Electric Bike on craigslist, what ya think? awesome eh?

[RandomFact314]

Too bad it is only 8 mile range, probably 6 when you weight 230 pounds as I do... pics and info/link: ELECTRIC BIKE ZAP E-BIKE CHK IMAGES...

[Christ]

It's nice, but I wouldn't pay $500 for the vanity of it. I can build one much cheaper with components that you can find at home every day.

[RandomFact314]

I would think it was the best If I could get like a good 4 batteries and not just the 1...

[Christ]

A large part of e-bikes' nice features is the fact that most of them don't weigh much more than a heavy mountain bike does, so you don't tire yourself out pedaling with them. The range figures are based on a full run at X speed without user input.

The problem I definitely see with that particular design is that you can't recharge while coasting by continuing to pedal, since it's a friction design and it appears that the motor isn't attached permanently to the wheel. You could fix such a design flaw without too much trouble, but it's another one of the reasons I wouldn't pay $500 for one. Why pay that when I have to "fix" it?

I actually have most of the stuff I need to build one right now, except the battery pack. I'll probably use a motorcycle AGM battery for it, if I actually go forward with it.

[Frank Lee]

There probably are ebikes with regen braking but I bet that's rare.

I wouldn't pedal to regen anyway. That sounds like work. Not that I'm opposed to work... but if I'm feeling the need to pedal I'll just jump on the regular bike.

Regen braking wouldn't do a flatlander like me a bit of good.

[blueflame]

Regen would be great where I live, volcanic hilly landscape. Its a just a controller option thats a few dollars more than non regen.

Some regen when you throttle off, but you still want to be able to coast.

[Ryland]

I owned that same kit, bought it new 17 years ago sold it a year ago for $100 with the bike it was on, it still worked but the range was down to a mile or two.
The drive system works by the twisting of the motor spinning up to speed makes it twist toward the tire then it sort of wedges it's self there, there is also a cam leaver that can hold it to the tire for going down hills for the regen braking, it helps a little but the friction of the whole system is pretty bad, the two speeds are achieved by setting the two motors up in seres and parallel, so low speed tops out at about 10mph and above about 15mph will put out enough voltage to put some back in the battery.
The rang is about right, I tried to go 11 miles with rolling hills and had a dead battery at the end, a small charger would take care of the return trip of course but there are better e-bike systems out there.

[blueflame]

Yeah, friction drive is definitely old school. Electric motox bikes are fully developed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9snZ...ture=rec-HM-r2

(US$5K plus), but there's nothing half decent for the road.

[Ryland]

As much as I liked my Zap bike kit, I would not buy one again, sure I put 5,000 or so miles on it and never had any real issues, but my hub motor is amazing! it will push you along at 25-35mph depending on the motor and voltage without pedaling! it will start from a dead stop on it's own.
The nice thing about motorized bicycles is most states see them as a bicycle! my city asks you to register your bike for $3 and it's covered by your home owners insurance and you can park on sidewalks.
Motorcycle requires title, license, insurance.

[Frank Lee]

My Songi has a hub motor and that thing is pretty neat! Quiet, strong, efficient.