Date: 1 July 2013
CD 1001
Issue: 1.0
Vélo Cargo Owner’s Manual
Page 10 of 34
4.1 Performance (Speed and Range)
Your Vélo Electrique cargo cycle is designed to be ridden like a normal cycle, the electric power being
used only to assist your human effort. Whilst the cycle can be propelled solely by the electric power, it
will dramatically reduce the range and also the amount of ‘cycles’ or lifespan of the battery. You also
risk burning out the motor if it is allowed to grind to a halt without your pedalling assistance.
For optimum range and battery lifespan the Vélo Electrique power should be used to ascend hills, pull
out of junctions and to lightly assist the rider to maintain a satisfactory speed.
If this is the case, distances of 20-50 miles are easily achievable between recharges on terrain with
continual light to moderate hills with a fit adult riding the bike and using the correct gear to optimise
human power input.
We recommend that you use the ‘low’ power setting on level to light hills and use the ‘medium’ power
setting to pull out of junctions and to ascent lengthy or steep hills. ‘Medium’ power setting can be
used all the time if higher road speeds are required.
Every owner's pedalling power, local terrain and traffic conditions are different and hence we cannot
offer more specific figures for range and performance.
4.2 Performance (Battery Lifespan)
Before you use the battery for the first time it is best to give it a full deep charge for 12 hours. To fully
condition your new battery give it complete deep charge, discharge cycles for the first three charges.
This is achieved by charging your battery for 12 hours and then using the bike until the battery is
completely drained. After this “conditioning” process, you can leave the battery charging as and when
you require.
If you are going to leave your battery uncharged for more than eight weeks it is best left half charged.
You should then re charge it every four weeks for two hours to keep it in top condition.
Always remember that you use up to three times more power when pulling off from standstill when
compared to continuous speed. To preserve the life of each charge always set off using your
pedalling power as much as possible.
Check the indicators on the actual battery to see how much power you have left. Please note that the
indicators on the handlebar dashboard (if purchased) lights do not necessarily show the amount of
power you have left, but the amount of load the battery is experiencing at any one point. If the lights
go down to “Empty”, then this is a strong indication that you ought to be pedalling more to take some
of the load off the battery. This will improve the battery life cycle.
Do not expose the bicycle or battery pack to fire, heat sources, acid or alkaline substances.
For best results, always charge the battery at room temperature, batteries behave very strangely if
cold, for example a battery being charged at zero Celsius is only able to receive half the charge that it
would when charged at room temperature.
Always make sure the battery is turned off before detaching/connecting it.
9- If your battery is damaged or appears to be overheating for any reason immediately return it to
your retailer for advice and a safety check.
