Luna Fat Galaxy

[73Eldo]

Kinda surprised there doesn't seem to be much talk here about this bike. Looks really interesting and reasonably priced. For sure you are getting a ton more than you would form any of the big brands and looks on par with other BBSHD builders like Bolton.

Anyone have one? Anyone consider one but went another direction?

Also be curious to hear some of what went into designing a bike for a BBS from the start. As we all know there are a lot of frames that just don't work with a BBS. I would like to see what details are different about this design to make the BBS work better. I notice in the specs it comes with a eclipse 42 but the photos look to maybe be the 48? Could you even design a fat bike that used a cassette that didn't require a big offset ring like an eclipse? Seems like if you were designing the thing from scratch you could and would want it so you could use the smaller rings if you wanted to. I suppose in this case with the Eagle which is what a 50 or 52? you don't really need to consider a 36 or 30 up front or do you?

[ncmired]

I notice in the specs it comes with a eclipse 42 but the photos look to maybe be the 48?

In the pics, I see a two-piece Eclipse 42 in silver and a one-piece Luna Eclipse 40 in black.

I don't know how wide you'd have to go rear hub wise to accommodate no dish, small tooth count chain rings on a (I'd guess 100mm motor) and end up with a mid-cassette chain line - 190-200mm or so, maybe?

[73Eldo]

I have a fairly low res monitor so looking at every photo the way their site works is kinda a pain so maybe there are different ones in different photos. I think it was the first photo I could see a decent gap between the gear case and ring. On my Lekkie 42 there isn't much of a gap there. Don't know what the Luna one looks like in person yet because UPS has decided to taunt be by telling me my package has been literally sitting 3 miles away from me since 4pm on Thursday but they are not going to bring it to me till sometime before 9pm Monday. Sooooo cloooossssseeeee I can smell it but gonna have to ride the stock 46 again today that doesn't have enough offset for me to use 1st gear. Its those issues (offset, not UPS) that make me wonder what is different when you design a frame from scratch for a BBS.

[ncmired]

I don't think Luna designed that frame. I think they have designed a few frames, or at least had strong influence on them - such as the Apex and the Apollo. The Galaxy frame looks like a off the shelf aluminum frame with tubular chain stays. If it was a BBS-tailored design, I'd expect to see, among things, a flat stock right-hand chain stay - something like this:

Flatten, elevate or drop the chain stay - anything to get it out of the way of the reduction gear and the chain ring. Also, I wouldn't have bothered running the control cables inside the frame and the motor cables on the outside - with zip ties around the tube no less (no cable mount points).

Regarding the Galaxy, note they're selling the pedal bike - probably how a container-full comes in, then Luna one by one takes them from there.

I don't mean any of the above as a knock against Luna - they provide innovative, well priced products.

[73Eldo]

The flat bar seems to be pretty common for aluminum frames these days or at least it seems like every aluminum bike I have looked this summer was that way.

I don't remember who or know who else but I recently saw a review of a frame were the chainstay was up high enough to clear at least a 30t ring. It went pretty much horizontal then the drop out really dropped. Besides thinking BBS mid drive I was thinking belt drive......

[73Eldo]

Now that I got my Eclipse 42 I do believe that that is what is in the photos. There does seem like there is a lot of space there that is especially obvious they way the slots are cut. The Lekkie the slots don't go out that far and there is more of a taper in theirs as it starts its offset so it doesn't look as big.

[XikoPlavi]

I have a Galaxy (meduim frame). I posted once on the BBSHD programmers forum. I think you were the one who replied to that post asking about this bike. I really like this bike alot BUT it has a small frame hole and I need a 21AH battery on it. I read in the reviews some guy has a galaxy and said he got a DIREWOLF to fit but had to remove the magnet mount (wish I could talk to that dude). I dont want to risk getting a dire and then it wont fit in a meduim frame. I have also looked at thier triangle batteries and I bet one would fit, but they never have them in stock. the rear end through bolt it 190+MM for sure. I wanted to try and put a rohloff on it but too risky if you dont know how to. I was going to ask cyclemonkey if they could just build me a rear complete wheel with rohloff XL or XXL but have not yet. Basically, the bike is not that great with a lame wolf pack on it that drains in only 15-18 miles. I believe thats why they are not selling.

I put smaller tires on it (they have the stupid 4.8 inch tires on it when you buy it (I am sure just b/c they want to get rid of te extra large tires). I put 3.8s on it and the chain is fine on the 2 large sprokets once you take off the extra-fat tires.

If I could put a Rohloff on it and at least a 21AH batt then it would be the shit! These bikes are just money pits and you always want more.

Honestly, to me e-bikes in general have a long way to go to be better, faster, longer distances ETC. Its like buying a computer in the 80s (IE: they were way overpriced then and in thier infancy).

Basically, it PISSES me off that the thing has a 12.5AH battery on it and I cant do anything about it. Should have bought a large frame I guess or an APEX. the Baffang ultra is the way to go in my mind.

Hey, Luna please make us happy and make a custom battery that fits in this medium frame and has power & distance (wink-wink)

[Josh M.]

Basically, it PISSES me off that the thing has a 12.5AH battery on it and I cant do anything about it. Should have bought a large frame I guess or an APEX. the Baffang ultra is the way to go in my mind.

