My Babymaker has arrived. No, it’s not some kind of IVF treatment. It’s a bicycle. Kind of a crazy name for an electric bike, right? If I was 20 years younger, I’d probably find it offensive, but I have to admit it is a conversation starter. The designers thought it would make people chuckle. Really?
Oh, well… if the silly name isn’t enough to perplex you, just wait until your bicycle arrives in a giant aquarium box. It’s actually a clever idea when you think of it. FLX, the company that designed the bike, wanted shipping companies to treat it gently. It worked. My #FLX Pro box arrived without a bump, dent or scratch.
The FLX Pro
I ordered the bike through IndieGogo, a kickstarter program. And there was a LONG wait for it. I thought it would never find its way to my doorway. There were updates, COVID-19 production hiccups, and finally construction in Spain!
It took more than a year to arrive, but it was worth the wait. I love it! And the neon green color is hard to miss. The color alone makes it easy to spot in a bike rack.
The bike is built out of 60/61 aircraft-grade aluminum so it’s not too heavy. What I like best is the stealth battery compartment. There are no cables and no bulky battery pack on the back of the bike. It looks like a regular bike.
Where Are the Bicycles?
With so many travel plans dashed by COVID-19, more people than ever are heading out on bike trails. I’m one of them. The rush of pandemic bike buyers has left shelves and shops empty. The Brussels Times reported today that it’s tough to find a bicycle to buy, unless you are looking for a BMX or folding bike. I feel blessed to have my new wheels. Thanks, FLX.
Dry Run
This week, my neon green FLX Pro made its maiden voyage through Belgium’s Hageland Hills. The 12km trek was a delight. The e-bike runs smoothly, although the cobblestones were a bit jarring, and the seat is best suited for a super tiny butt.
Tech Specs
The 350-watt motor, placed discretely in the rear wheel hub, ensures you have the power you need. I needed the power assist push to ascend a few hills — and to get up my very steep driveway at the end of the ride.
The FLX Pro has a single-speed, carbon gates belt drive, which the company says is “quieter than a mouse walking on cotton.” It is very quiet indeed! And it doesn’t require grease or the maintenance a normal bike chain needs — and is built to last 3-4x as long.”
Need a feeling of security as you speed down those hills? The dual piston hydraulic disc brakes by Magura MT Sports provide excellent breaking force.
The FLX Pro retails at $2,499, plus shipping, but you can save $730 by pre-ordering it. I saved a little more by getting in on the ground floor more than a year ago.
On the “adventure side” of my story, I was just finishing up a 22km ride when a friend noticed my tire had just gone flat. I didn’t feel it on the gravel. Of course, it had to be the harder to fix back tire. Luckily, I was able to walk it to a bike shop within a mile. Thank heavens for the team at Velocratie in Wezemaal, Flanders. They had my baby up and running super fast, and I was back on the road.
I have a suggestion for bikers. Know where the bike repair shops are located on your route, and travel with things you might need to repair your bike. I bought a tiny air pump that attaches to the side of my bike for the next time I need air in the tires while on the road.
This is the only e-bike I’ve tried, so I can’t compare it to other models that are out there. But I can say this is a great bike for me!
It was worth the wait, one year to get the bike but now that the first of three I ordered is here and it makes me want to get out there and ride all day!. Thanks for putting this nice report together.
Even easier and smaller than a pump is a CO2 inflator. First you get the bike, then all the must-have accessories 😀