Propella arrived today!

[stevej37]

A quick lesson learned with the Propella...
Never attempt a u-turn on a bike path with the assist on.

Didn't lay it down...but came close.
When doing a tight turn..press the assist off. Or make the turn without pedaling.
If the assist is on..it will accelerate you through the turn and push you into an area you don't want.

A lesson from experience.

[ckelly78z]

I was really looking at the fat tire bikes, but didn't like the idea of having a virtual anchor if something goes wrong, or the battery runs out of juice. I ended up buying a decent 29" mountain bike with full suspension, dual disc brakes, and 24 speeds that was a nice riding bike without any assist.

Then I added this;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/e-bike-Conversion-Kit-36V-250W-350W-500W-Gear-motor-bicycle-front-rear-Wheel/164765760165?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=464249742243&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

And this;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/36V-7-5AH-Ebike-Battery-For-250W-350W-500W-Bicycle-Bafang-Voilamart-Motor-Bottle/114559157082?hash=item1aac42035a:g:K0cAAOSwgRhftjs m

To this bike;
IRON HORSE IH5510SR 29" Men's Warrior 3.2 Mountain Bike | Sears Hometown Stores

[stevej37]

^^^ So..you have approx $900 in the bike??
Not bad. How does it ride?

My Prop was $1200

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ So..you have approx $900 in the bike??
Not bad. How does it ride?

My Prop was $1200

I have put about 500 miles on my Ebike, and love it so far, I just have to be careful with tight spaces because I couldn't use the supplied brake handle applied power cutoff due to my shifter placement.

Other than that I love it, It will routinely run as fast as 25-26 mph without pedaling in 5th speed, but I usually cruise about 12-15 mph in 2nd, or 3rd speed while pedaling. It looks very stealth with the small bottle cage battery, and small front hub motor, so no one gives me any second looks.

I built this to still allow me to cover long distances even with my new pace maker, and compromised lungs, and still gets me some exercise. It probably has a range of about 25-30 miles while pedaling, and really makes hills a non event.

I did change the seat, and added a handlebar riser for comfort.

[stevej37]

^^^ If I stop pedaling...the bike will coast to a stop...even with the assist on.
I can hit 25-28 but I really have to pedal in 7th gear.

Does your motor make much noise? And how much does the whole bike weigh?

[Fast Freddy 944]

Ooops, it thought it was something cool like an ultra light propeller, my bad..

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ If I stop pedaling...the bike will coast to a stop...even with the assist on.
I can hit 25-28 but I really have to pedal in 7th gear.

Does your motor make much noise? And how much does the whole bike weigh?

I have a twist throttle that will take off from a stop rather than waiting on pedal assist, and maintain any speed, or I can just pedal, and have the assist. While pedaling in 24th gear with assist on speed 5, I can hit 30+, but my lung/heart stamina can't do that for long.

I have heard some really loud Ebikes, and am very pleased that mine is almost silent...other people I am riding with might hear it, but bystanders wouldn't.

[ramonesfreak]

i have a cat eye volt 800 on the front that i use in blinking mode for daylight riding....not only for intersections, but i think it helps on bike paths with crazy oncoming cyclists

nice e bike. i like it

Originally Posted by stevej37

I do have a couple cat-eye headlights. Never use them.
I don't bike at night and it's the traffic from the rear that is worrisome.

On my road bike, I have the Garmin Varia, which is radar that shows rear oncoming traffic.
It works great...but I haven't decided yet whether to switch it to the Propella or leave it on the other bike.

I was hit once, from the side, breaking my femur. So, I am especially careful now.

Here's what happened....
anyone else have this done to their leg?
Post 59 shows the damage.

[stevej37]

^^^ Thanks
Put another 24 miles on the Prop today...easy and fun.
The battery rattle was back...looked closer and found that the battery was jiggling around in the battery holder. Took a 10" cable tie and tightened it down in the holder. Rode it another couple miles and it seems to have fixed the noise.
I charge it while it's on the bike...so it doesn't matter if it's fastened down.

