How do you define the ideal electric touring bicycle?

webcurl said:
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.
Click to expand...

Yeah, high draw isn't a problem for me... or most people I believe that use their gears as much as the motor. Ride it like a cute little baby motorcycle and you get lots of heat. But I guess a system like that is almost necessary when you are using little batteries placed around the frame where they will fit. What's next 5 or 6 all strung together around the bike with some proprietary connector so you have to buy from them?
 
Over50 said:
Except maybe you don't always need the one large battery ...
Click to expand...

So you only put a 1/4 tank of gas in your car... just in case you aren't planning on going very far? Come on man. Lithium batteries are expensive and need to be babied if you want to get the longest life possible out of them. The larger the battery the easier it is to do that.
 
BBassett said:
So you only put a 1/4 tank of gas in your car... just in case you aren't planning on going very far? Come on man. Lithium batteries are expensive and need to be babied if you want to get the longest life possible out of them. The larger the battery the easier it is to do that.
Click to expand...

I don't think the gas analogy works. Primarily because I have to drive to the gas station to put that 1/4 tank in the car. Not the same with my e-bike batteries. I have 2 dual-battery Bosch bikes and I have PP 400s and 500s. I'm just going for my lunch time ride and grocery run I pop in a 400. A commute to work then maybe 2 400s. A commute to work and errands on the way home or the next morning 2 500s. You like your way (obvious from all your posts). I like options.
 
Over50 said:
I don't think the gas analogy works. Primarily because I have to drive to the gas station to put that 1/4 tank in the car. Not the same with my e-bike batteries. I have 2 dual-battery Bosch bikes and I have PP 400s and 500s. I'm just going for my lunch time ride and grocery run I pop in a 400. A commute to work then maybe 2 400s. A commute to work and errands on the way home or the next morning 2 500s. You like your way (obvious from all your posts). I like options.
Click to expand...

Maybe not, but how often do you drive directly to the station for gas rather than just stopping along your regular daily drive to top off? I place my emphases on not stressing the batteries in the hopes of significantly extending the life. Not using more than 60% of the battery full capacity (30 Ah). That's 18 Ah I can spend any way I want and not stress the battery. You can even charge a large pack faster with no stress since you are only filling the pack to 80%. I'll take range over speed any day, or up to 75-80 miles on a reasonably level surface.
 
BBassett said:
Maybe not, but how often do you drive directly to the station for gas rather than just stopping along your regular daily drive to top off? I place my emphases on not stressing the batteries in the hopes of significantly extending the life. Not using more than 60% of the battery full capacity (30 Ah). That's 18 Ah I can spend any way I want and not stress the battery. You can even charge a large pack faster with no stress since you are only filling the pack to 80%. I'll take range over speed any day, or up to 75-80 miles on a reasonably level surface.
Click to expand...
Many people with an R&M Supercharger take out the top tube battery for around town and use it as a "Glove Compartment" in turn making the bike 2.9kg lighter. Then they put it back in for longer trips for a total of 26.8Ah. I leave mine in, LOCKED into the frame, not completely theft proof but way better than velcro straps.
 
webcurl said:
Many people with an R&M Supercharger take out the top tube battery for around town and use it as a "Glove Compartment" in turn making the bike 2.9kg lighter. Then they put it back in for longer trips for a total of 26.8Ah. I leave mine in, LOCKED into the frame, not completely theft proof but way better than velcro straps.
Click to expand...

It sucks having to worry about the damn thing on a regular basis.
 
Here's an idea for a business:
Start up an insurance company that has hooks in with multiple telecommunications & bike manufacturer companies throughout the world and provide a bike gps tracking/insurance service for a negligible fee!
 
Saratoga Dave said:
<<I have 2 dual-battery Bosch bikes and I have PP 400s and 500s>>

Over 50, you’ve been shopping! What’s new in the garage?
Click to expand...

Ha. Nothing really new in the garage. Well, at least since early in the year when we added the Gen 2 Vektron. The idea was to sell the Gen 1 Vektron but turns out my wife likes it better. So yes, I kind of have an extra bike at the moment - or at least one I had planned to not have at this time. But dual-battery, we have the GSD and the R&M. And on the way, is the new Trek w/plans to sell the Haibike. Now both regular commuters will be dual-battery. Nice to have the flexibility of modular battery design even if some folks don't approve.
 
dblhelix said:
Would love to hear why. What is your preference? I own a Gen1 Vektron as well.
Click to expand...

Hope you don't mind but I took my response over to my Vektron thread so as to not derail the touring bike discussion:

Over50's Tern Vektron S10 Chronicles (Gen 1 and Gen 2)

I did a 1/2 commute today (20 miles) on my non electric bike. First time ever. I worked harder to go slower averaging 11.4 mph. My recent averages on the Class 1 Terns (Vektron and GSD) are around 14.5 mph. My recent averages on the Class 3 are just under 17 mph. I have a couple of sections of...
electricbikereview.com electricbikereview.com
 
Last edited:
dblhelix said:
dblhelix: Smaller (ebike battery) has its benefits while charging on the road.

BBassett - Question: "And you are going to charge a little battery faster, or cheaper somehow?"

dblhelix - Answer: "Right. Cheers."
Click to expand...

LOL! That's what I thought. A small battery has no advantage over a large battery other than just the weight and purchase price. But they do have several disadvantages, like having to charge more slowly, they have less usable range, small batteries get "cooked" faster since users fill and deplete them far too often cutting their usable life in half, must have multiple charges or charge one at a time. Great argument Mr. lix.
 
BBassett said:
LOL! That's what I thought. A small battery has no advantage over a large battery other than just the weight and purchase price. But they do have several disadvantages, like having to charge more slowly, they have less usable range, small batteries get "cooked" faster since users fill and deplete them far too often cutting their usable life in half, must have multiple charges or charge one at a time. Great argument Mr. lix.
Click to expand...
Through after some time with technical advances your "large" battery will become smaller and i'm guessing you will up the ante and still keep it large, or you will fine tune how much gear you tour with and probably require less Ah.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M1Rate
My Path to Living (Mostly) Without Cars
2
Replies
25
Views
8K
Piter
P
B
How "Mixed Mode Commuting" Can Make Your Business or Personal Life More Successful : Electric Bicycles and Public Transportation
Replies
17
Views
6K
Ken M
K
Back