New builder, e biker (omc,1957)

[Pine_marten]

Just finished my first build. A Trek Verve 3 outfitted with a 48v BBS02 and 20ah premium celled battery. Got rid of some of the junk parts Trek used. Put some Fooker pedals on, a Selle Royal saddle, Thumpbuster LT post. Did install a shift sensor. Also a 44t Lekkie bling ring. My only glitch so far is the rerouted shift cable fouled up the indexing. Prrobably too much slack in the long runs of cable housing. Still fooling with that. Guess i could go with a three speed igh hub and simplify the drive train.

 

[PedalUma]

Just finished my first build. A Trek Verve 3 outfitted with a 48v BBS02 and 20ah premium celled battery. Got rid of some of the junk parts Trek used. Put some Fooker pedals on, a Selle Royal saddle, Thumpbuster LT post. Did install a shift sensor. Also a 44t Lekkie bling ring. My only glitch so far is the rerouted shift cable fouled up the indexing. Prrobably too much slack in the long runs of cable housing. Still fooling with that. Guess i could go with a three speed igh hub and simplify the drive train.

Welcome! Sounds nice. I know we would all like to see some photos of your bike in its natural habitat. There is a good chance that the shift housing is kinked, especially if you ran it under the bottom bracket, between the BB and the motor. That would throw of indexing and cause lag. Another thing is the use of zip ties. If they are too tight it does the same thing. Six zip ties at seven pounds of pressure equals one at 42 pounds of pressure on the housing. Shift sensors cause some friction and that is acceptable when all else is good. I use very gentle curves in my housings. They do not like abrupt bends. My go to bike is an IGH three speed.

 

[Pine_marten]

Just got back from a short ride and the bike performed wonderfully. The motor is silent and aside from ease of pedaling not very noticeable. 20 mph is easy to maintain on a level, smooth street. Think i got the shifting sorted too. Bike is locked in the garage but i will post a pick. After living in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego for a couple years i am wary of theft. Here in Duluth MN theft of bicycles is common ( so are meth addicts). People have been followed home and their expensive bikes stolen from their garages . Mine is locked to my motorcycle.

 

[PedalUma]

What was up with the shifting?

 

[rich c]

Going to a different hub is a pretty wild and expensive swing to get rid of a cable tension problem.

 

[PedalUma]

Going to a different hub is a pretty wild and expensive swing to get rid of a cable tension problem.

@rich c, I just fixed up an old Gary Fisher. I had to use two zip ties for the build. They are for the shift cable on the chain stay. But none are at the HB. This is a sentimental bike for the guy. It was his high school sweetie.

 

[Pine_marten]

Interesting bottle battery there Pedal! Is that run of shift cable in housing the whole way?

 

[PedalUma]

Interesting bottle battery there Pedal! Is that run of shift cable in housing the whole way?

@Pine_marten, Yes. The shift housing is contiguous. And through frame. I try my best to avoid all zip ties but made an exception on that Gary Fisher build at the chain stay for the shift housing and used two. I made the curves very gradual. I chopped off the connectors to make it hygienic. Here is one from the weekend that has zero zip ties. That is when they are best. Hey, when do we get a photo? We all want bike porn.

 

[Pine_marten]

Going to a different hub is a pretty wild and expensive swing to get rid of a cable tension problem.

The three speed igh hubs are not expensive, but having someone lace them up to your rim might be?

 

[PedalUma]

The three speed igh hubs are not expensive, but having someone lace them up to your rim might be?

It is $200 here at an LBS. But they will cut you the spokes for under $20. Go to Sheldon Brown and you can see how to lace. I use nail polish colors to mark the first five on the hub, spokes, and rim. Once you get the first five it is just following a simple pattern. Then tension gradually and evenly using feel and sound. I use oil pastels to check for true right on the bike. You can see where it rubs to the left and right. Different colors show how progress is being made. The reason I have nail polish colors is that I use them to touch up bikes. I like a Nexus 3-speed with a 16-t cog to a 42-t chainring. Sheldon Brown also has a gear calculator. I have two three speed electric bikes with coaster brakes. They are more fun to ride than complex bikes. You can cruise at 24 and still take big hills. I like that I can use a super beefy chain to celebrate Mr. T's birthday.

 

[Pine_marten]

Just got back from a 15 mile ride. Did some long hills with ease, climbed 600' in elevation. Battery still shows full though it was charged to 80%. Let's see how much luck I have posting pics...yes, that is lake Superior ( enough water to cover south, central and North America with 2 feet!)

 

[PedalUma]

Just got back from a 15 mile ride. Did some long hills with ease, climbed 600' in elevation. Battery still shows full though it was charged to 80%. Let's see how much luck I have posting pics...View attachment 125512

Here is an HD build. Can you spot the cheat to dispose of the HB connectors and extra wire? What color are the zip ties on the top tube.

 

[Pine_marten]

You are a perfectionist! I was just interested in seeing that the build functioned as it should. I have time now to clean up the wiring though i do not plan to shorten and solder anything though i could. I am pleased with the build and happy I did it. Is that headlight wired into the bafang harness? I need one. I am going to "bed" my battery mount to the down tube with epoxy ( will use a release agent on the tube) because i was only able to use one bottle hanger mount screw. I added a rear rack today, a bell and a rear view mirror.

 

[Pine_marten]

Added an Abus 4960 frame lock today, The Trek has bosses that work. Also got the Abus chain tether. Happy to be rid of the bulky, heavy Kryptonite U lock. From Amazon via the Netherlands. Had some stainless washers and lock washers so it should stay tight.