RECEIVED MY NEW E-BIKE TODAY - AND ASSEMBLED IT MYSELF

The large box was delivered today by UPS and I dragged it inside to open it.  The temps today were pretty bad and I prefered to stay indoors with the A/C on 70 degrees.

The box was all in one piece but looked battered.  I got it opened and there was a lot of bubble wrap used in packing.  Got everything unwrapped and noticed that there was going to be a lot of assembly required.  My last bike was fully assembled when I received it so I was a little concerned that I may not be able to do it myself.

I had no idea how to put the front wheel on.

The fender for the front wheel.

My last bike arrived in the folded position.  This one did not.

I spoke to the seller who informed me that he was going to throw in a helmet and saddlebags.  The helmet was broken at the bottom of the box.  I don't wear a helmet anyway so no big deal.

Finally got the box cut away and noticed that the chain was off.  Not a problem to put it back on.

I didn't notice it at this time but the fork was in the wrong position.  When I attached the wheel it became obvious that the fender would not attach.  So I turned the fork around and everything fit. However, the tire rubs on the fender a bit.  I attached the peddles next.  Then the headlight.  The front brake took forever to attach then adjust.  There was no booklet of instructions in the box.

The last thing to do was to align the tire with the handle bars and secure them.  I could not for the life of me figure out how this was done.  I thought I had to tighten a bolt so I asked my neighbor for a wrench that would fit the bolt.  He came over and informed me that was not how to align the bike.  I was so thankful that he knew how to do what needed to be done.  The brake away part - when opened - has a screw inside that needs to be tightened.  Once that was done it was ready to ride.  It took me 4 hours to assemble everything.  But if I had to do it over again it would not take that long.  I must say, I'm very proud of myself for learning how to do this.

I really like the bags.  Plus there is still room for a basket on the back.  It also has a tail light but I can't figure out how to turn it on.  The head light has a switch on the handlebar.  The tail light might need a battery or perhaps a bulb.  I'll check it out tomorrow.

I didn't have to charge the battery or inflate the tires.  It was ready to roll.  I took it out on the street and gave it a test ride.  BOY is it powerful.  Almost too powerful.  My other bike is a 250 watt motor - this one is a 300 watt motor and a lot more powerful.  It's a good thing that it has a Low, Medium, and High control on the handlebar.  It is a peddle assist bike so as soon as you peddle the motor kicks in.  It's best to be at the Low setting or you could loose control.

While I was rolling I tried the medium setting and it took off out from under me.  Scared me at first as I was not ready for that quick burst.  I then hesitated to put it into high but I did and it is a setting I will never need to use.  I prefer the Low setting as it requires me to peddle harder and that is great exercise for my legs. 

I really like it and hope that I have many years of riding ahead.  Can't wait till the weather gets cooler so I can take it to the beach.  My little doggies were so excited to see me on the bike and  begged to go for a ride.  They remember that we used to do that.  It's been a whole year since the last time we rode together.