Originally posted Thursday, August 6, 2009 (2 years ago)
Hmmm. I guess I'm looking for something that does all the work, so I could use that on hills; from the reviews of this bike it looks like I'd still end up kinda sweaty, and in that case I might as well ride one of my regular bikes.
Originally posted Thursday, August 6, 2009 (2 years ago)
Quoted from "dancerx" Hmmm. I guess I'm looking for something that does all the work, so I could use that on hills; from the reviews of this bike it looks like I'd still end up kinda sweaty, and in that case I might as well ride one of my regular bikes.
You may want a regular bike, then. If you're riding something that has enough battery and mechanics to drive itself, then that's a lot of weight that you will have to drag with you when you pedal manually.
Originally posted Thursday, August 6, 2009 (2 years ago)
Quoted from "Wombat"
Quoted from "dancerx" Hmmm. I guess I'm looking for something that does all the work, so I could use that on hills; from the reviews of this bike it looks like I'd still end up kinda sweaty, and in that case I might as well ride one of my regular bikes.
You may want a regular bike, then. If you're riding something that has enough battery and mechanics to drive itself, then that's a lot of weight that you will have to drag with you when you pedal manually.
True, but I don't mind getting a little extra exercise (in addition to the 100 miles I cycle each week on a regular bike). I guess I should look around and see if someone in the area sells these things, and take a test spin to see about weight.
Originally posted Wednesday, August 19, 2009 (2 years ago)
So I went ahead and ordered an electric bike, and so far, so great! (I've only had it for one day). I rode it to meet friends for dinner, using mostly the electric motor on the way there, and even in the heat & humidity had a very comfortable ride with a nice breeze. Then I pedaled home, using the motor up hills (it has 7 speeds). It is heavy, not something I'd want to push uphill regularly or really go cycling on long-distance, but for quick trips around town it's terrific. The company also makes electric folding bikes, which I think would be awesome to have in the city for commuting. I rode 12 miles on it yesterday with pretty heavy motor usage and there's still juice left in the battery. I really think it's a great alternative to car, cab, bus or subway.
Originally posted Friday, September 4, 2009 (2 years ago)
ok, so i hate being rushed into buying things without much research... but walking to work is getting annoying very very quickly.
the bike that got stolen was an old schwinn world tourist that i got from goodwill long before my car broke down and life without a bicycle got inconvenient. it turned out to be pretty awesome fit for commuting to work and running errands around town... but i've never had to specifically SHOP for a bike.
before losing that bike, i was hoping to "sometime soon" shop for something a little lighter weight, probably either a hybrid or a road bike, to use for longer rides. now that i need to rush the process and no longer trust my porch as a safe place to lock a bike up, i'm thinking i may try for a folding bike (as per Air's recommendation!).
all this to say... i'm planning to beg the local bicycle shop for help picking something, but the more i know going in the better i'll feel. anyone have quick tips for what to look for during a test ride? especially on the folders, since I've never ridden one at all? any must-have features for 6 miles a day commuting? i was saving up for a new bike but wasn't exactly ready to go spending, so i'm trying to keep the budget as low as i can... still, i don't want to go overly cheapskate and wind up with something i'll hate!
Originally posted Wednesday, November 11, 2009 (2 years ago)
Quoted from "Wombat" Are you looking for something that does all the pedaling for you, or something that helps you pedal more easily?
They are different beasts. Here's REI's electric-assist. This is not a recommendation, just an example (with reviews). http://www.rei.com/product/789715
"Maximum range of the pedal-assist feature is 25 miles: if you run the pedal assist constantly while pedaling for 25 miles, the battery will be drained, after that it turns into a boat anchor."
Just saw this thread resurrected and found the mini discussion of "electro-bikes".
I got mine last summer. Actually, I already owned the bike itself (a 21 speed Trek mountain bike). I bought a Wilderness Energy Systems e-bike conversion kit from Bernson Electronics (http://www.bernsonev.com/index.php) and took my Trek to a local bike shop to have it installed.
The bike is a bit heavier now (even if I take the battery off) because the conversion involved replacing the front wheel with one that has an electric motor/hub.
I LOVE this vehicle! But I have to admit the limited range between charges is a hassle. And I've found that after a season of heavy use that range starts to drop noticeably - meaning you have to replace the batteries about half-way through their theoretical life span unless you want to start making shorter trips.
Actually, I'm thinking of compromising - I have two battery packs. I may replace the batteries in just ONE of them with new ones and only use it for long trips (more than 12 miles) and use my old batteries in the other pack until they can't hold enough charge for the short trips.
I may also look into Lithium cells ... but the last time I looked the price nearly gave me a heart attack.
BTW - Just using an e-bike to power yourself up hills doesn't increase your range all that much ... they don't use that much power on level ground. Save your strength for helping your electric motor lift your bike uphill - that's where it will help your battery the most. Put your derailleur into the lowest gear, for maximum efficiency. Give your motor just enough power to keep yourself from breaking into a sweat. Coast down the hill without pedaling or using power for free. When you get to level ground, don't be a speed demon. On level ground these things seem to operate most efficiently in the 7 to 10mph range.
