Forza EAF

[flecc]

Thanks Scott, I'm saving this thread link as it will be valuable in answering questions in future.

There's no doubt that having a preset power limiter like the EAF is going to be far more effective at extending range than any attempt to do it manually on a twistgrip throttle. Cruise control for economy.

Maybe eZee could make a slight wiring design change to enable you to offer EAF on all their bikes in future as an extra and aftermarket fit for you to offer to owners concerned about range.

The resulting ranges could give rivals a fright!
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[DBCohen]

Maybe eZee could make a slight wiring design change to enable you to offer EAF on all their bikes in future as an extra and aftermarket fit for you to offer to owners concerned about range.

The resulting ranges could give rivals a fright!
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While they are at it, the controller could do with being changed for something a little more stylish, in my opinion.

The one on the Forte video (from the 50Cycles blog) is a boxy thing with a rotary dial - it looks like a reject from a 1960's Dr Who set design. Any chance of replacing it with something a little more 21st Century? Surely utility and style can be combined?

 

[Cyclezee]

It would be nice to know a few of John Dutson's vital staistics, e.g. height, weight, age and general level of fitness? (Is John an Olympic athlete or a TOG like me?) This might help readers decide if it is the bike doing the work or the rider.

John

 

[flecc]

It would be nice to know a few of John Dutson's vital staistics, e.g. height, weight, age and general level of fitness? (Is John an Olympic athlete or a TOG like me?) This might help readers decide if it is the bike doing the work or the rider.

John

When I see a range around double that which most get, I know that the rider is a very fit regular cyclist. That clearly applies to John Dutson, as it does for the A to B test riders who get such long ranges from most makes of bike.
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[Ian]

I'm just on the verge of exceeding 50 miles on a single charge on my NiMh torq (46m and still green), I don't consider myself to be especially fit but I obviously put more legwork in than most people. I attribute much of the range performance to very careful use of the throttle, only using it going uphill and then only just enough to avoid discomfort, after all it doesn't take an athlete to cycle unassisted at 10-12 mph on the level.

 

[flecc]

I believe that you're more fit than you think Ian. Many Torq owners have reported in here how they get 18 to 20 miles range restricted, and quite a few find pedalling one without power for more than a few minutes very tiring compared with a normal bike.

That said, obviously hilly areas make quite a difference, and A to B who get 22 to 30 mile ranges have operated in two fairly flat areas, Castle Cary on the Somerset levels, and now the area around Dorchester which is mainly quite level.

I've tried very careful throttle management using my split throttle in the early ownership days, but couldn't get near half that 50 miles. I've long since stopped bothering as it's not worth the effort for such a poor return and just enjoy derestriction instead.
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[nigel]

Nigel

I think the most i got in one go was 36 miles with still more juice left mind you i was almost done in i agree with flecc regards Ians fitness maybe not quite superman but not far off it NIGEL

 

[Ian]

I believe that you're more fit than you think Ian.
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If that is true then e-biking really has exceeded one of it's main objectives for me, but right from the start another objective was to go further rather than faster than would be possible for me on an unpowered machine, and the miserly use of power to achieve that has possibly led to a fitness increase beyond what I expected.

The problem is that in a non competitive pastime it is not easy to compare ones own fitness level with that of others, athough of late I have noticed I can often "beat" other cyclists without using power at all, although most of those have been riding the dreaded full suspension knobbly tyred MTB's and my Shwalbes are a lot faster than the original Kendas.

 

[Ian]

i agree with flecc regards Ians fitness maybe not quite superman but not far off it NIGEL

I'm flattered by peoples comments about my fitness level but a friend of mine, a 58 yo club cyclist, regularly rides with his club mates over 100 miles in the hilly Derbyshire peak district at a typical average of 25 mph. Now that's fitness!

PS. His bike weighs less than a third of what my Torq weighs but cost 3 times as much.

 

[flecc]

Yes, my original trials for higher mileage were on the Kendas Ian, and I am getting better range on the T bike, though the speed for a given power input is better anyway on that, skinny Schwalbes and 10% more speed/power due to the voltage increase.

At my age I can't look for increasing fitness, the best I can do is keep the rate of decline as low as possible.
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[Ian]

At my age I can't look for increasing fitness, the best I can do is keep the rate of decline as low as possible.
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I'm sure you're in better shape than many younger non-cyclists , and isn't all fitness improvement fighting decline, regardless of age.

 

[flecc]

That's true Ian, looking at the very fat and unfit people half my age who are so common these days.

But slow muscle wasting and bone shortening in advanced years is inevitable, something no amount of exercise can stop. Eventually I'll need motors in both wheels!
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[Ian]

Eventually I'll need motors in both wheels!
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Well, if anyone can .....

 

[prState]

I believe that you're more fit than you think Ian. Many Torq owners have reported in here how they get 18 to 20 miles range restricted, and quite a few find pedalling one without power for more than a few minutes very tiring compared with a normal bike.
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Ha. This reminds me -- I was going to have a go at your efficiency argument on your modified Torq vs. the Twist. Once we run out of power who can keep pedaling the longest because the bike is ridable without power.

