Anyone into electric cycling? Electric Bicycles

[GRA]

I've often wondered about them and wish I could give one a try. Where I live there are hills everywhere in every direction. Riding a bike is torture because the hills are soo long and difficult to climb in the bike. My fear, though, is that the e-bike battery won't be good enough to actually make it up the hill.

Any chance you'll be traveling out to the Bay Area anytime soon?

http://www.plugz-rental.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can't ask for a better test of hill climbing ability than the City, and it would be easy to design a route that mimics yours, as there's plenty of flat areas as well.

[Boomer23]

I am still getting around with my "big" GT city bike for my daily ride and my recently acquired folding Xootr bike. The place in El Segundo, CA that I bought the Xootr mainly sells E bikes so I got a good look at them there. http://www.electricbikesla.com/componen ... egory_id=6I like the features of the Pedego. Also I see REI now carries E bikes. For sure, I see myself eventually transitioning to the E bike. I prefer daily biking to walking...cooler, sense of speed and movement makes it much more appealing to me.

Thanks for the links, Kat. I'll check out REI. I hadn't thought of them.

[Volusiano]

I've owned an UltraMotor A2B Metro bike for 4 years now. I use them to commute to work (6 miles away), and for errands.

The electric motor went bad recently and I had to replace it to the tune of almost $500 (part and labor and tax). I was very disappointed about that, because I expected the motor to last a very long time, but obviously not.

The Lithium Ion (Manganese Oxide) battery is still holding up OK, although it probably doesn't have the original range of 20 miles anymore. I never have the need to go that far in between recharges so I never really get to test out the actual range. I only use it maybe 3 days a week on the average, so it's not put to heavy frequent use either.

[AndyH]

There are plenty of options for power, range, hill climbing ability, etc. Pedal assist is one option, but most kits in use in NA are not - just twist the grip for additional power.

The folks at Ebikes Canada have one of the best reputations in North America for service and truth - start exploring on their site: http://www.ebikes.ca/

Here's a look at where the hobby can take one - be careful with that first step.
(I built the pair of charge controllers/battery management units seen in the beginning of the video. )

[Boomer23]

Welcome to the dark side, Boomer!

http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/

Ebike across Canada - Pacific to Atlantic
http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/vi ... =29&t=7134

What are you riding, Andy?

Oops, I see that we were cross-posting. Sorry about that.

EDIT: Andy, what you have there, my friend, is a MOTORCYCLE! Very impressive, though.

I have read about guys that want a lot of speed, though. The US limit of 20 mph is fine for me.

I'm not looking to go that fast, just get some help with pedaling up hills.

[Volusiano]

There are plenty of options for power, range, hill climbing ability, etc. Pedal assist is one option, but most kits in use in NA are not - just twist the grip for additional power.

The folks at Ebikes Canada have one of the best reputations in North America for service and truth - start exploring on their site: http://www.ebikes.ca/

Here's a look at where the hobby can take one - be careful with that first step.
(I built the pair of charge controllers/battery management units seen in the beginning of the video. )

Wow, 50mph??? That's ridiculously fast for an ebike. I'm not even sure if it's legal at that speed without vehicle registration. At that speed, it probably has to be registered as an electric motorcycle/scooter. But it's sure is cool. I wonder what kind of braking system needs to be installed to allow quick braking at 50 mph. It almost has to be a disc brake for sure.

The UltraMotor A2B bike I have has a speed limiter to keep the speed maxed out at 20mph only, although I think it can go faster if allowed. I think they limit it to 20mph so that it can still be considered a bicycle (hybrid) and doesn't have to be registered.

[GerryAZ]

Someone had a folding electric bike at the plug-in event in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago, but I cannot remember the brand.

Gerry

[Boomer23]

I decided on the BionX 48 volt fitted to my existing GT Avalanche 2.0 mountain bike. Seems like a good combo, so we'll see how well it works out. I'm getting it put on my bike tomorrow at Electric Cyclery in Laguna Beach http://www.greenspeed.us/electric_cyclery.htm. I have a free Saturday morning, so I'll be able to try some test rides.

Here are the specs: BionX 48V

Hope I can sleep tonight!

[AndyH]

What are you riding, Andy

Just a cheapie mountain bike with a hub motor from Amped Bikes. I had a small business selling LiFePO4 cells and building battery management units for ebikers. The bike and Chinese electric motorcycle are fun test beds.

EDIT: Andy, what you have there, my friend, is a MOTORCYCLE! Very impressive, though.

I have read about guys that want a lot of speed, though. The US limit of 20 mph is fine for me.

I'm not looking to go that fast, just get some help with pedaling up hills.

That I understand - 20-25 mph on a bicycle feels plenty fast. I prefer something a bit more substantial when speeds get past about 35. As for the video, while I supplied parts of the battery and the management system, that's not my bike.

The BionX kit looks great - have fun!

[Nubo]

I've cycled most of my life. I fear that an electric bike would be the beginning of the end. Personally I need the bike as a means to measure myself against the world. That is the best thing about riding and I don't want to give that up, ever. If I begin dottering, sit me on a trike or quadricycle with super-low gears and let me grind away at a snail's pace if that's what it takes to get me outside moving under my own, and only my own, power.