2024 Decoy core 4 horrible range.

[KRC96]

I got the bike (Decoy Core 4)in the fall of 2024. I'm 190 pounds and ride pretty aggressively for a 54-year-old. Colorado front range USA.

On my first decent-sized ride, the battery drained completely after 15.75 miles (25 km) and 3,107 feet (947 meters) of vertical gain. I skied all winter, and then this spring I did almost the exact same ride—and once again, the battery died before the end. Both days were prime battery weather. 65 degrees.

For comparison, my buddy on his 3-year-old Orbea Wild with the 630Wh battery finished the ride with 30% battery remaining. My previous bike, a Giant E-Reign, would also complete the same ride with 30% left. I did check that I have the 720 watt battery because this feels like I have the 500 watt battery.

I’ve adjusted the settings in the E-Tube app and do everything I can to maximize range, including "shifting" into the most efficient assist mode for the terrain.

What range are others getting? (What I see online is that I am very short.) Do you have any suggestions on how to get more out of this? I sent a request to YT USA with the same info.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Astro66]

You have set all your lower power modes very high. Level 1 and 2 could be set much lower, so when you are on flatter terrain, the bike isn't adding so much power. You have 42Nm as your minimum assist, which is 50% of maximum torque. That would be like running a TQ50 or Bosch SX in Turbo constantly, when you are at minimum assist. No wonder you are chewing through the battery.

There are 15 power level settings for the 5 Modes. Maybe set Mode 1 to Level 1 or 2. Then Mode 2 to to Level 4 or 5. Then whatever for Mode 3,4 and 5. This way you can set Mode 1 or 2, and be using much less battery.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Outside of the many vairables, I get about 20 miles and 4000ft on a 720w Decoy 29 at about 200lbs kitted. That's about 2.5 hours of riding and maybe 75% of the time in boost. What you get sounds a little short but not defective battery short so it could be motor setting, bike set up, gears used....

 

[Mbiker35]

I just got back from Bentonville. We rode from our air bnb, out to Bella Vista and did the back 40 and back to Bentonville. We did 42 miles, with 2900 vertical feet of elevation. I just made it back, with factory settings and 6 miles of range left on the 720 battery. I did the same ride last year with my 2019 decoy with a 540 battery and got a same range, same ride, same miles. Also my friend rode my old Decoy along with me this trip, we both dropped to 1 bar within 2 miles of each other... So same mileage from the 540 and 720 batteries, and we are the same size riders. I went to the YT mill store in Bentonville, They told me they are hearing the same complaints from a shit load of people, their the range is the same. But is it the battery or the Shimano EP 8 upgraded motor, or both. They had no idea, and neither do I. I'm going to buy a new battery for my old bike, I case they go out of business, I will get another 540. I should mention, my friend on my old decoy is 36 years old, and I am 67. But he is no stronger of a rider as me, and like I said, I got the same mileage last years ride.

 

[KRC96]

I complained to YT USA, and they sent me a new battery. I had to spend $15 to dispose of the first battery. Fair deal. I still don't get much range compared to my backup bike, Giant Reign. Did a high altitude ride and ran out of battery with 24 miles and 3,650 of climbing. The Levo 4 had 45% battery (dude is lighter), and my same friend on the old Obrea Wild had 15%. I like big rides, and this bike does not cut it. I will buy something else this winter.

 

[Mbiker35]

I complained to YT USA, and they sent me a new battery. I had to spend $15 to dispose of the first battery. Fair deal. I still don't get much range compared to my backup bike, Giant Reign. Did a high altitude ride and ran out of battery with 24 miles and 3,650 of climbing. The Levo 4 had 45% battery (dude is lighter), and my same friend on the old Obrea Wild had 15%. I like big rides, and this bike does not cut it. I will buy something else this winter.

I'm still happy with the bike, it's a beast. Most of my rides are between 10 to 20 miles with elevations of 400 to 1000 feet. So I'll probably use 1 to 2 bars. Like I said, my complaint is the 720 is no better then the 540. Also the 540 is over 6 years old, so factor that in as well...