Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Mustapha
06-14-08, 04:50 PM
I've decided to buy a bike to eventually convert with an electric hub kit (undecided between Crystalyte and BionX) but I need some questions answered before I can choose the right bike.
The primary use of this bike will be for commute through city traffic with quite a few stop lights (sidewalk available although not always clear). I would also like it to be able to go on mild trails also although that's not necessary.
My first question is, How easy is it to remove a [front wheel] hub kit and replace it with a standard wheel? If I did go on a trail I probably wouldn't want to risk damage or even just wear from dust on the motor. Is it completely impractical to use it for dual purpose like that? The trail use would be infrequent. Would I need to remove the speed controller as well?
Second, assuming I wanted it for purely street use. What size tires are the hub motors available in? I'm not really interested in one of the racing cylces with ultra thin wheels but I've seen some recently that have wheel width in between standard racing cycles and mountain bikes.
Third, many bikes I've seen have disc brakes. I assume that wouldn't work with a hub conversion kit, is that true?
Fourth, the Crystalyte conversion I tried had a handle twist throttle. At least one of the bikes I'm considering has twist shift on both handles. I assume it's not possible to put twist **** and twist throttle on the same handle. Are there other throttle options for the Crystalyte? Also, I haven't seen how the BionX controls throttle, is it through the onboard computer that shows battery life and speed?
Last, what do people think of the new internal shift gears? Until today I've only used traditional de-railers. I think I could get used to the internal shift ones but I'm not sure if they're actually better.
The primary use of this bike will be for commute through city traffic with quite a few stop lights (sidewalk available although not always clear). I would also like it to be able to go on mild trails also although that's not necessary.
My first question is, How easy is it to remove a [front wheel] hub kit and replace it with a standard wheel? If I did go on a trail I probably wouldn't want to risk damage or even just wear from dust on the motor. Is it completely impractical to use it for dual purpose like that? The trail use would be infrequent. Would I need to remove the speed controller as well?
Second, assuming I wanted it for purely street use. What size tires are the hub motors available in? I'm not really interested in one of the racing cylces with ultra thin wheels but I've seen some recently that have wheel width in between standard racing cycles and mountain bikes.
Third, many bikes I've seen have disc brakes. I assume that wouldn't work with a hub conversion kit, is that true?
Fourth, the Crystalyte conversion I tried had a handle twist throttle. At least one of the bikes I'm considering has twist shift on both handles. I assume it's not possible to put twist **** and twist throttle on the same handle. Are there other throttle options for the Crystalyte? Also, I haven't seen how the BionX controls throttle, is it through the onboard computer that shows battery life and speed?
Last, what do people think of the new internal shift gears? Until today I've only used traditional de-railers. I think I could get used to the internal shift ones but I'm not sure if they're actually better.