Hello, everyone.
Right away, I want to thank all here who have and who continue to contribute the invaluable installation, guidance, and troubleshooting information. You are all heroes, each and every one of you!
My name is Tim, and I've read a lot here, but have posted little.
Reason for that, is I had no project up until now, only plans and dreams.
Now, I'm underway on my build, and will probably pop up with questions from time to time.
What am I building? A monument to my own insanity perhaps, if I'm objective about it!
Back story: I've been a bicycle fan my whole life, and a tinkerer as well. I met a Dutch college girl (an English Lit foreign-exchange student), while I was stationed at Moody AFB in Georgia. We hit it off, she finished studying, I finished my tour, and moved to Holland to be with her. Holland--which, with the notable exception of Taiwan perhaps--is pretty much the best nation in the world for bicycles. So, we get married, have kids, and a friend gives us an old Babboe Big bakfiets (that's Dutch; "bak" means "box" and "fiets" means "bike"--so, you get "box-bike"). The woman had gotten it as a hand-me-down, and wanted to pass her good fortune along--as she'd just purchased the Babboe Big-E (the E for electric).
I pedaled that old beast here and there and everywhere with my kids, doing repairs and a great number of upgrades along the way. While gaining appreciation for its design and sturdiness, and its multi-purpose functionality, I also gained a very healthy respect for it's absolutely terrifying instability above about fifteen miles per hour. Meanwhile, as those months and years rolled by, the heaviness of the thing, and my aging knees had me mulling over thoughts of assist...
Babboe, the company that makes the bakfiets, used to sell a 'conversion" option to upgrade non-E versions like mine, and electrify them. Thing is, their conversion cost a substantial sum, and it wasn't a "kit" at all. Instead, they'd show up in a truck, with a whole new rear-frame, with controls, cables, everything, and a rear-rack mounted battery, and the upgrade could only be installed by their technician. When all is said and done, you end up with a 36v 250w rear-wheel geared hub motor, with a 10AH battery.
Now, I'm a disabled vet, on a fixed income. A glance was enough to know that the "Factory Upgrade" was not going to be a viable option. Plus, I had already upgraded components on my own that were better than what was going to arrive with the "upgrade". Not for me.
So, I started poking around to see what there was to see, and this forum, (along with Luna Cycle), both seemed pretty adamant about finding the kits and components that will deliver the most for the money, so yeah... That got me started here. But it was all still dreaming, I couldn't spare the dough.
Time rolls by... Marriage troubles, kids are a little bigger, ex didn't want that old crusty, rusty bakfiets around anymore, so when she threw me out, I took it with me (rode it, and a great deal of my stuff--without any assist at all, about forty kilometers to my new house). Now, about a year later, I've saved up my nickels and dimes, and gotten my kit, and that old (at least third-hand) Babboe Big is now going electric!
And before anybody else says it, yeah, okay--lipstick on a pig. Funny thing, but the word "Big" in the model name? Well that means "pig" in Dutch too, so there you go! Besides, well... Just wait until you see the pictures. An unknown previous owner (both unknown to me, and to the friend who donated it anyway), had brush-painted flames on the sides. Ironic. Like lightning bolts on a turtle's racing jersey.
You all may doubt it, and I can't blame you for that, but there really is a reasoning; a method to my madness here: These box-bikes are kid-transporters basically, but also are functional high-load-capacity stuff-haulers too. The kid/cargo box is rated for a load of 100 kilograms, but I can assure you it's a lot sturdier than that. They make cargo versions, or ones for your dog, and their newest offering, the Babboe Carve does that "carving" thing through the turns (where the front wheels lean like a normal bike, letting you swoop through the corners at speed, rather than at little more than walking pace, which my current version cannot). But because these box-bikes are bought as kid-transporters, and kids tend to grow up, there's basically an endless supply of these (in various degrees of used and abused condition) trickling out onto the Dutch version of Craig's List; known as Marktplaats (marketplace). So, if this one finally finishes rusting away, I buy another one, swap my components over, and be on my way.
It also had to do with my intended use. I'm strong, healthy and physically fit. I do not want an assisted bicycle for my normal use, because I can get everywhere I need to go just fine, with my own body's strength. I've got a nice "stadsfiets" (city-bike) and a "vouwfiets" (folding-bike), so between those two, I've got my appointments and whatnot covered. Both of those bikes, under my own power, are faster than the bakfiets will be able to safely go. But for hauling big loads, or for trips where I want to take a lot with me (camping, beach-trip, the kids, whatever), this opens up possibilities that a regular bike does not. Further, I can keep my stuff (or kids) out of the rain. Okay, yeah. The driver gets wet. But I dry out easier than many things I may wish to haul! Plus, in a pinch, I could always pull over and take shelter in the box until the storm passed if I wanted to. So, this beast will be about function, but also about recreation for me.
