DIY EBIKE

[danielrlee]

For a low powered bike, a geared motor makes sense. Once you want to raise power into the multi kW range however, a direct drive is the only way to go if you require any kind of reliability.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Direct drive motors are the only way if you want regen braking, but realistically there is no point having regen braking (subject of another blog post)

Unless you live in the Alps or other mountainous region of course where saving brake linings and pads is the point. The electricity recovered being a byproduct.

 

[chris_n]

Regeneration would certainly make the wife feel more comfortable in the Alps, riding downhill with the brakes hard on for 6 or 7km is way outside of her comfort zone.

 

[Swytch Bike]

Unless you live in the Alps or other mountainous region of course where saving brake linings and pads is the point. The electricity recovered being a byproduct.

Yes that's a very good point

Also - if you're cycling in the Alps you're likely to be covering more than 440m of height, which is the required height we worked out you need to be climbing to make regen braking worthwhile on the average ebike.

Check out this blog post for the argument (and some nice pictures):
http://www.pandaebikes.com/regen-braking-ebikes-worth/

 

[chris_n]

Over 1,000m for every ride for me, if it's much less than that I just use the unpowered bike.