Recent content by Ken M

Thanks for the feedback. One of the shortfalls for an IGH based on compound planet gears is the under-drive ratios which tend to be of dubious value on commuting ebikes, especially higher power ebikes. We will have less gears but non will be below a 1:1 direct drive ratio so the final drive...

Hi, I'm involved with a rear IGH project that will be a 3-speed 400% range with a torque rating over 350nm and no under-drive ratios (1;1, 1:2 & 1;4). I'm guessing you don't use any of your under-drive ratios for 90% of your riding given the power of the Bafang Ultra so wanted to get your...

Going down just a 5% grade any rider can easily hit 40mph. Going down a 10% grade you don't even have to pedal to hit 50mph. There is so much that is ignore in the ebike debate. Below 20mph the NHTSA doesn't even car about max power which explains why the federal ebike definition only...

This is a post on ebike regulations so I have been out of context.

Listen, I have nothing to do with all the new ebikes coming out with Class switching capability. I did predict it would happen but that does not make it my fault. Maybe you can explain what the performance difference is between a LSEB as defined by HR727 and a multi-mode ebike. My guess...

So you think that the 3-class state legislation is working? There are any new "multi-mode" (basically switchable to any class and even off-road whenever the rider chooses) which make it impossible to enforce any trail rule that only class 1 allowed (not that anyone is even trying to enforce the...

Multi-mode is a software capability to switch from Class 1 to Class 2 to Class 3 anytime you want. The idea is that when a rider is on a road side bike lane that allows Class 3 they switch the ebike to that mode. The problem lies in enforcement because most riders are just going to leave the...

Have you noticed that many of the new models have multi-mode programming. 3-class is NOT working. The CPSC still owns what defines a compliant Low Speed Electric Bicycle that is legal for sale in all 50 states. We can discuss the regulations but I do care about the future of ebikes which...

It's not really a limit. If you read and understand the federal definition in HR727 you would understand it actually a motor rating which is actually very nebulous. Most engineers understand this but few others do (especially the lawyers that tell others that it's a power limit). The federal...

Multi-mode capability was inevitably going to be necessity once one company realized that they are compliant to the federal definition in HR727 while everyone believes that an ebike has to be compliant to the 3-class regulations at the state level to be ridden legally. The fact is that an...

Funny I got assurance from the People for Bikes legal counsel that they never wanted to push ebikes in this direction but I told him that the class system would provide the path for the states to require licenses, registration, and insurance on at least Class 3 models just as happened in Europe. '

Bikes have a long history of being a "vehicle" that has use control traffic laws but does not require license, registration, or insurance requirements. I think if those "costs" get imposed on ebikes then they have a far lower appeal to get people out of cars because they simply will not replace...

I have to agree that lawyers are groomed to think differently. I remember being at a party years ago and I asked a lawyer an opinion on something. They said they could not give their opinion because it could impact their future employment potential as they could only have an opinion that agreed...

Given how steep the hill they were riding down was being on an analog bike would not make a difference - a bike going down that hill would likely hit 40mph without even pedaling. My guess on what happened is that the kid driving got scared of the speed they were going and pulled the front brake...

I do think we need to always remember that any bike or ebike (regardless of power or assist speed) can be ridden irresponsibly. This goes as well for automobiles as well but they don't share MUPs with pedestrians. I do worry that some will want to see ebikes neutered to the point that they are...