I was recently able to purchase two Day 6 Dream bicycles. The idea is to put hub motors on each so that my wife and I can have some mini adventures. I ordered and quickly received a "Go-Hub" 48v kit (last one) from Largo scooters. I am going to post random thoughts (in no logical order) as I learn this interesting hobby.

(random thoughts)
The "Go Hub " kit comes prewired and ready to strap on bike. The problem was that the Day 6 dream is a semi recumbent with a slightly longer wheel base and taller handle bars. The wires from the controller to the thumb throttle and from the controller to the battery pack were just BARELY long enough.

The Dream comes with a VERY comfortable backrest. Problem! The backrest is adjustable on a bar which
extends over the back wheel rack. The backrest bar makes it impossible? to mount the battery pack on the rack? For the time being I am having to leave the backrest in the garage.

Maybe I could rewire the battery pack in panniers so I could remount my backrest?

First dumb mistake........

I have ridden this bike on three seperate trips totaling 42 miles. i have been faithfully charging the batteries on each return (so i thought). Today I take off and get 1/2 mile down the road and the battery is super low! Limp back home........qucik call to Dan at Largo scooters (customer service seems VERY good)........the battery pack will not charge unless the key is on!

I have been hooking up the pack to the charger but it hasn't been charging from day one!

Good news..........42 miles on one charge

Bad news.........How much damage did I do to these batteries not charging them for a weeK?!?

None.

If anything, running them for a full cycle is better than lots of small ones, which can cause memory problems in anything other than a LiFePO4 battery.

I thought SLA batteries needed to be charged within hours of discharge or "irreversable" sulfinization (sp)
occurs??

News to me.

But then, I've never worked with SLA's.

I could easily be wrong.

I've been advised to charge my SLA's after every use, no matter how small.

Even a trickle charge is better than nothing after draining SLA batteries. A small solar panel can do a lot towards keeping lead-acid happy when an outlet isn't always available.

The thumb throttle has a "high" and "low" battery level meter........ almost useless

Does someone sell a battery meter that would give me more information than this?

Percentage of battery life available would be nice.

http://ebikes.ca/drainbrain.shtml

Drain Brain........looks good

After dinner, psyched up, ready to ride.............RAIN

After dinner, psyched up, ready to ride.............RAIN

fenders, and silicone, proceed

Does anyone use a "Watts Up" meter? It looks like it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Drainbrain but it seems to have the functions I was really wanting.

I took the first ride today with a fully charged battery. Seemed to do 23+ on a flat stretch. Very hilly in my area. I think there was only one hill in my nine mile loop when I had to pedal. It was kind of fun to know I could simply ride the thing if I wanted to. I really enjoy the QUIET. Back country blacktop...sun setting, crickets whine.......drop into cool valley, meditate....pray....this is good

Random Thought........

Rider A......flat course,full throttle, no pedaling, battery drained in one hour

Rider A.....same course, full throttle, pedaling entire time, will battery still be drained in one hour???

Random Thought........

Rider A......flat course,full throttle, no pedaling, battery drained in one hour

Rider A.....same course, full throttle, pedaling entire time, will battery still be drained in one hour???

Depends how fast and hard you pedal. Also depends on the wind, payload and even tire pressure to some extent.

When choosing battery capacity (AH) I usually double worst-case average requirements. If I know my ebike needs about 4AH to go X distance, I then try not to leave home without at least 8AH on board. Just never know when a strong headwind might appear, pickup some groceries or other cargo during the errand - might take a detour, etc...

How do you find the Day 6 Dream comfort wise? Is it as comfortable as they say?

Depends how fast and hard you pedal. Also depends on the wind, payload and even tire pressure to some extent.

When choosing battery capacity (AH) I usually double worst-case average requirements. If I know my ebike needs about 4AH to go X distance, I then try not to leave home without at least 8AH on board. Just never know when a strong headwind might appear, pickup some groceries or other cargo during the errand - might take a detour, etc...


Does pedaling decrease the draw on the battery? or simply increase the speed (and thusly range) over the same time period all other things being equal.

How do you find the Day 6 Dream comfort wise? Is it as comfortable as they say?

Thr last time I had been on a bike was ten years ago. My rear was so uncomfortable I said "forget it" my riding days were over.
When I decided to build a e-bike I knew that if this idea was going to last over one month I had to solve the comfort problem. When I went bike shopping I made it clear to the dealer that comfort was my top priority. When I saw the Dream with the huge seat and backrest I thought maybe this is it. when I took it for A test ride I laughed! with the wide seat, crank forward, backrest, high handlebars. I felt like I was on a motorcycle. I have only put about 60 miles on the bike. 99% of the time I am NOT thinking about my posterior! Up before dawn tomorrow (with my wife)to add another leg to our Katy Trail journey!

Does pedaling decrease the draw on the battery? or simply increase the speed (and thusly range) over the same time period all other things being equal.

Nothing is equal in this biz - but pedaling does increase average range on my throttle ebikes.

