carrying extra battery(s)

[Chazmo]

Hi gang,

Does anyone have a clever way to transport extra Juiced battery(s) for long rides? I have a (final) RipCurrent S model, shown below, which came with the rack. I’d think that securing an extra battery to the rack would be good, but I don’t know a great way to do that. Any ideas or aftermarket gizmos to make that a reality? I know Juiced used to offer a cargo box for the rack, but that’s not of any interest to me.

 

[Extreme1]

I just looked on Amazon. Look up “Velcro elastic strap”. Use a couple for them to strap the spare battery to your rack. The Velcro makes it easy on/off and the elastic will keep it tight to the rack.

 

[6zfshdb]

Although you could strap a spare battery to your rack, it's best to keep the weight as low as possible to avoid bike handling issues. Some bikes are more susceptible than others though, and you may not notice any issues. If you try this, make sure the battery is secure and won't come off on rough ground or if you drop the bike. Some sort of padding, like a battery bag, will help.

I have problems with that much weight on my rear rack and I carry my spares in panniers. This lowers the center of gravity and solves the problem. I balance the weight by carrying tools, clothing, etc. on the opposite side. This also leaves the top of the rack available for a bike bag.

 

[Chazmo]

Although you could strap a spare battery to your rack, it's best to keep the weight as low as possible to avoid bike handling issues. Some bikes are more susceptible than others though, and you may not notice any issues. If you try this, make sure the battery is secure and won't come off on rough ground or if you drop the bike. Some sort of padding, like a battery bag, will help.

I have problems with that much weight on my rear rack and I carry my spares in panniers. This lowers the center of gravity and solves the problem. I balance the weight by carrying tools, clothing, etc. on the opposite side. This also leaves the top of the rack available for a bike bag.

View attachment 189593

@6zfshdb , I’m looking into bags/panniers like yours. The Arkel products are sweet but pretty expensive. What brand is the rack bag? And, is that your (main) battery mounted underneath the rack? That’s some serious packing / storage you’ve got there. Thanks!

It’s cool how your rack is welded onto with the frame. Is your bike a cargo bike?

 

[6zfshdb]

Yeah, the Arkel panniers are indeed expensive but they are very well made. They use brass YKK zippers that last, unlike most cheaper bags with plastic zippers. You also need a pannier that uses materials strong enough to hold a 10+ pound battery while riding on rough ground.

The rack bag shown in the first post is an old Bontrager interchange trunk bag that is no longer made. I've since replaced it with a Topeak MTX bag. The rack is integrated with the frame and had to be modified to fit the bag & panniers:

The bike started life as a Pedego cruiser style, but has been heavily modified for the long haul riding I do:

The rear rack battery was originally the main but has been converted to be the secondary. The main battery is now a larger capacity dolphin style mounted to the downtube:

 

[Chazmo]

Understood! That’s fantastic, 6! Thanks for sharing all your really cool mods.

I know we already talked directly about that cool Spiderflex seat, but what’s the blue-handled thing that’s clamped to your seat post?

And, mind if I ask… Why two cellphones? Isn’t one distraction enough?

 

[PCeBiker]

They have rack mount battery bags as well,..

https://a.co/d/9VmAAzp

I had a speed wobble on both my e-bikes with it though, so I tried Panniers but I bought the wrong ones that were too thin and the battery was bouncing around and not safe.

I ended up making my own battery brackets to mount my second battery to the top tube,..

It looks like crap but it works great.
The weight is kinda high, but it's mounted in the middle and is fully suspended now.

The weight of the battery in the bag broke my rack off and my e-bike is full suspension so most racks won't fit.
I managed to spread a Topeak rear rack open way past spec for my fat bike spacing, and it's been working great.
I'm not going to put a 14 pound battery in it though.

I got tired of carrying my tools in my pockets and managed to find a replacement rack and bag that fits a swing arm.

I'm making new plastic brackets with black plastic that hopefully won't look so trashy.

 

[PCeBiker]

I know we already talked directly about that cool Spiderflex seat,

I've got one too.
I was worried that I wouldn't be able to ride no-hands without a horned seat, but that's not a problem.

My e-bike floats through 2" deep pot holes riding no-hands and I barely feel a thing.

The only time I have issues is when I hit several pot holes in a row. My suspension would "stack" and I'd get thrown forward.
If I didn't grab the handlebars in time, I'd slip off the seat, and land on the battery.

I don't think I would be able to avoid a crash when the first impact is my jewels into the battery.

I have to stand on my toes to clear the battery when I stop.
There's very little margin for error, when the slightest error can send me into the fetal position.
That would suck if it happened at 20 mph.

 

[Chargeride]

Dont backpack it for starters, across the handlebars in a bike tent bag is one option, another option is hiding the 2nd battery along the route beforehand.

