***The Official Electric Bike Thread***
04-20-07, 01:37 PM
#51
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do i need the disk breaks for this or just normal is okay v?
i am not sure
i figure you go faster or need more stopping power for electric motor (ppowerful)?
i am not sure
i figure you go faster or need more stopping power for electric motor (ppowerful)?
04-20-07, 01:45 PM
#52
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you don't need disks.
Well tuned rim breaks with good pads (kool stops) are very powerful.
Well tuned rim breaks with good pads (kool stops) are very powerful.
04-20-07, 02:28 PM
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OH and you need good rims too, and by good i mean like NOT steel. Just don't skimp out too much on the rims...
04-20-07, 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by diff_lock2
OH and you need good rims too, and by good i mean like NOT steel. Just don't skimp out too much on the rims...
or was it chromoly
cause aluminum is light but not strong and you need strong
04-20-07, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Elusor
really? i thought steel was the way to go
or was it chromoly
cause aluminum is light but not strong and you need strong
or was it chromoly
cause aluminum is light but not strong and you need strong
04-20-07, 06:40 PM
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omgoodness
am i in trouble?
i don't know what they are
they are these:
WTB, DX23, Black anodized, brushed sidewalls
but does the kit give a different one?
these wtb came with my bike? but i am going to get crystalyte 408 series with 500W motor hub
am i in trouble?
i don't know what they are
they are these:
WTB, DX23, Black anodized, brushed sidewalls
but does the kit give a different one?
these wtb came with my bike? but i am going to get crystalyte 408 series with 500W motor hub
04-20-07, 06:42 PM
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is it reason enought to go disc brakes if the Crystalyte company manufacturer just gives steell
and is it best?
i hear disc brakes are trouble to maintain
with liquid and oil inside
but alvio has wire versions which are supposed to be good like a cross hybrid of full disc to hybrid of the wire V-Brakes
and is it best?
i hear disc brakes are trouble to maintain
with liquid and oil inside
but alvio has wire versions which are supposed to be good like a cross hybrid of full disc to hybrid of the wire V-Brakes
04-20-07, 07:03 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by Elusor
What? The scootering or the electric bike?
scoot scoot scoot
scoot scoot scoot
04-20-07, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JanMM
well...............hmmmmm...........dunno
yeah, so electric bike kits are pretty cool and apparently easy to install
04-20-07, 10:23 PM
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Heh, please excuse the miscommunication. You can't tell too much of what someone is trying to imply via text - but it seemed that you were mocking those who chose to be car-free... of which other cyclists have mocked - strangely enough. Sorry! I've been pissed off about this us vs them mentality that plagues cyclists - against cyclists!
All my reply was in reference to a full on car - not the motor bike you posted a picture of. Have fun with that!
All my reply was in reference to a full on car - not the motor bike you posted a picture of. Have fun with that!
Originally Posted by aadhils
I'm 23 so I agree...
Motor bikes dont require as much maintenance than cars. Being licence free may or may not be a good idea as a licence can have some advantages. Having a car can be handy in the case of emergencies.
As for Money, well You dont have to be dependant on cars, so youll rarely need to spend much money. The Motorbike I showed is pretty fuel efficient as well.
You dont have to be carfree to be free. Its just nice having a car around in the case of an emergency.
P.S. I don't have a car, but both my brothers have cars. It's nice to have them around just incase I need to drive one when my bike is disabled etc...
Motor bikes dont require as much maintenance than cars. Being licence free may or may not be a good idea as a licence can have some advantages. Having a car can be handy in the case of emergencies.
As for Money, well You dont have to be dependant on cars, so youll rarely need to spend much money. The Motorbike I showed is pretty fuel efficient as well.
You dont have to be carfree to be free. Its just nice having a car around in the case of an emergency.
P.S. I don't have a car, but both my brothers have cars. It's nice to have them around just incase I need to drive one when my bike is disabled etc...
04-20-07, 10:29 PM
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As per advice given to me from another member - I'm getting at least rear disc brakes the moment I get the chance. If you're using the electric setup for increasing your speed (as opposed for using to sweat less when you get to work - and not having to shower - and end up using perhaps less net energy/electricity with the electric bike)... I don't think it would be a bad idea to go with a disc brake!
