Go Back   EcoModder Forum > AltModding > Alternative Transportation
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-10-2015, 10:01 AM   #11 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Ecky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 5,005

ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
90 day: 42.54 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,866
Thanked 2,501 Times in 1,547 Posts
The 20mph limit is slightly disappointing, but I could live with it. I've looked into products like Flykly's Smart Wheel, and the Copenhagen Wheel, and the latter actually appeals to me if I could get my hands on it, but I'm leaning toward just assembling something myself.

vskid3 or ME_Andy, might you recommend me a specific conversion kit? Two features I'm interested in are regenerative braking, and throttle-less design (like in the above two products, so it feels more like a normal bike) - are these reasonable expectations to have of a cheap conversion kit? I'm also rather small and light, but live in an area with fair sized hills. My acceleration expectations are low, but getting closer to 30mph on level ground would be nice. I don't mind having to shift and/or work a little bit.

I'm thinking about grabbing a beater bike for now, and beginning construction of a trike, based on one of these two sets of plans:

AtomicZombie - The Warrior Recumbent Tadpole Racing Trike

AtomicZombie - The StreetFox Suspension Tadpole Trike


^ I'm going to call around and see if anyone around here can do aluminum welds, as I have tons of scrap aluminum laying around.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 09-10-2015, 11:14 AM   #12 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
vskid3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 975

Civic DX (sold) - '97 Honda Civic DX
90 day: 34.15 mpg (US)

GTO (sold) - '04 Pontiac GTO
90 day: 22.62 mpg (US)

Green Brick (sold) - '06 Ford Escape Hybrid
90 day: 31.93 mpg (US)
Thanks: 193
Thanked 312 Times in 221 Posts
Both of my kits were from YescomUSA, one from their site and one from their ebay page. I used this model. 26in Rear Electric Bicycle Motor Conversion Kit 48v 1000w – yescomusa

Regen is something I wanted as well, but the general consensus is it doesn't help much for ebikes and I could only find it in more expensive kits. The kit I used supports and comes with the parts to make it pedal assist (throttleless) using a sensor attached to the crank. I haven't tried it out, so I don't know how well it works. I believe the throttle will override the assist if you don't feel like pedaling.

Acceleration won't be an issue if you want enough power to do 30MPH. Mine will keep with traffic till about 20MPH on its own and I can leave cars in the dust if I'm pedaling. 1000w plus whatever I add will get a bike up and moving pretty quick.
__________________


Camry Thread
E-Bike Thread
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to vskid3 For This Useful Post:
Ecky (09-10-2015)
Old 09-10-2015, 01:57 PM   #13 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Elmira, NY
Posts: 1,781
Thanks: 319
Thanked 355 Times in 297 Posts
At 20 mph or more I would recommend a rear suspension. Regen would not be hard to add if one knows some basic electrical theory. Getting half the energy back from hills or stop and go traffic stops seems doable. Any streamlining you do will improve range or speed as well as help keep you from exposure to the elements.

Like steel there are different alloys of aluminum that vary in strength.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Grant-53 For This Useful Post:
Ecky (09-10-2015)
Old 09-10-2015, 02:15 PM   #14 (permalink)
Growin a stash
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 802
Thanks: 412
Thanked 304 Times in 228 Posts
I agree with Vskid... Don't worry too much about regen, just get some extra range. Even a 500W motor is plenty. That's more than Lance Armstrong could crank out, and you will be adding your own muscle power to it.

Personally I don't think a front or a rear suspension is necessary.

Here's the kit that MMM recommends:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GIXZKP8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&cre ativeASIN=B00GIXZKP8&linkCode=as2&tag=lifereeng-20&linkId=74ABSSZGKT2WHZ6O

It looks like there are 7 speeds or "cogs" on that wheel? You need to be a little cautious to make sure the chain is the right thickness. So I would look for a bike that also had 7 cogs and disc brakes on the back wheel. However, some of the questions say it will work even for single-speed bikes.
__________________


2024 Chevy Bolt

Previous:
2015 Nissan Leaf S, 164 mpge

Last edited by ME_Andy; 09-10-2015 at 02:23 PM.. Reason: disc brakes
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ME_Andy For This Useful Post:
Ecky (09-10-2015)
Old 09-11-2015, 01:36 PM   #15 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Elmira, NY
Posts: 1,781
Thanks: 319
Thanked 355 Times in 297 Posts
The chain for a derailleur system will be 3/32" wide and a single speed or internal gear hub system chain is usually 1/8" wide. Does the motor shaft have a torque arm that attaches to the frame? Is there a dynamic braking mode?

Maybe I'm an old softy (62 yr.) but I want a suspension, a fairing, and a lap belt if I go that fast for very far.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Grant-53 For This Useful Post:
Ecky (09-11-2015)
Old 09-11-2015, 01:53 PM   #16 (permalink)
Growin a stash
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 802
Thanks: 412
Thanked 304 Times in 228 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant-53 View Post
Maybe I'm an old softy (62 yr.) but I want a suspension, a fairing, and a lap belt if I go that fast for very far.
Well, the commenters on Amazon seem to agree with you

I'm seriously thinking about buying one now. I have two months of commuting coming up. Figure 40 trips, saving $5 each... that would pay off a good chunk of the bike very quickly.
__________________


2024 Chevy Bolt

Previous:
2015 Nissan Leaf S, 164 mpge
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2015, 02:00 PM   #17 (permalink)
Growin a stash
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 802
Thanks: 412
Thanked 304 Times in 228 Posts
Electric Mountain Bike
__________________


2024 Chevy Bolt

Previous:
2015 Nissan Leaf S, 164 mpge
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2015, 02:31 PM   #18 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Ecky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 5,005

ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
90 day: 42.54 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,866
Thanked 2,501 Times in 1,547 Posts
That looks pretty good. Is that for you, or for me?

What do you think, of these?

MMM's recommendation, Aosom 1000w 48v, $380 - claims it also has a "brake controller"

Aosom 1000w 48v, $315 - includes LCD, is this the same kit + an LCD for less?

YesComUSA 1000w 48v, $310 - includes LCD and disk brake

YesComUSA 500w 36v, $190 - looks like the above kit, but with smaller motor and sans LCD and disk brake

Last edited by Ecky; 09-11-2015 at 02:36 PM..
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Ecky For This Useful Post:
ME_Andy (09-11-2015)
Old 09-11-2015, 03:06 PM   #19 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Ecky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 5,005

ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
90 day: 42.54 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,866
Thanked 2,501 Times in 1,547 Posts
How does this look for a bike to put it on?

https://burlington.craigslist.org/bik/5216927639.html

  Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2015, 03:20 PM   #20 (permalink)
Growin a stash
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 802
Thanks: 412
Thanked 304 Times in 228 Posts
9 speeds on the rear wheel might be an issue because the chain will need to be thinner. Looks like a helluva deal though

__________________


2024 Chevy Bolt

Previous:
2015 Nissan Leaf S, 164 mpge
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com