Electric Bicycles

[KohanMike]

I've been researching for a couple of months now. If cyclists are going through drive train components then the most likely chose the "mid-drive" type of motor. Here's a good discussion of the two major types (mid-drive and hub-drive). I don't claim any special expertise on the subject, but personally would choose a hub-drive, even though it means replacing the rear wheel.



As I side note: I've quit biking altogether and on 12/22/19 became the proud owner of a recumbent trike:

View attachment 3670132

About 20 years ago I had to switch from a standard bike to a recumbent because of nerve damage to my neck and shoulders caused by radiation treatments for cancer in 1973, I couldn't keep my head up leaning on the handle bars of the standard bike. Over the years the radiation took it's toll, including damage to my coronary arteries, which required quintuple by-pass. That prevented me from pedaling my recumbent, so I added an electric hub motor system.

After a couple of years the controller died, so I put away the recumbent and walked as much as I could, but then that became difficult, so about two years ago I bought an electric standup scooter for local transport, and even use it to roam the NAMM show as a handicap assistive device.

This is the Bike-E before I added the hub motor,

This is the scooter I now use, which folds very compact.

 

[fdeck]

Well, another of my friends told me that he got an e-bike. He's in his 60s, and rides to work, about 5 miles each way, mostly paved bike path. He said the main benefits are: Not arriving at work drenched in sweat, and just how much fun it is.

We have an e-bike shop in Madison, run by the original founder of the American TV appliance chain. When he sold American TV and retired, he got interested in e-bikes. He has been a lifelong cycling fanatic, mainly with an interest in cycling "for the rest of us." Decades ago, his stores would give away a free bike with a TV. You still see those bikes around, the brand is Firenze. Apparently he got a bunch of them for pennies on the dollar and decided to use them as a promotion.

 

[dadglasser]

Here's another link to a discussion of the history and current state (as of 7 months ago) of e-assist along with current models and technology. The area of e-assist is changing rapidly. You can now buy sensors (cadence (R.P.M.s), speed, and heart-monitoring) that will integrate with phone app.s to train of exercise for specific goals. As a simple example: if you wanted an hour cardio workout where your heart rate would stay around 140, then the motor would provide assist only when you got into that range.

 

[kentiki]

About 20 years ago I had to switch from a standard bike to a recumbent because of nerve damage to my neck and shoulders caused by radiation treatments for cancer in 1973, I couldn't keep my head up leaning on the handle bars of the standard bike. Over the years the radiation took it's toll, including damage to my coronary arteries, which required quintuple by-pass. That prevented me from pedaling my recumbent, so I added an electric hub motor system.

After a couple of years the controller died, so I put away the recumbent and walked as much as I could, but then that became difficult, so about two years ago I bought an electric standup scooter for local transport, and even use it to roam the NAMM show as a handicap assistive device.

This is the Bike-E before I added the hub motor,
View attachment 3671310

This is the scooter I now use, which folds very compact.
View attachment 3671320

What type of scooter is that? How fast does it go? Looks good.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I cannot think of any reason why I would buy an e-bike. I see it more like something that people make just because they can due to the advances in battery technology. What actually happens is that industry takes a 100% "green" vehicle and turn it into a motorized one while owners will have to spend more to keep them running. Is there a real need for e-bikes? Sorry for the negative perspective.

If you live on the flat then most people could raise their fitness enough that electric assistance wasn't any use except for MOAR SPEED or LESS SWEAT or some balance of the two. Do you see the needs yet?

 

[shadowtippy]

How has no one made a comment about the cost of extension cords and the limited range because of them?

 

[4Mal]

Here is my e-bike ride. 34 lbs. Full carbon. 1 x 11 Shimano E-Step. The balance on this is crazy. It handles so well. Just screams down hill through tight corners. I feel like a 12 yr old... Motor at the crank. Battery on the seat tube. The geometry is just great. This thing is soooo much fun to ride

Anybody want a U11, carbon Hooped (durace), full carbon Cervelo R3 in Large...

 

[Tom Bomb]

Here is my e-bike ride. 34 lbs. Full carbon. 1 x 11 Shimano E-Step. The balance on this is crazy. It handles so well. Just screams down hill through tight corners. I feel like a 12 yr old... Motor at the crank. Battery on the seat tube. The geometry is just great. This thing is soooo much fun to ride
View attachment 3742043

Anybody want a U11, carbon Hooped (dura race), full carbon Cervelo 3 in Large...

 

[Tom Bomb]

I wasn't a big fan of the idea before I rode one for the first time and just loved the whole experience. Did quite a research on the topic and asked around (some of my friends already had electric bikes at that time) and I finally decided on the CX1, you check more specs and look into it here if you want to - Best Electric Bike Under $1000 - 2020 Reviews & Comparison
I get about 4 and a half hours of runtime with it …

Pics or you will be charged

 

[dadglasser]

Here's some more info. on electric bikes. The video is about the legal issues of e-bikes. By way of a quick and concise overview, in the broadest general terms: if you are thinking of adding an electric motor to an existing bike then don't do it.

To be a little less vague, there are many, many agencies who may have jurisdiction over any given bike or e-bike (the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, State Highway Board, etc., etc.). What the rules are depends pretty much on who owns the path or road upon which you are riding. The rules may be different for the same owner depending on whether the path is paved or not. If you are pulled over by law enforcement, unless you can show, in writing, who owns the path and what their policies are then you are pretty much at the mercy of the police officer.

