Are you thinking about an E-Bike someday?

[Ryland]

rear wheel hub motors tend to cost a little more but in comparing all of the E'bikes I've ridden, I do not like the front hub motors, front hub motors are ok if you have a wimpy motor that you hardly notice is there, but if you really want it to do any work then the chances that it's going to spin out on sand or gravel increase, it also adds a bit of weight to the front of the bike, slowing the steering response.

[slowmover]

Nice job, OP, thanks for starting this thread!! And why wait until later? I've found it best to accommodate ones self to new circumstances before physical decline worsens. Experience, body memory count a great deal, IMO. Thanks for the links, and to others for the insights and further links.

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by skyl4rk

I think that there were some front fork failures, which could have been from rough riding or improper installation. The ideal setup would be a rear hubmotor. I have a front hubmotor on a Giant Sedona with front suspension and have not had a problem, but I haven't used the bike for some time. I would like a 48V-48aH Lipo battery, but would settle for a 48V-24aH battery.

It seems like a front hubmotor would be the easiest to install.
Since I want light weight, and not range, less amp hours should be helpful.
I'm thinking that a 10 minute run time at full assist power would
likely do the job.. Unless I become overly impaired.

If that happens, I could just get one of these..

(And she could drive me to the drug store)!!

[skyl4rk]

The front hubmotors work fine. For what you are describing, a 12 aH system should be enough.

[UFO]

I've been looking into converting my recumbent to an Ebike. Rans Vivo, full suspension, 20" wheels, short wheelbase. That and a fairing should make for an excellent commuter.

[dennyt]

Indeed, I'm building a front-hub e-bike over here.

My commute is 24 miles each way, so I'm looking forward to speeding things up when the weather's too nice to sit in a car. It might make dealing with winter a bit easier too - we will see!

[mark_w]

I was hurried into a need for an e-bike when I showed up sweaty at work meetings. Price tags over $1000 stopped me and then I found Ridekick.

These trailers are motorized to provide that extra boost. It'll hook up to most any bike and it doesn't require panniers because it'll carry your stuff. The weight of the motor and battery are in the trailer so you don't need shocks on your bike and it won't wear through your rear tire either.

When you are ready, check it out Ridekick.com

I am a Honda Civic hypermiler (54mpg) and am always chasing opportunity to save a cup of gas. Bike riding is the best way to extend the tank when I am not coasting my Honda downhill

Stay aerodynamic !

[Metallover]

A little late but e-bikes are awesome. Check out endless-sphere if you want a dedicated e-bike forum. I've logged over 2000 miles in the past 2 years on my bike, albeit the majority of those were just cruising around for fun.

My bike does 35mph, 20mi range when blasting around with traffic at that speed, has 1kwh of LiPo batteries from hobbyking, and puts out over 4kw of power. It does 0-30 in under 7 seconds, which is much faster than traffic.

The electronics on my bike set me back about $1000 and I got a $500 bike to put them on. I think it was worth every penny, as it gets over 20 miles on than $0.10 of electricity. 30 miles is easy if you slow it down some and you can get 40 miles riding it "like an ebike".





more: Endless-sphere.com • View topic - Metallover's Novara Buzz Build

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Nice job, OP, thanks for starting this thread!! And why wait until later? I've found it best to accommodate ones self to new circumstances before physical decline worsens. Experience, body memory count a great deal, IMO. Thanks for the links, and to others for the insights and further links.

I'm really interested in getting a good workout when I ride these days.
Back on 1-1-2011, I stopped using sugar in my coffee and tea etc.
A few months ago my doctor told me to get rid of the pot belly etc.
I cut back my ice cream by 50% and not eating donuts etc anymore.
Now, I'm down from about 210 lbs (winter weight) to 180 (bicycling weight).
My goal is 170 lbs (Hang Gliding weight)..

I might be able to delay that "physical decline" a few years, by staying
on the plain old bicycle for another couple of years..

Looking like another great day tomorrow. Got to get at least 17 miles in..

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by dennyt

Indeed, I'm building a front-hub e-bike over here.

My commute is 24 miles each way, so I'm looking forward to speeding things up when the weather's too nice to sit in a car. It might make dealing with winter a bit easier too - we will see!

Wow! That's one sweet rig!! Thanks for sharing!