I would not tour with Schwalbe Super Moto-X, too slippery.
How do you define the ideal electric touring bicycle?
- Thread starter Dionigi
- Start date
Ravi Kempaiah
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Halifax
Don't know what kind of touring you do but Super Moto-X works very well on paved surfaces. The outer rubber compound is very durable and the air volume provides excellent cushioning.
If you do touring on gravel roads and rough surfaces, Marathon Mondial or Smart Sam plus would work well.
Nowhere have I seen any mention of restrictions that airlines place on Li-ion batteries....most won't allow them to be carried on or even placed in the luggage compartments. Considered dangerous goods. How can you have a world traveler touring e-bike if you can't fly with it.
I've had the 62-584 Super Moto-X on the rear of my R&M SC, nice cushioning yes but here in Australia we get a lot of dirt/dust & sand blown onto our roads and these tires are a bit slippery, more so in the wet. We don't have many paved surfaces.
Currently have 57-584 Marathon Plus MTB's and they're great, just wish they'd make fatter ones (if they fitted on the SC).
I'd ideally like to eventually do this kind of touring, not sure how my SC would currently go (ignore his idea of "Mountains"
Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
Bike Friday claims to have a solution to these problems:
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-bikes/electric-assist-e-bike-system-for-travel
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-bikes/traveling-with-frida-e-ebike-bike-friday
Generally these are low-power assist and more limited range than most e-bikes people look at here, but they are still interesting and promising solutions from a well-thought-of maker of bicycles. As a bonus their bicycles are made in the USA (Eugene, OR) and are made-to-order.
Hi Ravi, I'm new here. I just ordered Pushkar's Ultimate Commuter Pro with the intent of using it as a touring bike as well as a replacement for a car. Seems almost ideal to me with some minor mods. Do you see any issues with using it as a touring bike?
Ravi Kempaiah
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Halifax
The bike works very well as a touring steed. If you have done any kind of long distance touring, you will quickly realize that planning your pit stops for mid-day charging can derail your plans. Waiting 4-5hrs is not practical.
One big advantage of the UC Pro is that it already comes with Satiator charger, which drastically cuts down the charging time from 5hrs to 2hrs. So, one could just carry a single battery and consistently do 80-100 mile days with moderate loads. The rack is heavy-duty and you should be able to carry 60lbs+ without any problem.
While designing the UC Pro, I and Pushkar had hundreds of discussion on parts selection. The final spec that you see is selected such that the bike is extremely performance oriented and yet very low maintenance. The bike has lots of power. It is not super smooth like Yamaha but overall, it's got excellent componentry that will last several years and rides very well. What mods were you thinking of for touring?
here are my thoughts re:touring:
- Ensure the brakes are in top condition before embarking on your trip. Brake bleed is difficult to perform on the field by yourself.
- Unless you REALLY need it, carrying second battery is not really recommended. 880whr pack gives you 50 miles of range at 20mph avg speed. Satiator is god send for touring.
- Ensure the belt tension is appropriate and Rohloff twist shifter is in great shape. Pause while you shift.
As a daily commuter, it is a fast and high-quality ride.
Thanks very much, Ravi!! Very helpful. I was wondering about the brakes, too. Seems like for long-distance touring non-hydraulic brakes would be a better bet. How reliable are the brakes on the UC Pro? And how do you maintain them? I've never had a bike with disc brakes, much less hydraulics, so I'm pretty ignorant about how to take care of them.
BBassett
Active Member
Steel frame, 26 X 2" wheels (32 spoke front/36 spoke rear), disc brakes (minimum 180mm), full air suspension, integral rear rack, suspended front rack, Rohloff Speed-hub, dynamo front hub, a great front light, 1000W mid-drive w/throttle, center-stand, fenders, mirrors, full set of water-proof panniers and bar bag(s), 2 X 30Ah lithium packs, single wheel suspension trailer, 300W folding solar panel, and whatever toys you need to stay comfortable, i.e., a Fugoo XL Bluetooth waterproof speaker an absolute must for me. This is my definition of ideal.
https://imgur.com/a/3w6izz7 - Bike and Trailer
https://imgur.com/a/DKpcF0a
https://imgur.com/a/zXXlyuv
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=LUZqdEl1d3RjNV9id0ZvTEFickhITnBwWFZrU3hR
Check out 70 miles w/front panniers & trailer on Relive! https://www.relive.cc/view/g37290970278
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN67sUw0ykU-Mg5gLsOw9vF8kBMEM5cGCgCNmLT_j72h9iu5fKYFFVbLJ2Z415Umw?key=LUZqdEl1d3RjNV9id0ZvTEFickhITnBwWFZrU3hR
https://imgur.com/a/3w6izz7 - Bike and Trailer
https://imgur.com/a/DKpcF0a
https://imgur.com/a/zXXlyuv
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=LUZqdEl1d3RjNV9id0ZvTEFickhITnBwWFZrU3hR
Check out 70 miles w/front panniers & trailer on Relive! https://www.relive.cc/view/g37290970278
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN67sUw0ykU-Mg5gLsOw9vF8kBMEM5cGCgCNmLT_j72h9iu5fKYFFVbLJ2Z415Umw?key=LUZqdEl1d3RjNV9id0ZvTEFickhITnBwWFZrU3hR
Hi, did you get your Faiv Hoogar whilst in Europe?
And i don't understand the extra cost, complexity & resistance of a hub dynamo when you have 2 x 30Ah batteries?
BBassett
Active Member
I had the bike built and shipped from Germany, the Hoogar was an option. After a few thousand miles I had it modified to work better with Arkle locking hinges and love it! Then I crushed it and am now riding the couch as it is rebuilt and hopefully even better than it was.
BBassett
Active Member
As far as the batteries are concerned I like being able to charge as I ride, and with the weight that I move the dynamo is nothing, so little resistance you can't notice turning the wheel with a fingertip. The charge in the packs is the most costly... timewise to come by, about 4 hours to get 15 Ah. into them. I don't want to spend any of that on small electronics or lighting, I want it for range.
I appreciate that it is a small resistance associated with the hub but physics dictates that the small charge you get from the Dynamo will in turn come from your legs and your larger batteries.
BBassett
Active Member
Yeah, I can't beat physics, but my battery and legs are already going where ever I am. I just like being able to fill my power-pack in the bar-bag so I can recharge camera(s), GPS, Phone, Vario, marker light(s), MP3 player, camping lights, and on and on. When I have 120V available I use it for everything. When I charge my packs with the solar panel I use the hub for everything but the FuGoo XL. I try to have multiple purposes for every item I choose, the magic 2'fer. A dynamo hub just made sense for me.
BBassett
Active Member
Not ideal, no suspension.
Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
"1.1 jiggawatts..." these guys crack me up.
The rear rack on the Bulls looks a bit un-supported!?
I mean, if you're going to put a rack on a mountain bike shouldn't it be super strong?
This is where R&M's suspended rack to me seems the go as it wouldn't take as many bumps and hits and not negate the suspension effect?
BBassett
Active Member
Two, even three small batteries can't match one large battery.
Without trying to sound like a Bosch fanboy or anything, their system with 2 batteries in use whereby the motor uses 5% (different if capacity is not the same) from one battery and then switches to the other and vice versa allows the battery chemistries to settle. This is even more beneficial when high loads are drawn causing them to heat up and even more beneficial if you're going to charge them straight after use.
