E-Bike, I Like!

[Old Dryfoot]

I've always been tempted to buy myself an e-bike, this one doesn't make that any easier.

From Luna Cycle

[Chris Smith porter maine]

That does look nice.

[Peerie Maa]

Nah, tyres are too fat and draggy for road work and the frame is over complicated. Looks like 1940s Russian agricultural.

[Old Dryfoot]

Nah, tyres are too fat and draggy for road work and the frame is over complicated. Looks like 1940s Russian agricultural.

That's why it has the motor and battery.
I like the look of it.

[Old Dryfoot]

I found some headgear that suits.

[Peerie Maa]

That's why it has the motor and battery.
I like the look of it.

I know you like it, that is why you started the thread, remember?
Should you not like to go further or faster on slimmer tyres.

[Peerie Maa]

I found some headgear that suits.

This is a better fit

[amish rob]

To be fair, that bike "only" weighs 80 pounds, which isn't all that bad, when you consider it has a 40mph speed control!

These are the perfect tires for an 80 pound 40 mph e-bike.

Peace,
Robert

[Old Dryfoot]

I know you like it, that is why you started the thread, remember?
Should you not like to go further or faster on slimmer tyres.

I know, I just needed to reassure myself in the face of your scathing criticism.

Faster than 32km/h is a no no on e-bike here, so slow is fine with me. As for range, it wouldn't see any long rides, just little trips around town.

[Old Dryfoot]

This is a better fit

Too much metal, it'll interfere with thought wave reception and transmissions. Good for around the house though, you know, for when you don't want to be disturbed.

[Peerie Maa]

To be fair, that bike "only" weighs 80 pounds, which isn't all that bad, when you consider it has a 40mph speed control!

These are the perfect tires for an 80 pound 40 mph e-bike.

Peace,
Robert

I would prefer suspension at that speed. A pothole at 30 is bad enough.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

What that needs is a steam engine.


And possibly a windemere kettle

[AnalogKid]

I think half the attraction of ebikes is that you can ride something that looks fun but wouldn't be sensible without the electric assist, an a fat bike falls right into that category (unless you ride a lot of sand or snow).

That one looks a bit like Pless's signature. Over-engineered but cool.

If I had the time and money to spare, I'd love to put a conversion kit on a Raleigh Chopper

[Three Cedars]

I tried one maybe 5 years ago , very impressive acceleration it was on a hybrid bike so tires were not overly wide , fun zippy ride but couldn't understand the price of around $3000 at that time . I expect they will become more popular as battery technology advances and if prices come down below $1500 . Most trips people do for shopping are below 10 miles round trip so they just make sense .

[PeterSibley]

The rolling resistance on those tires would kill the battery range, they look cool but thin and hard is the way to go. I might end up with an E bike sometime too.

[Old Dryfoot]

There is another frame that I like, it's not a cargo bike like the Luna, but still a fat bike.



This one I can buy from a LBS but not fitted out the way I'd like.

I'm not crazy about the hub motor, I'd want one with a mid drive, and a 9 speed IGH. Like this one, aside from the IGH, which I can't buy locally.

[Old Dryfoot]

The rolling resistance on those tires would kill the battery range, they look cool but thin and hard is the way to go. I might end up with an E bike sometime too.

There is no arguing that. Fact is fact.
But it's the price I'd pay for fashion.

[Old Dryfoot]

That second bike is 48v @ 11.4ah, it would be nice to add a booster. Either piggyback it on the OEM pack or something in a rear rack.

[LeeG]

That does look nice.

And expensive. That "Stoke Monkey" drive is good for heavy loads but the Phat tires aren't what I'd pick for efficiency and durability.

[LeeG]

I would prefer suspension at that speed. A pothole at 30 is bad enough.

Yup, 2.35" tough street tires and front suspension would be better than phat tires w specialized rims and tires.

[AnalogKid]

What is the 9-speed IGH you're looking at?