04-21-07, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by AllenG
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.
How do you know the Estelle has a lead acid battery? I bought one and it didn't come with instructions for the battery, but on the website the black-case looks like a Nicad: (scroll down a little)
https://www.heinzmannusa.com/components.html
I just assumed the battery was old--it hadn't been charged since 2000, according to the sticker.
04-21-07, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by pharnabazos
How do you know the Estelle has a lead acid battery? I bought one and it didn't come with instructions for the battery, but on the website the black-case looks like a Nicad: (scroll down a little)
https://www.heinzmannusa.com/components.html
I just assumed the battery was old--it hadn't been charged since 2000, according to the sticker.
https://www.heinzmannusa.com/components.html
I just assumed the battery was old--it hadn't been charged since 2000, according to the sticker.
04-21-07, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by AllenG
You are right pharnabazos, I was assuming because it's twice the size of the one on my Giant, and gets half the range, which is what I would expect from a lead acid battery. I contacted Hinzmann USA and their rep corrected my assumption as well.
04-21-07, 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by priu
As per advice given to me from another member - I'm getting at least rear disc brakes the moment I get the chance. If you're using the electric setup for increasing your speed (as opposed for using to sweat less when you get to work - and not having to shower - and end up using perhaps less net energy/electricity with the electric bike)... I don't think it would be a bad idea to go with a disc brake!
generallyl do they discs) ? provide better stopping power?
04-21-07, 08:58 PM
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I hear they are much better in the rain - but like the others said - you may already have aluminum rims - or it may be cheaper to get aluminum rims. I am not the right person to ask about brakes though... this bike will the first I've ever ridden that I plan on having disc brakes for! The other thing too is that my setup NEEDS disc brakes (from what I've heard) - as I've got a custom kit that's pretty fast - and have heard that disc brakes have better stopping power and modulation overall... modulation being how well you can manipulate the pressure and thus the braking response.
04-22-07, 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by diff_lock2
You still didn't post a pic of the drive side, please do so...
A chain idler clamps to the chain stay allowing easy engine drive chain adjustment.
A chain guard can be fitted as well.
04-23-07, 12:24 AM
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Sorry to beat on dead horse, but what would you choose to have the hub motor on, the front wheel or the back wheel and what are your reasons? I hear about balance of the bike weight distribution. Like to have hub on front will balance bike if batteries on back? How significant is this?
If motor is on back wheel, i can just lock my back wheel through the frame with one lock and have PitLocks on the front wheel, and save a lock, and have carry less? Also, less noticeable if on back. What other reasons are there for front wheel hub motor, or reasons for back wheel hub motor, and the significance of each? Thanks.
I see that disc brakes may not be necessary even for high speed electric, I suppose, say even if going to 30mph, and coming to stop, as long as brakes, *I have V-Brakes), are well-tuned, and using KoolStop's for the pads. Mine are Kinetix brakes, with Alvio Handles, but I don't have KoolStops....yet
If motor is on back wheel, i can just lock my back wheel through the frame with one lock and have PitLocks on the front wheel, and save a lock, and have carry less? Also, less noticeable if on back. What other reasons are there for front wheel hub motor, or reasons for back wheel hub motor, and the significance of each? Thanks.
I see that disc brakes may not be necessary even for high speed electric, I suppose, say even if going to 30mph, and coming to stop, as long as brakes, *I have V-Brakes), are well-tuned, and using KoolStop's for the pads. Mine are Kinetix brakes, with Alvio Handles, but I don't have KoolStops....yet
04-23-07, 08:44 AM
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With the Bionx system you don't even need brakes. They're mostly for emergency braking since the bionx regen can pull the bike to a full stop all on its own. So while mine does use disc brakes, it's not really needed in the back.
I prefer rear wheel hubs. For one thing, the bionx is designed to be RWD to start with. One reason i prefer rwd is because its a mountain bike so fwd doesn't work that well off-road. The steering is already going in all sorts of directions so a powered front wheel would make the front end go many places i just don't want.
