More Range

Jelester

Member
I have been an bike rider for a long time but just this last month converted my Trek hybrid to a Ebike and I am so happy I did. I am 74 and have been riding about 15 miles a day when I ride but after converting my bike I can easily get 25 or better. I have a question for someone to help me find a 36 Volt 15 AH 500 watt battery so I can extend my range to around 35 to 40 miles. The kit I have is just a 36 volt 13 AH. I am not interested in high speed just more range. There are plenty of batteries that do not match the Dolphin bracket I have as I want to be able to use the same bracket to change out when needed.
 

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I´m just 70, but you sound to be in better shape than I . Range is the reason I held off going electric for so long. I wanted to tour long distance
as I have in spite off steel rods in one leg having had a couple severed tendons in the other. I´d say you´ve made a good choice of bike in that
it´s geared so that it´s still reasonable to pedal without the motor. I don´t think you´ll gain much range with a heavier 15ah 500, & lugging
spare batpacs ls not terribly convenient. Since you have a front derailleur, I´d consider mounting a 42/34/24 chainring. Since speed is not
important, dawdiling along without power on the smaller rings can stretch your range without being too exhausting. They are also good on hills.
On a steep grade, even with 48v & 750 watts, once you´re speed falls below 9 mph you are just pedaling anyway. Depending on your weight &
drag profile, going to a more powerful bike may or may not help.
 
Thanks John for the good info. Since I last posted this the 36 Volt 17 AH is on the market for around $400.00 and in checking this
out it would I believe give me another 10 miles with is 35 and I would be very happy. The 42/34/24 is also an option. I like to ride about 30 miles and that is good for an old man almost 75. I am in good shape and I attribute it to God and my Trek. I want to stay with the same voltage as it is fast enough. Thank you John for your insight.
 

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Glad you found a bigger pac that fits. The price isn´t too bad either. L´d still do the chainring thing. The cool thing is that front motor
is not connected to your drive train. I like the way the bike´s set up, probably at ´least´ 10 pds. lighter than my 650w/ 21ah/ 52v. Still,
my guess from the bike you´re about 5´11¨, 172#, ride upright knees high, seat a bit low, & drink too much coffee.:p Let me know
how far off I am?
 
Glad you found a bigger pac that fits. The price isn´t too bad either. L´d still do the chainring thing. The cool thing is that front motor
is not connected to your drive train. I like the way the bike´s set up, probably at ´least´ 10 pds. lighter than my 650w/ 21ah/ 52v. Still,
my guess from the bike you´re about 5´11¨, 172#, ride upright knees high, seat a bit low, & drink too much coffee.:p Let me know
how far off I am?
Glad you found a bigger pac that fits. The price isn´t too bad either. L´d still do the chainring thing. The cool thing is that front motor
is not connected to your drive train. I like the way the bike´s set up, probably at ´least´ 10 pds. lighter than my 650w/ 21ah/ 52v. Still,
my guess from the bike you´re about 5´11¨, 172#, ride upright knees high, seat a bit low, & drink too much coffee.:p Let me know
how far off I am?
My weight is a little more, I try to keep seat level with top of my hips and I do sit upright, less strain on hands. I got to ride yesterday even though it was pretty cold. I am going to talk to my bike shop about the gearing. Battery may be cheaper in February. With front hub it is almost like two wheels pulling. I have torque arms on both sides. I don`t trust those forks. I also use a chest heart monitor strap and us a app on my phone to monitor it while riding.
 
Another option would be to carry a second smaller, lighter weight battery in your tail bag. Then just swap batteries in mid ride. You might need a larger tail bag or a set of panniers though if you carry a lot of gear.
 
Another option would be to carry a second smaller, lighter weight battery in your tail bag. Then just swap batteries in mid ride. You might need a larger tail bag or a set of panniers though if you carry a lot of gear.[/QUObike TE]
The mount on the bike battery is the dolphin style, when I take the battery off I do not have to unplug any wiring. That is the reason I want the same style. I do have rack that I could mount one but would have to run another set of wires from the controller.
 
Well J, I think you have an appropriate efficient bike for your build. The reason I ride a heavy, powerful CCS is that I´m built like
an offensive lineman. I´ve got a light Raleigh Hybrid. I think I´ll try with a front hub motor. My size & 180 hydraulics are seriously
hard on spokes. The Raleigh has rim brakes. I´d love to see what a lighter bike could do for me.
 
Well J, I think you have an appropriate efficient bike for your build. The reason I ride a heavy, powerful CCS is that I´m built like
an offensive lineman. I´ve got a light Raleigh Hybrid. I think I´ll try with a front hub motor. My size & 180 hydraulics are seriously
hard on spokes. The Raleigh has rim brakes. I´d love to see what a lighter bike could do for me.
I got my front hub from EbikesBC and I have never saw spokes the size if have. I have put a lot of miles on it and no broke spokes. I weight over 200 and ride most of the time on an old railroad bed called the Creeper Trail which is about 33 miles long. I really am thinking about getting another hub from them and build my wife a bike.
 
@Jelester Are you referring to the Virginia Creeper Trail? If so, how does your hub motor do pulling the grade from Damascus up to White Top? I always ride the Creeper when I'm down that way. Haven't tried the e-bike there yet though.
 
Thanks John for the good info. Since I last posted this the 36 Volt 17 AH is on the market for around $400.00 and in checking this
out it would I believe give me another 10 miles with is 35 and I would be very happy. The 42/34/24 is also an option. I like to ride about 30 miles and that is good for an old man almost 75. I am in good shape and I attribute it to God and my Trek. I want to stay with the same voltage as it is fast enough. Thank you John for your insight.

Jelester, 75 isn't old on this forum! I'm 80 and I thought I was old until I saw a post by an 86 year old still doing long rides. Good luck finding your battery and welcome to the forum from another old timer.
 
By next summer, you probably get 40 miles out of the original 13AH battery. You will be stronger and you use less power when its warmer.

I'm 70. Rode 22 miles today and after 6 miles I had hunger pains and wanted to get off the path, and buy a candy bar somewhere, but I didn't bring a chain lock and I'm paranoid about losing stuff. Well that went away, and I finished my ride.

Being a retired engineer that likes to take data, I used 5.7AH on today's ride. Normally, that's more like 4AH in warmer weather. I have done over 50 miles on 10AH. My lovely wife has done 36 miles on a 9AH battery, but we do ride slow. I like to set my assist level so it takes the edge off of pedaling, Pulling about 100W out of the motor in level 1.

,
 
@Jelester Are you referring to the Virginia Creeper Trail? If so, how does your hub motor do pulling the grade from Damascus up to White Top? I always ride the Creeper when I'm down that way. Haven't tried the e-bike there yet though.
Yes it is the Creeper Trail. I live about two miles from it. I have not rode up the Mountain but did ride to Damascus on a half charge, I have rode down the mountain and as you know it does not need much of a push.
 
Looking at your battery pack i'm going with this
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...ml?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.7.3622c742GFpiPG
I have a 24 volt, 30 amp hour from them that's unreal but you have to specify Samsung cells, will add to the price but worth it.
The type of battery will not increase speed, only changing the motor gears or motor with different gears will do that, regardless of amps or volts, changing the battery only changes your range.
 
Except for spoke issues my CCS performs as well or better that when I bought it after 3400 mi., but the range is still not close to
that professed for a rider half my size. I will not buy another electric 'til they evolve to match the range of my 40cc Raleigh USA gas bike.
The energy to mass ratio is still vastly greater than lithium batteries so far. I see great improvement coming, but for now, with 160+ mpg,
the Raleigh is more practical for long distance travel.
 

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