E Bike Second time around

[CheKmx]

I'm looking at getting a replacement for my electric trike and considering I live in Switzerland and there is a shop that stocks them just round the corner I am leaning toward getting a high speed version of one of the biketec flyer models.

I have booked a rental for the whole of next week so I can really see if it will work with my commute.

My commute is 30kms one way with a big hill to go over in each direction and I can do it under my own steam but given that I have a family and it takes me 2 hours to do one leg of the commute its not viable to do it more than once week. On other days I take the train and my folding bike but this reduces my cycling to 4 km each way which is just not enough.

Im hoping one of the flyers will get me to work on time but still give me a reasonable workout.

I think the bike I've rented is one of the S Series bikes with the Dual drive gears but if I make a purchase I'll either go for Alfine or really splash out and go for the Rohloff. My current bike has a Alfine with 38t/20t which gets me up the hills and gives me a top speed of about 30kph but my average speed is between 16/18pkh over the whole trip.

Anyway might post a few thoughts about the test bike next week

 

[flecc]

Hi CheKmx, sorry to learn of the sad end to the powered trike attempts. We do have a few members with the Kalkhoff Pro Connect S version but not wide range gears, plus a couple of members with the top of range Flyers, the one in Germany owning a THS with the Rohloff hub.

I personally prefer the DualDrive to the Rohloff due to the noisy nature of the latter, but it's low maintenance would be tempting if I were an everyday user. I'll be keen to hear your impressions of the DualDrive though.
.

 

[alex_h]

I like dualdrive as well, it's really good and quiet. It works well on the bikes but I heard that it's not as pefect on the heavy tricycles. The problem is that it is ineed very fragile for the heavy duty tricycles.

Do you have any pictures of your tricycle?

regs

Alex

 

[CheKmx]

Here is link to a thread that contains a photo of the bike

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/2003-recumbent-electric-trike.html

 

[CheKmx]

Thanks flecc, what makes it even more frustrating is that I can see how great it would be without all the niggling issues. I will try to keep an open mind on the dual drive though I'm a bit sold on Hub drives but maybe a single rear derailuer cuts down on complexity and still lets you drop a gear when stationary. I'll let you know how I get on

 

[CheKmx]

First Impressions

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 

[CheKmx]

Details

MapMyRide.com | View Flyer Test Ride in Wetzikon, Switzerland here;s the route I took as a test ride this evening. I guess about 1 hour of riding mostly in eco or off but on high for a big hill and a few tests of high and standard on the flat. used up 2 of the five bars.

 

[CheKmx]

And here's a photo from half way up the hill back over Wetzikon where I live.

 

[flecc]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

. Glad you are enjoying the Flyer, CheKmx, they are great bikes, good for the climbs to appreciate those views.
.

 

[CheKmx]

MapMyRide.com | View Flyer Test Ride 2 in Hinwil, Switzerland Another fun ride, tomorrow the serious business of commuting.

 

[CheKmx]

Commute1.

MapMyRide.com | View 19/04/2010 Flyer Test Commute in Wetzikon (zh), Switzerland. First commute to work.

2 bars used on indicator mostly eco on flat High on hills and none on downhill but used standard occasionally. Time approx 1h30mins but stopped to put on rain gear as there was a hail storm.

Not sure I can get used to 28inch wheels. Would taking the 26inch version have a massive impact on speed?

Tonights commute back should be interesting as its a night commute.

I was a bit cautious(?) with battery usage and will probably try using standard and high tomorrow on the way in to see how much energy that consumes and the resultant impact on travel time.

Verdict: Looking forward to getting on to go home.

 

[CheKmx]

I read this http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/2884-26-vs-28-wheel.html?highlight=wheel+size which answers my own question. 26inch wheels for me I think. I only have likkle legs

 

[CheKmx]

Commute2

Commute 2 was a late night return home in the dark. Coming back the same route as I went. This time I put the bike in full power as the objective was to get home as quickly as possible. The end result was that I was only 15 minutes later than usual. At one point I thought there was a problem with the bike as I could hear a strange sound but then it dawned on me that I was surrounded by frogs (or toads) in full voice. This is the kind of thing I love about cycling.

 

[CheKmx]

Commutes 3-6

So far I have clocked up a total of 200km and I'm still looking forward to tomorrows commute. The SRAM gears seem to work well but I still find myself stuck in the wrong gear in the city sometimes where things can be less predictable and I am still very tempted by either the Alfine or the Rohloff. I think I could do there and back on the 10Ah battery pack I have but it would be quite tight so I will go for the larger 15Ah battery they offer and still charge at both ends, as I understand it this should help the longevity of the battery. I know that it might be that I have more money than sense but I am also quite tempted by the K series which is the same as the S but with a carbon frame. Probably pretty pointless on an electric bike? I understand the ride is nicer than aluminium though and if Im going to do 10-12k a year on it this might be a consideration(excuse).

 

[flecc]

Those who ride carbon frames usually comment on the greater comfort.

How about the new Shimano 11 speed hub recently announced? BikeTec may adopt it, and I think they will also produce a custom model since they build to order anyway. The Shimano should be quieter than the Rohloff, will almost certainly have their trademark slick gearchanging and will be a lot cheaper than the very expensive Rohloff.
.

 

[CheKmx]

It's a nice idea but it would meaning waiting at least until September when it is released. Not sure I have that much patience

 

[flecc]

Yes, that is a snag, and entering the winter isn't a good time to start with a new bike.
.

 

[CheKmx]

Well the trial came to a conclusion a day early as I had too look after the kids and work from home today. Its certainly a workable solution compared to unassisted which is a 4+ hour round trip.

I spoke to the lady in the shop and she told me that the alfine high speed version of the flyer only has a maximum of 35kph but then again I'm not sure this bothers me as this is roughly the speed I was going anyway but would I regret this later as my fitness increased? The Dual drive actually seems like a pretty slick solution, has anyone had any experience of these on an ebike. Do they require a lot of maintainance? Then there is the Rohloff which though noisy and expensive is from what I hear very reliable and gives an excellent range. They also told me that if I opt for 15ah battery I'm tied into replacing with a 15Ah battery which means a bigger hit every time I need a new one but then again hopefully less often. And finally do I go aluminium or carbon for the more forgiving ride? Perhaps it would be easier if the options where like the ford model T.

On the plus side I have decided I am definitely getting one... then again there's a Kalkhoff dealer a few miles away...

 

[flecc]

Yes, I think the 15 Ah battery option is a bit too restrictive, and it involves wider cranks too.

The Rohloff and DualDrive are the only ones that give the full 42 kph performance, though the NuVinci CVT hub would also, but they don't list that as an option. The DualDrive will involve the usual derailleur maintenance, but it's three speed hub should give no trouble at all.

Of course you know what the real answer is, buy three!
.

 

[CheKmx]

Its done

Order a S Serie flyer with the Rolhoff and 10Ah 250w sport motor. All I have to do is wait 8 weeks. Really had to fit the temptation to buy the dual drive version in the shop for that instant fix. Got a generous discount form the shop owner who is my neighbour. Result