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Old 02-21-2013, 11:43 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2011
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Best battery-swappable affordable ebike/trike?

In my exploration of alternative commuter options i'm trying to see what all is out there... and yes homebrew and DIY bikes ARE an option here/I may well build my own.

My biggest issue is range. My google maps shortest "by foot" daily commute ranges 20 miles one way, to 27 miles when it maps a bike route (why would it be longer??) or 26 miles by car if I tell it to avoid highways. One way to do it would be to get a longer range bike of at least 50 mile range, however even in that case I still have additional evening travel of another 20 miles or so shooting that idea out the window which I don't have time to charge between. So what's probably looking like the best solution is something that I can just buy 3 sets of battery packs, bring one spare (swap at my destination to get back) and use the 3rd in the evening routes. Batteries MUST be capable of pulling the range even without pedaling because I have an injury prone hobby that may leave me near unable to pedal the next few days on occasion.

Swappability also matters because I may want to have more than one ebike (like both a bike, and a cargo trike) I can swap packs between. (if not an entire motor unit if such a thing is made)

Batteries are so dang expensive anyways it's the achilles heel of ebikes, I saw someones 44 mile range bike with a $1700 battery pack and only 1000 some charges... even with free solar at that rate it'd be cheaper to ride a 250cc motorcycle at 70mpg. :-/ I don't mind a bit heavy, i'm too heavy myself as it is so a 20lb vs 40lb battery back isn't life or death to me. Even over 40lbs on the trike is fine provided the cheapness to haul the extra weight is still less. Any idea what lead acids or golf cart gel type batteries would weigh to get this range?

Fantasies of 10kw bikes are great, but almost absurd in normal street use spinning tires and such, so power needs aren't excessive. But i'd like to maintain 20mph as much as possible and even up to 30mph with pedal assist, including despite mild hills, or some light snow (yes i'd consider using it in the winter once roads are generally cleared especially the trike due to being more stable - it's also possible a front wheel assist combined with pedaling the rear be more suited to not getting stuck in this scenario too) without getting bogged down instantly, or despite heavier loads in the cargo trike. Think something stout enough to pull a pair of heavy riders two-up for the latter in weight and still go 20mph ideally. I wouldn't have a second rider, but I could see loading the cargo racks and a mini-bike trailer behind with 100lbs each EASILY like when i'm shopping for books during the neighborhood garage sale weeks that occur.

Cost of the above is a big issue - i'm already planning projects of more economical cars, and economical motorcycles, I can't buy everything. The additional gas saved over already fairly economical scooters and such isn't going to be huge, and I have to buy things outright without financing also. Things I can do for under $1000 are probably 5x more feasible than solutions costing $2000. And i'm not even sure if it has to cost over $500 (though the power/range needs of the cargo trike are admittedly harder to meet) if I did certain things myself or improvised certain things. One thing i'm willing to give up is a fully variable throttle if it's a difference of hundreds of dollars, I can use pedals to start it and most of the time to vary speed, so that could greatly simplify the need for normal controllers. Just give me a few one touch settings.

One design that I thought was neat but still more than i'm hoping to pay (because i'd still need 2 batteries probably plus its still at the utter top of feasibility anyway at $2k) was On Sale: Busettii Big 50 Mile Electric Bicycle at High5Scooters.com: Electric Moped Bikes, Electric Bicycles, Electric Mobility Scooters, Electric Tricycles, Electric Trikes, Electric Standup Scooters, Gas Scooters & Motorcycles - Always The Best Pri - they have a cargo trike but much less power speed and range. The battery is removable. Since i'm willing to DIY, and willing to compromise on battery weight to get those cheaper, I was hoping it's all still attainable.

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