Total Noob Here, Need Your Help

[Dewey]

As I aged I found Townie style bikes to be the most comfortable. Sit up straight, no pressure on the hands and a wide eyed view of the surroundings. If electra made a mid drive it would be the perfect aging adult bike.

Same here, after developing pain in my elbows and wrists on long rides I had my local bike shop take off the straight handlebar bar from my 90's hybrid and install swept back handlebars and I've since added a lower sprung saddle. Much more comfortable for me. How does it feel stretching forward to pedal? The Electra Townie Go! has the Bosch mid-drive but it's $2800.

 

[tomjasz]

Same here, after developing pain in my elbows and wrists on long rides I had my local bike shop take off the straight handlebar bar from my 90's hybrid and install swept back handlebars and I've since added a lower sprung saddle. Much more comfortable for me. How does it feel stretching forward to pedal? The Electra Townie Go! has the Bosch mid-drive but it's $2800.

I did mine with Bafang mid drives. Last two were BBSHD's. Recently sold one motor. Very close to flipping the second. Keeping two BBS01's and an '02 as loaner bikes. I just dont need the speed.(actually they don't stop safely enough, for me, YMMV) one will be a Mac front until i sort the plan. Old guy, slow on the uptake...

 

[DaveinMtAiry]

Here's good article on mileage,
http://www.ebikeschool.com/range-anxiety/

Build option?
http://www.ebikeschool.com/build-ebike-instead-buying-one/

Wattage explained
http://www.ebikeschool.com/myth-ebike-wattage/

How much power do you need?
http://www.ebikeschool.com/much-power-electric-bicycle-need/

Geared and direct hubs,
http://www.ebikeschool.com/geared-hub-motors-vs-gearless-hub-motors/

Front hub, rear hub
http://www.ebikeschool.com/front-hub-motors-vs-rear-hub-motors/

A front hub is the easiest to build. AND contrary to many they can be decent conversions. Just nit great hill climbers. One of my 6 is a front. It's my grocery runner around town and backup bike.

These were very interesting articles, yet they just add to my confusion. Many reference watts as the measuring stick, and sadly my situation would call for 1,000 watts. They seem to indicate watts are what to look at but I'm told here it's about hub vs mid-drive not watts. The articles didn't touch on this that I could see. The one article said advertised watts are not necessarily accurate and that just adds to my confusion.

 

[tomjasz]

These were very interesting articles, yet they just add to my confusion. Many reference watts as the measuring stick, and sadly my situation would call for 1,000 watts. They seem to indicate watts are what to look at but I'm told here it's about hub vs mid-drive not watts. The articles didn't touch on this that I could see. The one article said advertised watts are not necessarily accurate and that just adds to my confusion.

Maybe Micah's book, or since you're in no hurry head to a shop.

 

[vincent]

hey dave

i dont know much about bicycles and did not understand the mid drive vs hub thing either, plus i am pretty adamant about having throttle on my bikes for various reasons and throttles seem to be more on hub drives

am also a heavy person and had a hard time seeing how a 36 volt 350 watt mid drive was going to work better for me than my 48 volt 750 watt radrover

but i went to crazy lennys in madison, wisconsin - one of the biggest ebike stores in the country and rode a lot of different bikes , a lot of mid drives and it is just totally different
they climb hills very different, i dont know why or how but they do
i was zipping up a lot of hills in the medium setting on these mid drives that would have been a lot tougher/maybe not possible for me on the rover

that being said if you already are a pretty strong bike rider the extra help of the hub motor might be enough

really try to get to a store and ride some if you can

maybe check craigslist and see if there is an ebike club

 

[DaveinMtAiry]

hey dave

i dont know much about bicycles and did not understand the mid drive vs hub thing either, plus i am pretty adamant about having throttle on my bikes for various reasons and throttles seem to be more on hub drives

am also a heavy person and had a hard time seeing how a 36 volt 350 watt mid drive was going to work better for me than my 48 volt 750 watt radrover

but i went to crazy lennys in madison, wisconsin - one of the biggest ebike stores in the country and rode a lot of different bikes , a lot of mid drives and it is just totally different
they climb hills very different, i dont know why or how but they do
i was zipping up a lot of hills in the medium setting on these mid drives that would have been a lot tougher/maybe not possible for me on the rover

that being said if you already are a pretty strong bike rider the extra help of the hub motor might be enough

really try to get to a store and ride some if you can

maybe check craigslist and see if there is an ebike club

This is a great post, thanks for the help. As I said climbing hills is a requirement and as this bike will take me into retirement I will need the help from the bike more and more as I get older. You guys know better than I do and the universal opinion is mid-drive will be needed for a guy my size.

This has been a great learning experience, it's why I came here. Thanks again to everyone.

 

[tomjasz]

Follow the link to ebikes.ca and you can use the tools to calculate what you need to climb hills with your weight. Once the hill gets over 10% grad with a big guy, you'll overheat in minutes. You can [lay with battery sizes and various motors, except for mid drives. They will climb. Period.

That Giant could be a beach on climber with a kit. I'd buy a used one if you really like it and slap a mid drive kit on!

