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The eBike thread

unkel

A quick look seems that this doesn't really seem to fit in the cycling forum. So starting a thread here about all things eBike

I'll get the ball rolling. I have zero experience with eBikes. But I was going to build myself a battery anyway, for various reasons (like in bringing with me in my EV as a "petrol can")

I'm going to buy a solderless kit to make the battery (with 18650 cells I have removed from dead / old laptop batteries). This kit cah handle 20A max, and I would like the battery pack to produce 1kW constant. P=V*I so 1000W = 50V * 20A

This dictates that my battery needs to be nominal 48V (was thinking of making a 24V battery pack, but that won't be able to charge my car)

A quick browse on eBay and Amazon shows that you could buy a powerful 1000W bike conversion kit with everything needed except the battery for about GBP120 (a bit more from Amazon but peace of mind)

What to buy though, front wheel or rear wheel kit? Pros and cons? Any other advice?

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championc

BarryM wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice re throttles, etc. I forgot to mention that the hilly bits are on non made up roads ..... so, is a throttle any use in that case? I live in deepest rural Ireland and have a Yorvik trike, non-offroad style.

I have tried increasing the power as I reach the hills but it isn't enough because of the bends.

A throttle simply turns on the motor, up to the max ability of the motor. So it will be perfect if the motor is adequate

BarryM

Thanks for all the advice re throttles, etc. I forgot to mention that the hilly bits are on non made up roads ..... so, is a throttle any use in that case? I live in deepest rural Ireland and have a Yorvik trike, non-offroad style.

I have tried increasing the power as I reach the hills but it isn't enough because of the bends.

[Deleted User]

Most Ebikes are well above 250 watts anyway even the legal ones, they get around this because they are tested based on acceleration and cut off speed which is a good thing.

IF you do like to pedal a lot with maximum pedal efficiency then the bafang kits will create some drag when the motor is off and the geared hubs are the best for pedal efficiency without motor power.

conor_mc

BarryM wrote: »

I don't have great knees, but where I live there are several hills with bends on them and I always have to walk, some of them. Anybody any advice on how to manage a hill with a bend?

VanMoof S3 with boost button, you’ll still need to peddle lightly.

unkel

Bafang mid drives come with a throttle as standard. Not required for the system to work, but you could fit it and hide it somewhere if you don't want anyone to see it

Mind, not much point in that as all the Bafang mid drive motors are >250W anyway, so not road legal in the EU

I'd just use the throttle and, good idea from Mad_Lad, bring a letter from your GP with you. I very much doubt there's a guard in the country that will get you in trouble over the throttle then if you're not taking the p1ss on the bike.

John Hutton

With a bafang mid drive would work for you, basically pedalling acts as an "on switch" they don't use a torque sensor. No need for a throttle.

[Deleted User]

BarryM wrote: »

I don't have great knees, but where I live there are several hills with bends on them and I always have to walk, some of them. Anybody any advice on how to manage a hill with a bend?

unkel wrote: »

Get an eBike with a throttle?

Yes, Enike with throttle which of course, in Europe is illegal but it's the only way.

You'd think an ebike was designed for assistance, they are but they're not designed for People with bad knees or legs unfortunately because torque sensors only work when power to the pedals is applied and power to the crank then is determined by pedal cadence and torque on the pedals from the rider.

It would be sensible if those with medical certs could avail of throttle ebikes, maybe someday.

On the legal bikes you will be greatly disappointed if your knee suddenly gets sharp pain or you get tired because the more you slow down, the less power the motor will apply, it seems ridiculous but that's the way it is, going up a steep hill and your dodgy knees effect you then you will either have to endure the pain or walk or go at a snails pace in low gear peddling really fast.

DIY ebike with throttle and you're sorted

unkel

Get an eBike with a throttle?

BarryM

Deleted User wrote: »

I've absolutely no problem with e-scooters requiring license and insurance but they should, in my opinion, not have to require motor tax.

Ebikes can go up to 50 Km/hr and require insurance and tax but the legal limits are just ridiculous, 25 Km/hr cutoff is too low should be at least 32 like in the USA ( 20 Mph ) they're allowed throttle and all which is really convenient if your legs are tired or you have knee issues like I do, on a Bosch powered ebike for instance, if my dodgy knees start giving me pain up a hill I have to get off and walk now where's the sense in this ? you'd think that an Ebike would assist you ? they do but you need to put pressure on the pedals to get power out and if you can't due to knee pain you're walking it's madness this E.U bollocks!

I don't have great knees, but where I live there are several hills with bends on them and I always have to walk, some of them. Anybody any advice on how to manage a hill with a bend?

[Deleted User]

BarryM wrote: »

It is pretty typical. pass legislation and then don't bother to control it. Same with planning, except if someone objects, same with littering.......

OTOH, hard to control unless a license is supposed to be obviously displayed, say on an annual number plate.

I've absolutely no problem with e-scooters requiring license and insurance but they should, in my opinion, not have to require motor tax.

Ebikes can go up to 50 Km/hr and require insurance and tax but the legal limits are just ridiculous, 25 Km/hr cutoff is too low should be at least 32 like in the USA ( 20 Mph ) they're allowed throttle and all which is really convenient if your legs are tired or you have knee issues like I do, on a Bosch powered ebike for instance, if my dodgy knees start giving me pain up a hill I have to get off and walk now where's the sense in this ? you'd think that an Ebike would assist you ? they do but you need to put pressure on the pedals to get power out and if you can't due to knee pain you're walking it's madness this E.U bollocks!

BarryM

Deleted User wrote: »

Theres a lot worse things to be honest.

There's plenty of escooters on our streets now that go well above legal limits and I can't see People giving them up after spending 500 euros or more.

