Luna Cycles Offers the Gear Sensor to its Customers

[KBilly]

How much work is it to change the controller?

[paxtana]

I wish the Nexus 3 wasn't so loud or I would have got that when building my rear wheel. Got a bike with one of those for my mother and the constant clicking is a bit unnerving. Damn shame though, that IGH seems to be the only one on the market priced reasonably.

[BikeB4Drive]

I've never tried one but have looked into them and read some about the CVT's. I would like to try them out, they seem ideal as noted by Rix Ryds. I'm not about to give up my standard cog/derailleur setup because it was existing to my bike, works well enough (I've had zero problems in 70 miles and don't see any coming), field replaceable, but needs weekly tuning (basically cleaning) so you don't need to mess with the derailleur during a ride. Get a CVT if the costs are no big deal, try the derailleur first if cost is a concern. A cheap derailleur (below Shimano XT grade or similar) is likely going to be a disappointment after a short time, especially if it isn't kept clean.

[Rix Ryds]

If you ever try a NuVinci CVT, you very likely will toss your derailleurs in the parts bin along with your gear sensor and never look back! Smoooth as butter and NO noise! You can even shift at a stop! They are too heavy and have some internal friction (that lessens with break in time)that makes them less than ideal for pedal only cycling (IMHO) but are near perfect for ebikes!

[BikeB4Drive]

If I'm cresting a hill I can back pedal and jump shift a bunch of gears. The gearing keeps you from bogging down the drive so jumping a bunch of gears in one action only works in certain situations.

[paxtana]

So if you are in PAS and want to shift to the highest gear do you repeat this process for each gear, or can you just backpedal and shift through like five gears at once?

[BikeB4Drive]

Basically in PAS just turn the cranks reverse direction of normal pedal direction by 1/8 rotation and motor cuts out. I basically start my back pedal and hit my shifter at same time and pause till shifter is done, tenths of seconds. How effective this technique is for you may depend on your derailleur. Good quality derailleurs will shift under power with little trouble unless you are at 1500W full throttle at slow speed on a hill I guess.

I didn't come up with it but first time trying it out I got comfortable using this technique. I let off the throttle before I shift if I I'm using throttle, pedaling backwards doesn't cut out throttle. I found I like PAS for most of my commuting situations, but throttle has its place as well I have found.

[paxtana]

A simple back pedal or brake tap works for me.

That's the second time I heard someone mention backpedaling as a shifting method. Could you go into some detail about it? My build isn't finished but I asked a friend who's got a bbshd and he said it didn't seem to cut power so maybe I misunderstand how all that works.

[Louis]

I'm excited to try the controller version. The versions I tested were like the HWBS, and used the shifter cable. Having it work with the controller may be an entirely different animal.
As soon as Eric sends one I'll beat on it, with an open mind. I liked the concept from the first read. The cable version was a definite MEH. But I can still learn...HTFU Eric! ROFL

[DrDave]

I get the sense that this would be a good option in the builder-selling-to-public category. I like the idea, but I have been using the stock Bafang brake shifting technique and I agree with Louis...meh....

DrD

[Louis]

It'll be popular. No doubt. When built into the pric especially. As a $90 add on as first introduced, I wasn't hopefull. I still think it's just something else to trouble shoot.

[JPLabs]

Hmmm, good points.

As I get more used to shifting with the brake tap, I'm sure it will become natural. I still muck up the timing once in a while, as in not just a 'click and then nice quiet chain noise' - I sometimes get a slight gnashing grind due to power on during the shift. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.4

But, as a marketing feature, I do think shift sensor is a good thing to offer. For users not used to manually shifting, it could be an attractive feature and thus help Luna better compete in that market. Some folks have more mechanical aptitude than others, those with less may prefer to have the option. Kind of like how I always order the M/T option for cars, but others prefer automatics.

[Louis]

I have to weigh in. I was among the first testers and sent GS to the competition 2 years ago. You can find the thread on ES. While a lot of new users think they are great, I still think they are just not needed. I have 4 samples returned to me by long time eBike builders that all thought they were overrated. I have one that installs into the brake cable and after a week I took it off. A simple back pedal or brake tap works for me. Some power users think they are a help. But being an experienced rider and used to shifting, I'm in the MEH, no big deal crowd. Mine are in the parts box and an interesting interlude. That said, others love them. YMMV. I'm glad we have them. We'll do a better job of supporting them and maybe I'll be convinced.

[JPLabs]

That's a great option to offer! I would have ordered it. Great to see you constantly adding more and more!

I'm using a hall sensor on the front brake - I just tap that brake lever like a clutch while shifting. I think that's a decent solution for guys with existing BBSHSs from Luna that don't have the feature, if they don't wan to change out the controller. I still may upgrade, though, undecided. Timing is critical with the 'clutch switch' method.

[Gopi Swargam]

luna cycles caption must be killing competition!!! :D