If you’ve owned, researched, or seriously ridden an ONYX RCR—especially a 72V—there’s a very good chance you’ve come across John Angel. Known throughout the NYC e-bike scene as “the ONYX RCR whisperer” and often referred to as the godfather of NYC e-bikes, John has been one of the most influential independent voices in the ONYX community.
Based in New York City, John quickly became the go-to resource for riders navigating real-world ownership: commuting daily, wrenching on bikes, sourcing parts, solving issues, and documenting everything along the way. While ONYX built the platform, John helped riders truly understand it.
72V RCR battery care and charging best practices
BMS info and troubleshooting
Aftermarket and replacement parts
Tire sizes, tubes, and fitment guidance
Wiring notes, connectors, and common failure points
Maintenance tips, upgrades, and quality-of-life improvements
Links to trusted vendors and compatible components
For many riders, John’s blog filled the gaps that naturally come with early-generation electric vehicles—especially as the 72V platform matured and parts availability changed over time.
John’s contributions have helped:
New riders get safely up to speed
Long-term owners keep aging 72V bikes running reliably
Reduce trial-and-error repairs
Preserve institutional knowledge as models evolved
Even today, as the 80V platform takes center stage, JohnAngel.nyc remains the most comprehensive resource for 72V RCR owners. If you’re troubleshooting, upgrading, maintaining, or simply trying to understand your bike better, his blog should be your first stop.
For anything 72V RCR related—tips, tricks, parts, tutorials, and deep dives—bookmark this site:
ONYX riders wouldn’t be where they are without community builders like John Angel, and his work continues to support riders well beyond the original launch.