Brompton Electric long awaited remote control from phone

[Conal]

Just had an email from Brompton to tell me that my wife’s Bromtop (and everybody else’s) power control, battery status and speed can now be accessed from a smart phone. I have been asking for this for four years!
In June we took it in to Rutland Cycles for a software upgrade, amongst other work, and it seems that this feature was added then.
Logged on today and added the App to her iPhone. Works perfectly; no suprise as Brompton and Apple both have high standards.
My wife is a timid cyclist and could not reach down to the battery control whilst cycling so this is a game changer for her.
Not to praise Brompton above other as expensive competitors, as they may also provide such good after sales support, but I bet cheap electric bike manufacturers don’t.

 

[DBK]

So you have to look at the phone while cycling? Is it mounted on the handle bars?

 

[Conal]

DBK Yes, the phone is mounted in the middle of the handle bars but previously the only controls were on the top of the battery about .5 meter from where your hands would be. She had to take one hand off the handle bars and lean over the front of the bike looking down to press the power button. Now my wife can glance down, change the power settings with a thumb swipe by moving her hand a few inches, and still use both hands for steering.
I am please they have added this feature but they are 5 years too late. Maybe now possible due to advances in technolog.

 

[pappajohn]

I change the power setting using the button ½" from my thumb without releasing my grip on the handlebars.
Much safer than moving your hand to the phone.
Speed is by a cheap aftermarket speedo on the bars and battery capacity, if it's low and not enough range there's nothing you can do about it by knowing.
And that's on a cheap Chinese bike.

 

[Conal]

pappajohn As stated there are no controls on the handlebars. I agree that this design fault is ridiculous for a top quality bike, and it shouldn’t have taken this long to provide an alternative. The handlebars are small/short and the thumb movement is now about the same as you describe.
I also agree that the added speed and battery levels are just an elegant add-on and not really needed. I think they did it because they could and everybody else is doing it. The battery lasts 6 miles at level 2 (of 3) for every one of the 5 markers, so 30 miles on one charge. Knowing how fast (or slow) you are going is not really useful as there is an upper limit to the motor assist and you get where you are going when you get there…..

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