Hey, Luna please make us happy and make a custom battery that fits in this medium frame and has power & distance (wink-wink)

Agreed, I got mine a few days ago, and almost immediately relised that 12AH was just enough to wet my appetite. Mine is a large frame, so apparently a 21AH Dire Wolf can be shoe-horned in with some grinding. But this one from Litespeed will fit my large frame with couple of inches to spare (no grinding required). Perhaps it will fit the medium frame as well...

I made a template from a piece of notebook paper using the dimensions and photos from their website. I had to estimate a couple of the dimensions, but I estimated large when required, and still had plenty of room.

https://litespeedbikes.mybigcommerce.com/52v21ah-triangle-battery/

It would be nice if Luna made a Fusion battery for every model bike they sold...

[XikoPlavi]

Thanks Josh. I looked at it and will make a template to see. Some questions:
how did you mount it? Without magnet I sssume.
assume you got same connectors and it was easy?

I do really like my galaxy. I’ve recently got an apology also. Between them both it’s a totally different ride experience. I’m keeping both for different styles of riding
Ii can get the Apollo up to 43 mph and can get 35-40 miles on battery.

if I could get galaxy to do that I’d be way happy

posy a pic of your galaxy!!

[Josh M.]

Sorry Xiko, I don't have the triangle battery yet, it's still on order...hopefully any time now...
It will be mounted in a triangle bag, which I don't like the look of, but will get me more time in the woods for longer loops on the trails so I'll deal with it. Plus it also gives me a better way to carry patch kit and tools...

Like I said, if Luna starts making nice fusion cased batteries for every model they offer it will be a homerun. The biggest battery possible seems like it is almost always the best choice. Look at the Apollo...

[alexzogh]

I have a Galaxy (meduim frame). I posted once on the BBSHD programmers forum. I think you were the one who replied to that post asking about this bike. I really like this bike alot BUT it has a small frame hole and I need a 21AH battery on it. I read in the reviews some guy has a galaxy and said he got a DIREWOLF to fit but had to remove the magnet mount (wish I could talk to that dude). I dont want to risk getting a dire and then it wont fit in a meduim frame. I have also looked at their triangle batteries and I bet one would fit, but they never have them in stock. the rear end through bolt it 190+MM for sure. I wanted to try and put a rohloff on it but too risky if you dont know how to. I was going to ask cyclemonkey if they could just build me a rear complete wheel with rohloff XL or XXL but have not yet. Basically, the bike is not that great with a lame wolf pack on it that drains in only 15-18 miles. I believe thats why they are not selling.

I put smaller tires on it (they have the stupid 4.8 inch tires on it when you buy it (I am sure just b/c they want to get rid of te extra large tires). I put 3.8s on it and the chain is fine on the 2 large sprokets once you take off the extra-fat tires.

If I could put a Rohloff on it and at least a 21AH batt then it would be the shit! These bikes are just money pits and you always want more.

Honestly, to me e-bikes in general have a long way to go to be better, faster, longer distances ETC. Its like buying a computer in the 80s (IE: they were way overpriced then and in thier infancy).

Basically, it PISSES me off that the thing has a 12.5AH battery on it and I cant do anything about it. Should have bought a large frame I guess or an APEX. the Baffang ultra is the way to go in my mind.

Hey, Luna please make us happy and make a custom battery that fits in this medium frame and has power & distance (wink-wink)

I'm the guy that put a Direwolf battery on my Galaxy. I've attached some photos. This is on the MEDIUM frame.







Totally agree this bike needs a much bigger battery than it comes with, which is why I went with the Direwolf. I took off the magnetic battery holder, laid down some old tire tubing to protect the frame finish, then tie-wrapped the Direwolf onto the tubing. It's a tight fit. I've taken it off and put it back on a few times.

My bike is a little less stock - I have inverted Wren front shocks, and a few other changes to make it a little more off-road friendly. If you plan on using the lower gears, you might want to build a chainstay to keep the chain from falling off the chainring. I had more than one hard-core accident standing on the pedals, pounding away and the chain comes off due to the very high angle, and can actually get lodged between the chainring and the motor. Have to loosen up the chainring to fix it.

For that reason alone, also agree that an internal hub would be a killer addition, but a very pricey one.

I ride the bike several days a week and have put a lot of mileage on it. Still makes me smile, and really enjoy it.

Last winter was my first big 'snow' biking, which I believe is one of the great reasons to get a fat tire bike like this - I can ride all year round.

[XikoPlavi]

I gotta say it’s been a while since I wrote this reply. Obviously I was upset. In hindsight sight I do love the galaxy bike even with the small battery. I have since gotten an appolo medium frame with ultra motor

so I have both bikes and use both. I still wish I could get a triangle battery for galaxy in 24ah but ohh well.

look at the state of things now. You can’t get shit be it bikes or anything. So, I feel lucky to have jumped on the Apollo

I have to say it’s like a major difference between bbshd and ultra. The ultra you have to actually really work yourself to “run it” on flat land. It’s certainly better on trail with torque sensor

the Apollo I have will get up to 42 MPH or more but uses battery fast in pas5 and short gears. It recovers and lasts long but I like having both types of bikes

and cool that you have 2 batteries mounted. I could do that on my galaxy but don’t want it any heavie

besides you can’t get any batteries at this time in our country