Long Distance

[Perseus]

Hello,

Got a secondhand Cyclamatic as a runaround (it seems OK for 6 miles). But now I need a new longer distance bike. Recalculated the distances and do any of the batteries last 50 miles? Has anybody used an electric bike for fifty miles? Actually cycled this distance please?

Otherwise, I am going to need a new pedal bike anyway, or expensive repairs to me current bike.

http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?krieger

PS:
Specifications

• 36Volts 15AH Lithium battery
• Maximum speed 15 miles per hour
• Dual control: pedal assist and twist grip throttle
• range: 60-70 miles on flat roads with throttle control, more with pedal assist
• 18″ frame, 26″ wheels, suitable for average riders (5′ 5″ to 5′10″)
• Aluminum frame

 

[trex]

I reckon a range of 40-45 miles with a 15AH battery is more likely to have a pleasant ride. You have speed, headwind, cold weather and gradient all affecting range.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Yes, my record is 100 km on a charge (around town on the flat) but common range is 65-70 km so under 50 miles. BUT! this is with a 10 A (374 Ah) battery. Extrapolating a 15 A battery should give me 62 miles range or so.

I pedal a lot and am a reasonably fit 78 kg who averages just over 26 kph for a full charge
It is hilly where I live
There is quite a bit of coastal wind
My frame is steel but the whole bike with battery only weighs 21 kg.

 

[JuicyBike]

Manufacturers can claim what they like.
Use the following criteria to make a like-for-like comparison:
Volts, AH and Watts.
Wheel size is also a factor, with larger wheels giving better range. We think the difference between 26" and 28" range is +10%

Also, take into account whether the bike has a speed or torque sensor control.
A torque sensor will force the rider to make a contribution whilst it is possible to ride a speed sensor bike with very little or no effort.

 

[trex]

...
Wheel size is also a factor, with larger wheels giving better range. We think the difference between 26" and 28" range is +10%

that's silly. Air resistance is the biggest factor, an order of magnitude (10x) higher than rolling resistance. Air resistance is proportional to speed x speed x speed (speed power 3).

 

[anotherkiwi]

From Sheldon: "at 32 km/h 53% of the energy goes into air resistance and 11% into rolling friction"

Gearing is another factor, downhill even at my ripe old over 60 I think I can still pull a 50:12 ratio which is where the 10% difference of speed at cadence between 26" and 28" wheels comes into play. In an ideal world one should be able to pedal assisted uphill at the legal top speed of 25 kph and downhill beyond the cut out at speeds above 50 kph (down on the bars out of the wind)

Real world speeds on my 26":
Sitting up while free wheeling my speed is limited to about 36-37 kph no matter what the slope
Lying down on the top bar with knees tucked in it picks up to about 45-47 kph and up to as high as 60 kph on the steep section when there is no head wind (rare) and trafic (rarer). My current 48:14 spins out at around 46-47 kph which means a cadence of about 115.

 

[Kinninvie]

I get between 35 and 50 miles to a 16Ah battery.
Thats with a BBS02 on a Cannondale Trail 6 MTB on knobbly tires and I weigh 17 stone and the bike weighs another 3 stone fully loaded.
I have 3 sets of batteries fitted so thats a maximum total of 150 miles to a charge!

 

[JuicyBike]

that's silly. Air resistance is the biggest factor, an order of magnitude (10x) higher than rolling resistance. Air resistance is proportional to speed x speed x speed (speed power 3).

Quite right (but not "silly", 'scuse me!) There are numerous factors of which Rolling Resistance (wheel size) and Wind Resistance (bike frame size and speed) are just two.

 

[trex]

OK, silly is me. Factors like suspension, type and width of tyres are much more important than the difference in diameter between 26" and 28", I don't think that'll make 10% difference in range.

 

[Perseus]

What is the distances (long) actually cycled please?

My Cyclamatic with battery 3.4 kg weighs approx 25 kg. Listed at 23 kg.

My similiar pedal bike weighs 20 kg.

 

[Nealh]

I have got 40miles form a 11ah, 45 from a 13ah and 52 from a 15ah. The first two still had a few miles left in them. Range is very variable depending on range, conditions, controller amp draw, speed and many more. You will find range is better during much milder and warmer weather.