What accessories would you add?

Not long had the Ezee Forza and am already looking to add accesories and different parts. First to go is that damned bell! can any of you guys recommend a mama honker air horn? Next to go are the pedals, I've already slipped through them twice and don't plan on doing it again..... I wouldn't fancy crashing on this crate... would you guys go for pedal straps or just ride them pedals bareback? If bareback what pedals would you recommend for maximum grip?

I've ordered a knog carrier for the back of the bike, this will come in handy for carrying my beer and fags in, and have also bought a pair of leather cycling gloves.

Anything else you would add? I was contemplating a puncture repair outfit and pump but think I'd look a bit of a pillock standing at the roadside faffing about getting those wheels off.... they don't just roll out like conventional ones, or do they?

Dress code is strictly old school, no way am I going down the skin tight lycra route, I shall be sporting jeans, trainers, a warm coat and a wooly hat... I will also smoke on the bike unless they've banned that too? Is there such a thing as an onboard cigar lighter you can fit to bikes? That would come in VERY handy and save having to stop to light up.

Any further suggestions are most welcome.... basically I want the bike to be an armchair on wheels along with some onboard entertainment maybe? I am already contemplating fitting an ipod and dedicated headphone amp so I can listen to music on the move..... maybe a little CMOY head amp stitched together on some veroboard and it could be powered by the onboard battery..... when I've finished making it I will upload photos.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,128
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For the bike horn, an AirZound airhorn is tops, they'll hear in Orkney from where you live and wonder where the fog is. :eek:
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C

Cyclezee

Guest
Hi Pink Floyd,
Welcome to Pedelecs, prevention being better than cure, replacing the standard Kendas with a pair Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres might save you getting punctures.

John
 
Hi Pink Floyd,
Welcome to Pedelecs, prevention being better than cure, replacing the standard Kendas with a pair Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres might save you getting punctures.

John
Interesting, are these good for the handling too? I feel the ones that come supplied with the bike are a bit vague in action. I'm also interested in any little tips you guys may have with regards to things like additional strap on battery packs and other devices which will help increase the range of this bike. Maybe a rack mounted DIY battery pack connected in parallel with the stock battery? or even two stock batteries connected in parallel?
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,128
30,555
Yes, the Marathon Plus tyres handle much better and have lower rolling resistance than the Kendas. They are expensive though, only for those who love their bikes enough. :)

Normal price £26.99 each, these people always the biggest discounter, currently £17.99 each:

All Terrain Cycles
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Yes, the Marathon Plus tyres handle much better and have lower rolling resistance than the Kendas. They are expensive though, only for those who love their bikes enough. :)

Normal price £26.99 each, these people always the biggest discounter, currently £17.99 each:

All Terrain Cycles
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Cheers Flecc, I'll try one on the front wheel first - I assume it's quite simple disconnecting the power cord from the wheel?
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,128
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I'm not sure if your model has a plug for disconnecting the cable, but on those that don't, I release the cable a bit and change the tyre by slipping out the wheel with the bike on it's side so not stressing the cable, Then I upend it afterwards to finish the tyre fitting and finally bolt up the wheel.
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I'm not sure if your model has a plug for disconnecting the cable, but on those that don't, I release the cable a bit and change the tyre by slipping out the wheel with the bike on it's side so not stressing the cable, Then I upend it afterwards to finish the tyre fitting and finally bolt up the wheel.
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Cool. Any other ways of upping the performance of these machines, every little helps, any thoughts on running two batteries (or even three) ? Connected in parallel the voltage would remain the same ( I think I said in series above, must correct that!) but the capacity would be doubled. Sure it would add weight to the bike but nothing to write home about. What are your opinions on this?
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,128
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The bike will perform very slightly better with two batteries in parallel, since there would be less voltage drop under load. It's an expensive option though, two £280 batteries, and the performance gain would be very small, though of course you'd have at least double the range.

The only way to get them to run faster is to up the voltage, but that needs a new controller. One of our members, aaannndddyyy, has done that on an eZee Sprint by running it on 48 volts with a new controller, making it a 30 mph machine. That was made easier by it being an earlier model with an NiMh battery, to which he added an auxilliary cellpack. Not really practical with Li-ion though, so you'd need new batteries for 48 volts as well as the new controller.

I'm quite happy with topping 40 mph the cheap way, downhill. ;)
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rooel

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 14, 2007
357
0
If the bike does not have one, I would buy a rear view mirror, such as the Mirricyle. No need for a helmet when you already have a woolly hat.
 

echowind

Pedelecer
Feb 21, 2008
35
0
I would add Big apple tyres if the bike had 26 or 20" wheels. its the biggest single difference you can do to improve the ride, handling and stability of a commuting type bicycle. Pity these tyres don't come in 700c.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,128
30,555
That's what sailors call them, they blush if anyone mentions a horn. :D
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