DIY Ebike 14.4kg inc 10aH 37v battery Full Suspension

[Deleted member 4366]

It seems we're getting left behind by our German colleagues. This bike has DIY frame, sub=frame, forks, handlebars and seat pin. It uses a substantially modified Tongxin hub motor housed in the frame connected to a free-wheel crank-set by chain. An absolute work of engineering art. Full details here. You can see how it was developed and made by scrolling through the posts and looking at the pictures:
Ideen zum Bau eines neuen E-Bikes

 

[eddieo]

I like it.... particularly the weight! Not sure about the front suspension though! looks a bit odd and over engineered to me?

 

[NRG]

Impressive. Very impressive, a work of art indeed. The front fork design is ingenious and I would think far stronger than a conventional design whilst being lighter.

 

[flecc]

Beautifully designed and created. Like NRG, I particularly like the front forks. I've always favoured girder fork designs for their innate rigidity and stability, and the fact of the motorcycle world adopting telescopic ones almost universally was no excuse for cycling to do the same. The application of suspension in bicycles is quite different and that has been reflected in the best bicycle rear suspensions by a different approach from that commonly used in motorcycles. Bicycle front suspension design also needs to follow a separate path.

 

[indalo]

It looks as though I may be out of step with everyone else here, judging by the first few posted comments but I'm afraid references such as art are lost on me with this machine.

Yes, I can see that someone has attempted a different take on ebike design and I'm sure it functions perfectly well but I find the bike offensive to the eye. That front suspension may work but it just looks crude and primitive in my view. A solid front end would look far neater.

I can't see any breakthrough engineering here so I don't see this as the way forward in ebike construction for the mass market. Certainly, I'm happy to applaud the guy who cobbled it together in his shed for what he's achieved but I just don't see the point.

Indalo

 

[Caph]

Unless I'm mistaken he's just put a rear suspension unit on the front. It will be lighter but will have nowhere near as much travel and will be much more likely to break when bottoming out.

You can't argue with 14.4g inc battery though. That's got to be the lightest full suspension bike on the planet! That said, I wouldn't want to do any non-trivial downhill sections at speed with such a short amount of front suspension, the first big rock you hit would see you bottoming out with possibly catastrophic consequences.

 

[indalo]

You can't argue with 14.4g inc battery though. That's got to be the lightest full suspension bike on the planet!

On any planet I should think Caph! I think you meant Kgs...?

Regards,
Indalo

 

[Deleted member 4366]

. It will be lighter but will have nowhere near as much travel and will be much more likely to break when bottoming out.

The front suspension unit is mounted between levers that will give a suitable amount of travel. This is at least the second bike that the guy has fitted these forks to so he must be happy with them. He said in one of his posts that they give a very comfortable ride and are much stiffer than conventional forks in relation to sideways forces. If you look at the photo in this link, you can see them again on a previous bike he made. I see the bike above as a masterpiece of design for its function. Whether it looks nice is debatable. I reckon most engineers will see it as a thing of beauty.
Endless-sphere.com • View topic - little Tongxin as crank drive - several solutions

 

[cwah]

That seems really nice.

Why they never sell bike with such specs online, if it's possible?

And what was the total cost of your bike?

 

[NRG]

I recon its a work of art, pic below stolen from the ES link, he made the frame as well from carbon fibre in this pic so there is some real engineering talent there...not something that would be 'cobbled together' by your average Fred in a shed!

 

[flecc]

The front suspension unit is mounted between levers that will give a suitable amount of travel.---------- I see the bike above as a masterpiece of design for its function. ------- I reckon most engineers will see it as a thing of beauty.

I fully agree, I know from girder fork experience that it will be more than adequate and I think the design and execution superb. He deserves to be immensely proud of his achievement.

 

[steveindenmark]

I like the front suspension. It reminds me a bit of the Moto Guzzi Motoleggera suspension from the 1940s.

Steve

 

[Scottyf]

I like it. It takes alot of effort and time and skill to do things like this.
The suspension may be a robust and mechanical for some people's liking but I think it's a good looking bike.

An yes the tech isn't anything new but the way it's all cobbled together is great.

If we didn't have individuals pushing and creating and being inspired by new things we would all be very boring people. I'm sure it rides really well.

 

[kitchenman]

I like the front suspension. It reminds me a bit of the Moto Guzzi Motoleggera suspension from the 1940s.

Steve

Yes. I may use the fork design to secure my hub motor in my chain drive application. Obviously they will be really short blades but if I can match them with my actual front blades then it'll look fantastic ...
Is it easy to pick up these old style forks? ...

 

[eTim]

Don't forget BMW and their various suspension setups, the Duolever is found on my motorbike....



And can be found at the bottom of this page:

Motorcycle Info Pages - BMW & R1200GS Stuff > BMW Bike Suspension

 

[steveindenmark]

We could come up with a huge host of good ideas just by looking at motorbikes. Here is the updated version of the Motoleggera, this is the Cardellino from 1956. It still has that centre spring which I think would look good on a modern bike. But this one has the conventional front forks that we see on most bikes now.

Can you arrange the rear suspension like this one as well :Ø)

I must tell you though...this Cardellino is mine and it is almost finished.

Sorry...lets get back to that impressive electric bike now. How does it ride?

Steve

 

[NRG]

No, no, you carry on Steve, that's really nice....tell us about it....

 

[eddieo]

well in that case my sister just bought this:

Sportster Forty-Eight XL1200X | Dark Custom | Harley-Davidson UK

 

[eTim]

A lovely classic and while we are on the subject, here's mine with the Duolever suspension....

Unfortunately the suspension components are hidden by the fairing, I'll try and get a closer photo one day. I think we should start a 'Show us your Motorbike' thread.

 

[Scimitar]

well in that case my sister just bought this:

Sportster Forty-Eight XL1200X | Dark Custom | Harley-Davidson UK

How many acres can she do in a day?