Ebike as a tourer?

[timidtom]

Sulking indoors on a very wet day my mind wanders back in time 55 years - to our cycle touring days. Eighty miles a day on average, lightweight camping - sounds like hell on wheels now! Just wonder, has anyone used an ebike for touring recently? I'm thinking B&B rather than camp sites but the limited range, say 30 miles a day, seems a little limiting. As indeed does the prospect of carrying chargers and enough locks & chains to sink a battleship. Has anyone experience which counters this dismal view? I looked at Sustrans for possible 4 or 5 day circular tours but wasn't greatly encouraged - perhaps they're not aware of ebikes?
Best wishes,
Tom

 

[carpetbagger]

if you have a standard kalkhoff,not the s and no mods then with the new 18a battery the 80 miles would be acheivable. As soon as you start playing with the gearing then that becomes out of the question.If i am careful with mine i can get about 30 miles. In a flatter area it would be more.

 

[thingaby]

Couldn't you save money and just connect up a generic 24v 18ah battery? The Kalkhoff battery connection looks as though it would be pretty straightforward to use spade end connectors leading to a battery carried in the panniers. I'm toying with touring using this idea myself so please tell me if I am getting it wrong.

 

[Kudoscycles]

The inexpensive LifePo4 batteries(you really should pay no more than £250 and often less)that are starting to become readily available should make it practical to carry 2 batteries and chargers,that should be good for 60-70 miles and have the flexibility of carrying around 20 Ah batteries only when you need the extended range.
Dave Elderfield
Kudos Cycles.

 

[Scottyf]

Additional Batteries would work. Or just using the assistance for hills and starts only you could go longer.
After all touring isn't about speed its about keeping a steady pace.

If I wanted range and wanted to keep the assistance one I'd look at reducing down the amp's or getting a lower amp controller or even limiting the assitance.
Or you can start adding batteries in parrallel to get a larger range.

Most geared hubs offer little drag anyway so peddeling should be that bad once your at speed.

 

[flecc]

Couldn't you save money and just connect up a generic 24v 18ah battery? The Kalkhoff battery connection looks as though it would be pretty straightforward to use spade end connectors leading to a battery carried in the panniers. I'm toying with touring using this idea myself so please tell me if I am getting it wrong.

Not that easy since the Panasonic system on the Kalkhoff uses three battery connections while running, the system and battery electronics sharing the management. A generic battery's BMS can't do that.

The same goes for the Kudos batteries.

 

[RoadieRoger]

If the Tonara range is as good as in a recent post Tom, together with it`s lack of drag , with a spare battery you could relive your yoof and you would be knackered before your 2nd battery runs out !That Compy appeals to me , but I have my Batribike Folder to think of !!

 

[timidtom]

If the Tonara range is as good as in a recent post Tom, together with it`s lack of drag , with a spare battery you could relive your yoof and you would be knackered before your 2nd battery runs out !That Compy appeals to me , but I have my Batribike Folder to think of !!

Lord! The nightmare of reliving my yoof!!! Maybe I'll just stay here and sulk! Drat - the sun's just come out. Short ride and a nice lie down, I think.
Must say I like the idea of cheaper batteries.
Tom

 

[thingaby]

Not that easy since the Panasonic system on the Kalkhoff uses three battery connections while running, the system and battery electronics sharing the management. A generic battery's BMS can't do that.

The same goes for the Kudos batteries.

Good to know before I splashed the cash but disappointing. Has anybody come up with a working solution? (and thanks for the expert advice)
atb steve

 

[Scottyf]

Pack a couple of Dirty SLA's to keep you on the move ;-)
Heavy and evil but will do!

Stop riding with assistance =)

 

[theskip1]

Pack a couple of Dirty SLA's to keep you on the move ;-)
Heavy and evil but will do!

Stop riding with assistance =)

or trail a suitcase generator charging while you are on the move, lighter than sla's ? and you would only need one battery. if someone sold one that output 36v @ 5amps i might be tempted.

 

[flecc]

Good to know before I splashed the cash but disappointing. Has anybody come up with a working solution? (and thanks for the expert advice)
atb steve

I've never come across any solution Steve. The battery has five connections, for output positive, battery negative, charge positive, battery meter and finally management. When running, output positive and negative plus management are in use. When on the charger, all but the meter connection are in use.

 

[lemmy]

Scottyf makes the best suggestion, I reckon. The Panasonic system pedals just like a normal bike and on flat and downhill sections the extra weight of the electrics is no hindrance.

Obviously touring is not about speed, so just switch out the motor most of the time. 80 miles a day may be pushing it but 50 a day is only four to six at the most hours in the saddle and in any give and take going, I'm sure you could have a bit of juice left over.

I fancy a bit of touring on the Kalkhoff myself and you're making me restless. My son goes touring on his (non-electric) bike. The level of self-sufficiency you can attain nowadays from tents that pack down to book size and multi-utensils is amazing.