical characteristics of this eBike without prior consultation with i-cycle NZ.

© i-cycle NZ pg. 3

ASSEMBLY

General Assembly Instructions:

Each eBike was carefully assembled and strictly checked before leaving the factory.

When packing, we usually remove the front wheel and handlebar of some eBikes for safe transportation. However, you can very easily re-install them according to the guidelines below:

Tools required: Spanner; Allen key; Screwdriver, etc. As the new owner of one of

our i-cycle eBikes, we have given you a useful tool kit for each model type/ electric bicycle.

 Front wheel: Put the ends of the front wheel hub in the fork ends and then tighten the wheel, make sure it’s perfectly aligned and secure. The quick-release mechanism must be seated squarely and firmly tightened to ensure safety. Tighten the brake levers in their correct positions.

 Handlebar / Stem / Headset: The handlebar and stem comes pre-assembled.

Loosen bolts on the stem and insert and turn the handle bar assembly until it is at right angles with the frame. Align the handlebars so they are perpendicular to the front wheel. Then use the Allen key to tighten.

 Pedals: The right-hand pedal (marked “R” on the pedal shaft) must be fitted on the right-hand crank and tightened firmly clockwise. The left pedal

(marked “L”) should be fitted on the left-hand crank and tightened firmly anticlockwise but not excessively, as the crank threads are made of aluminium alloy. Use the 15mm spanner.

 Seat post: Insert into the seat tube of the bicycle frame and align. Tighten the clamps and ensure the seat is firmly fastened.

Important! Do not adjust the seat post beyond its maximum extension mark!

 Brakes: Brakes are one of the most important safety features on any bicycle. To minimise the risk of injury, it’s vital to ensure they are correctly adjusted. Where fitted, ensure that the V-brake blocks are parallel to the rim, and that the distance between them does not exceed 2mm, and then tighten the brake mounting bolts. Squeeze brakes to test their responsiveness.

Most of our models come standard with - or have optional disc brakes - Check that the wheels rotate freely without touching the disc pads.

If you have little experience with bicycle maintenance we recommend you get this done at your local bike shop or our i-cycle workshop near Wellington.

© i-cycle NZ pg. 4

CHARGING INSTRUCTIONS

 Always use the smart charger supplied by i-cycle which should be the best match for your bike (never use a charger from a different model). Before charging, you must turn the power switch to “OFF” and pull out the key. Keep the charger in a dry, well-ventilated area when it’s working.

 The charger is designed for indoor use only. Keep the charger away from water to avoid electrical short circuits. Never use it in a damp, combustible or explosive environment.

 Do not remove the plug by pulling the cord; always grip the charging port by its metal body.

 Firstly, connect the output plug of the charger with the socket of the battery case properly and then insert the input plug into the AC electrical outlet. The charger indicator will light up, which means it’s on and charging.

 When the light turns from Red to Green it means the battery has been fully charged. Usually this will take about 4-6 hours to recharge the battery depending on the previous charge level. However, you may like to charge it for an additional 2 hours after the light turns to green, if you have time. (It is good for the service life of the battery).

 Do NOT charge it for more than 10 hours at a time to avoid overcharging and damaging the battery! After the light turns GREEN, the charger goes into a state of trickle-charging; i.e. the electric current “fills slowly" and maintains the

“full-charge” state. If you are going to be away or out for a long time, you should pull out the charger plug, especially in hot weather.

 The charger will become warm during charging, so keep the charger away from any heat source. Always keep the charger dry and clean. The electronics inside contain high voltage, so please don't disassemble the charger at any time.

 After charging, please pull the input plug out of the electrical outlet first and then pull out the output connecting plug from the battery case. Again:- Do not leave the charger plugged into the battery or electrical outlet for a long time, as it may potentially damage the charger or cause a fire.

 Whilst charging, please keep the ensemble out of the reach of children. Do not put anything on top of the charger when in use, and prevent any liquid, metal or metal filings to permeate into the charger.

 You can also remove the battery from the bicycle and then charge it. (To do this, you should lift the saddle with the lever that is underneath it, which will enable you to remove the battery.) Before you do this, you will have to unlock the battery with the ignition key. When you finish charging, replace the battery, drop the battery down along the slide bracket and then lock the battery again with the ignition key.

© i-cycle NZ pg. 5

 Do not touch either of the two poles in the battery case with your hands when the battery is removed for charging. Also the charging connector poles should not be touched by any metal - or any other material that conducts electricity - otherwise it may cause short circuit.

