First 100 miles on my E-Bike: What I learned

[cognitio]

I just reached my first 100 miles on my E-Bike! I decided to write about it. Figure I would share that here as well. This forum has provided with a ton of valuable information during the research and build process.

https://yilunzh.com/2017/12/30/first-100-miles-on-my-e-bike-what-i-learned/

[Rider]

Very good write-up. My past ~2.5 year experiment with ebikes is very similar in some ways, but my views differ in others; especially when applying to legal use. Here in CA an electric powered bicycle over 750W and/or without a speed limiter of 20mph isn't allowed on bike trails unless specifically stated it can be. That includes Class-3 28mph limited pedal assist only no throttle <=750W powered legal ebikes. Anything over that is considered a moped and requires: license, insurance, approved helmet, etc... and has to be ridden on streets or private property. I don't know what AZ specific ebike laws are. You might want to look into that. I will say that everyone fudges on the laws a bit, some more than others out of practicality.

As for build vs. buy, the two biggest issues I see are proprietary battery use and locked controllers on most pre-built stuff. There are pre-homemade add-on ebikes out there for sale just like you would build yourself, but someone else has put them together as a package (like my first ebike was). Personally, I like to be in control of my toys. I don't like my toys controlling me and/or my decisions. So much technology has gone this route and IMHO has made it less useable, not more useable. Profit and control of the end user is at the heart of that. Others may disagree. I clearly have an analog mind.

I got my first ebike as a physical therapy program to recover from a couple surgeries (hernia and correction follow-up). It was what I call a pre-built homemade; cheap hardtail MTB with a Bafang 350W/36V BBS01 mid-drive and a 10.6Ah battery. Initially I was blown away by the experience and it put me back into the biking sport after a 25 year hiatus in my mid-50's. Since then I have built 3 other ebikes; two using the Bafang 750W/48V BBS02B mid-drive and currently almost finished with a MY1018 450W/36V freewheel crank variable assist only (throttle controlled) mid-drive setup on a full suspension 2013 Niner Jet 9 MTB.

I found that once I built my physical ability level back to where it should be, the pedal bicycle experience is much more enjoyable, but I still have ability fatigue when climbing step hills and attacking strong headwinds. I'm not a commuter, but do ride local cement bike trails 80-90% of the time and my ebikes are simply toys used for fun and exercise.

With all that said, there are a few premade ebikes that look very interesting to someone like me, but like you found out they are very expensive. That cost factor is coming down and even the pre-homemade offerings are using components that are better suited for heavy fast moving ebikes like most quality factory pre-made models. There are cheap hub motor ebikes out there and they do have their place in the field of offerings. For a commuter they might do just fine, especially the geared hub motors that keep the RPM's up on the motor. The mid-drives are much better all around setups that leverage the gearing of the bike while keeping the electric motor at peak operating efficiency.

The theft issue is clearly a huge deterrent for the commuter or auto replacement crowd. I never leave any of my bicycles or ebikes unattended; locked or not.

I will say my ebike experiment has been a lot of fun, yet very expensive. Making a wrong pre-made purchase can set you back some huge dollars. On the other hand, adding a mid-drive or hub motor to an existing bike can always be separated and sold off as two separate items to recover costs invested. That is a huge PLUS for building your own.

PS: Over 4,000 miles logged to date.

[cognitio]

Rider, 4000 miles! that's pretty awesome. Your point that the ability to separate mid-drive or hub motor from existing bike is definitely a good one. I find the Copenhagen wheel interesting as well. It's pretty expensive still relative to performance spec, but it's so simple to install and use that it may get more people to try EBike. If they don't like it, they can always sell the wheel.

[AZguy]

Where are you in the valley?

[cognitio]

In the Tempe area

[AZguy]

I live against the western canal in chandler and ride it west into tempe (not much past kiwanis park) quite frequently (and through gilbert and down to santan to the east) look for me!

[Felix D'Kat]

Nice looking e-bike there AZguy, I like the idea of rack mounted batteries, do you have 1 or 2 on there, can't quite tell from the angle

and what the heck is that contraption under the seat ?? something used to adjust the seat height/position ?? can you please post a close-up of it fron the side and back

Cheers
Felix.

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[Poco Askew]

Looks like two batteries: one in the triangle and the other on the rear rack.
The seat post looks like a Thudbuster (for some rear suspension).

[AZguy]

Nice looking e-bike there AZguy, I like the idea of rack mounted batteries, do you have 1 or 2 on there, can't quite tell from the angle

and what the heck is that contraption under the seat ?? something used to adjust the seat height/position ?? can you please post a close-up of it fron the side and back

Two batteries - a dolphin on the rear rack and a shark on the down tube. When I built this one I had a couple of dolphins already but they wouldn't fit in the frame so I got the shark that just barely fits. I mostly run the lower cost dolphins with the shark for reserve.

As Poco Askew noted it is a thudbuster suspension seat post. Once I had one I can never go back. As soon as I ride my other bike without it it feels so harsh =]

I don't have many pictures. If your interest is the thudbuster, google it and you'll find plenty of pictures and videos.

Here's a better picture of the drive side from my morning new year's day ride

[Felix D'Kat]

Thudbuster, thanks, who the hell thought of that name LOL..

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[Rider]

I'm sold on the simple wide spaced gears 3spd IGH for flat ground riding and commuting. Just got my Soma B-Side belt-drive back on the road with higher gears; 50T x 24T with Sturmey-Archer 3spd IGH. Cruises at a nice cadence at about 21mph, but can go much faster if needed. Two shifts from a stop and you're cruising at a wonderful clip.

Like the OP found out, you don't need as many gears with electric assist. BBS02B mid-drives are whisper quiet and you can use a Gates Carbon Drive with a S-A CS-RK3 3spd cassette IGH; the rear cassette width lets you align the belt perfectly.