Electra Lux Fat with BBSHD

[spinningmagnets]

When I bought this bicycle, I accepted that the BBSHD might not fit rotated up into the triangle, and I might be forced to buy a completely different bike, or...I might have to make significant modifications to this frame.

I am a fan of the Electra Townie/Trek Pure/Manhattan Smoothie as a street commuter. They have a "feet forward" posture that is very comfortable, although less aerodynamic. I regularly ride up to 30-MPH (48 km/h), and I feel reasonably safe at that speed.

I did grind some of the housing fins off of the BBSHD in order to get it fit where I wanted, and I also cut a chunk out of my seat-tube. I don't recommend this to anyone, and another poster here (calfee20) used a pipe and clamps to put a dimple in the frame tubes. That would be a more desirable solution.
http://electricbike.com/forum/forum/...=7342#post7342

The "Lux" variation of the Electra Townie is slightly longer behind the seat-tube. A base-model Townie is around $400, and if you want the single-speed Lux, its around $500. I wanted the dual-disc brakes, so I had to buy the "fat" version, which is $700. It has a 100mm bottom bracket width, and a 1-inch head-tube (standard Electra is 68mm BB and 1-1/8th head-tube). Since I mounted the battery bag "upside down", I have to lay the bike on its side to unzip so I can pull out the connector for charging the battery.

Stock rims are 100mm wide, and stock tires have a smooth street tread that is 26" X 3.5-inch wide. Total actual tire diameter is 28-inches.

So far I have added:

Suntour NCX suspension seat-post (I cut one inch off of the seat-tube due to the added height of the NCX springing mechanism).

quick-disconnect front axle nuts. When combined with the disc brake, the front wheel can be off in seconds for loading onto car rack

CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE

[spinningmagnets]

Here's a toddler seat for my grandson. The footrest is a foot and a half length of 7/16-inch threaded rod, and I will use what's called "couplers" as nuts to tighten the two wood arms together, clamping the device onto the frame. I will cover the couplers with thick wood dowel (closet clothes-hanging rod?). This way, the seat can be quickly and easily attached and removed as needed.

[spinningmagnets]

Planned upgrades:

Cup holder

LED conversion of vintage headlight case (chrome teardrop)

Fenders

Front brake is cable-operated 180mm disc. Will upgrade front to 200mm hydraulic

3-speed IGH (Sturmey Archer SX-RK3) Its pretty flat where I live.

[Rider]

Awesome jump seat for the grandson! You will be building him memories for a lifetime each ride he joins you. Wonderful stimulation for young minds and body.

[Louis]

I absolutely love the look and build! My biggest disappointment was not holding out for flat black frames in 2014. That frame style is similar to the Pure! Very cool that you had the courage to make the cuts!

I'd be worried about the hanging Triangle Bag. EM3ev warns against it and I found both the EM3ev and Luna versions didn't hold up hanging. EM3ev didn't roll the edges when they stitched the seams and they separated under the stress. I think they COULD be reinforced. FalconEV and Electric bike added velcro but I still chose to support the packs.

The upgrades sound sweet! Looking forward t the photos! As you know I consider these bikes the perfect BBSHD conversion candidates! Those 3.5" tires are the coolest! I could only go 2.15".

NICE!!!!

[spinningmagnets]

As far as the color, 180-grit sandpaper and flat black primer can make your bike this color. Easy to touch-up scratches.

I hadn't heard about the bags tearing away. that makes sense (probably worse for off-road jumpers?). If I start to see some stress-tears developing, I will move the battery box plans to the front burner on my priority list.

[Louis]

As far as the color, 180-grit sandpaper and flat black primer can make your bike this color. Easy to touch-up scratches.

I hadn't heard about the bags tearing away. that makes sense (probably worse for off-road jumpers?). If I start to see some stress-tears developing, I will move the battery box plans to the front burner on my priority list.

From EM3ev triangle bag sales page,

"Please Note, this bag is intended to be fitted into a regular triangle frame, where the downtube will support the weight of the battery. The upper straps alone will not support a heavy battery, it may cause the bag to tear and rip if you try to do so. The upper straps should not be so tight, so that they are supporting the battery weight, only tight enough to stabilise the bag in the frame. If your frame is much larger than the bag, some additional material under, or on top of the bag may improve the installation."

[calfee20]

Wow how did I miss this? Your grandson must go nuts when you take him for a ride.

My fenders are almost the most appreciated thing on my bike.

[spinningmagnets]

I'm halfway through making hard side panels for my battery bag, they are mounted to the frame, and will provide support for mounting a DC/DC converter to give me 10A of 12V for LED lights and music. I think the biggest thing the panels do for me is hide wires, and also look nice...made from 1/4-inch thick plywood. Below is a pic of an authentic log cabin, here in NE Kansas...

http://electricbike.com/forum/forum/...frame-triangle




CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE

[Eric Luna]

nice kansas bike SM :)

[spinningmagnets]

Early on, I added "pop off" pedals, and I am loving them more and more every day. This particular style pops off and back on with one hand. I was only looking for folding pedals when I saw them, and I love them now. They actually act as a mild "theft deterrent" since it would be hard to pedal away on the ebike. The bike could still be picked up and carried away, even though its pretty heavy. However, if the power system is turned off, I doubt most meth heads have enough savvy to turn it on and ride off (with me running after them).

http://electricbike.com/forum/forum/...e-or-transport

[g725s]

Spinningmagnets,

Would you mind posting up a picture of your current Chainring and how close the chain comes to the rear fat tire when in the lowest gear please?

Did you use any BBSHD spacers on the chainring side? Could you have used a 100mm BBSHD? Why did you use a 120mm BBSHD?

With the stock crank mine is about 1/8" from the chain to the side of the tire when in lowest gear.

Thanks!

[spinningmagnets]

I chose the 120 so it would fit on any frame, and could be shimmed from side-to-side as needed. As it turns out the 100mm would be fine on my frame with its 100mm BB shell, and chain my chain stays that leave plenty of room.

I put about 3/4-inch of spacer rings all on the left side. For a pic, see the mid drive install 3-part article at electricbike.com.

I will post a pic on my day off soon, but if the chain isn't touching the tire in first gear, you'll be fine.

[g725s]

Yes please, if you could let me know what chainring you used, and both the exact clearance of the chainring to chainstay, and the chain to the tire, when in lowest gear that would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[g725s]

Also did you purchase bottom bracket removal tools to get the crank out?

I did purchase one of these: https://www.amazon.com/BIKEHAND-Bicy.../dp/B00811WQJS and it "looks" like it will work for getting the bottom bracket extracted.
But I'm wondering which tool is best for getting the cranks off?

[calfee20]

I bought one of these. http://www.parktool.com/product/cran...Bottom Bracket

[g725s]

OK, decided to pick up that ones little brother... https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Com.../dp/B0028YUZSS

[spinningmagnets]

Click to enlarge

[spinningmagnets]

In first gear, 1/4 inch of airspace between chain and rear tire

Click on pic to enlarge...