I have a bike with belt drive and a Shinano Alfine 8-speed hub, it's a city-bike commuter with no e-assist. It was OK for a while, but it has an annoying habit of jumping in 5th, which is strange because that's the direct 1:1 ratio, and the ratios are too gappy, especially in the middle of the range where the bulk of riding is done. I do like the ability to change gear while stationary though. All-in-all though, I prefer the 1x10 derailleur setup with even steps and having to clean my chain compared to losing power to the belt drive and having no ideal ratio to change to.

[Old Dryfoot]

I use to think that the ~$3000 bikes were expensive too, I still do, actually. But when you compare them to the factory made options like a Stromer, they seem reasonable. I looked at a Stromer in a LBS just last week. It was twelve thousand dollars!

$12,000!

[goodbasil]

I've ben thinking of a 2WD e-bike.

[Old Dryfoot]

What is the 9-speed IGH you're looking at?

I have a bike with belt drive and a Shinano Alfine 8-speed hub, it's a city-bike commuter with no e-assist. It was OK for a while, but it has an annoying habit of jumping in 5th, which is strange because that's the direct 1:1 ratio, and the ratios are too gappy, especially in the middle of the range where the bulk of riding is done. I do like the ability to change gear while stationary though. All-in-all though, I prefer the 1x10 derailleur setup with even steps and having to clean my chain compared to losing power to the belt drive and having no ideal ratio to change to.

I blundered. That should read 8 speed, and Nexus or Alfine, but I need to read more. It's been a while since I've considered an e-bike and I always thought that I would just go with a hub motor. Now that the BaFang drives are proving to be capable enough, for sane use, I need to relearn what will work, and what won't. It could end up being a derailleur after all.

[Old Dryfoot]

Yup, 2.35" tough street tires and front suspension would be better than phat tires w specialized rims and tires.

There is a front suspension option.

[Phil Y]

I dont understand why most electric bikes are made clunky and heavy. In Oz there's a 200 watt limit on power, so you really want to be light and efficient, I'd go for an electric motor system fitted to a lightweight, efficient road bike.

[Old Dryfoot]

There are a lot of choices in a much lighter frame and narrower wheel sets. The ones I posted are just a personal choice. But we do have a little more power to play with here, our limit is set at 500w.

[Oyvind Snibsoer]

I've never really understood fat bikes. There's an outfit in Longyearbyen that arranges guided tours on fat bikes, but I have always found them a bit silly as they cumbersomely made their way over the hard packed snow, as I zipped past them at speeds perhaps exeeding 60 mph on my snowmobile....

That said, back on the mainland I have aacquired an e street bike the I ride regularly to work. Which, at least going back home from the office requires climbimg a total of 280 meters height. Which I would never bother doing on a regular basis with a regular bike, but becomes quite enjoyable on an e-bike.

[GregH]

A nuby question- do e-bikes require licensing for either the bike itself or the rider?

[LeeG]

I've always been tempted to buy myself an e-bike, this one doesn't make that any easier.

From Luna Cycle

A friend suggested copper or bronze w the flat black

[PeterSibley]

I dont understand why most electric bikes are made clunky and heavy. In Oz there's a 200 watt limit on power, so you really want to be light and efficient, I'd go for an electric motor system fitted to a lightweight, efficient road bike.

I wonder if coppas carry multimeters ? 500w @48v would be good.

[epoxyboy]

Nah, tyres are too fat and draggy for road work and the frame is over complicated. Looks like 1940s Russian agricultural.

Actually, you'd be surprised. Those fatbikes are surprisingly nimble, and the rolling resistance is a lot lower than you'd think. There seems to be a lot of redundant framing on that bike though, they have not built in lightness and simpicity.

Pete

[Old Dryfoot]

A nuby question- do e-bikes require licensing for either the bike itself or the rider?

If you are at 500w or less, then no, from 500w to 1,500w you fall under scooter regulations and the answer is yes. If you are over 1,500w then you are under motorcycle regulations.

[Old Dryfoot]

A friend suggested copper or bronze w the flat black

Smart friend.

[Old Dryfoot]

I wonder if coppas carry multimeters ? 500w @48v would be good.

I've not checked, but I seem to recall that the motor needs to labeled. Though I never hear of people being checked unless they are acting like idiots on the roads or bike trails.