Fitting a motor to a bicycle, rider and terrain

[Mike leroy]

Preconfigured Pedal Assist Levels (PAL) are designed to conserve battery power. Does it make more sense to configure PALs to hill steepness to optimize the entire power system? Why should power levels be any different than matching gears to hill steepness?

Should a PAL correspond to each gear? Should PALs be automatically switched by the Power Assist System (PAS) when gears are manually changed?

Configure the Pedal Assist Levels (PAL) into the controller. Use Cycle Assist to determine wattage for the desired gears, for the six grades in the following table.

This approach requires buying the BBS02 from a local shop. Make a return trip to customize the PAL settings. I do not see how this can be accomplished from Internet purchases, because you will not know required wattage before ordering the BBS02.

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

A power meter will indicate which column in the above table corresponds with your leg strength.

The folks at Cycle Analyst sent this helpful link for power meters. Many options exist according to his article:

"These units don’t actually measure your work effort using strain gauges, but instead rely upon other environmental factors. Thus the name of non-Direct Force Power Meters (DFPM).

PowerCal: The PowerTap PowerCal (offered in both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart) is a heart-rate strap that also transmits power information. It monitors your heart rate and then uses the rate of change to determine power. While many hard-core power meter users are afraid to even glance at the thing, I found that when you started looking at real-world data, it wasn’t actually all that bad. And in fact, it was far more accurate than you’d expect. In general, I’d recommend this for someone that may be buying a heart rate strap anyway and is interested in power (since you’re basically just spending $50 more, it’s about $99 these days).

iBike: I haven’t tested out the iBike in a few years now. "

Another article using a runners power watch.

 

[Admin]

That's an interesting question Mike? I don't have a lot of experience measuring torque but maybe someone else can chime in? I'll keep this in the back of my mind and ask around when visiting bike shops etc. and let you know if there's a device you could use for measuring torque on bicycles. It seems like most ebike torque sensors do just that but don't have a display readout in Nm for you to read. Maybe one does somewhere out there?

 

[Mike leroy]

That's an interesting question Mike? I don't have a lot of experience measuring torque but maybe someone else can chime in? I'll keep this in the back of my mind and ask around when visiting bike shops etc. and let you know if there's a device you could use for measuring torque on bicycles. It seems like most ebike torque sensors do just that but don't have a display readout in Nm for you to read. Maybe one does somewhere out there?

Thank you. I know torque can easily be calculated from a hub generator. The generator produces watts.

I know a wireless connection could send the info already in the controller to my iPhone. Several solutions probably exist. Just a matter of t having the right contacts or search terms. I searched for an hour and found related items, but not the desired solution.

 

[Mike leroy]

I may have found something. I have to see if it applies to ordinary bikes. I prefer to set up the controller profiles (PAS) before buying the BBS02. I want to optimize the gears on the bike without a motor. That way the motor simply enhances an optimized bike. I could also gather the info from an existing bike.

I think customizing PAS for your particular situation is as important as gears. The idea is to sync the RPMs to the hill steepness. Better battery consumption, heat and power.

 

[Mike leroy]

I need to contact the manufacturer to see if cycle analyst works without a controller on an ordinary bicycle.

I could simply give the torque data to HPC. They can customize the PAS for me. Then the system is truly optimized, efficient and legal.

I think true progress will be made after details are understood and tracked down.

 

[Ann M.]

Hi @Mike leroy , I just scanned the info on V.3 of the Cycle Analyst and it seems they changed how the device gathers data. It goes to the C.A. first allowing you to customize the output going to the controller. They feel this makes the tool more universal and should work without a controller in-line. Of course, you will need some type of torque sensor; they reference a THUN bottom bracket. Interested to see how your system works for you.

 

[Mike leroy]

Hi @Mike leroy , I just scanned the info on V.3 of the Cycle Analyst and it seems they changed how the device gathers data. It goes to the C.A. first allowing you to customize the output going to the controller. They feel this makes the tool more universal and should work without a controller in-line. Of course, you will need some type of torque sensor; they reference a THUN bottom bracket. Interested to see how your system works for you.

I found another person's experience and posted the information in the felt forum to keep it near the Felt Compulsion. The default setting require customization. They did not make sense or fit the rider's needs.

 

[Mike leroy]

I found another person's experience and posted the information in the felt forum to keep it near the Felt Compulsion. The default setting require customization. They did not make sense or fit the rider's needs.

I believe they are incompatible 142mm vs. 137mm. I am over my head. Could you please respond on the Felt forum to consolidate all the info about the Compulsion ?

I hope to find a front hub light, or similar device that displays watts and torque.