I'm about half the motor. Or maybe a 1/4

 

[flecc]

As said prState, that was on the Torq with Kendas. It's certainly much easier now with the T bike and Schwalbe MPs, but being in a constantly hilly area and the bike weighing 18 kilos plus whatever battery is in, still not an enjoyable experience overall without power, compared to a lightweight thin tyred normal bike.

I always use the lazy option of having a spare battery with me if a journey is going to get anywhere near a running out situation. I've got a three way battery choice, 5.7 kilos, 4.4 kilos or 2.5 kilos, so no problem carrying some extra range.
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[ITSPETEINIT]

Tour de Force - Tour de France

I'm flattered by peoples comments about my fitness level but a friend of mine, a 58 yo club cyclist, regularly rides with his club mates over 100 miles in the hilly Derbyshire peak district at a typical average of 25 mph. Now that's fitness!

PS. His bike weighs less than a third of what my Torq weighs but cost 3 times as much.

Congratulations on your fitness level Ian. Like Flecc I have to 'go like mad' to maintain my present level, which is declining rapidly (please refer to The Times obituaries daily. -That is the first thing I do each morning: if I am not in them, I get up)

But one cannot get fitter than your friend. That is the Tour de France rider's level of fitness (with or without performance enhancing drugs). 125 miles in a day: 3 mountain cols, gradients about 10% (perhaps not as steep as the Derbyshire peaks). But the comparative weight of the cycles (regardless of price - a lightweight bike never made me more or less fit) makes a real difference.
If you are anywhere near that Ian, then you are very, very fit (superman!).
I weigh 89 kgs, am a month off 79 yo, and have suffered the most horrendous Surgical invasions so that I doubt if I can muster 50/75 watts and sustain it. I have to stop pedalling from time to time (every half kilometre). On hills of about 12% - 10% I get near to oxygen debt.I could never cope with a Pedelec. So with the nominal effort I can put in I can get about 20 miles from a Lithium-ion battery on one charge in mixed terrain. When it was brand spanking new, on the first 'deep discharge' I got 30 miles (the last two were down hill) before ALL the lights went out. So for arguments sake let us say a Torq will do 20 miles or a little more 'on the motor alone'. Then, factor in the weight to be carried (rider + shopping + spare battery) and that can be modified a little according to one's personal 'profile'.
I was always worried that there are certain limitations on weight for the cycle and the rear Shimano roller brake - can't find the reference to them now. I recall that one was 100 kgs (the bike) and the other 80kgs (the brake).
Anyway, I think you are really fit (and modest) and 30 miles on one charge would be no problem. Taking how you say you ride into account, I'm not surprised that you can get ~50 miles range.
I bought an electric bike to get much cycling without any effort, if possible (the great outdoors -the finest drop-head coupes made). Did you buy one to see how far you could go on one charge (I'm pulling your leg)
I'd love good range to go touring in France next month. The penalty for a misspent youth is to have to carry 2 spare batteries with me on a nice country ride (40+ miles). I cannot afford to run out of power.
Regards
Peter

 

[Ian]

Thank you Peter for the kind comments on my fitness level, however I really must point out that I am nowhere hear being superman and any rumours that I am must stop, otherwise there is a risk of me being headhunted for a proffesional race team which would lead to accute embarresment on my part.

Seriuosly though, as someone who has never willingly participated in any sports, and whose BMI is at the top limit of normal I find it difficult to accept that my fitness can be anything more than a little above average and still attribute much of the range I achieve to riding technique and a well prepared bike. Most of the time I just potter along and appreciate the scenery in way quite imposible with any other form of transport. The range just happens to be good, quite possibly as a result of pottering rather than rushing.

I wish you luck Peter on your forthcoming continental trip, it sounds like you are well aware of your battery requirements, and you have the experience to make an enjoyable succsess of it.

 

[flecc]

Most of the time I just potter along and appreciate the scenery in way quite impossible with any other form of transport. The range just happens to be good, quite possibly as a result of pottering rather than rushing.

That could be quite a lot of it Ian. I tend to get a move on and averaged 17/18 mph on the Torq, and on the T bike I average 19/20 mph. Even on the Q bike on longer runs, I tend to average about 16/17 mph.

On the four mile supermarket run with the Q bike, mainly a gentle climb going and downhill back of course, the average is usually about 19 mph, not bad for a nominally 15 mph limited bike!
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[Conal]

Ezee cadence on ebay

Following this thread, I see why Flecc cautions us to listen to those who have actually done it, rather than those trying to sell! Browsing ebay this evening

Find Electric bike on eBay within, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 20-Nov-07 21:29:38 GMT)

this ebay ezee cadence seller states

"With its light, corrosion-resistant alloy frame, highly efficient brushless motor, pulse wave modulation controls and Li-ion battery technology, it's possible to travelling 100 km (62 miles) on 1 kWh with this electric powered bike"

 

[flecc]

Sorry Conal, but this claim is ok. The seller is only claiming 22.3 miles from a full 360 Wh battery, which is easy on a Cadence.

There's 2.77 (recurring) battery charges in that 1 kWh for the 63 miles claimed.
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