Electric bicycle build (introducing "black & red")

[California98Civic]

After 16 days without the bike, stumped on how to repair a flat because of a problem with tire fit and selection and thorn resistance, I'm back on the road. I have a hybrid rear wheel in a road bike. Clearance for a tire that also is wide enough for the bead to match the rim well without extra tools... bit of a challenge. But also, 3 flats in 700 miles gave me the feeling I'd better get thorn resistance too... now selction and fit became a major PITA. I tested different sizes. The magic is a 28mm width 700c tire with a thorn resistant tread. It replaces the 23mm tire that was always a horror tk fit back on the wheel.

Side benefit: the bigger tire absorbs shocks better and has eliminated a worrying electric cutoff problem I had been unable to resolve by other means... did 8 miles today... about to go do 6 more...

[ME_Andy]

Did you see Mr. Money Mustache's latest post?
2000 Miles of Justice: My Year of Riding Electric Bikes

Cool stuff. I've never gotten a flat with my 29" mountain bike tires, but I had flats all the time with 26" tires.

[California98Civic]

I hadn't seen that. His story is a lot like mine... I was a skeptic and came along, realizing how much it could enhance my riding range, replace a car, and prevent the "need" for an infernal gym membership... Like he says: "But for another large group, they [ebikes] could be just the thing. The lawyer who lives in a hot, humid climate and is currently afraid to bike the 4 miles to the office for fear of arriving sweaty." I am not a lawyer and I face 12 hilly miles, not 4, but the point is the same: I cannot arrive sweaty.

Love this thing! And I am learning about electric motors, controllers, and batteries, which is very cool too.

james

[Grant-53]

There are tire liners and foam filled tubes to resist punctures. Air flow and humidity are key to perspiration. In your locality a spray mist from the inside of a fairing could help. A damp towel and a change of shirt might be needed at the work site.

[California98Civic]

Crossed the one thousand mile mark on my bike this morning (since June 10th). It s dark when I leave now. I have spray on reflecting surfaces on one side and on the back, a reflector on the saddlebag, reflectors on the pedals, and two lights. One in the back is a mag light I already owned an almost never used. I cut a red filter for the lens from broken auto taillight plastic I found along the road. My headlight is adapted from a camping light for the forehead my daughter bought a couple years ago and used only once.

It rained today so I got to test my rain fenders, which I cut from wheel-well auto plastics I found on the street.



james

[Daox]

Congrats! Sounds like you're still enjoying it too.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Daox

Congrats! Sounds like you're still enjoying it too.

Yeah. It's awesome. I get a lot of questions about the bike. And I have become significantly more fit.

[ME_Andy]

We want pictures.

[Sven7]

I may have mentioned it before, but have you considered going tubeless? If you get proper rims with flat bead seats, the tire isn't going anywhere, and when you run with sealant perpetually in the tire, it both seals the tire bead, and seals up thorn holes. As a bonus, you'll get better rolling resistance and therefore better range. And no pinch flats.

I'd look at these if I were you:
ZTR Alpha

Rim brake compatible, tubeless ready and not terribly expensive for $108 a pop (Plus like $30/wheel for spokes/nipples and $16 for a pair of Stan's valves). Since they're double wall, all you have to do is wrap the rim bed in a single thickness of rim tape, add a few ounces of sealant and go.

Building the wheel would be the hard part, but you could probably get a local bike mechanic to oversee your build in exchange for a 12 pack. It's more about process than skill.

[Grant-53]

Since I weigh a dainty 260 lbs I use 700c x 38 mm at 75 psi. Back to work on the aerobody.