How do i get the best from my bike

[Wizard9956]

Hi all , i intend using my bike for work 4 days a week , the journey has some long hills and one steep one . Could someone tell me how i should use the motor to get the best from the bike , i do want to peddle on my journey just not too hard .

Just two other questions on the twist grip there is a small red button that says power , when should i use this if at all .
Do i let the batterys completely flatten before recharge or do i charge at the end of each day to keep them topped up .

Thanks Wizard

Ps just changed the tyres to road tyres .

 

[flecc]

With the lead acid batteries on your UM, just use them as much as you like, no need to ration the power. It's best to recharge as often as you can, so in your case at the end of each day, since that keeps the batteries healthy and gives the best performance as well.

I'm not familiar with the red button on your model, but if it's a power boost button, I'd guess just on the steepest hill.

I'll repeat the link to your bike for you in case someone else has experience with this one and can help more on the button:

UM Bike in question

If no answer on that, electricbikesales can help as they've sold these.
.

 

[Capn_Phil68]

Hi,

Think we have a similar bike.I did research on this bike and it seems the power button doesn't do anything!

Just got mine and locktite(d) all the fiddly screws/bolts, waterproofed the controller/switch gear/lights etc, wd40(d) the bright steel stuff with wd40 and sealed all frame openings with a dollop of vaseline.

Phil

ps what fuses does your bike take as going to carry a few spares under the seat.

 

[Wizard9956]

Hi Phil , i was given a fuse when i bought the bike , it is a glass cased fuse and on the side it says BS2950A20A i'm assuming that it's a 20 amp fuse but not to sure about the voltage .
You don't by any chance have a manual do you ? the seller had lost the one he had . If you do would you be able to email me a copy , my email address is bobanoba86@hotmail.com Thanks .
Btw how does your bike perform , ie what's it like up hills and how long does your battery last .

atb

Wizard

Btw where does the fuse go ?

 

[Capn_Phil68]

Hi Wizard,

Try this link http://www.iloveebikes.com/Distributorfiles/Manual 415.doc

30mb so cant email it direct.

Performance is pretty much like a normal bike, but with a good tail wind. Hills are falttened by motor. Keeping mine in 3rd gear mostly.

Going on a 12-13 mile round trip tomorrow so will report back.

Fuse goes in battery case (I think).

Phil

 

[Wizard9956]

Many thanks for your help Phil , i've downloaded the manual .
I've found where the fuse goes , you were right , inside the top of the battery box . Enjoy your journey and let me know how you get on .

atb

Wizard

 

[Capn_Phil68]

Hi Wizard et al,

I'm still alive after my 12.8 mile round trip and no CPR or hospitalisation required! Pedelecs are top imo.

So...Journey there 2 medium slopes of around quarter mile in length and last mile uphill incline all the way. Peddled around 75% and the rest on throttle. Raining all the way from light to heavy showers (Liverpool). 6.4 miles done in 32 mins without trying so average speed around 12 miles an hour not inc time stopped at traffic lights (6).

Appointment lasted around 30-40.

Return journey = same route. Lashing down and medium headwinds all the way, Where's that cape eh ebay? Same style riding, but with a little more use of the throttle and gears. Last 1.5 miles the empty light was flashing when taking off, but settled down to low once on the move. Last half mile it seemed as tho the motor was cutting out, but two lights on power indicator. Water in the hub/ switch gear/ controller? I did think I waterproofed the main areas, but maybe not enough? Any advice appreciated?

All in all a great ride and now have no hestitation in trying further rides in better conditions but going to try and be a fulltime e-biker and user of public transport to see how things pan out.

Ps found out yesterday that it is best to adjust rear gear stops to stop chain derailing on highest/lowest gears. Google Sheldon Brown for guide. Cheers Sheldon.

Pps after 6 mile ride yesterday the battery took around three hours to charge so will be interesting to see how long todays takes.

 

[Capn_Phil68]

Oh yeah. ebay tonight to find a gell saddle cover. Owwwww!

 

[tgame]

Oh yeah. ebay tonight to find a gell saddle cover. Owwwww!

Mmm! The most comfortable saddle I ever had was also the hardest and narrowest. Soft gels are usually a bit of a con.

 

[Ian]

Oh yeah. ebay tonight to find a gell saddle cover. Owwwww!

All saddles hurt until you get used to them! Apparently bike shops sell lots of new saddles in the spring, people believing that their saddles have deteriorated and become uncomfortable during the winter lay up!

I've found proper padded cycling shorts (which are available as underwear) to be a big help with saddle soreness on longer rides.

 

[Wizard9956]

Hi Phil , great write-up of your journey , i hope to do one soon myself ( but at the moment i'm always working sob sob) .
Could you tell me , when you were on your ride and using full throttle plus peddling could you tell when you were just out peddling the motor .
Been doing some pre ride fiddling to get it just right , so far ( since i bought it ) i've found the rear brake disc lever loose , the battery cables inside the box damaged insulation cut thro , the top yokes pinch bolts missing , front wheel bearings over tight , the front disc only operating on half the pad surface , some very loose spokes , and to top it all the rear wheel nuts undone just short of the wheel dropping out . Plus numerous nuts and bolts loose .
atb
Wizard
Ps what tyres do you run , been thinking about getting some of these PAIR SCHWALBE MARATHON PLUS 26 x 1.75 TOURING TYRES on eBay, also Tyres Tubes, Bike Parts, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 10-Feb-08 11:57:56 GMT)