Freedom Ebike brompton

[daniel.weck]

Sorry Dan I thought he was referring to your comments about Caroline's Tongxin fitted in her Brompton forks.

You were perfectly right, I wasn't trying to correct you I just wanted to make sure that future readers realize that not all motors have the same mounting mechanism. The Bafang is certainly "special" with its fat/robust torque locking washers. Cheers, Dan

 

[jerrysimon]

I just wanted to make sure that future readers realize that not all motors have the same mounting mechanism.

NP Dan. I read your post again and I now see that is what you were trying to do. Its so easy to misread posts

Regards

Jerry

 

[caroline brett]

spoke tension and axle nuts

John,

On the Brompton fork there is a lug hole that the nipple goes in which effectively holds the torque washer up into the fork dropout.

The washer is then shaped to prevent the motor shaft from dropping out or spinning in the fork dropouts.

You can see it in this picture from another post that Dan did a while back.

Regards

Jerry

hi Jerry, thanks that is useful . I've just had a peer at mine and can see what you mean - the 'nipple' (there seem to be an awful lot of these?! ooer etc. ) is not fully into the little hole in the fork. Looks a bit tricky to tighten up the nut too, because of the casing to protect the wiring. Feeling a bit concerned about it now!

Also, I've had a 'ping' of the spokes and there are a couple that give more of a plunk than a ping. One of them is visibly slightly bent. How worried should I be about these? I.e. can I continue riding for the next couple of days til I get home and can go to the bike shop on Friday, or should I get this sorted out immediately/stop riding the bike til they are adjusted? I have probably done a few miles now.

The irony is that I've realised I don't need the motor at all in London really - my legs are quite capable in South London where it is largely flat. The motor is absolutely brilliant in Hastings though where it is nonstop hills. In retrospect could have got a nano motor for my full size old bike for Hastings, and just got a second hand brommy for commuting.... och well too late now Anyway who knows where I might need to commute in the future...

Re: the connector - so far it has remained connected over bumps. Except for this morning on the first test run. But to be fair I don't think I connected it properly in the first place with my thick gloves on. I'm sure that Roger's comments are relevant - shame I don't have the know-how to do any modification of the wiring myself, will just have to manage with the basic set up.

Any other maintenance tips gratefully received.
Caroline

 

[daniel.weck]

the 'nipple' (there seem to be an awful lot of these?! ooer etc. ) is not fully into the little hole in the fork.

That's fine.

Looks a bit tricky to tighten up the nut too, because of the casing to protect the wiring. Feeling a bit concerned about it now!

Simply pull the rubber protector out, and use a regular spanner. Just make sure not to damage the cable.

Also, I've had a 'ping' of the spokes and there are a couple that give more of a plunk than a ping.

Yeah, these need tightening. Just a 1/4 or 1/2 turn to start with, gradually moving around the circumference of the wheel and checking both sides until the "ping" stabilizes uniformly.

Otherwise the Local Bike Shop is possible solution.

One of them is visibly slightly bent. How worried should I be about these?

It's probably nothing bad. You can bend it back so that it better lines-up, but it probably needs tightening too. Don't overtighten though ! Leave it as it is if it "pings" enough already.

I.e. can I continue riding for the next couple of days til I get home and can go to the bike shop on Friday, or should I get this sorted out immediately/stop riding the bike til they are adjusted? I have probably done a few miles now.

The worst that can happen is a snapped spoke...nothing to super-worry about. It would be a shame (requiring removing tyre and tube + swap spoke + recalibrate), but you wouldn't face a fatal accident

Any other maintenance tips gratefully received.

Clean your Brompton regularly ! It tends to get filthy quickly and it's a shame on a lovely new bike.

Dan

 

[Artstu]

Clean your Brompton regularly ! It tends to get filthy quickly and it's a shame on a lovely new bike.

Dan

I bet that if you give Jerry the wink he'll be only too happy to come and wash your bike just watch he doesn't take any inappropriate images of it whilst your back is turned Only joking Jerry

 

[daniel.weck]

I bet that if you give Jerry the wink he'll be only too happy to come and wash your bike just watch he doesn't take any inappropriate images of it whilst your back is turned Only joking Jerry

I'm terrible at cleaning my bike...it's in a filthy state. I really need to work on that chain and sprockets (sand and grease don't play well with running gear).