Here is a realistic example. Suppose your state (or city or county or whatever) has the following rules on the books:

1) a bicycle is a 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle which came from the factory without an electric motor.
2) an e-bike is a 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle which came from the factory with an electric motor.​

By adding a motor to an existing bike, you have created an illegal vehicle, one which is not defined by the laws/regulations. If you are a homeowner then normally your liability is covered by your homeowner's insurance. If you injure somebody while riding your bike then your homeowner's insurance pays. If, however, you are riding an illegal vehicle then the insurance company has no obligation. You have no coverage.

In at least one state e-bikes with motors above a certain number of watts are considered motorcycles. Because of this, if you are riding on a pedestrian/bike trail, you are now guilty of a moving violation and in for a BIG fine. Confiscation of your bike may be the least of your worries.

 

[Tom Bomb]

All my machines, other than the wagon, are people powered. They're dangerous enough already, without a motor.

I do love the look of 4Mal's bike. That looks like a real blast. Hitting the trails (off-road) on that beast would be a buzz, definitely. Especially on the climbs.You'd really be going places, fast

 

[4Mal]

All my machines, other than the wagon, are people powered. They're dangerous enough already, without a motor.

I do love the look of 4Mal's bike. That looks like a real blast. Hitting the trails (off-road) on that beast would be a buzz, definitely. Especially on the climbs.You'd really be going places, fast

oh I'm still liking the BMC a lot. I can get a hell a workout on it. I haven't taken it trail riding yet... I may. Mostly at the moment I'm in the woods on my mountain bike. Some of the older guys around (I'm 65.) are on e-mountain bike and are just ripping. Spent when they get back to the trail head too. From a workout perspective, you get what you put in... Those e-mtn bike guys are making climbs that I find too physically challenging (read painful). That actually opens up more terrain up high on our local network and leaves the lower trails less crowded. Descending can be a tricky thing. Those bikes get upwards of 50 lbs. Tight turns descending, can be busy... very busy. From what I hear anyway.

 

[MJ5150]

Anybody want a U11, carbon Hooped (durace), full carbon Cervelo R3 in Large...

Whoa, I just looked up what that is.
That's a lot of money for a bicycle.

-Mike

 

[4Mal]

uh, not really... for a road bike, it's a really good mid level bike... for unobtanium bikes can easily go above 10k... but even my mid level bike, just flies down the road. So much fun to ride.

 

[MJ5150]

uh, not really... for a road bike, it's a really good mid level bike... for unobtanium bikes can easily go above 10k... but even my mid level bike, just flies down the road. So much fun to ride.

I did a search for Carvelo R3. The Google results showed me used ones for $3,000. That's a lot of money for a bicycle.
I suppose it's all relative, like bass gear. $3,000 isn't a lot compared to $10,000 sure, but it sure is when you're used to paying a few hundred bucks for a bicycle.
Same goes for the guy who dropped $250 for his Ibanez Soundgear, then finds us here and sees a Dingwall for $2,500. It's a lot to him/her, but not the guy who has a couple along with a Fodera and Alleva Coppola.

-Mike

 

[4Mal]

It's a little different than you might expect. With bikes, rotating weight is a big deal. That is the weight that robs power. So the Dura Ace carbon rims and the carbon chain rings make a huge difference in the acceleration and the ability to climb. and yes... I know, I'm obsessed ;-)

 

[MJ5150]

It's a little different than you might expect. With bikes, rotating weight is a big deal. That is the weight that robs power. So the Dura Ace carbon rims and the carbon chain rings make a huge difference in the acceleration and the ability to climb. and yes... I know, I'm obsessed ;-)

I have no idea what you're talking about, but I don't doubt those bicycles are worth the prices they sell for.
You know what you're talking about, I can tell. I don't, so I trust you.

-Mike

 

[Stempelloos]

I'm not really into electric bikes, but I do like the (non-electric) looks of this one:

The Van Moof S3. I've seen it around, their factory is a block away from where I live, so that may have to do with it. I've seen a review about it in Dutch. What I don't like about it: -automatic gears are not my cup of tea, -it appears that it's hard to switch battery's when they're at the end of their live, -from checking the specifications, the battery's don't appear to have a very long range, -you have to charge the bike, so you need to take it inside or have a long cable, the battery can't be taken inside on itself.

A review in English, there are other reviews too, this one showed up first.

 

[4Mal]

I have no idea what you're talking about, but I don't doubt those bicycles are worth the prices they sell for.
You know what you're talking about, I can tell. I don't, so I trust you.

-Mike

The wheels tires, crank and chain rings (gears on the crank). Are the rotating weight. That is the stuff that the rider moves as he/she pedals. Going down the road is a byproduct of moving that weight. The less of it, the faster the acceleration, the longer the rider can pedal.

There is an insane amount of effort and engineering that goes into removing ounces of rotating weight. We call it chasing unobtanium

 

[dadglasser]

Well, no one has posted here in awhile, but I saw this yesterday. The technology is advancing at an amazing pace. I thought this latest was pretty cool. The gentleman has used a combination of generator and motor to eliminate the need for gears and to get performance I don't really think I would want available, to me anyway: