Hi All,
I went ahead and ordered my very own mongoose the other day. I think there is a pretty good chance I will return it after a test ride but at $300 I just had to give it a chance. There has been a lot of talk about this particular bike recently but I have more questions:
1. What is the nature of the 15mph limit? Is this merely what the motor can do without pedal power, or will it cut off at 15mph even if I do most of the work.
2. Where is the 15mph limit implemented? I figure it must be the controller, which is a part of the motor unit, right?
3. Does the gearing even allow for a rider to exceed 15mph at a reasonable cadence? If not, can this be modified - I am thinking about replacing the chainwheel, for example?
4. Is it a plug and play modification to replace the stock motor with a hi-torque Kollmorgen? How about the throttle - will it control a Kollmorgen or would that require extra tinkering? Would the above modification remove the aforementioned 15mph limit?
5. What is the quality of batteries and wiring in the mongoose? Can they be expected to deliver the +/- 24V 30A that a Kollmorgen reportedly pulls?
6. Has anyone else thought about bypassing the stock batteries and geting power from a rear rack or trailer?
Thanks for your help,
-Klaus
Klausbh,
You ask some very good questions and if I had one I could answer them so all I can do at this time is speculate. You will be able to answer some of these questions when you get the bike so I am going to answer what I think is correct and when you get the bike please post any corrections so we all know. Thanks in advance.
1. What is the nature of the 15mph limit? Is this merely what the motor can do without pedal power, or will it cut off at 15mph even if I do most of the work.
The limit is the motor. It just can't go any faster at that voltage using the gear ratio on the bike.
2. Where is the 15mph limit implemented? I figure it must be the controller, which is a part of the motor unit, right?
Question 1. answers this. I don't believe the controller limits the speed. The reason for this is simple, there are no sensors on the bike to tell how fast it is going so how can the controller know when to slow down the motor.
3. Does the gearing even allow for a rider to exceed 15mph at a reasonable cadence? If not, can this be modified - I am thinking about replacing the chainwheel, for example?
I would say how ever fast you can ride any other bike is how fast you can ride this bike. The gearing from the pedals to the rear tire use standard bicycle parts.
4. Is it a plug and play modification to replace the stock motor with a hi-torque Kollmorgen? How about the throttle - will it control a Kollmorgen or would that require extra tinkering? Would the above modification remove the aforementioned 15mph limit?
The hi-torque Kollmorgen motor has it's own controller and yes it would go faster. The throttle may be interchangeable, but if not that's only $15.oo for a new one. To swap throttles is simple. The only thing holding it on the handlebars is a setscrew. (I believe the upgrade from EVDeals includes everything you need.)
5. What is the quality of batteries and wiring in the mongoose? Can they be expected to deliver the +/- 24V 30A that a Kollmorgen reportedly pulls?
24-volts @ 30 Amps is not that much power and if you needed you have only 2 wires you would need to replace, so this is no big deal.
6. Has anyone else thought about bypassing the stock batteries and getting power from a rear rack or trailer?
This has been done on other bikes and scooters. The extra weight of the trailer has it's own set of problems, but it can be done. The most it will give you is longer range and if the trailer is designed right more cargo space.
We will all be looking forward to your first test ride, I also have been thinking of getting one or two of them for when friends come over to ride. I need to know what kind of range I can expect to get in the real world. I would like to see at lease 15 miles?
Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages
`
From the Lost and Found Images - Gallery #F01-0-g, believe this is Deafscooter.
Also see Route66Rally on june 9, 2007 Check inside from Deafscooter
Archive Team ;)
archive_team [at] visforvoltage-moderator.net
Voltage Forum Archives
http://visforvoltage.org/forum/230
1000's of lost images from the old Voltage Forum looking for there owners.
`
Chas,
My 6-foot, 200-pound son has been riding one of Currie's first-generation Curriettech bikes a little over a year now. They are decently built. His older brother has a Lashout and they are pretty much equivalent except for different types of suspension. I'm not exactly sure myself what that difference is, but I know that each of my sons happens to prefer the suspension on their own bike but other than that thinks the other bike is oka.