 

[Chazmo]

Dont backpack it for starters, across the handlebars in a bike tent bag is one option, another option is hiding the 2nd battery along the route beforehand.

I agree. I always ride with a backpack, and I have enough in that already and I don’t want to add a clunky, heavy battery. That’s pretty much a no-go.

Never thought of hiding a battery on the route. That’s a clever idea for certain rides!
i

I ended up making my own battery brackets to mount my second battery to the top tube,..

I admire your creativity, PC, but that’s not for me. Also, I do hit some challenging trails and downhills where having a height-extended top tube like that would be a little dangerous and scary.

 

[Chazmo]

They have rack mount battery bags as well,..

 

[PCeBiker]

Dont backpack it for starters,

I tried that, and it Sucked !!

I didn't think a 14½ pounds in a backpack was a big deal, but all I did was try it for 10 seconds in the house and said no-way.
The straps dug into my shoulders.

If I want to torture myself when I ride, I'll put on a 10-speed seat and use drop bars.

 

[PCeBiker]

Putting the weight up front helps A Lot by weighing down the front end of your ebike, making it more stable.

I had to move the battery bag back further to clear my suspension seat, and that put the weight behind the rear axle, making the front end even lighter.
(That would be great for doing wheelies I guess, but I suck at wheelies. )

 

[6zfshdb]

Understood! That’s fantastic, 6! Thanks for sharing all your really cool mods.

I know we already talked directly about that cool Spiderflex seat, but what’s the blue-handled thing that’s clamped to your seat post?

And, mind if I ask… Why two cellphones? Isn’t one distraction enough?

The blue thing is the clamp assembly of my bike work stand. It's bolted to the leg of the workbench:

Those aren't cellphones, they're GPS receivers. One displays riding stats and the other a topo map of the area I'm riding. That way, I can view both without having to take my hand off the bars to switch screens. Hey, what can I say. I'm a gadget freak and a retired engineer who thrives on data.

BTW, for safety reasons, I don't mount my smartphone on the bike. I keep it in my pocket in case I'm thrown off the bike and can't get back to it. It's also a temptation for a thief to grab when my back is turned.

 

[6zfshdb]

I agree. I always ride with a backpack, and I have enough in that already and I don’t want to add a clunky, heavy battery. That’s pretty much a no-go.

i


I admire your creativity, PC, but that’s not for me. Also, I do hit some challenging trails and downhills where having a height-extended top tube like that would be a little dangerous and scary.

The last thing I'd want is a flaming lithium battery strapped to my back should I take a spill. IMO, Just another reason not to carry a battery in a backpack.

 

[PCeBiker]

The last thing I'd want is a flaming lithium battery strapped to my back should I take a spill.

And you never know how a lithium battery is going to go into
It might be a slow burn with heat and smoke first, or something a lot more like a grenade going off.

The blue thing is the clamp assembly of my bike work stand. It's bolted to the leg of the workbench:

Ahh crap, now I want one !!
Yet another thing that I didn't know I wanted until I saw it.

Thanks for that @6zfshdb

I'm sure that the Urban Deco version works great if all you want to do is decorate your garage in suburbia to impress the neighbors, but apparently even the Park Tool clamps struggle to hold an 80 pound ebike.
It can't support the weight at an angle, so the clamp has to be at the center of mass.


I'm going to pass on the Park Clamp for now.

I bought these at the dollar store instead,..

$1.75 plus tax for four hooks.

 

[Chazmo]

@6zfshdb It’d be nice to have a good repair stand like that awesome Park Tool… Retirement (and other stuff) has made disposable income somewhat scarce. But, boy, I love this hobby!

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Simplest secure approach would be to find dry bag with a daisy chain and two or three voile straps.

This bag is designed to be strapped to the handlebars but will work fine on a rear rack:

https://www.rei.com/product/186003/revelate-designs-saltyroll-handlebar-bag

Voile straps, probably 20 inches or 50cm in woke units will do the job:

Voile: Nylon Buckle Straps

On the job, in the outdoors, and everywhere in between: they are the definitive way to secure, bundle, and repair almost anything on the go.

www.voile.com

Note that the Revelate Salty Roll is on sale.

 

[6zfshdb]

@6zfshdb It’d be nice to have a good repair stand like that awesome Park Tool… Retirement (and other stuff) has made disposable income somewhat scarce. But, boy, I love this hobby!

Yeah, it can get expensive.

 

[PCeBiker]

Voile straps, probably 20 inches or 50cm in woke units will do the job:

Yeah, it can get expensive.

It’d be nice to have a good repair stand like that awesome Park Tool…

I buy lots of cheap crap for my ebike, but don't cheap out when it comes to your battery.

It's both potentially Very Dangerous and expensive, so you don't want to drop it or strap it down with crap.

Strong reliable straps and a proper bag or mounting system are a necessity.