With my pedelec it doesn't move unless I pedal and if I pedal harder & faster it senses that I don't want as much assistance and backs off the motor power. So yes, my range goes up dramatically for the same battery as opposed to pedaling light & slow.

15+ miles on the Katy Trail (rail to trail) this morning. I got the e-bike for the first half and traded with my wife for the second half.

I live in rural Missouri. We have a problem with many people letting their digs run loose. When I take walks or bike rides I seem to be a magnet for these aggressive dogs. Any tips on how to avoid being attacked while on a bike?

No first hand experience but have read that a loud horn sometimes works. An extra water bottle with vinegar or other yucky stuff to squirt. If they are too close, a pepper spray might work (just spray behind you).

BTW, you gonna post pics of that sweet ride or what?

I will get my superdeluxe 1.0 megapixel camera out of mothballs and attempt this........

This should be a link to photo of my bike. It is currently without the comfy backrest until I transfer the batteries to panniers.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=4233562508331d691686155677bb26856badb638d145ca2c

Sorry, can't see it - link doesn't work.

Sorry, can't see it - link doesn't work.


When I click on link it works???

Third opinion please!

12.5 mile ride........ aggressively approached by 3 large dogs........I don't like being chased by dogs

When I click on link it works???

Third opinion please!

Not a third opinion but additional information - I get the message that your folder is 'set to private'.

Same here. Set to private

Sorry guys........I think I got it now

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=2jcqfzafxw4&thumb=5

ordered "Watts Up Meter" today. This should take some of the guess work out of the ride.

Tres kewl !! Comfy looking ride.

I went ahead and bought a big can of pepper spray. It fits in my water bottle holder. 11.5 mile ride today. 1/2 mile from my house traveling up a hill a 70 lb. dog (at 11 oclock in front of me) sees me and charges (growling). Since I can't out run him I slow down and reach for my pepper spray. Immediatly
the dog pulls up and stops about 30 feet from me. He is not growling or barking........he looks sheepish??? I get back on the bike and slowly pedal away and the the dog walks off. Is the dog that smart?

I felt good on my ride tonight. Knees seem to be getting stronger. Less juice from the battery and more juice from me up the hills.

I went ahead and bought a big can of pepper spray. It fits in my water bottle holder. 11.5 mile ride today. 1/2 mile from my house traveling up a hill a 70 lb. dog (at 11 oclock in front of me) sees me and charges (growling). Since I can't out run him I slow down and reach for my pepper spray. Immediatly
the dog pulls up and stops about 30 feet from me. He is not growling or barking........he looks sheepish??? I get back on the bike and slowly pedal away and the the dog walks off. Is the dog that smart?
You have tapped into something that Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer) refers to. A calm assertive person will achieve mastery and dominance over a dog. The dog read your mood (and intention) and figured discretion was the better part of valour!

Was able to rewire and split my battery pack (into panniers) in about an hour yesterday. The pannier canvas seems a little weak for the 17lb of battery. I wonder if I could fabricate some sort of rack or do i have to depend on bungee cords?

left knee pain , fitfull night sleep, pedal through the pain or wait it out????

got the pannier/battery set up. put my comfy backrest on. throwing caution to the wind (knee pain) and going for test ride

seven plus mile test ride. battery/pannier/backrest set up worked well without hitch. Will need to fine tune seat adjustments. Gently rolling hills. Tried to put zero stress on left knee (is that possible?). No pain at present...........time will tell.

Do you think the semi-recumbent geometry is affecting your knee?

Do you think the semi-recumbent geometry is affecting your knee?

That is a good question? I thought recumbant positions were more natural and therefore less abusive to the body?

I thought recumbant positions were more natural and therefore less abusive to the body? Me too, but it may take getting used to it.
I would check that my leg is not stretched too far forward.

Me too, but it may take getting used to it.
I would check that my leg is not stretched too far forward.

Do you mean lower the seat so that my leg is not too far extended?

I believe thats correct. I understand that when you pedal, your knee should be slightly bent when you reach the downstroke.
You might ask on the recumbent forum.

Cool front moves through northern Missouri. Nice 9 mile ride. Added some hills to give this knee a little work. No dogs! Where is a good site to explain to me how gear ratios work? I don't really understand why my "8th" gear is easier than my "7th" gear?

Would an aftermarket suspension seatpost be overkill for the "Dream 21"? Is it possible to have a seat that is too comfortable? Are suspension seatposts designed only to damp large bumps or will it help with the common cracks in the road?

10 mile trip ( with mywife) through connecting city parks. I thought it would be kind of hokey but the planners did it well. I was amazed how much it felt like the country snaking through the city.

Just got home from Walmart with four bikes for the smaller kids. Family biking experiment?

Even a trickle charge is better than nothing after draining SLA batteries. A small solar panel can do a lot towards keeping lead-acid happy when an outlet isn't always available.

How small is a small solar panel? How much would it weigh? How much would it cost? (I've contemplated this with my Li-Mg set-up.)