[carreradpt]

I love my ebike. It has expanded my range allowing me to visit areas I just couldn't get to before. Windy day, huh, no problem. I can select the assist needed or no assist. My only hills around here are going over overpasses. Love it. Wish I has bought one long ago.

[stevej37]

^^^ That's my feelings also.
Which one did you purchase?


In the few times I've rode mine...I've had many comments on how they liked the blue rims.
Every person thought the battery was a water bottle, and nobody noticed any motor sound.

[ramonesfreak]

having a hard time visualizing why it’s rattling but if your looking for something a bit more elegant and convenient than zip ties, i use these to strap things to my frame. love them

https://www.voile.com/nano-series-straps.html

can get em off amazon but i couldn’t figure out how to link to the page

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ Thanks
Put another 24 miles on the Prop today...easy and fun.
The battery rattle was back...looked closer and found that the battery was jiggling around in the battery holder. Took a 10" cable tie and tightened it down in the holder. Rode it another couple miles and it seems to have fixed the noise.
I charge it while it's on the bike...so it doesn't matter if it's fastened down.

[stevej37]

^^^
The battery, when fixed into it's holder bracket, rattles on every bump because it's not a tight fit.
The zip-tie, when fastened around it tight, keeps it from rattling.
The only one I had in that length was red. I'll stop at Lowes and get a blue or black one soon.

The fasteners you linked look real strong, but I don't think they can be cinched up tight because they use pre-formed holes. Thanks.

[ramonesfreak]

They should work, even if not going around the down tube of the frame . And you will like them much better than zip ties
take a look...there are many holes running the length of the strap....i usually find I need to trim off some of the excess rubber strap. These stretch to fit, are not too long to work and very durable

I usually go with the 15" size

https://www.amazon.com/Voile-Straps-Aluminum-Buckle-Black/dp/B01NBYS18J/ref=asc_df_B01NBYS18J/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312126403103&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4578271538918784562&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005676&hvtargid=pla-569881865465&psc=1

[stevej37]

I did look at them...no width of the strap given. The zip ties are about 1/8"...the voile straps are at least an inch wide. I want something un-noticeable (if possible)
I can see how they would be very handy...I just don't think it's what I need.

Plus the small area between the bracket and the frame would hardly allow a zip-tie through.

[stevej37]

Put another 25 miles on the Propella today.
Aside from the normal a-hole car drivers....all went well.
Why do drivers hate bikers so much???

Riding on my lane...a car and a pick-up approach me. The pu decides to pass the car when they are within a hundred yards of me. I stay in my lane and the pu pulls back into his lane and lays on his horn while giving me the finger.

What am I supposed to do...ride into the gravel shoulder to give him room to pass the car??

This kind of ***** really bothers me.

[ramonesfreak]

they dont hate you. they just dont care or think about it

and yea you are. my wife refuses to move over into the gravel but she is not comfortable on anything but smooth pavement and stands her ground. makes me cringe when im behind her.

ive been mountain biking for 35 years so i do what is needed to get out of the way

if thats not possible for you to do, you are definitely taking your chances. never count on the other guy to watch out for you

im fine on road because i can easily jump a curb or whatever, but much prefer to stay on bike paths and trails

this is probably the one reason i never owned a road bike, if i cant immediately head off into the grass or mud then what good is it. no thanks

[ramonesfreak]

and i find that when my wife wants to do a route that involves a "road", i end up riding on sidewalks for miles which really kills my back and so now im considering buying a suspension seatpost just to take the edge off the bump bump bump

30 miles of that will ruin you for a week

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=ramonesfreak;11289554]
and yea you are. my wife refuses to move over into the gravel but she is not comfortable on anything but smooth pavement and stands her ground. makes me cringe when im behind her.


I disagree on this. Michigan law says bikes have the same rules and rights as motorists.
The rest of what you said...agree.

[ramonesfreak]

I wasnt talking about the law

im talking about what you need to do to stay alive

are you really gonna stand your ground with a pick up truck heading your way just the law says you can?