For street bikes, i think either one is good enough.
I prefer rear wheel hubs. For one thing, the bionx is designed to be RWD to start with. One reason i prefer rwd is because its a mountain bike so fwd doesn't work that well off-road. The steering is already going in all sorts of directions so a powered front wheel would make the front end go many places i just don't want.
For street bikes, i think either one is good enough.
04-23-07, 04:26 PM
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mississauga is great
zeuser, thanks for your input
are the laws different in mississauga? for the most part ontario laws are the same, but i think that some bylaws are different, (sidewalks rules, and others)
zeuser, thanks for your input
are the laws different in mississauga? for the most part ontario laws are the same, but i think that some bylaws are different, (sidewalks rules, and others)
04-23-07, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Zeuser
But why use a scooter when i can use a bike?
The motors with regenerative braking systems are very interesting, but how much braking can they provide before they're in danger of overheating?
__________________
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04-23-07, 06:23 PM
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At least in California, Electric bikes are pretty well defined
MEASURE : A.B. No. 1501
AUTHOR(S) : Bordonaro (Senator Mountjoy, coauthor).
TOPIC : Motorized bicycles: electric motor: definition.
+LAST AMENDED DATE : 08/21/95
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 10/13/95
LAST HIST. ACTION : Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 804,
Statutes of 1995. ["chaptered" means written into law books]
TITLE : An act to amend Sections 406 and 12804.9 of, and to add
Section 24016 to, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1501, Bordonaro. Motorized bicycles: electric motor: definition.
SECTION 1. Section 406 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
406. (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device
... and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.
(b) A "motorized bicycle" is also a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by
human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts.
(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on
ground level.
(3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to
propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour.
SEC. 3. Section 24016 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
24016. (a) A motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 shall meet the
following criteria:
(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.) or the
requirements adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (49 C.F.R.
571.1, et seq.) in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381, et seq.) for motor driven cycles.
(2) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function
when the brakes are applied, or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged
through a switch or mechanism that, when released, will cause the electric motor to
disengage or cease to function.
(b) All of the following apply to a motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section
406:
(1) No person shall operate a motorized bicycle unless the person is wearing a properly
fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.
(2) A person operating a motorized bicycle is subject to Sections 21200 and 21200.5.
(3) A person operating a motorized bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this code
relating to financial responsibility, driver's licenses, registration, and license plate
requirements, and a motorized bicycle is not a motor vehicle.
(4) A motorized bicycle shall only be operated by a person 16 years of age or older.
AUTHOR(S) : Bordonaro (Senator Mountjoy, coauthor).
TOPIC : Motorized bicycles: electric motor: definition.
+LAST AMENDED DATE : 08/21/95
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 10/13/95
LAST HIST. ACTION : Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 804,
Statutes of 1995. ["chaptered" means written into law books]
TITLE : An act to amend Sections 406 and 12804.9 of, and to add
Section 24016 to, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1501, Bordonaro. Motorized bicycles: electric motor: definition.
SECTION 1. Section 406 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
406. (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device
... and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.
(b) A "motorized bicycle" is also a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by
human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts.
(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on
ground level.
(3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to
propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour.
SEC. 3. Section 24016 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
24016. (a) A motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 shall meet the
following criteria:
(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.) or the
requirements adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (49 C.F.R.
571.1, et seq.) in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381, et seq.) for motor driven cycles.
(2) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function
when the brakes are applied, or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged
through a switch or mechanism that, when released, will cause the electric motor to
disengage or cease to function.
(b) All of the following apply to a motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section
406:
(1) No person shall operate a motorized bicycle unless the person is wearing a properly
fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.
(2) A person operating a motorized bicycle is subject to Sections 21200 and 21200.5.
(3) A person operating a motorized bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this code
relating to financial responsibility, driver's licenses, registration, and license plate
requirements, and a motorized bicycle is not a motor vehicle.
(4) A motorized bicycle shall only be operated by a person 16 years of age or older.