Hi,
I've been a bit of a lurker for the past few months, so forgive me for my relative newness.
I have built a cruiser bike, similar to: http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k245/firebikes/DSC03023.jpg
It's quite a heavy steel frame. I have used bmx components, 26" mountain bike wheels on 2.3 schwalbe tyres, put disc brakes on, an old sprung brooks saddle and then put a 250w 13ah kit from electric bike conversions. It's a bit of a fun handsome Frankenstein. The battery is carried in a formed rucksack on my back.
At the time of buying the kit I was looking at the oxydrive 13ah kit but they were not in stock and I figured I would get it running and then, if needs be, at a later date then change the kit. So, in summary it's quite a heavy single speed bike. I'm 6'3", perhaps 13-14 stone.
It's been built for about a month and I have been waiting for a friend to complete a similar project. I couldn't wait any longer on Sunday and so went out for a ride and covered about 7-8 miles. Overall, was a pleasant experience, there's a few minor issues that need ironing out, but the pedal assist and throttle work and it gets to about 15mph on the flat (I think). Living in quite a hilly area though did expose the main issue, climbing power. I did not expect that it would be a throttle on and carry me up the hills but I was a bit underwhelmed by its ability when tackling a gradient.
By way of a sort of comparison I have previously ridden a Pedego which, whilst more of an ergonomic ride and probably lighter, was much more capable on the hills.
So, what to do? I know that I am not allowed to exceed the 250w, being a UK resident, but I need it to be more capable on the hills. A 500w kit would not be sensible given that, even in my short Sunday excursion, the bike attracted quite a lot of attention.
1 - Have I bought a good kit?
2 - What would you recommend I do in terms of modifying the kit?
3 - Is there a more suitable kit i.e oxydrive?
4 - Would using a higher voltage battery help?
5 - Do any of you experts live in Gloucestershire fancy a cup of tea at mine to have a look at what I have built, and provide some pointers?
I can probably add a photo of it later.
Thank you in advance.
I've been a bit of a lurker for the past few months, so forgive me for my relative newness.
I have built a cruiser bike, similar to: http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k245/firebikes/DSC03023.jpg
It's quite a heavy steel frame. I have used bmx components, 26" mountain bike wheels on 2.3 schwalbe tyres, put disc brakes on, an old sprung brooks saddle and then put a 250w 13ah kit from electric bike conversions. It's a bit of a fun handsome Frankenstein. The battery is carried in a formed rucksack on my back.
At the time of buying the kit I was looking at the oxydrive 13ah kit but they were not in stock and I figured I would get it running and then, if needs be, at a later date then change the kit. So, in summary it's quite a heavy single speed bike. I'm 6'3", perhaps 13-14 stone.
It's been built for about a month and I have been waiting for a friend to complete a similar project. I couldn't wait any longer on Sunday and so went out for a ride and covered about 7-8 miles. Overall, was a pleasant experience, there's a few minor issues that need ironing out, but the pedal assist and throttle work and it gets to about 15mph on the flat (I think). Living in quite a hilly area though did expose the main issue, climbing power. I did not expect that it would be a throttle on and carry me up the hills but I was a bit underwhelmed by its ability when tackling a gradient.
By way of a sort of comparison I have previously ridden a Pedego which, whilst more of an ergonomic ride and probably lighter, was much more capable on the hills.
So, what to do? I know that I am not allowed to exceed the 250w, being a UK resident, but I need it to be more capable on the hills. A 500w kit would not be sensible given that, even in my short Sunday excursion, the bike attracted quite a lot of attention.
1 - Have I bought a good kit?
2 - What would you recommend I do in terms of modifying the kit?
3 - Is there a more suitable kit i.e oxydrive?
4 - Would using a higher voltage battery help?
5 - Do any of you experts live in Gloucestershire fancy a cup of tea at mine to have a look at what I have built, and provide some pointers?
I can probably add a photo of it later.
Thank you in advance.
.
