http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum General discussion about electric bikes, e-bikes, pedelecs, pedal-assist. en Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:26:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6751-telefunkens-prototype-e-bike.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:00:59 GMT Yes, another famous German electronics company dipping their toe in the water to see if it's warm enough. Choosing an e-bike will get ever more difficult with this rate of newcomers:

Telefunken e-bike prototype shown
. ]]> Electric Bicycles flecc http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6751-telefunkens-prototype-e-bike.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6748-cycle-route-recommendations.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:44:48 GMT Hi,

Got a few days off work (you can tell because of the rain :( ). Hoping to get out on the bike later in the week.

Inspired by Stumpi's Scotland outing Stumpi's Scotland outing , I fancy trying somewhere new.

So wondered if anyone could recommend some scenic routes anywhere in the middle of uk, I guess of not more than 35miles (Wisper range with a bit of pedalling). I'm based at Stamford in Lincolnshire, but happy to travel 50 miles or so...

Thanks,

Paul ]]> Electric Bicycles pl1974 http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6748-cycle-route-recommendations.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6747-slightly-improve-your-battery-performance-kalkhoff-proconnect-no-tools-necessary.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:36:01 GMT This will probably work on all Kalkhoff hub geared bicycles but first a little context - please bear with me.

My second pair of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres developed a puncture (again in the rear wheel) between 11-12,000 miles (each pair lasted for about 6,000). This time around decided to replace the entire wheel set as wasn't sure how much longer the bearings in the wheels would last.

Agreed with Jim in the workshop at 50 Cycles that he, when he has a spare minute, can dismantle the old wheels to see how much life is still left in them. Perhaps he could report back here.

Anyways, the gear change on the new alfine hubs started out a bit hit-and-miss. Didn't think much of it at the beginning since I put it down to a break-in period. However this turned out not to be the case. In any event I noticed that the battery lights reduced in the same distances as before the wheel change (I cycle the same route everyday).

However, on the second day, the hit-and-miss gear change became irratating so phoned Jim to ask for advice. He informed me that as part of the wheel-change package, he fitted a new gear cable and that this had probably stretched during transit and to check the gear alignment. You can see how to do this at 50cycles Advanced Electric Bike Workshop Videos. Basically, put the bike into 4th gear and check the two yellow bars align at the rear wheel. If the gear cable has stretched over time (something to be expected), it can be tighted the same way that the brake cables can be tightened by adjusting the knob where the gear cable exits the shifter at the handlebars (turn anti-clockwise to tighten).

Voila! Gear change became a thing of beauty (OK, slight embellishment). But to top it off, the point at which the battery lights reduced is now about a mile more than previously. This makes sense if you think about it. Anything that reduces the transfer efficiency of kinetic energy from the pedals to the rear wheel will decrease batter performance.

Enjoy! ]]> Electric Bicycles c_elder http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6747-slightly-improve-your-battery-performance-kalkhoff-proconnect-no-tools-necessary.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6746-picture-stephen-britt.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:49:41 GMT That picture that greets us on the home page of this forum of Stephen Britt ( the pedal motor man) is starting to get on my nerves, he has a smile like a smug Cheshire cat:D That picture that greets us on the home page of this forum of Stephen Britt ( the pedal motor man) is starting to get on my nerves, he has a smile like a smug Cheshire cat:D ]]> Electric Bicycles Old Timer http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6746-picture-stephen-britt.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6745-gps-software-poll.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:49:39 GMT Does anyone log their cycle rides using GPS? If so what software do you use to keep your logs after you get back?

I've been using the Garmin Forerunner 205 to log my activities for the past couple of years and I've been using the free Garmin Training Centre to import and store all my rides/runs. However it is playing up now and since upgrading my phone last year I've realised that I don't really need two devices now (I don't like to go out running/cycling without my phone!) and I've recently started logging my activities on the phone using GPS Sports Tracker which seems to be doing a great job and is free. On a side note does anyone else log cycle rides on their phone? If so what software are you using?

However, I've now decided I want the equivalent of the Garmin Training Centre software (or better if possible) but which is capable of reading historic data from the Training Centre and ongoing data from my phone. I've done a bit of searching and the best I've come up with so far is SportTracks which to be fair seems to do most of what I need.