I am afraid, though, that the 15-mile range as far as in respect to the power being used to primarily power the bike is subject to the standard "real-world shrinkage" factor. e.g. 8 to 10 miles is what you can more reasonably expect in regular stop-and-go, real-world driving. YMMV and if you pedal more and use the motor less, of course you will get better range.
The good thing for him, though, is that his bike has a swappable power pack and you can always swap in a new one and get extra range.
He has had a rare problem with parts, but the customer service is really good.
The biggest thing I don't like about it is that it is a *big* bike and doesn't fit my 5 ft 2 inch frame, so there's no way I can use it. (I can get on the Lashout and it's only a skosh too big, which means I can get away with riding it short distances as long as I have a curb to stop at, but this Currietech bike is just plain hopelessly too big.)
Disclaimer: We did happen to receive this bike for free as a sort of beta-testing thing shortly before they rolled out their first line, but honestly, if it was a piece of junk, I would say so. And if this one gets stolen or in an accident and gets ruined, I am sure my son would want another one. And if it had fit me and there were a ladies' version, I would have bought one for myself.
My wife has a Mongoose and we are very happy with it except the motor switch on the brake control lever broke after 2 weeks. We have sense enough not to apply motor and brakes at the same time so that is no problem. I will attempt to add more comments to Charles' comments.
1. What is the nature of the 15mph limit? Is this merely what the motor can do without pedal power, or will it cut off at 15mph even if I do most of the work.
The limit is the motor. It just can't go any faster at that voltage using the gear ratio on the bike. (We agree)
2. Where is the 15mph limit implemented? I figure it must be the controller, which is a part of the motor unit, right?
Question 1. answers this. I don't believe the controller limits the speed. The reason for this is simple, there are no sensors on the bike to tell how fast it is going so how can the controller know when to slow down the motor. (Motor rpms by voltage controls that. I hooked a 36 volt dewalt battery to it and it went about 18 mph)
3. Does the gearing even allow for a rider to exceed 15mph at a reasonable cadence? If not, can this be modified - I am thinking about replacing the chainwheel, for example?
I would say how ever fast you can ride any other bike is how fast you can ride this bike. The gearing from the pedals to the rear tire use standard bicycle parts. (correct)
4. Is it a plug and play modification to replace the stock motor with a hi-torque Kollmorgen? How about the throttle - will it control a Kollmorgen or would that require extra tinkering? Would the above modification remove the aforementioned 15mph limit?
The hi-torque Kollmorgen motor has it's own controller and yes it would go faster. The throttle may be interchangeable, but if not that's only $15.oo for a new one. To swap throttles is simple. The only thing holding it on the handlebars is a setscrew. (I believe the upgrade from EVDeals includes everything you need.)
5. What is the quality of batteries and wiring in the mongoose? Can they be expected to deliver the +/- 24V 30A that a Kollmorgen reportedly pulls?
24-volts @ 30 Amps is not that much power and if you needed you have only 2 wires you would need to replace, so this is no big deal.
6. Has anyone else thought about bypassing the stock batteries and getting power from a rear rack or trailer? Yes, I am in the process of converting to 34 volts with 4 dewalt battery packs.
This has been done on other bikes and scooters. The extra weight of the trailer has it's own set of problems, but it can be done. The most it will give you is longer range and if the trailer is designed right more cargo space.
We will all be looking forward to your first test ride, I also have been thinking of getting one or two of them for when friends come over to ride. I need to know what kind of range I can expect to get in the real world. I would like to see at lease 15 miles? scratch_head_thinking.gif At 250 pounds I only get 10 miles with pedaling. I get 15 on my 36 volt 12 amp mimh with pedaling. The mongoose is stronger going up a hill than my front hub crystalyte I am about to hook the 36 volt dewalt battery (it is really 34 volts by my meter) to see what performance I get. I really expect to blow the 24 volt 20 amp controller at some point.
Jerry V...Boodydarn
Chas S.