 If you don’t ride your eBike for a long time, the battery should be charged at least one time per month. This will ensure longer battery life. DO NOT use the bike when the battery capacity or charge level is very low. And DO NOT leave your battery in a fully discharged state for long periods of time. The battery will continue to self-discharge, resulting in damage.

 Avoid any contact with water when charging your battery. If a plug or socket gets wet, dry it completely before using.

 If you notice a peculiar smell or that the temperature of the battery or charger is extremely high when charging the battery, please stop charging immediately and notify your local distributor or our i-cycle Customer Service Centre.

Note! Please read the supplied charger manual in detail before using the charger.

© i-cycle NZ pg. 6

SAFE RIDING REQUIREMENTS

 Please obey the local traffic regulations for riding this type of vehicle.

 Always wear an approved safety helmet when riding on New Zealand roads.

 Please read this instruction manual carefully before you ride your electric bike for the first time.

 Regularly check tire pressures to facilitate easy pedalling and to minimise battery consumption.

 Always check the brakes before using your bike to make sure they are working correctly. Make adjustments to enhance the brakes’ sensitivity if needed. Please use the brakes in advance of any hazard and reduce your speed on snowy or rainy days.

 Please hold the handlebar in both hands except when you need notify others for turns etc.

 Please use the front and rear lights in dark or low-visibility conditions.

 Make sure your body, clothing or other objects placed on the bike during use do not come into contact with the chain or the wheels which could lead to damage/ injury.

 Never touch the charging connector on the battery case with your wet hands, keys or other conducting metals in case they damage the battery pole and cause a short circuit.

 Wear bright, hi-vis clothing to help make you visible to other motor vehicles and fellow riders whenever you are riding, even in daylight hours.

 Don’t lend the electric bicycle to anyone who doesn’t know how to operate it.

 Like most other cycles, your i-cycle eBike is designed to carry only one person; carrying a passenger is not recommended.

 To brake, the rider must action both brake levers to the correct degree.

 Never ride the electric bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 Take care in bad weather conditions, especially on wet or loose surfaces.

 If possible, do not ride in adverse weather conditions, low visibility or if you are very tired for the sake of safety.

 This electric bicycle can be used in the rain; however, it must not be submerged in water or puddles. The controller, motor and other electrical devices may be short circuited, causing damage and creating possible dangerous situations.

 Never spray water from a hose to wash your eBike. Don’t get the electrical components wet (battery connector, motor, controller, cables, handlebar controls, etc.)

 Don’t let children under the age of 10 ride your eBike without close supervision.

© i-cycle NZ pg. 7

RIDING INSTRUCTIONS

Checklist before riding your eBike for the first time:

Your bicycle was carefully assembled and thoroughly quality-checked before leaving the factory. Nevertheless, before using it for the first time, please check the following components:

• First check to see whether the battery is fully charged and correctly locked in place

• Check the air pressure of the tires to ensure that they are correctly inflated

(Not too hard and NOT too soft!) Check that your puncture repair kit is handy. 

• Check and make sure that both the front and rear brakes are working properly

• Check the tightness and alignment of the front and rear wheels

• Check to make sure the handlebar and saddle are fastened tightly enough.

Make sure the quick releases are locked and that all locknuts and screws are tightened.

Riding:

 Turn on the power switch (i.e. turn the ignition key to "ON” position), the power display indicator will light up, which means the power is connected.

 EPAC/ Pedelec: Just like riding any normal bicycle, lift up the bike-stand and sit on the saddle, putting one foot on a pedal and the other on the ground whilst you get ready to ride. After you check that ALL is OK, start pedalling, maintaining your balance. When you reach a certain speed, the electric motor will be activated automatically and it starts working and moving your eBike! To stop the bicycle motor, just stop pedalling and the motor will stop automatically.

To bring the vehicle to a halt, use the brakes.

 eBike with Throttle: (Most i-cycle eBikes have this system) Start pedalling a few cycles and then gently rotate the throttle (anticlockwise) to increase your speed. Whenever you use the throttle, please accelerate it only gradually; don’t try to get to the maximum speed instantly, which would otherwise put a severe strain on the electrical components and battery.

 While starting off or climbing, pedal as much as possible so that the battery power will not be drained severely. In general, more pedalling by you is as good for the service life of the battery and motor as it is for your health!

© i-cycle NZ pg. 8

 The brakes have a power cut-off function; If either of the brake levers is pulled, the power to the electric motor will be automatically cut off.

Handlebar battery level gauge:

When the battery power is getting low, the lights start winking off (i.e. the indicator lights will darken one by one) When the last indicator blinks it is time to recharge!

