***The Official Electric Bike Thread***
 

So, I will make this thread the Official BikeForums Thread on Electric Bikes.

Some popular systems are kits made by Wilderness Energy, Crystalyte and BionX.

These kits are quite complete, but you supply the bike.

Electric bikes are good for assisting you along in case you run out of glycogen fuel and so you can switch over to electric fuel, no option for fermented dinobone fuel.

Post up your make model of electric bike, maybe some stories, how often you ride, why you chose electric, what has it done for you, how do you like it, would you go a different route if you could go back, etc...

I am currently in the market for a kit. Probably not too expensive, maybe something like $500 tops. BionX looks sweet, but is kinda expensive.

By the way, are disc brakes necessary for this application? And if so, what is a good brand/model?

Because the five or six currently on the first page of this forum aren't enough :rolleyes:

What's worse is that you've created most of them...

I was going to open an official thread on bikes powered by gas, but then I realized that it would not be appropriate.
Perhaps www.bikerforums.org would like it...

lol

What's it like to pedal an electric? Thing must weight a ton

Basically it feels like you have a strong tailwind.

If it weighs a ton, I guess I'm pretty strong to be able to lift it with one arm.

Sounds like it's probably pretty hard on the knees if you're a person who does steady cadence.

it really depends on the make and model

[QUOTE=Elusor]
...
no option for fermented dinobone fuel.
...

But my favorite fuel is fermented. :D

http://www.blvdbeer.com/index.cfm

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictur.../XtraGiant.jpg
My XtraLite
Great range and astounding weight hauling capacity. The motor is inline to the chain, located right behind the front ring.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictur...e/Estelle1.jpg
The Estelle, a Hinzmann front hub powered Biria. Less torque and range than the Giant. The torque difference is due to the placement of the motor, and the range is due to a lead acid battery vs. a NiMH.

Click the images for more info on each.

Why not just get a moped and be done with it?

^^^Get back in your car and drive, troll.

Sorry, couldn't resist. I prefer powering my bikes myself, is all.

No Problem, I needed coffee, and get snippy defending my ride.

Yes, like this!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r.../motorbike.jpg

Sorry the electric bike guys get so much flak from other cyclists. I don't have an e-bike, nor do I intend to have one; but as far as I'm concerned the more bikes - and the fewer cars - the better. So ignore the catcalls, folks, and keep riding.

AllenG, I'm curious about the Giant XtraLite. How much can that thing carry? That back rack configuration looks impressive...

Only if you insist on pushing yourself. I figure a 100lb difference on a bike is good for a few mph off the average speed, and the rider needs a wider range of gears or else they may top out too early downhill, or not be able to go up some hills, but I don't think it's any harder on the knees than adding a couple mph to the average speed of a bike.

Ditto!

That Stelle is a really nice looking bike!

Ditto here too


I've test rode a e-bike a couple times around my LBS parking lot and found that it was pretty cool. I commute for excercise so getting one now is not in my plans but, I would consider getting a e-bike when I'm old and have difficulty pedaling up some of the hills around here.

How many cycles do the batteries last? Can you get replacments at a resonable cost?

If i were going to have a lightweight motor vehicle, I would prefer partially powering it myself.

As it is, I don't have a motor vehicle.

I just got back from my studio in town. I needed my tall ladder and shop broom to clean the windows and leftover debris from the recent windstorm. I can carry things on it that I can't in my car.....I guess I could have used the truck;)
Yesterday I brought $180 worth of groceries home, including a 50 lbs. bag of dog food slung over the snap deck.

Before I added the XC kit I used a flat bed trailer, and can lug 100 lbs. of firewood or many bags of potting soil, all with no problem. My range goes down with the added weight. Unloaded, upper 20's, 150+ pounds of cargo and it's closer to 15 miles. Still good enough for town and back.

You want to talk about traffic giving you the respect you deserve, try an eight foot ladder instead of an orange vest.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/XtraLite/XL3.jpg

Thanks for the support. Luckily the flak doesn't bother me... with my upcoming setup, I really doubt that motorists are going to be as irrational with me since my bike will be capable of going 45 mph. I would also think my setup would be a lot more attractive and far more likely to get motorists to consider biking. Nonetheless, I had the misperception that us bikers would be more happy go lucky people - enjoying the outdoors, being more ethical, etc... obviously that's not always the case.

The NiMH on my Giant is good for 500 cycles which is over 10,000 miles of use. New ones cost in the $300 range.