Giant Electric Question

I do not have one but a friend of mine does. The limit is imposed by the controller and he changed the controller on his using a scooter controller and connected the throttle to it and he says he get much more power and speed from the motor.

That's all I know. Sorry

Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages

olyscott.

I agree with you, I test road one about 2 years ago and it did not do hills. I also tested the LaFree Lite which was was much better but at $2200.00, the price the shop wanted, I was not impressed. I have never had the opportunity to try a hub motor bike but I would like to. The only bike I really like, so far, is the Merida. Too bad that bike is not sold in the US any more. Easy to modify and lots of power for hills with good speed. Mine does 23 MPH without pedaling and I have yet to find a hill it can not climb (on a street). Range is about 20 miles at 15 to 16 MPH. My best run was 32 miles at an average speed of 12MPH. I have another bike I build which is even better but my design needs work, it broke to easy. I plan to rebuild it with a different design this summer.

Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages

olyscott,

The stock Merida is limited to 16MPH by the controller and a sensor at the pedals. This bike was designed to control the motor based on how hard you pedal. It is a 24-volt system which I modified to a 36-volt system. The I had to gear it down. Top speed was 40 MPH for a very short distance, about 1 mile, then the batteries were to low to be of much help. I replaced the rear sprocket with a 24 tooth and that did the trick. Now it runs at 36-volts on a 12AH pack for about 9 miles at 23 MPH unassisted (no pedaling). You must slow down to get range but the speed is also fun to have when needed. I ride with my wife who rides an non-powered bike and we ride 20 to 30 miles between 12 and 16 MPH. If you goto My Bicycle Pages and click on the Merida Controller Modification link, there are instructions for the modification. I know several people who have done this and they are very happy with the results. No one has told me they have had any motor problems. I will tell you the one-way bearing in the bottom bracket sticks from time to time but if you stomp on the pedal in the forward direction it will free itself. I also added a DrainBrain meter to mine because you can not use the 24-volt LED meter on the bike. I left it there so the hole would not show and just didn't connect it. The sensor on the pedals was also left in place but not connected as it is not needed for the modification. The bike is now 3 years old with 2.5 years of that modified and still going strong. I am still looking for another Merida (cheap and nearby) so I can build a second one for my wife.

Note: Some of the part links on my site do not work but similar parts may be substituted.

If you give this a try I will be happy to answer any questions you have. I have helped other in the past and everyone had very little trouble with the process.

Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages

Scott,

Thanks for your kind words about my little website. No, you didn't miss any pages I never posted the completed bike so here it is.

As you can see there is an extra bulge on the battery case. You can still remove it from the bike to recharge the batteries, but at 30Lbs I leave it on the bike most of the time, just park near an outlet. :)

Here is a PhotoShop picture of how the batteries are placed in the case.

Wish you luck and always willing to help.

Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages

`
Nice looking Bike, where did you get it?

Peace Out,
Gman

Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement

`
Kryptonite's New York Fahgettaboudit, they even offer anti-theft protection.

I just purchased a Kryptonite lock that has an anti-theft protection offer. How do I validate this offer?

Congratulations on your new purchase! Your anti-theft protection offer should give you additional peace of mind so that you can feel free out on the roads and trails, never worrying about when and where you will stop!

Please contact Kryptonite at letters [at] irco.com for complete anti-theft protection registration instructions. Please be aware that if you sign up for the anti-theft protection offer online you will still need to send Kryptonite copies of the documents listed below, should you ever need to make a theft claim. So, tuck all that paperwork that came with your new bike and lock purchase in a safe place.

If you would like to send in the paperwork but have already discarded the package, or the shop didn't give it to you at purchase, here are the things you will need to do within 15 days after you purchased your lock. Send the following items to Kryptonite or its authorized representatives outside of the U.S (Canada, Germany and the UK only):

* Your completed Kryptonite Lock registration form (if you need a new one, please contact customer service at letters [at] irco.com)
* A copy of your itemized lock bill of sale
* A copy of your itemized vehicle bill of sale, or a dated and signed dealer appraisal reflecting market value (not including tax and accessories)
* Proof of bicycle or vehicle registration (if available, not required)
* A check or money order for the coverage on locks that require payment for the first year or to extend the offer for a maximum of three years.

I have a wireless remote W/ Pager that I plan to install on my E Scooter, and I see there are other good ones listed here.
This is probally too big!

BTW I have heard of Students locking there Bikes to things like rails on Campus, only to return and find the Rail cut and there Bike was hauled away in a Truck, so I would use something like a Light Pole or something that can't be cut so easy.

Peace Out,
Gman

Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement

` ;)
No prob, hope you can keep us updated when we finally get around to doing the E Bike, eZee Collaborative Hand Books?
BTW, I purchase one of my Alarms from JC Whitney.

COMPLETE MOTORCYLE ALARM WITH PAGER
Our Price: $103.99
* Sensitive motion detector triggers super-loud siren & signals your keychain pager when tampering occurs up to over 1/2 mile away!
* Use keychain pager to chirp siren & flash lights to help you find cycle in a crowded lot
* Trouble nearby? Press pager key twice to instantly trigger siren
* C Ignition cutoff helps prevent theft by hotwiring

Entire system (siren, control module, pager module) is small enough to conceal easily on your bike. Water-resistant components. Parking light flashes and siren chirps to ensure you that system is armed or disarmed. Motion detector sensitivity can be programmed using pager (choice of 8 levels of protection). Easy installation.

FWIW, I was checking out some Gang signs for a friend in a Alley once, and on my Scooter. Being careful of my surroundings I was planning my quick exit if I was approached. I noticed I had my remote on the same key ring as the Scooter key, so if I was jacked they would have not only the keys but the remote, so in the future I'll keep it on my person, and all I have to do is turn off the power to the Scooter from where I am, and set off the alarm which will operate of a small hidden 12 Volt battery not connected with the key switch.
Of course you'll have to recharge the small 12 Volt periodically.
They also now have them with GPS, so they can be located, another good idea but it cost more.

Peace Out,
Gman

Now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our Community Mission Statement

Hi,

First post and first pedelec.
I bought a Giant Suede today. It was bought for an elderly woman who rode it maybe 2 miles tops and then she got ill.
Well, the husband did the recommended discharge and recharge procedure for the last 2 years on the battery and the bike sat covered.

It is literally like a brand new bike. no scratches or wear anywhere. The chain still has the factory lube job and everything is clean like it was never ridden. Tires show zero wear.

It does hills OK but requires pedaling to get it above 12 mph on the flat. I rode it to the beach and the E-Bike my friend was riding does 14 mph on the flat. With pedaling in 7th gear (top) with almost no pressure in cruise, it goes about 16 to 17mph and faster with some harder pedaling. I think I was going about 30mph tops at one point.

I ordered a 2 wire keyswitch and a controller today with the hope of modifying it to a real electric bike. I ordered the controller Chas S. used on his Merida.

My commute to work is all flat so I'm hoping this will get me 17+ mph and that the stock throttle will work.