I haven't been riding the MB-1-E much lately, it's been raining here in Washington a lot. If it would just snow instead of rain, I'd take it out for a trial run in the snow. I guess I should ask Dave W for some tips on that.
Do any of you ride in the snow?
I was checking out some studded tires the other day, now if I could just figure out how to make a nice front ski with shocks, that would be a blast.
Dave
aw
If only it was just riding in snow. The problem is except in the very worst of it you will hit a mix of bare road, packed snow, and ice. Spiked tires, either homemade or purchased, do well on ice and packed snow, but they are murder on bare pavement. I've thought about this, but I've also thought about changing tires for different conditions and thought better of it. The "Pugsley" approach is more general, balloon tires on an extra-wide frame, but few of us can afford the $5000 or more it would take just for a special snow bike.
The best combo I have found is mountain-bike tires on a front hub motor bike. The front-wheel drive behaves very similar to a front-wheel drive car by tending to pull the bike straight. (Rear-hub motors, conversely, cause slide outs and fishtailing.) The added advantage of a motorized bike on snow is helping you keep momentum. There are lots of times when you hit an unexpectedly deep patch of snow, or you're having trouble getting started, or you've just finished a low-speed 90 degree turn to avoid a particularly gnarly patch of ice when the added pull of the motor is just enough to let you keep your balance and momentum and keep going.
The biggest pain, other than ice, is the ruts left by cars. On overcast days these are nearly invisible, but they act just like little curbs and your tires tend to catch and steer into them. There's not much to do for it except ride on the flattest patches your can find and keep your feet at the ready. Well, this and petition the city council to ban cars. I'm working on it.
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
Hi,
here is some snow drifting for your south bend boys - PS: where are the girls reaching out for ebike experience? ;-)
cheers
Efried
Hello, I also have the same problem only my bike is rear wheel drive. Plenty of diggin power but can't control her too good. I also have thought about putting a ski on the front but haven't been able to find the right one yet. Although it's a lot of fun it's also a hassel getting back and forth to work two miles every day. The front wheel approach sounds like the answer but I have put a lot of time, money and work into this machine to change it over now so I guess I will have to live with it for now. Wish I had a better idea for ya but right now I don't. Take care..
Hi,
funny idea to have skis- but how to brake? Would love to have an electric skidoo- sometimes...
Well I don't see the problem with cost now, could you explain?. Just needs very weak hub motors and a controller which is used for wheelchairs or toy four wheelers.
cheers
Efried
You've got to see this vehicle then: "Snow KMX Electric Bike"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwL6tg9p8Go
This guy really has a great time of it in the snow. 37V 20AH Lipo battery
A bloke called Knoxie, (I just did a search on V is for Voltage forum and his name seems to come up a few times) He says this "Hello
Took the electric KMX out for a blast in the snow, where all other forms of transport were sliding and timidly driving along the electric KMX shone.
Its superb handling and low centre of gravity combined with the electric motor make it an amazingly practical little unit. Most people had to ditch their cars on the way to or from work, I got home in 5 mins.
This electric bike is now powered by a wind generator and is a clean and sustainable form of transport in any weather, I know it wouldn't suit all of you, in that case go out and get a Lotus Tesla! :-)
We can all make a difference! "
PS This is my first post. I've been investigating electric bikes for about 6 weeks now after having watche "Who killed the electric car," and realising I sure don't have a budget to build an ev car. I've built a trailer though. It's like the commercial ones for kids but much stronger so I can take my kids to school in it (and beach, shopping etc), with a third child on a rack seat. But there's hills and my knees are giving out, hence and interest in a motor.
Cheers
Stumper
Yeah, Knoxie has been having great fun with lithium ion packs on bicycles for a few years.
LiPo is not a recommended battery chemistry. They are liable to explode in the right circumstances. Do a search on youtube for 'lipo fire' and you'll find a few. If you do get a LiPo pack make sure to have a good battery management system (BMS) because that's your protection from explosion. LiFePo is not LiPo despite the close similarity in abbreviation. 'LiPo' is short for 'Lithium-Poly' and is a variant of the same batteries used in laptops and cell phones. In 2006 there was a big hubbub over exploding laptops, due to the same thing. LiFePo is a chemical formula, Lithium Iron Phosphate, which represents the chemical makeup of those batteries, and they have been shown to be safe.
For a bicycle I find it's best to have a lightweight pack. Bicycles want to be light and nimble, and the bikes I've ridden with lead acid battery packs felt more like molassas.
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
And... for snow riding ...
The other day I looked at this page: http://www.atomiczombie.com/product-bonanza.htm
Atomic Zombie has been selling various bicycle construction plans -- and the book on that page has plans for a couple snow-capable bicycles.
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki