Help, I'm Canadian!

[Mo Sizlak]

Hi,
I'm from Vancouver, Canada. And I'd really like to get a pedelec bike. You guys in the UK have many more options than we do. Hopefully, they'll catch on soon here...
My main question is do I really need a centre motor or will a rear hub motor do? I've read that the centre motor is better because it can utilize the torque applied straight from pedal (which the rear hubs can't do as well).
But my needs are basic. I'm 75 kg, 5'8", an urban commuter in a city with some hills. Travelling 10-20 km.
Is this bike overkill? 350W centre motor: http://www.eprodigybikes.com/banff.aspx
Or, for less expense, I can get a rear hub motor for a lot less: http://www.eprodigybikes.com/cypress.aspx
I'm sure there are others. Please inform.
Cheers!

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi,
I'm from Vancouver, Canada. And I'd really like to get a pedelec bike. You guys in the UK have many more options than we do. Hopefully, they'll catch on soon here...
My main question is do I really need a centre motor or will a rear hub motor do? I've read that the centre motor is better because it can utilize the torque applied straight from pedal (which the rear hubs can't do as well).
But my needs are basic. I'm 75 kg, 5'8", an urban commuter in a city with some hills. Travelling 10-20 km.
Is this bike overkill? 350W centre motor: http://www.eprodigybikes.com/banff.aspx
Or, for less expense, I can get a rear hub motor for a lot less: http://www.eprodigybikes.com/cypress.aspx
I'm sure there are others. Please inform.
Cheers!

Hi Mo,

Welcome to the forum.

Living where you do forget an off the shelf bike and get down to Grin Cyclery, they have the best rero-fit conversions in North America if not the world

http://www.ebikes.ca/

 

[D8ve]

Mo,
It's not overkill but cost performance style choice.
Why the electric bike both should speed an average person to work.
Do you want to sweat and improve fitness or need a easy return home when tired/ ill? You need to test ride the bikes but they look cheap compared to uk price.

 

[trex]

Hi,
I'm from Vancouver, Canada. And I'd really like to get a pedelec bike. You guys in the UK have many more options than we do. Hopefully, they'll catch on soon here...
My main question is do I really need a centre motor or will a rear hub motor do? I've read that the centre motor is better because it can utilize the torque applied straight from pedal (which the rear hubs can't do as well).
But my needs are basic. I'm 75 kg, 5'8", an urban commuter in a city with some hills. Travelling 10-20 km.
Is this bike overkill? 350W centre motor: http://www.eprodigybikes.com/banff.aspx
Or, for less expense, I can get a rear hub motor for a lot less: http://www.eprodigybikes.com/cypress.aspx
I'm sure there are others. Please inform.
Cheers!

welcome to the forum, Mo.
I have a crank drive from 8-Fun, I believe you can get it quite easily in Canada. The BBS01 from 8-Fun is very easy to install, from that point of view, excellent choice is you want to convert your own bike. It's also very good on hills.
If you buy a ready made bike, then check out how hilly the routes yuou want to ride are. Hub motors tend to overheat much more quickly on anything more than 10%. Under 8%, there isn't much to recommend one system over the other, crank drives let you reach higher speed if derestricted, hub drives are cheaper to build/buy. For your weight, 350W is not necessary but extra power is always useful to have, so go for it.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

In Canada, the law allows a lot more power than ours (500w) and higher speed too (32 km/h). So anything recommended here probably won't be available where you are.

Have you had a look at Evolution Bikes. They do the BH Emotion Neo range. There's Grin that do a lot of kits. They'll probably point you to where you can get Ezee bikes. They used to sell them, but I'm not sure if they still do. They're very helpful guys, so they'll probably put you straight.

 

[peerjay56]

Hi,
Help, I'm Canadian!
Cheers!

Welcome to the forum Mo.
I'm afraid there is nothing I can do to help. I think you'll have to put up with being Canadian

 

[HittheroadJ]

Welcome,

http://www.ebikes.ca/shop.html is Grin in ca/Vancouver

There are ebike forums that are more geared to the North American market, endless-sphere is well known. There may be others/better ones.

For a 10/20 km commute with moderate hills you do not need a high-end bike, but for reliability, comfort and convenience you should consider a decent bike. Cranks are favoured by many, but they are not necessary for the type of drive you describe. Try some. or read up on experienes from others.
http://www.electricbike.com/eprodigy-bikes-new-e-bike-from-vancouver-canada/
seem to be well-distributed

http://www.eprodigybikes.com/where_to_buy.aspx

 

[halfer]

You could consider ordering a conversion kit from overseas, or maybe there is a Canadian importer. Then buy a MTB locally (ensuring it will work with the kit) and either do the conversion yourself, or take it to a local bike mechanic you trust.

There was a thread just recently about which cheap bikes are suitable for conversion.

 

[john h]

Mo try dragon ebikes.com seam to have a good range of ebike or stealth ebikes i think they use the new crystalyte hx35rear andhx25 front there are alot of good dealers in canada

 

[Mo Sizlak]

Thanks, guys. Lots of great ideas. Will look into getting a kit as I already have an OK 10 speed. Anyone know of the Copenhagen wheel due out later this year? Should I wait for it to come out or just bite the bullet and get a kit soon?

 

[trex]

the Copenhagen wheel is a nice idea but totally unpractical, for the same amount of money, you can get an 8-Fun BPM CST kit and a decent battery.

 

[Mo Sizlak]

trex, in what way is the Copenhagen wheel unpractical?
I think I prefer pedal assist rather than throttle. I enjoy putting 80% of the effort into my bike ride and only want a bit of help going up hills.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The worst way possible: It's not on sale yet, and won't be until 2015, so you can cross that one off your list.

You can read a bit about it here:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14717

 

[trex]

trex, in what way is the Copenhagen wheel unpractical?
I think I prefer pedal assist rather than throttle. I enjoy putting 80% of the effort into my bike ride and only want a bit of help going up hills.

any kit with an LCD and a throttle can give you that. The LCD sets the assist level, some LCDs have advanced settings, you can tailor fit the amount of assistance you want for pedelec function. When you are on the hill, push the throttle for additional assistance. Alternatively, you can get a bottom bracket torque sensor or buy a kit with built in motor torque sensor.

Regarding the Copenhagen wheel:
putting the battery inside the wheel is a question of ideology. There is not much to gain but a lot to lose.
Using a cable to connect the battery to the motor wheel does not make installation more difficult.
By putting the battery inside the wheel, you limit the performance of the system to the available space inside and also expose the cells to centrifugal force, strong acceleration and deceleration to save a $15 casing.
The controller is programmable and you can remote to it using your mobile phone. The idea of a programmable controller isn't new but has little to offer in comparison to mass produced controllers. Communications with the controller by Bluetooth is not that innovative nor free from interference, in fact, you don't need to connect a display unit to the controller. There are also a few well tried and tested motors with built in controller and pedelec sensor. Locking your bike with the phone is a cool idea but does not stop someone to nick it.
What's left as novel idea in the Copenhagen wheel?