You should turn OFF the power switch and use the pedals only to ride your eBike just like regular bicycle (i.e. No electric assist). You will have to charge the battery when you get home or to an electrical outlet. You’ll be able to enjoy the electric power assist again after it’s fully charged!

 Note that the best indicator of actual battery status is the one on the battery

itself. Press the battery check button on the Lithium ion battery to ascertain the current true level of charge and recharge the battery if it lights up at the

“Empty” end of the scale (or does not light up at all!)

Parking:

Shut the power “OFF” and pull out the key from the battery case whilst parking.

Also, the power switch should be turned “OFF” when pushing so that you don’t start up the motor by accident. Use a chain lock to further secure your bicycle when necessary.

Notes: Don’t expose your eBike to sunlight or rain for extended periods, or some

electrical components may behave abnormally. Consider covering these up whilst your bike is parked outside for any length of time.

Special Notes:

If you use the brakes frequently; switch the bicycle ignition on and off (i.e. stop the eBike and restart it continually), or you’re riding against the wind and/or riding up hills or carrying extra weight on the eBike – all these things will influence the performance of the battery, making it last considerably less time before discharge and you’ll travel less distance.

If you follow the advice above and our riding and battery care recommendations, then the distance travelled will be as long as possible!

© i-cycle NZ pg. 9

MAINTENANCE

ATTENTION!:

Before carrying out any sort of maintenance, turn off the power switch and remove the ignition key first.

 Do some physical riding and conduct a safety check in the same way that you would for a normal bicycle. Always wipe down and keep your bike clean after use.

Pay special attention to cleaning the battery poles in case that reduces the efficiency or burns the poles. At a minimum, your eBike should undergo an annual check-up. This will keep it in good working condition.

 Adjust chain tension:

Chains may become loose after using them for a certain period of time. If this occurs, please adjust as follows:

Loosen the bolts on rear shaft, if the chain is too loose, please adjust the Chain

Bolts on both sides in clockwise order and appraise the situation. If the chain is too tight, please adjust the bolts in a counter-clockwise direction. Keep the crank gear and wheel gear aligned. However, if for any reason you can’t adjust it well enough; consider taking your bike to a bicycle service centre or your i-cycle dealer’s workshop for expert assistance. After a long period of use, your chain can eventually wear out – at which point adjustment becomes futile – simply replace the chain with a new one.

 Adjusting the brakes:

Correct brake adjustment will make the controls work easier and offer greater safety to the rider:

The brakes are adjusted in a similar fashion to any standard bicycle. It is important for the brakes to work correctly and that the electric cut-off devices are in working order (Check the Electric cable to the brake levers).

Once the brakes have been adjusted, make the wheels turn freely to ensure there is no binding and check that when either of the brake levers is pulled, the motor stops working.

© i-cycle NZ pg. 10

 Lubrication:

For long–life service the following parts of your eBike should be regularly lubricated every half year:

Front axle; Chain; Rear axle: Freewheel, Front fork and other rotation parts.

For electrical parts, the user needn’t clear them because they are lubricated in factory. If you find anything wrong, please go to the local customer service centre for help.

 Cleaning:

The eBike should be cleaned with a damp sponge, taking special care not to get the electrical parts wet (Battery connection, motor (rear axle), electric cables, handlebar controls, etc.). Always dry off and buff with a cloth.

When cleaning your electric bike, do not use a steady direct stream of water from a hose. Use a cloth to avoid short circuiting any electrical components. Your electric bike has a durable finish and does not need to be waxed. Clean with a mild detergent and buff it afterwards to restore its original shine if needed.

© i-cycle NZ pg. 11

TROUBLESHOOTING

Problems Possible causes Solutions

When you turn the power switch to the

“ON” position, the indicator light doesn’t light up; the motor won’t work; there is no electric power on the bike

…

The range (or travelling distance under power) is getting shorter

The indicator doesn’t light up when charging

Other troubles

1.Battery is completely discharged

2.The electric cable connecting the battery to the motor is loose or severed

3. The fuse has blown

1. Insufficient battery capacity

2. The battery is getting old and depleted

3. Braking frequently, riding uphill for long stretches or running against the wind continuously

1.The connecting cable is getting loose

2. The fuse has burnt out

3. The charger is damaged

Any problems with the electrical components

1. Charge the battery

2. Fix the cable firmly

3. Change the fuse

1. Charge the battery fully

2. Change the battery

3. Use more pedalling!!!

1.Insert the socket firmly

2. Change the fuse

3.Change the charger

Ask the local dealer or i-cycle service centre for help

© i-cycle NZ pg. 12