An electric bike for touring

[BenScoobert]

The problem to overcome is going to be weight and cost

A to B Magazine lists a whole lot of electric bikes and tests them on a mixed hilly course to get a realistic assessment of range.

The quick answer would be to carry two batteries and change over when the first drains, but as I stated this is expensive and heavy!

I have to admit I like the bottle shape battery idea, plus rear batteries too, you could sure get some amp hours stored and new lithiums are great, if expensive.

 

[RedBike]

If you are going to cycle, do it properly and lose the electrics.

Believe me i've tried. I've even tried pulling one crank off and just having a peg to put my foot on.
I've been told to leave the bike alone for the next 6-9months to let things recover. This is clearly never going to happen. In fact I lasted just 2 days before I tried to ride.

Apparently my ankle is now more like the one on the left than the one on the right (Not that I can tell). This effectively means that when I ride (or walk) i'm getting hip, knee and even back ache. These arch inserts i've just found are really helping to straighten me up but until i'm fully recovered I need a bit of a helping hand with pedalling.

I have to admit I like the bottle shape battery idea, plus rear batteries too, you could sure get some amp hours stored and new lithiums are great, if expensive.

I've found several companies selling 1000w wheels with controllers for about ~£200, which isn't too bad. The main problem / cost with the conversion is the batteries!

 

[andym]

I've been told to leave the bike alone for the next 6-9months to let things recover. This is clearly never going to happen. In fact I lasted just 2 days before I tried to ride.

Hmm. I thought that even electric bikes required some pedalling - so more a question of motor-assisted.

I can imagine how hard it might be, but possibly it might be better to listen to the doctors - 6-9 months is a long time, but better than being told you can never ride again.

Arch - well said.

 

[adamjones]

You don't need an electic bike RB.

Just leave those stupid direct drive bikes at home and use a proper bike for once.

 

[andym]

You don't need an electic bike RB.

Just leave those stupid direct drive bikes at home and use a proper bike for once.

See Arch's post above. If you can't be bothered to read the thread why waste your time (and everyone else's) by posting?

 

[adamjones]

See Arch's post above. If you can't be bothered to read the thread why waste your time (and everyone else's) by posting?

Don't worry I know Jon (RB) very well.

Imo Red doesn’t need electrical assistance. He is an unbelievably fit rider. He just needs to be patient and let his leg heal.



When he is strong enough to ride then he needs to start riding a normal geared bike instead of those direct drive fixed wheel abominations of his.

 

[andym]

Don't worry I know Jon (RB) very well.

Imo Red doesn’t need electrical assistance. He is an unbelievably fit rider. He just needs to be patient and let his leg heal.

When he is strong enough to ride then he needs to start riding a normal geared bike instead of those direct drive fixed wheel abominations of his.

Yep that sounds like it's probably good advice ...

Sorry for getting stroppy with you.

 

[Arch]

Hmm. I thought that even electric bikes required some pedalling - so more a question of motor-assisted.

There are two sorts. Some (called pedelecs) require pedalling - the motor won't cut in unless the pedals are turning. Some can be operated purely via a throttle, usually a twist grip type. My morning commute nemesis is a woman on one of these, who glides along the riverside path at 17-18 mph, just ahead of me, only pedalling for the slight gradient up and over the Millennium Bridge. Once, I caught and overtook her, and stayed ahead though it nearly killed me, but the last few times I've seen her, I've just not had the oomph.

How hard you have to pedal to get the help on a pedelec varies, I think. On a throttle type, it would be possible to ride it like a motorbike, and just turn the pedals very lightly, with little or no resistance. It would perhaps at least keep the joints moving - although this might not be a good idea, if RB really really ought to just rest.

 

[Chekmx]

Ok. I know my range is going to be severally hampered, but is it possible?
Is there such a thing as an electric touring bike?

Due to an injury I'm having major trouble with the gears/ weight of my motorbike and I can't get very far at all on a standard bike.

Yes there is a german brand that does a bike speciically for touring but I forget the name. I will try to find it. Also kalkhoff have announced there 2011 range and this includes a new 18ah battery with a range of upto 140km although this is with minimum assist levels and is only pedelec.
Have you tried posting your query at www.pedelecs.co.uk?

 

[Bike Matt]

The good news is that with modern advances in lithium batteries you can get a decent range in a relatively light weight battery. I do my 30 mile a day (15 miles each way including a 10% hill) on a single charge with a 36v 16ah battery. There is plenty left at the end of the day so if I wasn't able to pedal I would still get the ride done. Batteries are light enough now that you can carry a spare for touring if you want to double the range (but bear in mind costs!).

