reckon

I lost my drivers license a couple of years ago, and found that an electric bicycle conversion is a legal alternative to get to work and back.

I have since gotten my license back, but I fell in love with going to work on the electric (I also have a fixie, and a S/S MTB) I built the electric up from a GT LTS-3 frame, marzocchi bomber fork, alex 32mm MTB rims, laced to the 600W electric hub, the rear has a deore XT hub, I run street tires (tioga "city slickers) a road cassette, and a deore derailleur, shimano 170mm cranks (49/36), and sealed BB, it has canti brakes front & rear, I use a WTB speed saddle (I love those seats), and 1" riser bars. (I'll post a pic later)

I use the widely available "crystalite" type electric hub motor, battery pack, controller, throttle kit, that you can find all over the internet for about $400, except I had the front (crazy cheap!) wheel rebuilt with the afore mentioned wide ass alex DH rims.

it goes about 23mph without peddling, and I can get it over 34mph peddling hard in high gear. with the (heavy=34lbs) 3 12ah SLA batteries (sealed lead acid), it goes about 11 miles, no peddling, and a little over 15 miles if you peddle and use the throttle sparingly. there is a lithium co-polymer battery available for $500 that only weighs 6lbs, and will go over 20 miles with no peddling, and well over 26 miles using it conservatively. if you ran 2 of the Li-Co batteries (still only 12lbs), with a switch (1 main, and 1 for "reserve") you could get about 40 miles on one charge,....but thats a grand for JUST the batteries, and I can't get my cheap ass to go that far yet,...but soon I'm sure I will.

the point is, I NEVER, EVER see anyone else on an electric bicycle, and I have been riding on it for over two years, nearly everyday all over the santa clara / san jose area, and have yet to see a similar set up.


anyone else doing this?

Lowell_

Very nice setup. I'm surprised you've never seeny any other ebikers while you're out enjoying your ride. I see them all over the place here in Vancouver.

Go for the better batteries

Zeuser

I see some eBikers in Mississauga, a bit more in Toronto and tons more in Quebec.

It really depends on location and consumer demand.

EricJ

Great looking ride. I'm in So Cal (Inland Empire) and have never seen an electric bike on the road. Several years ago, the local Porsche dealer was selling some very high end e-bike that I've forgotten, and that's the only one I've ever seen in person.

There seems to be more interest lately, maybe just 'cuz I'm starting to research them for myself, but maybe it has to do with $3.50+ gas that is expected to hit $4 soon.

My first project is electrifying my RANS V2 for a little pedal assist on hills, esp. with my trailer. It was my commuter bike for 4 years, but now I'm retired so it's just for fun. Then I'd like to put together a more versatile e-bike like you have there. Again, great job.

Eric

Abneycat

Good Lithium polymer batteries will last you at least a thousand charges, as opposed to 150-200 off the SLA, making their price much more attractive when you consider all of the forementioned benefits as well. There's more to it than just weight. Lithiums go farther, perform better, work in a larger range of conditions, and don't have to be recharged immediately after use.

As for other e-bikes, I saw one on campus once, but most of the ones i've seen around here are being brought into/out of power in motion (an electric store)

cerewa

I bought a lithium iron phosphate battery for $330 shipped. It weighs 8 lbs and will go 40 miles given my pedaling style. (My pedaling is kind of strong, but not strong enough for me to be very tired after a day with a 35 mile round trip commute.) This is more range than I need, but I am hoping I might get more life out of the battery if I don't run it past 50% discharge.

The whole point of my electric bike system was to make the 35 mile round trip commute not be so demanding that I wouldn't want to do it. I love bike commuting but I don't love feeling like I never have enough energy after the commute.

reckon

=================================================

do you have a link?,...and how much was the charger?

I'll order that tomorrow at that price.........

THANKS for the tip!

evblazer

I'm looking into an assist for similar reasons. My long commute puts a serious beating on me and I am down to 3 days a week and possibly falling further. it would be nice to have some help and maybe do it a little bit faster too.

And +1 on sharing the link for that batt. I know I want a lithium batt. As to what motor to get well that is a whole different issue. Riding a 70lb bike (non assist) with a 270lb rider kinda knock most hub motor out as I don't want to deal with any spokage.

cerewa

my battery came up in a search for "lithium bike battery" or LiFePO4, or something like that, on e-bay.

The seller will sell to you direct, though. Go to www.yesa.com.hk or send an e-mail to
((((sales at yesa dot com dot hk)))
and ask for what you want. (it's probably best to check what battery configurations they have on their website first).

My battery is a 24V 10Ah battery which is recommended for use with 350watt motors or smaller, however, I am using it with a 500w motor. I do try to go easy on the throttle though.

By the way, you can purchase the motor I got from www.cyclone-tw.com .

stokell

I really hear you!

I got rid of my car 15 years ago because it was just too expensive. After a car accident this spring, I could no longer bike the 48 km round trip to work.E-biking was only the real alternative.

I can easily do the 48kms in three seasons. In the winter I use a combination of ebike, transit and regular beater bike at the end.

My rule in the winter is:

• the roads must be dry and clear
• The weather forcast must be acceptable
• I don't go if it is below -25C

pengyou

Wow! I get a little hesitant to go out when the temp drops below 0 C

You are great!

stokell

The -25 includes the wind chill (as per Environment Canada), but as winter riders know, just travelling through the air at 20 km/hr produces an additional wind chill.

Acting proactively before someone asks: I completely cover up.

1. long polyester underwear (silk works well too!)
2. polyester fleece clothing
3. zippered fleece jacket
4. Gortex bike jacket (with pit-zips) on top
5. water/wind proof outer pants
6. 2 pairs of Teflon/Marino wool socks
7. comfortable hiking boots
8. balaclava
9. neck/face tube
10. Bell helmet with insulation and Gortex waterproof cover
11. Military style glove liners
12. Pearl Izumi gloves