Electric Bikes - Bidwell Bike Pusher 2012

Old Post by me:

Well my first introduction into electric anything will be the Bidwell bike pusher. I have these rare detailed plans and after reading them I will try to bring it up to date from 2003 to 2012. I would say the only difference would be the motor and electronics and some minor tweaks here and there.

I will post more as I progress with the build.

Anyone else out there do a Bidwell pusher?

P.S. The picture below is what the pusher is to look like from the plans.

Well I now join the ranks of the electric powered world. I have just completed and tested the newly improved 2012 Bidwell bike pusher. A lot has changed since that model came out in 2003 - 2006 and bringing up to date was a bit of a challenge but I did it. All I can say is what a fun fun fun way to ride the wind!

The old was a 24v 400w configuration and I took it to 36v with a 600watt motor. Was told that it was outputing around 900watts in the 36v config. Incredible low end torque and top end speed. I mount the batteries in a battery box on top of a plywood top that also carries some of the weight of the motor. In the picture I am charging the batteries so they are not there but I will get a pic of when I am on the road.

Now my drive testing isn't complete....I live in flat lands Florida and need to see what some hills do to this puppy! But from what I can tell it does have the power to deliver.

I know the picture are hard to tell because I painted everything black but I will take some better pictures when I have everything hooked up and ready to go!

Ok so I have been riding the wind now for a couple of weeks with the newly designed pusher and I must say it is a bunch of fun!

I went with the Currie throttle and controller which I think was bit overkill on the protective circuitry but if you don't beat on the pusher it performs.

I am 250lbs and it has no problems pushing me! I have rode up 20-30deg hills from a dead stop and no problem with the low end torque getting me up the hill.

So far the only time I had the over protected Currie controller kicks in is when I am in full throttle (speedometer on order) and running open for 30sec when "cut". My guess is that I am between 25mph and 30mph when I have to unplug the battery connector and then re-attach and I am back off and going. A bit of a pain but I understand that it will increase the longevity of the motor. It also kicks in when I gun it at from a dead stop to full throttle and it will also cut on me.

I do have another controller here but I am sure that this is common with this manufacture.

Other than that it is so much fun....

Ok max speed results are in with the arrival of the speedometer. 25mph! Which is perfect. A 15t front sprocket and a 90t rear seems to be good enough for me. Next will be the max distance travel with 3 - 12ah batteries on flat pavement and then onto hills...

do you have any build pics? Looks really good

Thanks unterhausen...build pics...no...I get so involved I don't get into taking video or pics when I build... It is all in the mind that I need to put down on paper! ;-) I am handy but never worked with metal piping before..Pretty straight forward...pipe bender, drill press etc. The plans that I bought called for parts that don't exist anymore that were off of a all ready existing scooter so what I did was re-engineer with cheaper and available parts with new power plant and electronics. I would say if you have the time to build this pusher it would end up costing a bit cheaper than the Ridekick but of course an upgrade to a 36v and 900watt configuration which is way better in my opinion!

Ok..here is the fully decked out electric ride...Everything is module. I can remove the basket off the front when not carrying the dog and also the carrying crate with the cooler in it and the whole crate mount also off the pusher. So depending on what and where I ride a fully versatile machine!!

Now I am ready for my ventures! Off I go to ride the wind!

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I am not very excited about your electric bike project, but if it works for you then go ahead! I wish you the best...

Thanks gjuro...I like having the ability of losing all electric and returning to a normal bike sometimes but it does the job I need it to do and serves it's purpose and for the price that is totally affordable and did I say fun fun fun!

Cool project. I am interested in putting a low power electric motor on a burly/chariot kids trailer. The only time I need any extra help pedaling is when I am towing the kids and frankly I don't need a lot of help. I like that my wife or I could transfer the trailer to our own bikes. Any opinion on the adaptability to an existing kid trailer?
Thanks, Mike

I don't see why it wouldn't work...if pushing you andkids you are going to need some horsepower with the setup but with some diy engineeringit can be done.

Hello everyone…just an update: I am having so much fun with this pusher! Now that I have the correct balance between electronics, battery and motor I am riding the wind! The weather is great here in Tampa and have been riding the bike trails with my dog in the front basket also enjoying the ride!

the weather better be good , because in the rain I am not sure ho it is going to hold -

no rain proof at all. to much exposed to elements.

Point the bike south and ride into better weather! :thumb: