E-bikes are a thing

[Ian F]

E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist|E-BIKE | SHIMANO BIKE-US

To Build Closer Relationships between People, Nature, and Bicycles. We believe in the power of cycling to create a better world as we move forward. We inspire all people to enjoy our products in their everyday lives and where they take them.

bike.shimano.com

This is old.. but perhaps helpful

That was the first video that came up. Not very helpful. None of the videos I've watched so far seem to explain what the various settings actually do. As far as I can tell, the settings are already set to what I would want them at, but the bike didn't seem to work that way.

 

[scott62]

You have an issue with rear traction go with wider rims an and tires. I swear, people with 2.3-2.4 tires on 30mm rims on a e bike are clueless. 2.3-2.4 tires on 30mm rims are great for meat powered bikes but e bikes will just over power them. My Vette has 465 hp, would it make sense skinnier tires on it when it already has issues with traction? My Kenevo has 40mm rear rim with a Michelin 2.8 wild enduro tire and I have very little issues with traction.

 

[T-Van]

It's going to be a learning experience having a bike with an app... as much as I use technology, I'm also a "don't want to eff with it" type and just want it to work. I don't have a lot of patience when it comes to learning it as it's generally not something that interests me.

When I was riding the Moterra SL at Davis, I had a similar experience. Of the 8 settings on that bike, I rarely had it out of setting 2, which was about perfect for the endless technical moves you have to make riding there. Often in rapid succession. But technical moves have generally been one of the stronger areas of my riding and especially if I can use more of a "momentum" technique rather than trials moves. Ebikes seem to favor the former rather than the latter, although obviously a skilled trials rider can still do some amazing moves on an ebike.

Not sure of the latest Shimano tuning options but typically the app power settings allow you to fine tune your presets that you can easily change while riding. As far as what power level to ride technical in, the best technique I’ve found is to ride the rear brake instead of dropping power. It acts like traction control, if the tire slips, your brake prevents a big spin out. This allows you to instantly modulate power and not have too little for bigger moves.
I ride mostly in Ludicrous mode and use my rear brake as a clutch. Works great.

 

[Ian F]

the app power settings allow you to fine tune your presets that you can easily change while riding.

yes... I know... but HOW??? 😛

Once I can ride again, I'll have to force myself to go to Nesh, by myself, open the app and start effing with it...

 

[Patrick]

yes... I know... but HOW??? 😛

Once I can ride again, I'll have to force myself to go to Nesh, by myself, open the app and start effing with it...

In my firmware:

There are three settings that matter

Assist character. 'home much will it help you at any time.

Power: max assistance. Always 100%

Assist start,. How fast assist comes on

 

[Pearl]

Okay i got some targeted ads and got me thinking

could you build a rear wheel with a hub motor and make your current gravel bike an e-bike? not with a throttle, just the pedal assist type bike. i've seen some contraptions that look very intense, but is it as simple as removing a amish wheel, bolting up a hub motor wheel, plugging in a battery and a controller of some sort?

i found this (12x142 hub with XDR cassette) https://ebikes.ca/product-info/grin-products/all-axle-hub-motor.html

but it needs a throttle

 

[Ian F]

Okay i got some targeted ads and got me thinking

could you build a rear wheel with a hub motor and make your current gravel bike an e-bike? not with a throttle, just the pedal assist type bike. i've seen some contraptions that look very intense, but is it as simple as removing a amish wheel, bolting up a hub motor wheel, plugging in a battery and a controller of some sort?

i found this (12x142 hub with XDR cassette) https://ebikes.ca/product-info/grin-products/all-axle-hub-motor.html

but it needs a throttle

Probably... although the options on that website give me impure thoughts about building a 2WD e-fatbike... 😏 ...and after I scroll down farther on that page, I see there are two videos on that very idea. Maybe after I complete some of the other 15,000 projects currently on my to-do list...

 

[JDurk]

Okay i got some targeted ads and got me thinking

could you build a rear wheel with a hub motor and make your current gravel bike an e-bike? not with a throttle, just the pedal assist type bike. i've seen some contraptions that look very intense, but is it as simple as removing a amish wheel, bolting up a hub motor wheel, plugging in a battery and a controller of some sort?

i found this (12x142 hub with XDR cassette) https://ebikes.ca/product-info/grin-products/all-axle-hub-motor.html

but it needs a throttle

Please try this. As seen on the TV series "Weeds" https://senseable.mit.edu/copenhagenwheel/

 

[Ironjunk]

That grin motor has pedal assist and a good one, it has a torque sensor. A lot of ebike kits just have speed sensors. The build in torque sensor means it has what is like the old powertap hub it measures the torque between the freehub and hub and adjust the power. Most kits have a throttle it's hard to find one without. The grin does have one it's a half grip throttle but you can disconnect throttle and use just pedal assist.