I have an idea to stabilize, modify, and thus tame the steering of the bakfiets. If I can make that work, I'll be able to significantly increase the top speed, but until then, it's probably going to max out at 20 to 25 kilometers per hour or so (if that). If I do, and if my mod proves successful, I can post what I've done here too--for others converting cargo-trikes and box-bikes.
I will probably build a bike for my parents, back Stateside in Oregon, next time I come to visit (they want a tandem trike of some kind--stable with assist, so they can enjoy the outdoors). When I get them set up, I plan on buying from Luna Cycle. But because I live here in The Netherlands, it really just made no sense to order from them. Their shipping costs were marginally worse actually than the costs from Taiwan, and ordering direct from Cyclone Taiwan gave me a few more options that Luna did not have, (or have in stock, according to their website). Among the advantages for me was to be able to get the slightly longer, more powerful and more efficient, (97.6% efficient according to their website) 4,000 Watt BLDC motor, instead of the 3,000 Watt one. Plus, I was able to customize my chain-rings to a 48-44-32 combination, and I had the advantage of adding a couple accessories Luna doesn't offer.
I've got some stuff put together, and have a couple observations to share so far:
Even though that 4,000 motor is longer (205.5mm) than the 3.000 watt Cyclone (171.5mm), it still does not require a fat-bike frame to install it on; my 68mm bottom-bracket was as narrow as they come pretty much, but the thing mounted up very solidly with the included stock bracket and hardware. If the old bracket was flimsy, this one certainly seems to stiff and sturdy. Maybe under load it'll behave differently, but it feels darn solid, so I believe this may be a significant upgrade.
Though still unpowered (I must wait for my 48V 60AH, 16s3p battery to ship), pedaling with the feet a little further apart actually feels pretty darn nice on these knees too, so I see that too as a big-time plus!
Anyways, folks, I've still got cables to run, and wires to sort out, and my battery still is a long way away, but I'm officially underway, so I thought it was finally time for introductions!
Take care,
Tklop
Right away, I want to thank all here who have and who continue to contribute the invaluable installation, guidance, and troubleshooting information. You are all heroes, each and every one of you!
My name is Tim, and I've read a lot here, but have posted little.
Reason for that, is I had no project up until now, only plans and dreams.
Now, I'm underway on my build, and will probably pop up with questions from time to time.
What am I building? A monument to my own insanity perhaps, if I'm objective about it!
Back story: I've been a bicycle fan my whole life, and a tinkerer as well. I met a Dutch college girl (an English Lit foreign-exchange student), while I was stationed at Moody AFB in Georgia. We hit it off, she finished studying, I finished my tour, and moved to Holland to be with her. Holland--which, with the notable exception of Taiwan perhaps--is pretty much the best nation in the world for bicycles. So, we get married, have kids, and a friend gives us an old Babboe Big bakfiets (that's Dutch; "bak" means "box" and "fiets" means "bike"--so, you get "box-bike"). The woman had gotten it as a hand-me-down, and wanted to pass her good fortune along--as she'd just purchased the Babboe Big-E (the E for electric).
I pedaled that old beast here and there and everywhere with my kids, doing repairs and a great number of upgrades along the way. While gaining appreciation for its design and sturdiness, and its multi-purpose functionality, I also gained a very healthy respect for it's absolutely terrifying instability above about fifteen miles per hour. Meanwhile, as those months and years rolled by, the heaviness of the thing, and my aging knees had me mulling over thoughts of assist...
Babboe, the company that makes the bakfiets, used to sell a 'conversion" option to upgrade non-E versions like mine, and electrify them. Thing is, their conversion cost a substantial sum, and it wasn't a "kit" at all. Instead, they'd show up in a truck, with a whole new rear-frame, with controls, cables, everything, and a rear-rack mounted battery, and the upgrade could only be installed by their technician. When all is said and done, you end up with a 36v 250w rear-wheel geared hub motor, with a 10AH battery.
Now, I'm a disabled vet, on a fixed income. A glance was enough to know that the "Factory Upgrade" was not going to be a viable option. Plus, I had already upgraded components on my own that were better than what was going to arrive with the "upgrade". Not for me.
