Originally Posted by
AngieM
Awww, Morph, how sweet to offer to build my bike! If I did live near you I'd probably learn a lot! Thanks to you both for the input; you both said exactly what I was feeling about this bike, AND these bikes have a lot of wires showing.
Maybe if I just bought the frame and got a decent kit because so far it seems like the only frame that will fit me just right.
I SO agree about the hub motor; this one looks odd for the price... or for any price. These bikes really are VERY over-priced... too bad.
What is BMS and LVC ???
Angie,
BMS stands for "Battery Management System," a computer board used on Lithium batteries to prevent overcharging or discharging the battery too deeply, both of which will kill a battery prematurely. LVC stands for "Low Voltage Cutoff," one of the functions of the BMS--cutting off power before the battery is too deeply discharged and damaged. I did not use a BMS on the LIFEPO4 battery pack that I built. Instead, I used a newer, less-expensive piece of electronics called the CellLog 8s, which monitors charging and discharging and will sound an alarm to prevent me from overcharging or too deeply discharging my battery. For those who have brakes (the brake lever is wired to cutoff the bike's motor when depressed), the CellLog 8S can actually be wired to e-brakes to cutoff power. The CellLog 8S is under $40, most BMS computer boards will cost close to or over $100.
I would suggest that you try out a recumbent before considering buying one. I'm one of those who wouldn't be comfortable on the Dream E bike. I prefer an upright bike.
You can get a new 8-speed Biria Easy Board for $650 (plus shipping) online. If your local bicycle shop can get Birias, maybe you could negotiate a lower price by printing out the online prices and taking it in to show them. They're only 5-inches off the ground so you should have no problems getting on or off. Another hub motor to look at is the geared hub motor sold by hightechbikes.com. Geared motors tend to provide better torque if you're in a hilly area. His hub motor kit is less expensive too. It gets good reviews on the Endless Spheres forum. Just take your time, keep refining your list.