 

[jerrysimon]

I bet that if you give Jerry the wink he'll be only too happy to come and wash your bike just watch he doesn't take any inappropriate images of it whilst your back is turned Only joking Jerry

Lol Artstu

Its easy all you need is this :

And in about an hour you get it to look like this :

Regards

Jerry

 

[jerrysimon]

BTW Caroline if you do get time to post a pic of the charger then that would be great.

Regards

Jerry

 

[caroline brett]

will do

Hi Jerry,
Sorry for delay - will do. Have had the bike a week now. The rubber protector on the nut by the motor hub is already coming away. But I figure I can probably sort that out with some duct tape! I've been getting more into the motor now that I feel more confident that the battery will last me my journeys: i.e. using it to get up to speed from traffic lights etc, or where there is a bit of headwind. Slightly disturbing 'kronk' noise when putting the throttle full on from a near standstill, but not sure where this is coming from (hub? brakes?). doesn't happen when turning the throttle when already at speed. Best thing so far is that the battery easily lasts any of my journeys so far and the charger is very light. When the battery is only partially run down it gets up to full again pretty quickly (often 15-40mins in the last week). Downside as mentioned before is the fiddly process of disconnecting the battery from controller and controller from throttle every time. On balance not convinced the hassle is worth it over a 'normal' bike in london. but it really comes into its own in hilly areas. I guess that's par for the course though with any electric bike.
Roger (I think it was?): I'd be interested what your brother's experience was with his kit. I know you mentioned that the 7 point pin started coming apart over bumps (not yet happened to me) but what other experiences did he have - if you've the time to post.

Best wishes,
Caroline

 

[john]

Slightly disturbing 'kronk' noise when putting the throttle full on from a near standstill, but not sure where this is coming from (hub? brakes?). doesn't happen when turning the throttle when already at speed.

It's normal with that motor, Caroline. The controller has to work out how to get the motor going the right way and sometimes it starts to spin it backwards first. The noise comes from the free-wheel in the motor before it has engaged. Best not to start from a dead stop on a hill if you can help it.

 

[jerrysimon]

Hi Jerry,
Sorry for delay - will do. Have had the bike a week now.....

Slightly disturbing 'kronk' noise when putting the throttle full on from a near standstill, but not sure where this is coming from (hub? brakes?). doesn't happen when turning the throttle when already at speed....

Thanks Carolione I would appreciate sight of the charger.

I would not advise using the Tongxin motor from a standing start. Although it will work the "kronk" is probably the rollers slipping slightly under load.

These motors work best when you cycle a little and then engage the motor. Probably will make the motor last longer as well.

I usually just do a few turns on the crank up to about 5mph and then engage the motor on my Cytronex bike that has a Tongxin motor fitted as well.

PS just read John's reply which may be more accurate than mine but that said it is my opinion (and his I think) that its still not best to start from a standing start with this motor.

Regards

Jerry

 

[caroline brett]

charger pics

Hi John and Jerry,
Thanks for the feedback re: the 'kronk' noise. Good to know it is 'normal'. I have been trying not to go from a standstill but I guess I was starting to get cocky as I have gained more confidence using the motor! Will definitely try to get underway now before using it - can be tricky in some areas where it's so steep, and therefore hard to use the throttle when e.g. standing up in the pedals and really pulling on the handlebars to try to get any headway. I guess that's where pedal-assist comes into its own?

I've now taped up the rubber bit which was starting to break up over the axle nut by the wiring. I'll be able to see the pattern of wear as I repeatedly fold the bike. Another issue just confronted was a with fitting the pump onto the nozzle with the spokes fitted the way they are: to start with I thought I would be unable to pump up my front tyre but can just about do it from one side if I bend the nozzle out a bit. Phew.

Here is the charger fyi Jerry. Sorry for the delay an' all...







Hope that answers your questions.
Did you hear anything from Andrew re: the balancing issue?

BW
Caroline

 

[jerrysimon]

Thanks!

Thanks for postind the pics Caroline that was really helpful.

That is pretty much a generic charger sold for the charging of ebike batteries. That said most ebike batteries have a BMS (Battery Management System) circuit built in to them. These don't.

I have confirmed that the setup does not provide balancing and to be fair, from the reading I have done and the replies that Freedom have given me I appears that these A123 cells are much more resilient and robust to any abuse compared to other Lithium technology cells.