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Originally posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 (2 years ago)
Racetrack, I'd be surprised if your batteries are faring that poorly. According to the website, they're gel-cells, so there should be no memory effect, and I'd probably expect a lifetime measured in years.
Personally, I'd avoid Li batteries on an outdoor vehicle like a bike, especially considering where you live. Li batteries hate the cold, their effective energy availability plummets. I've seen them discharge rapidly in cold weather, and they generally shouldn't be charged in the cold either.
You may be right about the Lithium batteries. Schwinn has had nothing but trouble with them and had to discontinue e-bike production for months last year because the things never seemed to charge properly. Don't know all the details about the Schwinn's battery troubles ... but I do know that a bad lithium power pack is the least of their problems. Their e-bike sucks rocks and costs beaucoup bucks. What a shame. They are a local homie Madison-based company.
But I digress ...
I agree there is no memory effect at work here. What's happening is the same thing that makes a flashlight get dimmer and dimmer before the batteries stop working altogether. That, plus a possible effect of low outdoor temperature decreasing the performance of the lead-acid batteries. Hopefully, some of the capacity of these batteries will come back now that the weather is starting to warm up.
In any case, it's both good news and bad news to hear that my lead-acid batteries are probably the best that current technology has to offer for an e-bike. Good that I don't have to ask myself if Lithium cells are worth the cost (the owner of Bernson Electronics, an electrical engineer by trade, says they are not, also, so you are in good company :) ). But bad news because I REALLY am anxious to see someone come out with an affordable battery that can reliably give me, say, a 50 mile capacity between charges without weighing more than the pack I use now. I understand the elves are working on this, but I just wish they'd hustle a bit more.
In any case, I have a suspicion that using this bike twice a day on average as a substitute for a car all summer and fall up to the time of the first snowfall just sucked the life out of my batteries, even though I alternated battery packs so each one got recharged only once a day. The fact that on good days I like to do joyrides that suck the power pack practically dry by the time I get home may have something to do with how fast I burn through these things.
I think I just have to suck it up and pay Batteries Plus their tribute. Madison is a pretty place with lots of bike trails through woods that look like Middle Earth ... with lots of hills. I can't resist them. They keep me sane during times of stress (which in THIS economy is pretty much every day). The days are getting longer and the snow is off the ground. I'll need fresh batteries for 15+ mile joyrides in a matter of a couple weeks.
Maybe I may need new sets of batteries for both packs. To cure cabin fever, one joyride a day may not be enough at first, and it takes about a half a day to recharge a battery that's been run down to "virtual fumes". :)
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Bicycle Thread
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Hmmm. I guess I'm looking for something that does all the work, so I could use that on hills; from the reviews of this bike it looks like I'd still end up kinda sweaty, and in that case I might as well ride one of my regular bikes.
Try one of these or these.
You may want a regular bike, then. If you're riding something that has enough battery and mechanics to drive itself, then that's a lot of weight that you will have to drag with you when you pedal manually.
True, but I don't mind getting a little extra exercise (in addition to the 100 miles I cycle each week on a regular bike). I guess I should look around and see if someone in the area sells these things, and take a test spin to see about weight.
HIPPIES!
-Eff
So I went ahead and ordered an electric bike, and so far, so great! (I've only had it for one day). I rode it to meet friends for dinner, using mostly the electric motor on the way there, and even in the heat & humidity had a very comfortable ride with a nice breeze. Then I pedaled home, using the motor up hills (it has 7 speeds). It is heavy, not something I'd want to push uphill regularly or really go cycling on long-distance, but for quick trips around town it's terrific. The company also makes electric folding bikes, which I think would be awesome to have in the city for commuting. I rode 12 miles on it yesterday with pretty heavy motor usage and there's still juice left in the battery. I really think it's a great alternative to car, cab, bus or subway.
ok, so i hate being rushed into buying things without much research... but walking to work is getting annoying very very quickly.
the bike that got stolen was an old schwinn world tourist that i got from goodwill long before my car broke down and life without a bicycle got inconvenient. it turned out to be pretty awesome fit for commuting to work and running errands around town... but i've never had to specifically SHOP for a bike.
before losing that bike, i was hoping to "sometime soon" shop for something a little lighter weight, probably either a hybrid or a road bike, to use for longer rides. now that i need to rush the process and no longer trust my porch as a safe place to lock a bike up, i'm thinking i may try for a folding bike (as per Air's recommendation!).
all this to say... i'm planning to beg the local bicycle shop for help picking something, but the more i know going in the better i'll feel. anyone have quick tips for what to look for during a test ride? especially on the folders, since I've never ridden one at all? any must-have features for 6 miles a day commuting? i was saving up for a new bike but wasn't exactly ready to go spending, so i'm trying to keep the budget as low as i can... still, i don't want to go overly cheapskate and wind up with something i'll hate!
thanks so much for the help!
