I finally took my ebike for a test ride.

[PCeBiker]

I did manage to ride at 32 kph using both chainrings, and every gear (except "8th") using just the mid-drive.

And with the wheel in the air it will spin at 87 kph in 14th gear,..







I found out that my motor has a no-load rpm of 100 and 83 under load.

It took over 200 watts to spin the wheel that fast, so that may actually count as a load test?


I think that I might have enough information to calculate the best gear to use?

I have no need to go 87.8 kph, but I'm pretty sure that I want that RPM?

So I think I need to change my gear ratio by ~2¾ (87.8kph ÷32kph =2.74)


I'd like to use the middle cog (4th gear) on my freewheel and my 42t chainwheel.

I'm gunna try and plug my numbers into a gear calculator.

 

[stompandgo]

I would add 2-3 links. The rear derailleur cage, even on an entry level RD like an Acera, can do a decent job on the small-small combo with the cage tilted back at a 70 degree angle. It can handle more chain.

 

[PCeBiker]

I would add 2-3 links.

I might as well try it.

What would have been smart is to not have removed all the extra links in the first place.

Now I gotta put em back on, and wreck my non-reusable Missing Link while I'm at it.


Ohh well, I can practice pushing pins in and out without binding them up.

 

[stompandgo]

Yes, and you can reuse the missing link at least once.

 

[PCeBiker]

Yes, and you can reuse the missing link at least once.

Ohh??
I thought it might break or not snap back together or something?

The reusable link doesn't have the same dedent in the outer plate.



KMC says do not reuse chain pins, but I'm gunna go for it.
Like you said, just make sure the link isn't binding.


And my chain link tool arrived today.
Let's see if I can remove a missing link without bending the handles??

 

[stompandgo]

KMC will tell you that their one time use link can only be used once. I can tell you that I've used them twice before replacing them with a reusable link. Always use the proper pliers for each function. KMC only. Not SRAM or Shimano.

 

[PCeBiker]

All done!!
I managed to extend my chain by 3 links.

I reused the "non-reuseable" missing link and reused the chain pin that I pushed out to separate the links.

I had to measure and count the links half a dozen times because a quick link counts as ½ a link becoming the outer link, but reusing the chain pin reuses the outer plate.
I was getting all confused.

I scored the end of the pin that I pushed on to help identify the link later on.

And I took some pictures to help me remember everything.


Now I can use All my gears without worrying about breaking anything trying to get into 8th

 

[stompandgo]

Looks good. You could probably remove one more, but if you never plan to use the big-big crosschain set and you ride on bumpy surfaces, you should leave it there.

 

[PCeBiker]

Looks good. You could probably remove one more, but if you never plan to use the big-big crosschain set and you ride on bumpy surfaces, you should leave it there.

I don't plan on using the big-big or the small-small crosschain sets, but at least they work now so I don't have to worry about it.

As far as bumpy roads go, that's all new now that my chainline is actually moving.
I hit rough patches and washboard type roads all the time, but being as I never pedaled the chain was never a problem.


I went for a ride and everything is working fine.
I get all my gears but there's some skipping/chatter in 7th and 14th gear.
7th I get, but there shouldn't be a problem with 14th , so I'm going to check my limit screw adjustment.


I may be getting a little too comfortable riding my e-bike?
I actually changed chainrings by reaching down and feeding the chain onto the different chainring while I was coasting.

I just shut off the throttle, stopping the chain, then slowly pedaled while reaching down to feed the chain onto the other chainring.
Who needs a derailleur.

 

[PCeBiker]

Looks good. You could probably remove one more, but if you never plan to use the big-big crosschain set and you ride on bumpy surfaces, you should leave it there.

Well, it turns out that I won't be using my big-big crosschain set.

I would add 2-3 links.

It turns out that I can go 32 kph in second gear.
First gear only goes 25 kph.

I was confused with ICE engines that are generally more efficient at lower rpms, but electric motors are most efficient at close to maximum rpm.


Apparently I'm only at maximum rpm in first gear, so I'm gunna replace my 52t chainring with my fancy 42t chainring on top of my 46t.




And without doing any gear tooth calculations, I went ahead and bought this,..

I'm just guessing, but I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to go 32 kph and still not need to use 14th gear?

I wanna stay off the small 11t cog anyway.