right-sizing my commuter bike
Hi All,
This is what I would like to do:
- Build/update my present cross bike to a power-assisted commuter bike.
- I am interested in Pedaling, not just being carried.
- I like having to pedal first, and work a bit.
- my commute is 10 miles each way, 50% bike path, some hills
- next year the department moves to new building, and the commute goes to 20
miles each way, still should be 50% bike trail, some hills.
- I Weight 250#, Presently
- I want to be able to sling a set of panniers on the bike if need be to
carry things.
- I am considering a hub motor, can't decide front/rear.
- I do not know if I can charge at work in the new location.
- I would like to ride in my work clothes, and not have to arrive dripping
of sweat.
So, is the possible with the present battery/Controller/Motor technology.
I like in California, but I am cheap, and I what I have seen so far leads me
to believe that this is going to cost $700 - $1500, not counting the bike.
Any and all usefull opinions welcome!
Thanks,
Matt
"about 60 lbs, to go that far, "20 miles" at 20 mph. "
I think thats only possible if your batteries are fresh you do a lot of peddaling and you don't go up any hills. Have you ever tried to peddle a flat ebike with that much weight on it ?.... man.... thats one hellova work out.
and also 60lb of weight on the back wheel plus the weight of the rider is going to break spokes if you hit a pothole.. believe me I know.. but definitely get a rear hub motor.. front mounted ones are not as secure/stable in high torque situations.
a few words of advice if I may..
Make sure you get good quality thorn proof inner tubes for the rear wheel because its a major pain in the arse try to fix a puncture in a rear wheel with a hub motor on it.
Get some tyre slime it can help get your bike back to base if you get a flat.
and secondly.. make your battery pack easily detachable from the bike and include a charger (or better yet buy 2 chargers one for work and one for home) so that you can charge at work... cutting your trip in half will reduce weight and cost.
my2c
Forget the "pedel first" kits. the idea sounds great, but REALLY limits the usefullness of the bike. Like last week for me, when I made a panic stop and tiped the bike over, damaging the rear derailer. I rode 15 miles home without being able to use the pedals. it would have been a long walk if I had a pedal first bike. You'll find you pedal anyways normaly, Its hard not to want to when your feet are on the pedals, and you'll get addicted to the combined power of both your self and the motor, especialy when starting off.
The added benifit is you could chose not to pedal, or only a little, on the ride in to work, eliminating the "coming in to work sweaty" problem. then pedal like mad on the way home.
what you probably need is a Crystalyte rear hub motor in the 407 to 409 range at 36 to 48 volts to do what you want. Rear hub motors are easier to mount with fewer technicle chalanges. front motors can be dangerous, and limit your fork options to steel, non suspension forks. Lipo batteries would give you the best range, but NiMH aren't too bad. AVOID SLA. Lead is 4 times as heavy, and it ends up being more expensive due to it's short lifespan.
www.Ebikes.ca is the best place to go.
As for the bike to get, a good quality depearment store bike is all you need. I'm happy with my $170 Schwinn Trailway from Target. Avoid Huffys, Mongooses, and the lower end department store bikes.
Craigslist is another good option for a bike.
Matt,
Good website here, http://www.ebikes.ca/index.shtml, they sell different battery types, use their simulator, to choose a motor.
Generally speaking, front hubmotors are not recommended for suspension front forks. The faster you go, the more important suspension is. Over 20 mph, I found a front suspension fork handles substantially better than a non suspension fork.
Batteries, for daily use, the miles you plan to ride, on a bicycle, spend the extra money for nicad, nimh, or lithium. It will take a lot of lead, about 60 lbs, to go that far, "20 miles" at 20 mph. Lead will also have to be recharged at each leg of your trip, yea, carry 60 lbs of lead to your office, now your sweating.
MB-1E built a bike, no hubmotor, less than a thousand, not a commuter, unless you have a place for charging at the office.
chuck
AGM BATTERIES