So what is everyone else using? Has anyone got any other suggestions that I should be considering? ]]> Electric Bicycles Caph http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6745-gps-software-poll.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6744-there-merit-buying-optimate-they-waste.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:08:12 GMT Hi There,

I have SLA batteries. Someone told me he uses an optimate to charge his batteries.

I have googled a bit and did come across accumate, tecmate and optimate chargers that all claim they can do all this magical maintenance (de-sulfating and regenerating cells etc.).

Are they any good?

Has anybody tried these?


It may be better to just get new batteries (Though the ones for my bike have gone from £120 to £130 and now to £145 in the five months that I've owned the bike.). At these prices getting a LiFePo4 one sounds more and more appealing. ]]> Electric Bicycles HittheroadJ http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6744-there-merit-buying-optimate-they-waste.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6743-broke-my-throttle.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:54:15 GMT Hi guys

I was checking out the wiring in the throttle to see if I could fit a reed switch to the brake lever. I decided against it at the moment because I didn't want to permanently wire the throttle to the brake lever.

Well I began to put it back together and in doing so I broke a lead on the transistor (I think thats what it is) right at the base - no chance of soldering it back on:(

I'm hoping to get a new transistor but i can't find any online that matches the number - S49E947

Anyone any ideas or should I just order a new throttle - that would be a shame as I had managed a good imitation of fleccs throttle mod.

John

PS - Came across this Pedelec, Elektrofahrrad und E-Bike - Power grip with LED 36v Gas LED 2teilig36

Looks very similar to the original except its a half throttle. The only doubt I have about is that it says its for controllers with hall sensors. However as I understand it the 8 fun motor and the controller are "no hall". Do you think this will work? ]]> Electric Bicycles John L http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6743-broke-my-throttle.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6742-26v-18ah-kalkhoff-vs-36a-16ah-wisper.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:42:43 GMT Been lookikng at boats in the summer but just came back to the forum and noticed the new Kalkhoff battery... Just a piece of curiosity? One for Flecc certainly :) 26V x 18Ah gives a Wh of 468 36V x 16Ah gives a Wh of 576 That means the Wisper goes further. Am I right? But is it the case that the 36V always will give better acceleration than 26V as well? Or am I being simplistic comparing hub motors with the cranks?:o Thank you. Bruce Been lookikng at boats in the summer but just came back to the forum and noticed the new Kalkhoff battery...

Just a piece of curiosity? One for Flecc certainly :)

26V x 18Ah gives a Wh of 468

36V x 16Ah gives a Wh of 576

That means the Wisper goes further. Am I right?

But is it the case that the 36V always will give better acceleration than 26V as well? Or am I being simplistic comparing hub motors with the cranks?:o

Thank you.

Bruce ]]> Electric Bicycles brucehawsker http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6742-26v-18ah-kalkhoff-vs-36a-16ah-wisper.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6741-tread-patterns.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:45:04 GMT The rear tyre on my Synergie Mistral is now smooth and in need of replacement. I have looked at the various makes suggested on this forum Schwalbe and Continental etc with a view to finding something relatively free from punctures. However I have been baffled by the range of tread patterns. Some are like masses of little studs and others are variously shaped lumps. I use the bike on normal roads and want something suitable which does not impose too much drag and/or noise. I never go off-road with it. Could anyone give me some advice please on what to look for? Thanks Rod The rear tyre on my Synergie Mistral is now smooth and in need of replacement. I have looked at the various makes suggested on this forum Schwalbe and Continental etc with a view to finding something relatively free from punctures.

However I have been baffled by the range of tread patterns. Some are like masses of little studs and others are variously shaped lumps. I use the bike on normal roads and want something suitable which does not impose too much drag and/or noise. I never go off-road with it.

Could anyone give me some advice please on what to look for?

Thanks

Rod ]]> Electric Bicycles Rod Tibbs http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6741-tread-patterns.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6740-brand-new-red-ice-recumbent-trike-bionx-pl350-anyone-here.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:44:54 GMT I visited my local bike shop this week-end and talked to the "mechanic" who was building custom mounts for the BionX battery, to go on a ICE Sprint recumbent trike. The PL350 motor was a pretty heavy beast (to my surprise), and its size relative to the 20" wheel means the spokes are tiny ! The BionX kit was not new, judging by the marks on both the battery and the motor.