In the UK you don't need to pedal to get the electric bike to work, you are allowed a throttle. If you ride in Europe then you are only allowed a 'pedal assist' bike so bear this in mind if you tour abroad.

Also bear in mind the legal speed and power limitations for the country you ride in. In the UK for example you can have up to 250 watts of continuous power and are limited to 25kph (15.6mph).

And to Adamjones and Spokesmann who are all to quick to judge electric bikes: Please consider those who would like to cycle more but are unable to like the OP. Would you rather live in a world where they are excluded from the activity they love? And what about commuters? Many people don't have shower facilities where they work and an electric bike means commuting without the need for a change of cloths. Would you rather ride your non electrics on roads filled with electric bikes or sucking in the exhaust fumes from cars with just one person in them on their way to work?

For the record I regularly ride my Wilier Triestina Le Roi in 100 mile sportives but I use my electric bike for commuting so I don't have to change at work. I arrive fresh, I'm never late because of traffic and I start and end my day on my bike. Life is sweet

 

[climo]

Believe me i've tried. I've even tried pulling one crank off and just having a peg to put my foot on.
I've been told to leave the bike alone for the next 6-9months to let things recover. This is clearly never going to happen. In fact I lasted just 2 days before I tried to ride.

Apparently my ankle is now more like the one on the left than the one on the right (Not that I can tell). This effectively means that when I ride (or walk) i'm getting hip, knee and even back ache. These arch inserts i've just found are really helping to straighten me up but until i'm fully recovered I need a bit of a helping hand with pedalling.

I've found several companies selling 1000w wheels with controllers for about ~£200, which isn't too bad. The main problem / cost with the conversion is the batteries!

Go to a proper podiatrist and get custom made orthotic insoles. They'll really help.

 

[AndyPeace]

Believe me i've tried. I've even tried pulling one crank off and just having a peg to put my foot on.
I've been told to leave the bike alone for the next 6-9months to let things recover. This is clearly never going to happen. In fact I lasted just 2 days before I tried to ride.

Apparently my ankle is now more like the one on the left than the one on the right (Not that I can tell). This effectively means that when I ride (or walk) i'm getting hip, knee and even back ache. These arch inserts i've just found are really helping to straighten me up but until i'm fully recovered I need a bit of a helping hand with pedalling.

I've found several companies selling 1000w wheels with controllers for about ~£200, which isn't too bad. The main problem / cost with the conversion is the batteries!

An electric touring bike is possible. I have an Alien Auroa (350w) which does can do around 40 miles on my battery set up (2x 36v 10ah batteries). Milage is dependant on terrain, Hills will sap the battery big time! The biggest problem you will have (especially if its a home conversion) is reliability... if it breaks down, your stuck (full set up without luggage my electric bike is well over 25kg)... with so little support in the uk you'll struggle to find a bike shop able to repair... so you will need a good knowledge of your set up, how to diagnose electrical problems and where to get parts from. Cheap electronics and batteries = low or no technical support, poor reliabilty and a lack of hardiness in wet weather! When they work they're great fun, but trying to peadal a 25kg bike with an inactive electric hub is not going to bring any joy.

Although in day to day life a prosuction is unlikley, any electric bike over 250w is illegal in the uk ( they need to be registeded/licenced in the same way cars and moterbikes are.. should you be in accident you will be serious legal trouble (technically you are riding an unregistered motor vehical, without insurance, mot etc). Any electric bike over 250w cannot be insured for road use in the uk so you'll be vunerable in so many ways.

Could you not combine train and carefully selected routes that won't be beyond your recovering bodies abilities?

 

[albion]

The standard way to do it is to have a touring trailer with a battery in the trailer and using a front wheel motor.

Obviously a 100 mile range can be achieved.

 

[AndyPeace]

The standard way to do it is to have a touring trailer with a battery in the trailer and using a front wheel motor.

Obviously a 100 mile range can be achieved.

Curious, why a front wheel motor... I was under the impresion this offers less torque thus less hill climbing ability. As far as I know front wheel motors are used because its easier to do a conversion this way.. Less hassle as it doesn't involve the bikes gearing. And 'where did you get the 100 mile quota from? experince or hearsay?

 

[albion]

It is an easier DIY route and fairly straight forward.
Batteries are always a compromise.
LiFeP04 being by far the most robust but heavier than less stable lithium ones.

I researched it when my knee problems gave me a break from cycling but never went ahead.
The trailer and front wheel makes for quick change over to/from a normal bike.