Noob E-Bike owner from Chicago, IL USA

[Mr. Zo]

Hello, I recently purchased an E-Bike(Cheetah), since my kids are old enough to ride now. I grew up riding & working on anything with wheels(some with only 1 wheel). But it’s been awhile since I’ve tinkered with bikes or mechanics in general. It feels like I’m re-learning all over again since E-Bikes are new territory all together. Hopefully some on here will help with “Noob” type questions. Cheers!

 

[PedalUma]

I am happy to be helpful anytime. That is provided the questions do not have to do with noob polishing.
Because you are new I will say this outright; we like photos and a touch of humor. That is the laughing face emoji. It is highly regarded. And it is good to serve up a reply so that the response to it can have a touch of humor. So, lets see a photo of your bike!

 

[john peck]

¨"Abandon all hope ye who enter here.¨ This is more addictive than heroin. There´s no turning back.
Consider a tool kit & tire pump. No matter what you ride, you most likely have need of it. Itś a learning
experience, & you will make mistakes..... be safe.

 

[Mr. Zo]

¨"Abandon all hope ye who enter here.¨ This is more addictive than heroin. There´s no turning back.
Consider a tool kit & tire pump. No matter what you ride, you most likely have need of it. Itś a learning
experience, & you will make mistakes..... be safe.

Much appreciated! I made sure to order the tool kit with the bike. I’m a tool & gadgets guy, but I have to learn the E bikes troubleshooting.

 

[john peck]

Much appreciated! I made sure to order the tool kit with the bike. I’m a tool & gadgets guy, but I have to learn the E bikes troubleshooting.

You´ll be fine. The Cheetah looks like a clean straight forward sort of bike, plenty of power, good
gear ratios. I just couldn´t bring myself to spend that much....I´m such a cheapskate.

 

[Mr. Zo]

You´ll be fine. The Cheetah looks like a clean straight forward sort of bike, plenty of power, good
gear ratios. I just couldn´t bring myself to spend that much....I´m such a cheapskate.

My bike search started out looking for a pedal bike & quickly morphed into E-Bikes. I was close to purchasing the Shelby E-Bike, but due to their uncertainty waiting period, the Cheetah was more readily available & half the cost.

 

[john peck]

My bike search started out looking for a pedal bike & quickly morphed into E-Bikes. I was close to purchasing the Shelby E-Bike, but due to their uncertainty waiting period, the Cheetah was more readily available & half the cost.

Good choice! I like the shelby saddle, but it ain´t worth $7k; the cheetah seems a much smoother ride &
has a cleaner look. Why would I want a very fake V-twin on an ebike

 

[PedalUma]

Here is one that I made. The motor is between the pedals. The battery looks like Gatorade. @john peck is correct. Do not be overly risk adverse regarding working on bikes. As long as you do not do something like lick the discharge port of your battery to see if it is ON you will be fine. I learn best by screwing up. And I try to make as many mistakes as I can each day, provided that each one is a different mistake. Also here is an air scrubber that I just made from a recycled bike box to remove wild fire smoke. This stuff is addictive because it is creative play.

 

[john peck]

Here is one that I made. The motor is between the pedals. The battery looks like Gatorade. @john peck is correct. Do not be overly risk adverse regarding working on bikes. As long as you do not do something like lick the discharge port of your battery to see if it is ON you will be fine. I learn best by screwing up. And I try to make as many mistakes as I can each day, provided that each one is a different mistake. Also here is an air scrubber that I just made from a recycled bike box to remove wild fire smoke. This stuff is addictive because it is creative play.

One is less likely to repeat a repeat really dumb mistake

 

[PedalUma]

Recently I was sitting on a padded toped 5 gallon bucket trimming two Topeak Versa Mounts and the knife slipped and went deeply into a major vein in my cyclist's leg. I lost 4 oz. of blood in two seconds before I could apply direct pressure. That was dumb. Blood shot out like a hose! Really dumb. I could have died. It was like slicing a hole in a basket ball. Not a good idea if you like your basket ball. Later the clot didn't hold and I lost another 12 oz. No one gets two Darwin Awards - elimination from the genetic pool is a onetime deal. Mistakes like that cannot be repeated.

 

[reed scott]

Recently I was sitting on a padded toped 5 gallon bucket trimming two Topeak Versa Mounts and the knife slipped and went deeply into a major vein in my cyclist's leg. I lost 4 oz. of blood in two seconds before I could apply direct pressure. That was dumb. Blood shot out like a hose! Really dumb. I could have died. It was like slicing a hole in a basket ball. Not a good idea if you like your basket ball. Later the clot didn't hold and I lost another 12 oz. No one gets two Darwin Awards - elimination from the genetic pool is a onetime deal. Mistakes like that cannot be repeated.
View attachment 96568

How recent? Concerned.

 

[PedalUma]

How recent? Concerned.

I am much better now, thanks. The skin in the area is still irritated from the adhesive bandages used to hold it together and the sanitizers to keep it clean but it is not going to pop a leak again!