Anyway, just a note to the owner: remove that 350W sticker, or keep the trike off-road ;)

]]> Electric Bicycles daniel.weck http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6740-brand-new-red-ice-recumbent-trike-bionx-pl350-anyone-here.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6739-vote-cycle-streets-future-friendly-award.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:37:33 GMT Cycle Streets does really good bike routing:

CycleStreets: UK-wide Cycle Journey Planner and Photomap

Future Friendly award, you can vote from there:

Future Friendly

Video presentation (full browser window, in case the video from the webpage above doesn't work):

http://www.futurefriendly.co.uk/swf/movie2.swf

Go on, cast your vote ! :) ]]> Electric Bicycles daniel.weck http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6739-vote-cycle-streets-future-friendly-award.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6738-map-free-charging-points-netherlands.html Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:43:26 GMT Maybe handy for a holiday. Elektrische scooter, fiets en scootmobiel oplaadpunten (http://www.iohotspots.nl/oplaadpunten/kaart.html) It looks like a google map, so the points can almost certainly be downloaded in a KML file and converted to a satnav-importable file. cheers Maybe handy for a holiday.

Elektrische scooter, fiets en scootmobiel oplaadpunten

It looks like a google map, so the points can almost certainly be downloaded in a KML file and converted to a satnav-importable file.

cheers ]]> Electric Bicycles HittheroadJ http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6738-map-free-charging-points-netherlands.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6737-front-lighting-suggestions-36v-bike.html Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:32:32 GMT Hi all

Just purchased a new Juicy Sport Original from Eco Republic and I'm generally very pleased with it. I plan to take some pictures and write up a review at some point. In the meantime, I am buying some bits and pieces to help complete my necessary kit. Just purchased a new Bontrager cycle computer for GBP25 at a high-street store, and this seems to do the job fine. Next job: lights!

My version of the Sport has a built-in rear LED light that runs directly off the battery. It's not particularly bright, but it will do for the time being. Since there is no front light, that's my priority. My purpose is late-night road commuting. It seems sensible to run the front light off the existing battery pack, but my internet research shows that this is quite involved. This requires the purchase of a lighting unit, which might be any of:

• a standard cycle headlight bought separately from the battery pack (this one is 60GBP)
• a general purpose LED torch (such as this one)
• a cheap cycle headlight case with high-intensity LED modules custom-mounted inside (lots of DIY required)

Once this is purchased and mounted, it looks like people are purchasing DC-to-DC converters and stepping down their e-bike battery (from 36 or 26v) to 12v. At 2-5W rating, these seem to cost around 10-15GBP. This then needs to be housed, connected to the battery by breaking into the battery leads, and then routing wires from the break-point to the handle-bars.

How are people doing this? - I have searched here and lights don't seem to come up often as a topic. Is the above so much hassle that it would be better to run LED lights on AA batteries, even though this is another thing to recharge? I have rechargeable AAs and a charger already, so this might be easier...

I should be looking to spend around 40GBP or so on my front light solution - there are some nice lights out there for professional use, but I am sure I can't justify 300GBP! Thanks all. ]]> Electric Bicycles halfer http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6737-front-lighting-suggestions-36v-bike.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6735-cyclamatic-only-runs-w-pedal-assist.html Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:01:18 GMT This is my first post ever, so bear with me.

I bought my cyclamatic last November. I've put about 2000 miles on it and have replaced forks, rims, tires, planitary gears, and the crank. I live in phoenix, arizona. Where it is Flat and HOT!! I ride about 6 miles to and from work everyday. A couple of months ago my bike started to shut off when i would hit a bump or hole in the rode. Now the motor will shut off under full throttle and will only run with me pedaling. Where to start? Battery, Controller, or the Motor. I haven't been able to find any information on the manufactuer of the bike, or the battery 24/volt.

Now my problem is power. Or the lack of, would better discribe it. I've read a lot of posts but haven't stumbled onto anyone with the same problem.

Well that's it. if anyone can help me figure out what parts to replace or how to check each part for proper function. I could use the help. Thanks ]]> Electric Bicycles hotrodstoyz http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6735-cyclamatic-only-runs-w-pedal-assist.html http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6734-new-kalkhoff-batteries.html Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:30:35 GMT Revolution in detail – perfectly dosed power with endurance | Exhibitor release

Here's a write up on the new batteries. More range, more cycles retrofitable. What more could you ask for? ]]> Electric Bicycles CheKmx http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6734-new-kalkhoff-batteries.html