Re: Converting a bike to electric using a front hub motor.

> One safety factor to consider with these hub motor bikes are the drop
> outs and the forks.
>
> Aluminum front forks aren't safe with these hubmotors, particularly
> the high torque ones.
>
> Probably the best frames to use are the cheap Wal-Mart variety bikes.
> They are usually pretty heavy and the forks and drops outs are sturdy
> enough to handle the torque.
>
> Electric recumbent and semi-recumbent bikes are probably the safest
> bikes for employing a hub motor. They are lower to the ground (not as
> far to fall) and have smaller tires so they aren't as high up. On a
> big 55 cm frame you are sitting pretty high up there. It doesn't take
> much to flip off the thing.
>
> The 55 cm carbon fiber e-bike with 700 mm wheels I built for someone
> is just too scary at 36 volts. The frame is so light and you sit so
> high on the thing. I don't even like test riding it, but that is what
> the customer wanted. Semi-recumbent and recumbent bikes are much more
> safer with the hub-motors, but on a study 26-inch bike frame they can
> be safe.
>
> One thing all e-bikes should have to help prevent flips is the brake
> inhibit function so when you hit the brakes the controller turns off.
> I believe most of the OEM E-bikes have this built in.
>
> Chip
> http://www.electroscooterworks.com
>
> On May 17, 2008, at 12:50 AM, ev-request@... wrote:
>
> > Message: 7
> > Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 12:40:42 -0700
> > From: "Thomas Brannan" <tebrannan@...>
> > Subject: Re: [EVDL] Converting a bike to electric using a front hub
> >       motor.
> > To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@...>
> > Message-ID:
> >       <4646219e0805161240y54dc6660r44446a1571c582d4@...>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> >
> > Please use all caution and safety equip. when riding these kind of
> > bikes. My son is currently recovering
> > from two broken elbows after a crash on his hub motor propelled bike.
> > It will go 25 mph and
> > should be thought of like a "motor"cycle (which it is), instead of
> > like a bicycle.
> > Regards,
> > Tom Brannan
> >
> > On Sun, May 11, 2008 at 3:52 AM, richarddthomas
> > <richarddthomas@...> wrote:
> >> Hi Folks have been riding my recumbent Bike-E for a year now with
> >> a 36 volt
> >> motorized kit from a company called Electrik Motion which includes
> >> all the
> >> components you described. I paid $499.00 for the kit. I live in
> >> hilly
> >> Connecticut, USA. An average ride for me is 20 -25 miles and  am
> >> left with
> >> plenty of juice left after each ride. The bike will do 15 miles
> >> per hour on
> >> the motor alone (without peddling)on a flat road for 12 miles. I
> >> use the
> >> motor sparingly, only for assist on the big hills. This not only
> >> extends my
> >> range, but allows a more even ride as far as exertion goes ,which
> >> puts me in
> >> more control of my own escercise and I get to be out on th elocal
> >> bike, rail
> >> trails in the fresh air almost daily. I have just passed the 30000
> >> mile mark
> >> on my odometer.
> >> Richard Thomas
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "paul holmes" <barbiesbla@...>
> >> To: <ev@...>
> >> Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 12:55 PM
> >> Subject: [EVDL] Converting a bike to electric using a front hub
> >> motor.
>
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