I would recommend a kit like this for a gravel rider who also wants to pedal. It's not going to have a torque sensor but it has a speed sensor, for gravel bikes it's good enough.

G311 Front CA3 Kit

The Front Geared Bafang G311 Cycle Analyst Based Conversion Kit, with a Lithium Battery, Baserunner Z9 Controller, and PAS/Torque Sensor Options. Full Product Information Page

ebikes.ca

 

[Pearl]

that one looks like it has too many doo-hickeys

i guess im almost looking for like a doping type motor i saw the cannondale bikes have something like that where its built into the bike frame and has a 250w motor or so?

 

[Ironjunk]

Nothing really stealth unless it's a premade bike that has motors and controller and battery built in the frame. There is not a lot of room in the bike for those doping motors and they were weak i think the industry gave them up.

Gravel is a weird space for ebikes. You want to do long rides and want a light bike but you also want the assist but you don't want to ride around with a dead battery.

 

[Pearl]

this looks pretty trick for $900

Swytch eBike Conversion Kit

Discover the universal Swytch eBike Conversion Kit that lets you make any bike electric effortlessly. Explore the full range now!

www.swytchbike.com

 

[Steve Vai]

that one looks like it has too many doo-hickeys

i guess im almost looking for like a doping type motor i saw the cannondale bikes have something like that where its built into the bike frame and has a 250w motor or so?

Ask Scott62 where to get one of those super motors, he’s an expert on them. They have ones that can do 28mph at 500watts for 200k and fit inside a 35mm seat tube with a 1,000Wh battery and weighs less than 100 grams and are x-ray proof and use no magnetic parts.

 

[Ironjunk]

this looks pretty trick for $900

Swytch eBike Conversion Kit

Discover the universal Swytch eBike Conversion Kit that lets you make any bike electric effortlessly. Explore the full range now!

www.swytchbike.com

The battery is probably 150wh. Think the amount of juice in a medium size power tool battery. They don't even publish the battery stats because it's so bad.

 

[scott62]

Ask Scott62 where to get one of those super motors, he’s an expert on them. They have ones that can do 28mph at 500watts for 200k and fit inside a 35mm seat tube with a 1,000Wh battery and weighs less than 100 grams and are x-ray proof and use no magnetic parts.

🤦‍♂️ the cheat bikes just need to put out like 200 watts for four or five miles. They don’t have speed limiters, just an on or off switch hidden in the bars or brake hoods. Get to a mountain finish, hit the button and get an extra 200 watts for 20-30 minutes.

 

[Ian F]

The battery is probably 150wh. Think the amount of juice in a medium size power tool battery. They don't even publish the battery stats because it's so bad.

Actually, they do publish the battery specs... between 180wh and 370wh and 5.7 lbs. and 8.1 lbs. respectively:

Tech Specs

Explore the different tech specs with our eBike Conversion Kit options.

www.swytchbike.com

Adequate for the intended purpose of the system.

 

[Ironjunk]

Actually, they do publish the battery specs... between 180wh and 370wh and 5.7 lbs. and 8.1 lbs. respectively:

Tech Specs

Explore the different tech specs with our eBike Conversion Kit options.

www.swytchbike.com

Adequate for the intended purpose of the system.

I just don't see a point with a kit that costs so much with a smaller battery and a weaker motor for people who cycle regularly. You can buy a whole ebike for $800 with a battery twice the size and the same quality as the kit and you don't have to put it on your $1400 rail trail cruiser.

 

[tonyride]

This

 

[icebiker]

Legislation brewing over safety concerns. Suspect the root cause is from street use rather than MTB, but would likely apply to all if eventually made law?

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/madison/articles/e-bike-boom-safety-bust-why-nj-lawmakers-are-racing-to-respond-48d309a9-f0a1-4e1b-9285-ad478adf2098?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMS2M5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkHN9_ke__7mbSLry4qi1kEfSFxUvNlEAMNnKh0_4cn3VJznKN3JCPprVdXc_aem_0-K9kvzI3bKTdfkukIdYRw

 

[Steve Vai]

Legislation brewing over safety concerns. Suspect the root cause is from street use rather than MTB, but would likely apply to all if eventually made law?

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/madison/articles/e-bike-boom-safety-bust-why-nj-lawmakers-are-racing-to-respond-48d309a9-f0a1-4e1b-9285-ad478adf2098?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMS2M5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkHN9_ke__7mbSLry4qi1kEfSFxUvNlEAMNnKh0_4cn3VJznKN3JCPprVdXc_aem_0-K9kvzI3bKTdfkukIdYRw

It's definitely coming. We get accidents in town almost daily now. Last week during my commute a young girl was killed walking through the Watchung Circle by a kid on a Surron.