Electric bikes

What’s the current go-to motor for conversions these days? Any halfway - cool builds out there?

Thinking of converting a gravel bike to electric as a Uber-commuter.

This crash exemplifies the key problems with people riding electric bikes who aren't used to the speed. I also wonder if it really was 20mph, though, as I thought the electric assist should have cut out before that speed was reached.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/simon-cowell-bike-cycle-crash-west-london-b980137.html

I believe that in order to become a good enough bike handler to ride at that speed, one has to put a lot of time into riding a bike, which I doubt Cowell has done. He's not alone in this; there have been many deaths and serious injuries, especially among pensioners, who are one of the main demographics buying e-bikes on the Continent. It's a real problem that you can simply go from too little practice to such speeds.

I obviously wish him well and that he recovers from what sound like very bad injuries, but I really hope he understands that his arm and spinal injuries suggest that wearing a h***** won't help him one jot the next time. He probably broke his arm because he tried to protect his head from the fall, and there is no mention of head injuries, which is good. However, with a helmet, the next time he might feel safe or safer to hit his head on the ground instead of breaking his arm, which is most definitely not a good thing.

Definitely don't think it was 20mph, the last one he had an accident on was effectively a e-motorcycle!

Not for a bicycle, but an e-moto…

Where do I begin with 72v batteries??

I have signed up to Endless Sphere. It is way above my head.

What I want, is high-something something something, that has 72V, to use with a QS motor.

A friend is using Nissan Leaf cells on his E trike thing, I can’t offer anything more, is it’s all over my head as well.

Once a cunt always a cunt.

Bafang or tongsheng are the common mid drive, or ahub drive wheel conversion iseasier to do. Retro fit is a minefield of crap conversion and a few really nice ones appearing. I wanted to copy this sort of thing, and then paid on Kickstarter for an Italian hub drive from bikee that still hadn’t arrived after two years.

3 Attachments

Considering an e-cargo bike for my wife to get to work/preschool with the littlun (22mile round trip). The Tern GSD seems to be the top option (with price to match). Anyone used a Rad Wagon 4? https://radpowerbikes.eu/products/radwagon-electric-cargo-bike?variant=32262934790237 A third of the price, rear hub motor but ticks plenty of boxes. I read they need insurance.

Seem to have a good rep over here (Canader), I put together a Radcity 4 for a friend of a friend and they've been very happy with it.

Tern GSD like others are borderline pricing themselves out of their own market.

Mid drives > hub motors.

Have seen quite a few 'Rad' brand bikes now and as a mechanic (a increasingly pessimistic one) been impressed with 'rad' brand bikes vs many of the others.

The actual frame, forks, bars, stem, hubs, etc parts of the bike are fine. Don't expect Phil Wood, but certainly in line or slightly better than you'd get on a £1000 genesis or whyte branded bike (and then add motor, batteries, unusual frame design costs more etc).

The bolt holes, threads and general 'fittings' on them is fine.

The negatives, yeah its a low powered hub drive bike, with a load on, don't expect it to go up hills well from a low speed. Thats their main weakness. Once going > 5 mph they work just fine, not as sophisticated experience as higher end bikes, but you know what, many folk are quite happy with a 7 year old peugeot hatchback. The batteries and their enclosure aren't the best, bit plasticy and fragile, getting spares in 3 years + time might be a challenge.

If you get that one, would budget for replacing mechanical disc brakes and their equally budget cabling that comes from factory (as is any <£2k bike seems to come with rust junk cables) with better levers (need the brake sensor type, Tektro and Magura do some very good ones for not a lot) and calipers, pref hydraulic and the overall experience will be better for sure.

Very much appreciate the time taken to give such a thorough response, @BrickMan.

Anyone know any suppliers that stock Rad Wagon's in the UK? The website seems to say there are supply chain issues and delivery is delayed. And once you order you can expect a 6-8 week wait anyways.

Yep the Rad ones look like great value but as @BrickMan said, the parts on it are quite cheap but you could easily upgrade to decent bits for maybe £200-ish

As a Tern rider they stand out at accessories and better parts, totally depends if you value that or not, they are expensive but not necessarily bad value. Overall its a compelling package.

Also test ride if you can, just test ride a GSD if you cant find Rad anywhere, they look pretty similar.

Cheers, yeah I value all those things - especially for my wife and kid, but I also can’t magic up vast quantities money out of my ass so I need to be realistic. Looking again at the tern bikes the HSD might actually work better (read ‘be cheaper and still work’) as only one kid needs hauling, would be nice to have the option for two though and the HSD is still 4 grand.

Benno remidemi or boost also worth a look. Boost is a direct competitor to the gsd, but a chunk cheaper (relative), better quality accessories and features like being able to remove rear wheel without being too unbolt various accessories (check cargo thread for my recent rant), they ride well, but they have some really silly pitfalls.
Yuba, kona and surly all do decent budget long tails too

This review mentions that the fazua motor and battery will go into sleep mode if left for a long time and you then need a key to open it and turn back on. This sounds like a pain for commuting- it’ll presumably go to sleep before riding home.
https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/reviews/electric-gravel-bike/boardman-adv89e-1939

Has anyone found this to be an issue? I always assumed I could turn the motor off when I got to work from the display or with a button, and turn it back on when I’m ready to go home?

@Tonts this looks good

https://www.ternbicycles.com/en/bikes/471/quick-haul

Thanks, yeah that does look maybe a bit more achievable. Just need to find out if my cycle to work scheme is viable.

Does anyone want to split the cost of a spot welder for making DIY ebike batteries?

You gonna be making your own??

Sounds explody

Considering it, initial outlay of a spot welder plus materials for a battery is equivalent to a retail battery. But wanted the option to make a massive battery!

Then subsequent batteries made would be far cheaper than retail.

The battery is the biggest setback on the trials-cum-ebike. But the fear of going sizzle pop woosh is too great at the moment.

Wife very much enjoying her gocycle (indeed I'm on it today and it's a right laugh for pootling along) apart from (and this is entirely predictable) all the promuters getting all macho as she sets off from the lights ahead of them at assisted speed. Multiple instances of red faces mashing past her only to turn off almost immediately or get to the next lights/traffic just ahead and have the same happen again. Is it really that much of an affront to be overtaken by a woman on an e-bike - chill out guys.

Is it really that much of an affront

Sometimes I attempt to keep up with people just as something to do in the commute. Bike/gender isn't really the point, I just need a reason not to pootle.

Keep up with is fine - it's the 'must get ahead' macho bullshit that is so boring.