In the ebike world they don't get nearly the abuse that they would in the model RC world where they would typically be discharged very fast and charged at a much higher rate. In that environment the concensus is that they do need balancing more often.

There is a possibility over time however that they could get out of balance. In this case the balancing tabs would in fact allow you to balance them with a suitable charger/balancer if you chose to purchase one.

This type of thing would do it I think, though I am guessing each tab balances 6 of the cells.

Turnigy Accucel 6 lipo charger LiPo/LiFe and NiMH Nicad on eBay (end time 28-Nov-09 21:36:18 GMT)


Given the guarantee from Freedom I don't think you need to worry though at least not in the first to second year of use.

Regards

Jerry

 

[jerrysimon]

Yippee

Good news I just heard that my Brompton M3L will be delivered on Wednesday under the cycle to work scheme.

I then need to decide if I am going for the Feedom E or EWC solution

Last night I got quizzed by my other half about why I need an EBrompton AND a Cytronex which may mean the Cytronex will have to be retired if I like the EBrompton and use it every day for work

Regards

Jerry

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Jerry - you need both because they are complementary!

Cytronex: long journeys, gentle slopes, high speed, store outside

Electric Brompton: short journeys, steep hills, moderate speed, store inside, carry around

Don't let anyone tell you different!

 

[Pedalo]

Good news I just heard that my Brompton M3L will be delivered on Wednesday under the cycle to work scheme.

I then need to decide if I am going for the Feedom E or EWC solution

Last night I got quizzed by my other half about why I need an EBrompton AND a Cytronex which may mean the Cytronex will have to be retired if I like the EBrompton and use it every day for work

Regards

Jerry

I Look forward to hearing about which motor solution you go for Jerry. I'm sure you'll keep us all informed.

Also interested to hear whether you really do end up prefering the Brompton to your Trek 7300. I can't help thinking the Trek must be a far more comfortable ride - but then I've never tried a Brompton so wouldn't know.

If you manage to find a way to persuade your wife to let you keep both, let me know how. I quite like the idea of a Brompton but would expect to be subject to a similar line of questioning!

 

[flecc]

Last night I got quizzed by my other half about why I need an EBrompton AND a Cytronex

Jerry

You could try:

Horses for courses!

Would she go to a Ball wearing the clothes she goes shopping in?

Why does she need makeup when she's already got a face?
.

 

[jerrysimon]

Thanks guys.

I might add that she said the Brompton seemed more like the type of bike a geek would ride, whilst the Cytronex was a proper and professional looking bike.

So its offficial Dan is a geek.

That said, I know I have always been a bit of a geek deep down anyway

PS

Just read Flecc's reply lol

Her argument was we could have brought some new furniture for my daughters bedroom, but as she is 20 I want to make it more uncormfortabe so she leaves. Damn kids. To be fair most of my wifes salary is going towards putting both our daughters through Uni.

Regards

Jerry

 

[barrycoll]

cant quite agree with the horses for courses thingy, being 'pedalled' by Andy, Flecc and Pedalo...
if my dear 68 year old wifey, can knock off 34 quickish miles on her EWC Brompton, then the need for a Cytronex becomes a bit shakey
having said that, I wouldnt have minded a nano in the front wheel of my Specialised Rockhopper when tail wind became head wind, and the earlier marginal hills became Alpe D'Huez.....but in all honesty, you dont lose much of the 'cycling experience' when you switch from a 26" to a 16" wheel machine...
the only thing I now realise about the EWC Brompton is that a pedelec arrangment would allow more personal input, as Caroline has noticed with her E Freedom Brompton thread....to allow me to get out of the saddle and 'honk' on the hills with my own 6L Brompton, I have fitted a pair of mini bar ends, to allow my hands to be in the 'hand shake' position and get power to the pedals, but you cant get out of the saddle when trying to keep a steady input with the left hand on the thumb shifter power lever on my wife's bike..
apropos of Carolines' power cable rubbing when folding the bike, EWC metal plate over the cable really solve that problem

good luck with your new 3L Jerry, and even unpowered it sounds interesting..............EWC or E Freedom....Dorset or Jeruselem???...tricky

all the best to All............barryc.

 

[daniel.weck]

I might add that she said the Brompton seemed more like the type of bike a geek would ride, whilst the Cytronex was a proper and professional looking bike.

So its offficial Dan is a geek.

Oy !!

...

Fair enough !!!