So, I started poking around to see what there was to see, and this forum, (along with Luna Cycle), both seemed pretty adamant about finding the kits and components that will deliver the most for the money, so yeah... That got me started here. But it was all still dreaming, I couldn't spare the dough.
Time rolls by... Marriage troubles, kids are a little bigger, ex didn't want that old crusty, rusty bakfiets around anymore, so when she threw me out, I took it with me (rode it, and a great deal of my stuff--without any assist at all, about forty kilometers to my new house). Now, about a year later, I've saved up my nickels and dimes, and gotten my kit, and that old (at least third-hand) Babboe Big is now going electric!
And before anybody else says it, yeah, okay--lipstick on a pig. Funny thing, but the word "Big" in the model name? Well that means "pig" in Dutch too, so there you go! Besides, well... Just wait until you see the pictures. An unknown previous owner (both unknown to me, and to the friend who donated it anyway), had brush-painted flames on the sides. Ironic. Like lightning bolts on a turtle's racing jersey.
You all may doubt it, and I can't blame you for that, but there really is a reasoning; a method to my madness here: These box-bikes are kid-transporters basically, but also are functional high-load-capacity stuff-haulers too. The kid/cargo box is rated for a load of 100 kilograms, but I can assure you it's a lot sturdier than that. They make cargo versions, or ones for your dog, and their newest offering, the Babboe Carve does that "carving" thing through the turns (where the front wheels lean like a normal bike, letting you swoop through the corners at speed, rather than at little more than walking pace, which my current version cannot). But because these box-bikes are bought as kid-transporters, and kids tend to grow up, there's basically an endless supply of these (in various degrees of used and abused condition) trickling out onto the Dutch version of Craig's List; known as Marktplaats (marketplace). So, if this one finally finishes rusting away, I buy another one, swap my components over, and be on my way.
It also had to do with my intended use. I'm strong, healthy and physically fit. I do not want an assisted bicycle for my normal use, because I can get everywhere I need to go just fine, with my own body's strength. I've got a nice "stadsfiets" (city-bike) and a "vouwfiets" (folding-bike), so between those two, I've got my appointments and whatnot covered. Both of those bikes, under my own power, are faster than the bakfiets will be able to safely go. But for hauling big loads, or for trips where I want to take a lot with me (camping, beach-trip, the kids, whatever), this opens up possibilities that a regular bike does not. Further, I can keep my stuff (or kids) out of the rain. Okay, yeah. The driver gets wet. But I dry out easier than many things I may wish to haul! Plus, in a pinch, I could always pull over and take shelter in the box until the storm passed if I wanted to. So, this beast will be about function, but also about recreation for me.
I have an idea to stabilize, modify, and thus tame the steering of the bakfiets. If I can make that work, I'll be able to significantly increase the top speed, but until then, it's probably going to max out at 20 to 25 kilometers per hour or so (if that). If I do, and if my mod proves successful, I can post what I've done here too--for others converting cargo-trikes and box-bikes.
I will probably build a bike for my parents, back Stateside in Oregon, next time I come to visit (they want a tandem trike of some kind--stable with assist, so they can enjoy the outdoors). When I get them set up, I plan on buying from Luna Cycle. But because I live here in The Netherlands, it really just made no sense to order from them. Their shipping costs were marginally worse actually than the costs from Taiwan, and ordering direct from Cyclone Taiwan gave me a few more options that Luna did not have, (or have in stock, according to their website). Among the advantages for me was to be able to get the slightly longer, more powerful and more efficient, (97.6% efficient according to their website) 4,000 Watt BLDC motor, instead of the 3,000 Watt one. Plus, I was able to customize my chain-rings to a 48-44-32 combination, and I had the advantage of adding a couple accessories Luna doesn't offer.
I've got some stuff put together, and have a couple observations to share so far:
Even though that 4,000 motor is longer (205.5mm) than the 3.000 watt Cyclone (171.5mm), it still does not require a fat-bike frame to install it on; my 68mm bottom-bracket was as narrow as they come pretty much, but the thing mounted up very solidly with the included stock bracket and hardware. If the old bracket was flimsy, this one certainly seems to stiff and sturdy. Maybe under load it'll behave differently, but it feels darn solid, so I believe this may be a significant upgrade.
Though still unpowered (I must wait for my 48V 60AH, 16s3p battery to ship), pedaling with the feet a little further apart actually feels pretty darn nice on these knees too, so I see that too as a big-time plus!
Anyways, folks, I've still got cables to run, and wires to sort out, and my battery still is a long way away, but I'm officially underway, so I thought it was finally time for introductions!
Take care,
Tklop
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