E-Bike anyone?

[LakeCleElum]

I researched for over a year on a good conversion kit. Everytime I found something with good reviews, it was sold out and unavailable. (Covid created a huge market for bikes and Ebikes).

A good battery is most of the cost and I figured on $1,000 US for a good kit with a good battery.

I kinda wanted a BikeTrix Juggernaut Ultra 1000, but cost was $3,100 US + extras....And then I found an obscure FB message of a guy selling the Ultra with only 350 miles for $2K US........It came with a lot of extras and a second larger Battery. Owner proved over $4,100 invested. I did that and 300 miles later - couldn't be happier.....It's a 1000 Watt, regulated to 750 for the street, but easy to step back up to 1,000 watt......

https://www.biktrix.com/pages/juggernaut-ultra-1000-details

[87maniac]

LakeCleElum- More power = more fun!

Nearly all high-end ebikes are limited to ~250W
The Bafang Ultra is 1000W (and you can hotrod it!)

I bought a M2S Dual Sport Ultra. $3000 shipped.
The same 1000W Bafang Ultra 510 motor as your Juggernaut Ultra 1000.

It's a full suspension mountain bike with 27.5 x 2.30 tires.
Wanted a bike that wasn't obviously an illegal 1000W ebike. (no fat tires)

Are LEO / park rangers ever gonna know that it's not a 'legal' 350W motor? -not likely.

Overview of the Bafang motor:
https://electrek.co/2019/01/17/bafang-ultra-electric-bicycle-motor/

[wildthing]

I may have seen a few trails here marked with "No e-bikes". I could be wrong.

[ckelly78z]

Everywhere I ride, there are no restrictions posted (mostly state park trails, and farm lanes, or county roads). Someone would really have to be looking hard to tell that mine is actually an Ebike.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by vash

i had an idea..to put pedal assist on a pedel kayak!! holy ****..i am on to something. to bad i can't invent ****..but ideas.

[sc_rufctr]

"Ancient Hippy"

[wdfifteen]

I’m looking at a rear hub motor for my old Trek road bike. They are somewhat less expensive than mid-drive kits and I’m told they are quieter. The LiPo batteries cost as much as the kit!

[sc_rufctr]

Hub motors are great! I've seen AWD E-bikes with one hub motor on the front and one on the rear... They're also super efficient.

The reason I'm planning to go with a mid drive system is so the motor can take advantage of the bike gears. Starting off you'd use the lower gears but once up to speed you can shift higher to go faster. It's also helpful to use the lower gears to climb hills. The motor spins faster which is better for the motor.

[Ziggythecat]

All E bikes have disc brakes
Don’t forget that you might have to someday stop, quickly, from 25 mph

Vw brakes with a Porsche conversion....

[Ziggythecat]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Hub motors are great! I've seen AWD E-bikes with one hub motor on the front and one on the rear... They're also super efficient.

The reason I'm planning to go with a mid drive system is so the motor can take advantage of the bike gears. Starting off you'd use the lower gears but once up to speed you can shift higher to go faster. It's also helpful to use the lower gears to climb hills. The motor spins faster which is better for the motor.

You should ride a few, before you go mid drive
With electric boost, you seldom shift, you just add more boost
Mine is rear drive and 7 speed.

[sc_rufctr]

Yes the more powerful e-bikes seldom if ever shift but we're limited to 250 watts on the road down here.
I tried a Bosche mid motor equipped 250 watt E-Bike and that was good.

More power would be great but our local cops have already confiscated and then tested E-Bikes for compliance.

This Gal talks about the local laws in this video.

[Ziggythecat]

Is it very hilly ?

[mepstein]

I like riding my bike and the fitness I get from it. But If I was commuting by bike, it would be attractive.

[87maniac]

My prior ebike had a 500W rear hub motor, and battery on rear rack.
Very much Porsche-like handling, huge rear weight bias!!!
(can be fun at times, but not when things get dicey)

The main advantage of mid-motor and down tube battery pack is
even weight distribution.

Agree, I typically leave it in high gear, unless going up Steep Hills.

Cayman vs. 911

[stevej37]

^^^ Mepstein.
Same here. If I wanted an easier way to bike, I would just buy a moped.

[87maniac]

Ebikes are great for fitness.

With modern pedal assist, you can dial in the amount of effort
that you want. If you're looking for a real workout, set it on '0' -
the bike weights over 55 lbs. And when that pesky knee acts up,
on that big hill, you can get an temporary relief.

Or you can be a total douchebag and use the throttle all the time,
particularly when high speed passing spandex road bike clowns.

[stevej37]

^^^ I see what you are saying. I would prob like to try one out...might be better than I think.

[mepstein]

I'm a spandex (actually lycra) road bike clown ex racer. I like the way a 14 ish pound road bike feels when riding and I like the challenge of rides that sometimes test my limits but improve me just the little bit so the next time is a little easier. I'm not knocking the e-bikes, I just don't see a place for them in my garage.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Ziggythecat

I have a similar bike, a Trek Hybrid with skinny tires and upright handlebars.
I looked at all the various conversion options, with front or rear hub.


Propella.com

Propella.com leads me to business software.

[ckelly78z]

At 55 years old with a new pace maker (but fairly fit otherwise), I found that I didn't enjoy riding anymore, and was falling behind my friends who seemed to have boundless energy, and stamina. When I ride, I almost always am pedaling on my Ebike, but find that I don't wear out nearly as quick, and enjoy the game again.

By DIY building up my full suspension, dual disc brake 29" MTB bike with a front hub 36V, 500W unit, I still have the use of all 24 speeds, and can easily ride the bike without any extra boost. In rough terrain, I have 2WD if I am pedaling, so virtually unstoppable.