Pedelec Nirvana

Peter.Bridge

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 19, 2023
1,268
586
You know it is easily achievable, right? What stops you? Do you want to die rich?
PS Why not full sus?
Definitely easier than these fit cyclists,.braving North York Moor hills


Despite my goals gradually changing from max speed to trying to use minimise assist, there is no way I could do a 25.mile ride with 2000ft of ascent in the North York Moors with lots of 15% , 20% and 25% hills without assistance.- it's amazing that a relatively cheap ebike allows me to do that.
 
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guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,424
3,247
Definitely easier than these fit cyclists,.braving North York Moor hills

I would have given them a 140db Hornit blast well in advance of overtaking, to avoid zigzaggy collision. When the lycra clad fraternity overtake (never happens on hills, only on flat road), they usually say something shortly before. Unnerving hearing a voice over your shoulder. Do wish they'd buy bike horns instead and beep well before.
 
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Peter.Bridge

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 19, 2023
1,268
586
I would have given them a 140db Hornit blast well in advance of overtaking, to avoid zigzaggy collision. When the lycra clad fraternity overtake (never happens on hills, only on flat road), they usually say something shortly before. Unnerving hearing a voice over your shoulder. Do wish they'd buy bike horns instead and beep well before.
Yes, that video is cropped so it looks a bit more hairy than it actually was - I did ring my bell, but we were doing 7 or 8 mph up a steep hill, whatever they did I wouldn't have crashed into them
 

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,424
3,247
I give empty path bends a 140db Hornit blast too, in case a currently unseen nutcase is freewheeling down at some mad speed, or struggling up when I'm madly freewheeling down very fast. I doubt they'd hear a bell until they're too close and it's too late. Button is under the index finger of my left had on the handgrip, everyone and every thing gets beeped (within reeason). I'm still using the original AAA batteries two and a half years on, so it's efficient loud beeping.
 
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Peter.Bridge

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 19, 2023
1,268
586
PS Why not full sus?
So I'm looking round for a candidate donor bike (instead of my old Carrera Vulcan) to swap my rear hub conversion. It's fine, but it's quite heavy and has coil front forks. I was looking for a light 26" wheels hardtail with air forks. I'll use it primarily on roads and light trails.

I saw this :


I know @saneagle and @Woosh both have full suspension bikes and I think they use them mostly on roads, so maybe it's not a bad idea

If the battery (20ah 48v) fits , do you think it would be easy to convert ?
 
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saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,842
3,169
Telford
So I'm looking round for a candidate donor bike (instead of my old Carrera Vulcan) to swap my rear hub conversion. It's fine, but it's quite heavy and has coil front forks. I was looking for a light 26" wheels hardtail with air forks. I'll use it primarily on roads and light trails.

I saw this :


I know @saneagle and @Woosh both have full suspension bikes and I think they use them mostly on roads, so maybe it's not a bad idea

If the battery (20ah 48v) fits , do you think it would be easy to convert ?
All the cables run down where you want to mount the battery, so you need to find a way to deal with that. Also, you really need to increase the chainwheel size to 48 teeth. Some MTBs have wider chainstays, so there's not enough room. That one does seem to have a fair size chainwheel already, but it's something that would be worth checking.
 
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Peter.Bridge

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 19, 2023
1,268
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Ok got it for £300. It's a good fit for me. I know it is between 12-15 years old for that model (but they were £2600 then). Both air suspensions seem fine, it has a "traction control" on the handlebars for the rear suspension, either normal, stiffened or locked. 185mm disc rotors with Juicy 5 brakes - ordered some new pads ! Wheels seem true. Frame has some scratches but no dents. Took the battery with me , it fits with a little room to spare. Will convert the 3*9 to 1*9 (not sure how to do that but must be possible). Looks like I can reroute those cables.

Its the large 20" frame - weighs 12.5kg
 
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Peter.Bridge

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 19, 2023
1,268
586
Sounds like you have found yourself a real bargain. Happy for you and looing forward to see your conversion.



Simplest way is by removing front derailer.
I was thinking I would need to change the triple crank chainset to a single chainwheel as @saneagle suggested ? Current largest on the front is 44t but think I could fit 48t as was suggested
 
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Waspy

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 8, 2012
433
171
Will convert the 3*9 to 1*9 (not sure how to do that but must be possible). Looks like I can reroute those cables.
Good catch!

I converted mine to 1*8.

I assume your bike has a square taper bottom bracket?

I dumped the front derailleur and left shifter/brake lever (whatever it's called) and fitted a normal left brake lever.

You need a crank puller, I recommend Park Tool CCP-22

You should watch some Youtube videos on crank removal.

And one of these, including crank arms (I started off with 34 teeth but now have 42 teeth):

 
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Waspy

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 8, 2012
433
171
Also, 42 teeth works for me, on the flat I can get the bike up to about 20MPH in top gear. But I run out of gears if I try pedalling downhill.
 

Peter.Bridge

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 19, 2023
1,268
586
Also, 42 teeth works for me, on the flat I can get the bike up to about 20MPH in top gear. But I run out of gears if I try pedalling downhill.
Yes - it is a square taper bottom bracket - Yes - might try it with the 44t gear as is and see how it goes . I quite like a relaxed top gear pedalling cadence