I tend to sub-classify eBikes as eBikes (electric bikes) and eaBikes (electric assist Bikes).

I can go either way.

eBikes:
Starting with a cheapo eZip Trailz - external gear reduction, 450w 24V motor, first I eBiked it by pushing to 37V = 675w motor output.
I also went eBike with a 44.4V = 832.5V motor output.

Decided to get back to my roots

eaBikes:
Bumped 450w 24V eZip to 25.9V Li-ion, then re-geared.
Swapped 20T wheel freewheel to 16T, for a 25% speed increase with 20% torque loss.

Also tried swapping the motor 9T sprocket with a 12T, for a 33% speed increase = 25% torque loss.

The object being a pure speed increase provided by the motor, with my normal pedal effort.

Of course it was necessary to upgrade the 7 speed freewheel, DNP offers a 34 - 11T freewheel.
That allows 30mph pedal assist at a sustainable 90 crank rpm.

I also laced an eZip style hub into a 700C wheel.
Ready to place on my Haro Express Deluxe.
Object is to regear for a sustainable 30mph ... with substantial, but maintainable, pedal assist.
Battery pack will be mounted above front fork, behind a modest fairing.

30mph seems to be a break point, typical pedal assist contributes less speed than a lowered crouched position.

(L) 7.17" (W) 2.80" (H) 10.98"

12.3 lb

At 180ah and 3.3v you have about 600wh.

Set "assist" to 100 watts and you can ride for six hours.

...and that's just 12.3 lbs !!!!

(I don't think we've realized "assisted" range ebikes yet... so "yes" a good idea)

I'd like about 25lbs of battery (max) and you could increase the "assist" to 250 watts and be able to do the equivalent of a stage at the Tour de France. (and likely win)
.

So how long/far do you think you can go at 30MPH on 1 charge?

16MPH, motor only, tested at 45miles.
2 packs, totaling 18.4lb, might give 90 mile range.
Unfortunately, wind resistance is progressive ... 30mph might only provide 30miles.
A decent fairing-shroud could double, or even triple, that estimate.

Yea, see there's the rub, I can get 30 miles on my bike at 32 KMs/20Mph where the speed cut off takes effect on my bike. So going faster for longer distance is going to be tough...

Nice work DrkAngel. Well documented too.

I'll mention that I consider both of my ebikes to be of the "electric assist" type. I say this because I can pedal them faster than they can go on on e power alone. This, of course, is just my opinion.

As Safe and others have previously said, ebikes and eabikes seem to be going through an "identity crisis" at this stage of development. The question of "when does an eabike become an ebike become an electric moped become a e-motorcycle" remains clouded by non-standardized local, state, and Federal regulations.

The U.S. Federal electric bicycle law, in part, states:

"Where federal funds have been used in the construction of bicycle or pedestrian paths, electric bicycles (defined as "any bicycle or tricycle with a low-powered electric motor weighing under 100 pounds, with a top motor-powered speed not in excess of 20 miles per hour" (23 U.S.C. § 217(j)(2)) ) are not permitted unless state or local regulations permit. Title 23, U.S. Code § 217(h)(4).[34]"

Meanwhile, an "electric power only" top speed of ~ 20 mph (on level ground) is perfectly suitable for where and how I ride. Sure, I might someday build or buy an ebike that possess a top speed of somewhere between 25 and 35 mph. However, the cost and safety factor difference between building a 20 mph ebike and one capable of doing 35-40 mph is probably on the order of 2-3x that of the lower speed bike.

Anyway, thanks for posting your experiences and knowledge on the subject.

I tend to push, certain of my bikes, to the 30mph capability, solely because it seems safest for the local 30mph streets.