Electric Bikes - My new e-bike

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</intolerance>
07-21-07, 05:38 PM
I picked up this IZIP Mountain Trailz AL (http://izipbike.com/mtn_trailz_al.html) two days ago and so far I have mostly positive thoughts.
http://app.onlinequickblog.com/images/66955-58629/bike7.jpg

I have ridden it for about 18 miles so far. The first day I rode it (first time riding a bike in a few years) I took the route I plan on taking to get to my classes. It is about 12 miles round trip.

I pedaled most of the way, but having not ridden in a while, my legs tired pretty quickly. I ended up making it 11 miles before the battery gave out on me. It claims with normal pedaling it should get about 25 miles, but it is weight contingent. I am a Clydesdale but I was surprised it would have that much affect on the mileage.

The other issue it the area I am riding has some big hills so I imagine that zapped some of the power too. I think I'll either end up getting the optional second power pack, or take the battery to class and plug it and recharge while I am school.

Other than the power issue I like the bike. Hopefully I will get into better shape and lose some weight so the power will be less of an Issue.

Here are some more photos:
http://app.onlinequickblog.com/images/66955-58629/bike3.jpg

http://app.onlinequickblog.com/images/66955-58629/bike4.jpg
It has another rack ont he other side for the optional 2nd battery pack.

http://app.onlinequickblog.com/images/66955-58629/bike5.jpg

http://app.onlinequickblog.com/images/66955-58629/bike1.jpg

diff_lock2
07-21-07, 05:45 PM
I didn't check your link, but if that pack is filled with lead bats its tiny. How much is a second pack?

You could make your own secondary pack...

and yay no hub motor...

EDIT: yup its SLA (lead batts). 24v and rated at 10Ah. Something i would use on a flash light lol (not really). you could make an external 24v pack and increase your range.
Lowell_
07-21-07, 06:57 PM
Definitely buy or build a second battery pack if you're not going to charge at school. The stock SLA's will not last long if you drain them until the bike won't go any more. It sounds like you're using 12-15 Wh/mile, so doubling the Wh capacity would work nicely for your 12 mile round trip.

If you don't mind spending a few hundred bucks, a NiMH pack like this would probably double your useable capacity, due to Mr. Peukert robbing some of your lead.
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=995

And at 11.8lbs, it's probably lighter than your current pack :)

</intolerance>
07-21-07, 10:07 PM
Definitely buy or build a second battery pack if you're not going to charge at school. The stock SLA's will not last long if you drain them until the bike won't go any more. It sounds like you're using 12-15 Wh/mile, so doubling the Wh capacity would work nicely for your 12 mile round trip.


The only concern I have about building mine own battery setup, it that the rack where the stock battery goes has specific contect point of two small circles that fit into the case.

The stock case does have screws making it easy to get into the case to replace the the batteries. I thought maybe I would see about replacing those with the NiMH batteries. Now sure what it looks like inside the case. I also have a call in, to find out how much the 2nd pack would be.

I'll post some photos of the contact point and the inside of the battery case.

Thanks to you both for your suggestions.
The7
07-22-07, 01:09 AM
Is it a brushed motor?
If yes, brushed motor will have about 10-15% lower efficency than brushless motor.
Brushed motor requires a bit more maintenence. The brush dust accummilated inside the motor is needed to be cleaned at regular period of usage.
diff_lock2
07-22-07, 05:53 AM
The only concern I have about building mine own battery setup, it that the rack where the stock battery goes has specific contect point of two small circles that fit into the case.

The stock case does have screws making it easy to get into the case to replace the the batteries. I thought maybe I would see about replacing those with the NiMH batteries. Now sure what it looks like inside the case. I also have a call in, to find out how much the 2nd pack would be.

I'll post some photos of the contact point and the inside of the battery case.

Thanks to you both for your suggestions.

Make your own NEW contact points (ie plugs) and you can mount the batts pretty easily.