It is pretty typical. pass legislation and then don't bother to control it. Same with planning, except if someone objects, same with littering.......

OTOH, hard to control unless a license is supposed to be obviously displayed, say on an annual number plate.

John Hutton

unkel wrote: »

Because she needs a 3 wheeler

Ah, I missed that bit

unkel

John Hutton wrote: »

Why not a trailer instead of a cargo bike?

Because she needs a 3 wheeler

John Hutton

Why not a trailer instead of a cargo bike?

[Deleted User]

unkel wrote: »

I like the Twizy too, but they are crazy expensive, you won't find one for under €5k and then there is the monthly lease. You'd have to be insane to buy one.

Forgot about the monthly battery lease, jaysus yeah that would be mad.

80sDiesel

unkel wrote: »

Did she try in an automatic car? Much easier and barely a drawback these days as all cars will be automatic soon anyway.

Can drive a manual fine ( taught her even though I pleaded to get an auto instead) but it’s the lack of spatial awareness and interest that prevents her finishing her mandatory lessons and going for test.

A dog and a e cargo bike ( the 3 wheels is a must as 2 wheel bikes pose further challenges) might just be my ticket to partial freedom. ( weather permitting

)

unkel

80sDiesel wrote: »

Started looking into e cargo bikes as wifey has been ‘learning’ to drive for the last 3 years and I think it’s a lost cause.

Did she try in an automatic car? Much easier and barely a drawback these days as all cars will be automatic soon anyway.

unkel

I like the Twizy too, but they are crazy expensive, you won't find one for under €5k and then there is the monthly lease. You'd have to be insane to buy one.

[Deleted User]

80sDiesel wrote: »

Started looking into e cargo bikes as wifey has been ‘learning’ to drive for the last 3 years and I think it’s a lost cause. Sometimes below I would think would give her ( and more importantly me) more freedom. Wish we had the same laws as in mainland Europe or I could just get a Twizy.

https://www.butchersandbicycles.com/mk1e-vario

I couldn't imagine having to drive the missus everywhere it would drive me insane, you do it though that's why she won't bother, I wouldn't haha

Ecargo bikes are great but expensive and I don't think She will thank you for sending her out in all weathers on a cargo bike

Ecargo bikes need a good bit of power too. I'm not sure I would buy one powered by a 50 Nm Bosch motor you'd want one of the newer motors or get a cargo bike and convert it with a high torque Geared hub such as a MAC 12T, using a direct drive motor would make the bike difficult to pedal without power, of course a Bafang BBSHD would do the job nicely too.

The Twizy is great, it's a pity Renault never updated it, some kind of fast charging and a 7 Kw AC charger would be nice upgrades, oh, and factory installed windows and heat lol.

80sDiesel

Started looking into e cargo bikes as wifey has been ‘learning’ to drive for the last 3 years and I think it’s a lost cause. Sometimes below I would think would give her ( and more importantly me) more freedom. Wish we had the same laws as in mainland Europe or I could just get a Twizy.

https://www.butchersandbicycles.com/mk1e-vario

[Deleted User]

BarryM wrote: »

Are you suggesting that buying a "non-legal" bike is OK? Or just indicating that you are unlikely to be stopped?

Theres a lot worse things to be honest.

There's plenty of escooters on our streets now that go well above legal limits and I can't see People giving them up after spending 500 euros or more.

BarryM

unkel wrote: »

And just to let you know, that bike is not road legal in the EU. Not that any Garda would know though.

Are you suggesting that buying a "non-legal" bike is OK? Or just indicating that you are unlikely to be stopped?

[Deleted User]

kiely182 wrote: »

I had a bad accident myself a few weeks ago 60 kph at the end of a hill. Foot slipped off the pedals. It was all over in the blink of an eye. I've lost my nerve but still riding but only around 40 kph.

Lucky, nothing worse than hitting the road, I was lucky, I only really fell off my bikes at slow speeds.

kiely182

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yep I remember, you lived to tell the tail.

Imagine coming off the bike at 80 something Km/hr ? :eek: think that's what made me decommission it, sad, I really really miss that bike......:(

I had a bad accident myself a few weeks ago 60 kph at the end of a hill. Foot slipped off the pedals. It was all over in the blink of an eye. I've lost my nerve but still riding but only around 40 kph.

unkel

Be careful. This stuff might yet have to be manufactured in China. You might not get it until sometime next year. But price is much better. Last time I looked the kits in stock in the UK were GBP 999 :rolleyes:

fuse

Swytch bike kit released today - supposedly discounted to half price for release day at 450e
Includes front powered wheel, battery pack, pedal sensor.
Temped....
https://www.swytchbike.com/p/universal-ebike-conversion-kit/

* edit it's a total of €611 after delivery, vat, import duties.

[Deleted User]

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I was the same, till the accident (came off > 50 kmh - I shared the pictures a while back).

I still have the bike, but my top speed runs are over and now I enjoy the scenery...

Economy IS the new speed for me.

Yep I remember, you lived to tell the tail.

Imagine coming off the bike at 80 something Km/hr ? :eek: think that's what made me decommission it, sad, I really really miss that bike......:(

SlowBlowin

I was the same, till the accident (came off > 50 kmh - I shared the pictures a while back).

I still have the bike, but my top speed runs are over and now I enjoy the scenery...

Economy IS the new speed for me.

[Deleted User]

unkel wrote: »

You're mad, lad!

It was mad but great craic, it was great the amount of People in cars just flabbergasted with their mouths wide open passing by as I rode in the hard shoulder, was so funny. I even thought about wearing some king of costume for the laugh, something like superman or Batman. I wish I had now.

unkel

You're mad, lad!