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    The 'next life'?

    The adapted Swytch kit on my ancient tourer and the more recent Decathlon 500E are allowing me to continue enjoying some local cycling and light touring as I approach my eighties but they both suffer from increased weight and poorer handling. I had hopes for less conventional conversions such...
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    Should I be surprised?

    Just as an experiment I connected up my nominal 28.8 V (10S2P) battery to my modified Swytch Mk1 bike which I usually run on variety of nominal 36V batteries (Yose 10.8Ah and Bosch tool 2.6Ah). The display came on showing as expected a low battery voltage. What surprised me was the motor...
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    Where to find information about the 18v output on the Bosch GAL 3680CV charger?

    Hi. I would like to look at the charge profile for the 18V option on this charger. If at all possible I would like to charge my made-up 18v Liion batteries (using 4x2x18650 cells) which don't have a BMS - instead I monitor the individual 2-paired-cell voltages, both for charging and...
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    Lemmo - European minimalist designed bike

    Hi I came across this brand (which is now available in the UK) the other day and liked its general design concept (if not its proprietary CAN bus comms). I'm not in the market for another pedelec but wondered what others thought and any actual experience? Peter
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    Bosch Gal 3680 14.4/36V charger

    Is it possible (safe?) to charge my DIY 14.4V LiIon (4S2P) batteries with my Bosch charger, using its 14.4V connections? These are two '12V' packs using cells recovered from a failed '36V' ebike battery. I run them in series without a BMS but with monitoring of cell voltages. Thanks Peter
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    Any new (radical) commercial developments in 2024-2025 and onwards?

    I get the impression that excitement over (radical) developments that go beyond concept, feature less in these forums than previously. It could just be me being more picky - I am fairly happy with what I'm now using - an old converted touring bike for local use and a Decathlon 500E for longer...
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    'Cafe Real' bike/brand

    Has anyone come across these bikes which appear fairly regularly on Ebay. The ones I've looked at have been hybrid style (sloping crossbar and apparently fairly upright 19" frame). 700C wheels and 4 speed Shimano Nexus hub gears. I'm particularly interested in the overall weight and the front...
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    Black Forest

    Just back from holiday which included a few days walking in the Black Forest near Freiburg. Just out of season but it was noticeable how many electric bikes were around - mainly mid drives of varying makes. I couldn't examine them too closely or my wife might have become suspicious that I was...
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    Torque system for Decathlon Riverside 500E?

    Having read the sorry tale about the Carerra Suntour torque sensing system (New Bike entry below) I am wondering about the (apparently low-cost) system fitted to my recently bought Decathlon Riverside 500E? I have to say so far I am happy with the riding effect - its not perfect for example...
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    Topping up a lithium battery with a second battery

    Has someone had experience (eg a caravanner or 'boater') of topping up an ebike battery using another battery and lightweight inverter. I'm just thinking ahead of possibly wanting to top up my Decathlon e500 battery for longer runs or 'emergency'. I can't delve into the innards of the battery...
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    Decathlon Riverside 500e ?

    I am looking at this Decathlon pedelec - it looks good value for money, with torque sensing and lockable front wheel suspension. Also 2 year warranty. Thoughts? My wife insists any new bike must replace an existing bike so the quirky Bickerton would have to go - not a great loss as I get into...
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    Repurposing li- ion (18650S - 2500mAh) batteries?

    Hi, Can someone advise on a winter project please. Some time ago I had a 36V Li-ion battery go bad due to one of the sets of 4 paralleled batteries going open circuit. Eventually I stripped the battery down by which time several of the other paralleled sets had become iffy. So I am left with...
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    Storing ebikes and their electronics?

    I enjoy keeping an eye on these forums on the basis that they are a mine of experience which I may be able to use to solve my own current and future problems on my much modified pedelec set ups. One area that seems to come up regularly at this time of year is that out of season ebike storage...
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    What battery capacity?

    Yesterday cycled a round trip of ~33miles on my old converted (modified Swytch Mk 1 kit) tourer, albeit through undulating south Leicestershire countryside, using a 5Ah Bosch type battery and a quick charger (~ 1 hour). I felt the general feel was much more pleasant than with my 10Ah bottle...
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    What battery capacity?

    Yesterday cycled a round trip of ~33miles on my old converted (modified Swytch Mk 1 kit) tourer, albeit through undulating south Leicestershire countryside, using a 5Ah Bosch type battery and a quick charger (~ 1 hour). I felt the general feel was much more pleasant than with my 10Ah bottle...
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    PowerHog

    Anyone know anything about or had experience of depot2u.co.uk for a range of low cost 'Powerhog' ebikes. I am impressed by their seemingly honest assessment of say the 700c wheeled ('Professional' Commuter') version and their feedback reviews relating to customer service. I haven't bought...
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    battery recovery?

    A question for a lithium battery guru. Some time ago earlier in the year I replaced my 36V Li-ion battery (Chinese INR18650 bank) which had developed a fault and had dropped the charged voltage). (Carefully) dismantling the battery I established that one of the 4 cell banks was dead. Having...
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    Anti-slip tape

    Just wondered whether anyone has tried using an anti-slip tape like the Rhino one to improve traction on a friction drive? I'm not particularly bothered by increased wear of the tyre because of relatively low mileage. Peter
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    Variable contact pressure on a friction drive?

    Since there are (or have been) friction drives marketed with automatically variable contact pressure (ie between drive roller and tyre) to mitigate slip eg in the wet, I am wondering if I can fit a simpler user controlled variable pressure 'trimmer' (the basic pressure against the tyre is spring...
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    Help! A legal(ish) opinion please re 'amateur' pedelecs

    A question for those with a legal mind and/or detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation in respect of 'amateur' pedelec conversions. Would it be legal to ride a converted bike (eg using an 'amateur' constructed 'kit' in my case with a commercial surplus motor and friction drive), a...