Electric bicycle build (introducing "black & red")

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Grant-53

What gets measured gets improved. A basic aero shell could improve the efficiency by 25%.

I looked at aeroshells and while really tempting, they make the bike a bulkier object, harder to park and lock in the urban/suburban spaces I have to manage.

On another note, I finally replaced my found-in-the-street brake levers (which had always been scratched and chipped. One of them cracked in a way that seemed unsafe. 4600 miles of braking lever use basically free. Now that's recycling!

Anyway, the new levers are nothing special but they are modestly lighter than the old and they will perform better. These claim to be 2.4oz. That might be half the weight of my previous setup.

[Grant-53]

What I have in mind for a shell is shoulder width and extends down to just below the knees. A nose piece is done and two designs for a tail box are under construction. The only difficulty I have is putting a leg over the the top tube instead of the seat because the box has to fit tight to the rider's back to be efficient.

[California98Civic]

That sounds a little familiar. Part Zipper faring and part something else. Have you posted pics?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I pulled out my kill-a-watt and plan to do a new estimate of my MGPe on the bike. When I first built it I did a calculation that was more than 3600 MPGe. But I rode it very differently than I have since, and generally. So I want to creat a better more accurate number. I am guessing it will be between 600 MPGe and 1000 MPGe. But we will see. To reduce my own bias, I'll collect the data for two months: total miles and total power consumed. I ride this bike every week, often almost every day. So, it will be hard for me to break habit over a long period of time.

I will also measure both with the onboard dash readout and my kill-a-watt. That way I can compare what the bike uses and total power needed to provide what the bike needs.

Today, my EM bike log says I have ridden a total 4536 miles since June 10, 2015.

Have to restart this test at 4749 miles and 0 kwh because of hardware and data tracking errors.

[Grant-53]

I posted a partial nose piece a couple years and should transfer my albums from Photoshop. I use endlesstailwinds@gmail.com to send stuff. The big secret is to attach the nose piece to the frame rather than the steering. Search for upright bike aero fairings on google.com and you will find a number of devices. The best combo is a nose piece and a tail like the Oscar Egg Rocket.

[Grant-53]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/305963368417263611/ Some one posted this older photo. Add side doors and a tapered tail. Arcsine is really an expert and the HPV shell software at recumbents.com will work with an upright as well as a recumbent frame. I figure the shell should be a 3:1 foil with a Kamm tail. It would cover from the shoulder to just below the knees. This allows me to put a foot down, lock my wheels, and load on the rack on the front of the bus. Nothing on the market is better than a 10% reduction in drag.

[Grant-53]

In your El Mirage video in the Event forum, the black motorcycle 1877 at 5:00 would be similar to an aero upright bike. Make the tail a bit longer and higher.

[California98Civic]

I have to start the test of miles per kilowatt-hour again again. I had some charging issues with the battery, which apparently was always a 42 volt battery even though I had ordered one that would work with my 43.5 volt charger. I now have a 42 volt charger and I'm happy to report the battery doesn't seem too damaged. Almost 5,000 miles and going strong. I reset the kilowatt meter and my bikes dash counter. Mikes recommence at 4228.

Thanks, Grant-53, for the above info. Someday I might get into that project. Too much goijg on at work and with the car right now. I just want the bike to keep going with as little cost or repair as possible right now.

[California98Civic]

Took the bike on a long train/ride work-related trip today. On the way home a spoke in the rear wheel popped, leaving me with a rubbing sound as the small warp repeatedly hit the brake pads. Then 3.5 miles from home, a woman's lapel pin sorta thing punctured the front tire. I left it in so the air would not drain. All the way home the rear wheel whined and wobbled and the front wheel bumped and thumped. BUT I MADE IT WITHOUT STOPPING.

[NeilBlanchard]

Do you think if you do 4-cross spokes, that would address the broken spoke issue?