Anyone in NYC have any success with getting a Flying Pigeon? There's apparently a distributor here. http://flyingpigeonnyc.blogspot.com/
Great pro-bicycle event happening at BAM right now. Click this link to read about it and to watch a potential bike safety PSA.
Also.
LOLOMGWTF?
"Maximum range of the pedal-assist feature is 25 miles: if you run the pedal assist constantly while pedaling for 25 miles, the battery will be drained, after that it turns into a boat anchor."
That's awesome - few times I wished I had something like that!
Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?
The Gothamist's tribute to all the new parking spac- er, bicycle lanes in the city.
Here you go, Air
Danka!!
One day....
Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?
No, thanks. I don't like copiers. Or did you mean 'danke'?
Just saw this thread resurrected and found the mini discussion of "electro-bikes".
I got mine last summer. Actually, I already owned the bike itself (a 21 speed Trek mountain bike). I bought a Wilderness Energy Systems e-bike conversion kit from Bernson Electronics (http://www.bernsonev.com/index.php) and took my Trek to a local bike shop to have it installed.
The bike is a bit heavier now (even if I take the battery off) because the conversion involved replacing the front wheel with one that has an electric motor/hub.
I LOVE this vehicle! But I have to admit the limited range between charges is a hassle. And I've found that after a season of heavy use that range starts to drop noticeably - meaning you have to replace the batteries about half-way through their theoretical life span unless you want to start making shorter trips.
Actually, I'm thinking of compromising - I have two battery packs. I may replace the batteries in just ONE of them with new ones and only use it for long trips (more than 12 miles) and use my old batteries in the other pack until they can't hold enough charge for the short trips.
I may also look into Lithium cells ... but the last time I looked the price nearly gave me a heart attack.
BTW - Just using an e-bike to power yourself up hills doesn't increase your range all that much ... they don't use that much power on level ground. Save your strength for helping your electric motor lift your bike uphill - that's where it will help your battery the most. Put your derailleur into the lowest gear, for maximum efficiency. Give your motor just enough power to keep yourself from breaking into a sweat. Coast down the hill without pedaling or using power for free. When you get to level ground, don't be a speed demon. On level ground these things seem to operate most efficiently in the 7 to 10mph range.
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Racetrack, I'd be surprised if your batteries are faring that poorly. According to the website, they're gel-cells, so there should be no memory effect, and I'd probably expect a lifetime measured in years.
Personally, I'd avoid Li batteries on an outdoor vehicle like a bike, especially considering where you live. Li batteries hate the cold, their effective energy availability plummets. I've seen them discharge rapidly in cold weather, and they generally shouldn't be charged in the cold either.
You may be right about the Lithium batteries. Schwinn has had nothing but trouble with them and had to discontinue e-bike production for months last year because the things never seemed to charge properly. Don't know all the details about the Schwinn's battery troubles ... but I do know that a bad lithium power pack is the least of their problems. Their e-bike sucks rocks and costs beaucoup bucks. What a shame. They are a local homie Madison-based company.
But I digress ...
I agree there is no memory effect at work here. What's happening is the same thing that makes a flashlight get dimmer and dimmer before the batteries stop working altogether. That, plus a possible effect of low outdoor temperature decreasing the performance of the lead-acid batteries. Hopefully, some of the capacity of these batteries will come back now that the weather is starting to warm up.
In any case, it's both good news and bad news to hear that my lead-acid batteries are probably the best that current technology has to offer for an e-bike. Good that I don't have to ask myself if Lithium cells are worth the cost (the owner of Bernson Electronics, an electrical engineer by trade, says they are not, also, so you are in good company :) ). But bad news because I REALLY am anxious to see someone come out with an affordable battery that can reliably give me, say, a 50 mile capacity between charges without weighing more than the pack I use now. I understand the elves are working on this, but I just wish they'd hustle a bit more.
In any case, I have a suspicion that using this bike twice a day on average as a substitute for a car all summer and fall up to the time of the first snowfall just sucked the life out of my batteries, even though I alternated battery packs so each one got recharged only once a day. The fact that on good days I like to do joyrides that suck the power pack practically dry by the time I get home may have something to do with how fast I burn through these things.
I think I just have to suck it up and pay Batteries Plus their tribute. Madison is a pretty place with lots of bike trails through woods that look like Middle Earth ... with lots of hills. I can't resist them. They keep me sane during times of stress (which in THIS economy is pretty much every day). The days are getting longer and the snow is off the ground. I'll need fresh batteries for 15+ mile joyrides in a matter of a couple weeks.
Maybe I may need new sets of batteries for both packs. To cure cabin fever, one joyride a day may not be enough at first, and it takes about a half a day to recharge a battery that's been run down to "virtual fumes". :)
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
We are the keepers of Funny, the Judges, the Whisperers. We are Superior Naysayers And Rebukers of Knavery. We are SNARK. - Boosh!
Awesome!
Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?
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