 

[DaveinMtAiry]

What about a throttle? Would I not use that to climb hills? Does the throttle work with the human power and gives you more of a boost than the pedal assistance? What names should I look at for affordable, good mid-drives?

 

[tomjasz]

Sure a throttle is good, but you have to be in the correct gear to motor up a hill. You'd use the same gear you'd be in under human power. Remember the aren't motorcycle or CVT scooters. They are still bicycles. Most designs allow you to use the throttle whenever you are so moved. It delivers that same power as the maximum PAS settings in some systems. The motor power is not increased by using the throttle.
I don't know who all the Bafang dealers are but those are the value priced mid drives. I know Bafang was here last moth to work with OEM's and they are coming out with thriller new drive system. I think Pedego or one of the big OEM's are using the new drive. The link I sent you for Biktrix are for CURRENTLY available designs as well. Same motor is sold today. The 1000W Bafang coming will be the most powerful built in frame mid drive out there. Here's a link to them. We'll have to ask Court who is iusing it. I know Biktrix has one in the works too.

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

 

[tomjasz]

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/bafang-ultra-drive-and-off-road-frames.26962/

Bixtrix.

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

 

[DaveinMtAiry]

Follow the link to ebikes.ca and you can use the tools to calculate what you need to climb hills with your weight. Once the hill gets over 10% grad with a big guy, you'll overheat in minutes. You can [lay with battery sizes and various motors, except for mid drives. They will climb. Period.

That Giant could be a beach on climber with a kit. I'd buy a used one if you really like it and slap a mid drive kit on!

Can you supply the link again, I think there was a typo on this post. Another thing I noticed is the specs rarely mention "mid-drive" when they list the motor. The link above said something like "in frame motor" or whatever. When it's a hub motor it's listed, almost as if that's a good thing.

 

[tomjasz]

Google is your friend. Biktrix The link above is good.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I've never ridden a mid-drive bike. On my next trip I'll see if I can rent one so I can get a better idea of what it is all about.

One thought I've had is that a strong cyclist can put out about 250 watts. With a mid-drive bike you are running three or four times that much power through the sprocket, cassette, and (especially) the derailleur. I have to wonder if those parts are designed for the extra stress and if you won't be overhauling them (or have them fail spectacularly) more frequently.

 

[tomjasz]

I've never ridden a mid-drive bike. On my next trip I'll see if I can rent one so I can get a better idea of what it is all about.

One thought I've had is that a strong cyclist can put out about 250 watts. With a mid-drive bike you are running three or four times that much power through the sprocket, cassette, and (especially) the derailleur. I have to wonder if those parts are designed for the extra stress and if you won't be overhauling them (or have them fail spectacularly) more frequently.

I have the cheap seats. I bought 2 BBS01, 350W, 36V not long after they came out. They have been very good. Not pushed hard, always kept running at peak RPM and adequately lubricated. I have a BBS02 750W older version and it's OK. But needs work, again. I bought two BBSHD's sold one when I didn't like the fat bike experience. On the fence no about the second one. I have the tools parts and ability to keep it running, but gear drives will climb anything I need to climb and far more resilient. If I do as planned and go to a 2wd, that will climb anything a mis will and be less maintenance. Broken chain is still a ride home. I want a Bosch or Shimano, just waiting for someone to have replacement battery sticker shock and grab a used bike. I don't like things I have to take to the dealer. SO I may never do the Bosch until they have market saturation and I can buy parts.

 

[tomjasz]

Can you supply the link again, I think there was a typo on this post. Another thing I noticed is the specs rarely mention "mid-drive" when they list the motor. The link above said something like "in frame motor" or whatever. When it's a hub motor it's listed, almost as if that's a good thing.

I just saw this bike, but maybe, since the budget is a secret (grinning) it's over budget.
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

 

[DaveinMtAiry]

So just to be clear even a 750 W hub drive won't be strong enough to get 240 pounds up a steep hill? I really need a hub drive? If that's the case I may as well forget this idea for a few years, the prices may come down and we can pay off our newly finished bathroom.

Just saw Thomas' last question. Price range? I'm thinking $1,500 or so.[/QUOTE]

I'll bump this post from the previous page as it was obviously missed. But this is not a hard number, just what I'd ideally like to spend.

 

[DaveinMtAiry]

Follow the link to ebikes.ca and you can use the tools to calculate what you need to climb hills with your weight. Once the hill gets over 10% grad with a big guy, you'll overheat in minutes. You can [lay with battery sizes and various motors, except for mid drives. They will climb. Period.

That Giant could be a beach on climber with a kit. I'd buy a used one if you really like it and slap a mid drive kit on!

I'd love to follow this advice but again you are saying nothing about Biktrix in this post, you said "ebikes.ca". Is Biktrix the link that will give me the tools to calculate the power I would need?

thanks

 

[tomjasz]

I'll bump this post from the previous page as it was obviously missed. But this is not a hard number, just what I'd ideally like to spend.

BLIND !!!! and embarassed

 

[tomjasz]

I'll bump this post from the previous page as it was obviously missed. But this is not a hard number, just what I'd ideally like to spend.

To funny! Apparently you are missing posts too. Sadly the best choice there is nearer $2000

 

[tomjasz]

$100 off free shipping just came to my Facebook on the Biktrix Monte 1000