pdg

Back from a business trip, I have lots of msgs to catch on this thread. Jeff, you made _very_ creative alternatives for the battery mount ... thx! The under-crossbar location is actually quite functional and I no longer hit the battery with my leg as I did swinging over the rear rack. ElectricMike, I don't need the ice lolly stick sound. I add my own sound effects ... brrrrrooommm ... and rsscot, it _is_ a mean sound. I can't get over the fun of riding an eBike! Peter, you got it ... I'm in 'the colonies'. Lived in England from 75-78 and managed to keep my roadbike to the LH side of the road (more or less). I still have a RHD sports car from all those years ago. Nigel, I will post a roadtest soon. Still sorting out a charging issue and have yet to get the battery to take a re-charge. Should get it sorted out tomorrow. Cheers, Paul

Jeff One more change ... http://web.mac.com/pguild8/iWeb/pdg%20iFlick/eBike/eBike.html I followed the link to your great looking bike, and in Devon to enjoy it! ...pdg

"Is that a stokemonkey nimh battery pack? or homemade?" Battery is by Sanforce in H.K.; I just mounted in the PVC tube.

Hi Jeff "Whats the next idea going to be?" As you guessed, a few changes come to mind: 1. Add torque arms, both sides (crazy to ride without them and likely pretty easy to make and install) 2. Move the battery pipe forward 4" on the rear rack (need to cut into the rack frame to do this) 3. Add multi-meter to monitor volts, amps and amp-hours (on order from US) 4. Add signal lights to rear (on order from US). But I must try to contain the urge to keep adding; it's easy to defeat the impression of "just a bike, moving quickly". Cheers, Paul

"I should stay away from military establishments though, with a weapon on the carrier and wiring to the water bottles." ==> Hmmm, yes ... that crossed my mind too.

I had my first eBike ride today ... great fun! My DIY ride is at http://web.mac.com/pguild8/iWeb/pdg%20iFlick/eBike.html Special thanks to flecc, Baboonking and Maryinoxford for earlier advice that got me on the right track. Regards, Paul

Some advice on choice of hybrid bike would be much appreciated. I'm going to put a Crystalyte Model 407 front hub in a 700c rim on a new hybrid bike. I'm trying to select a suitable bike for this hub and my tall (6'5") / heavy (270 lbs) body: 1. Is it better to go with (a) aluminum alloy, (b) chromoly steel or © high tensile steel for the frame/forks? 2. Is it better to select a hybrid that has a front suspension fork or a rigid fork? 3. If I add a torque arm on both sides of the front fork (doubling as an axle holder to keep the wheel on the bike even if the lower fork area wants to breakaway), will this be equally effective on a suspension fork as on a rigid fork? 4. Other things to consider when selecting a bike? Thanks in advance ... pdg

Thanks for these useful suggestions. flecc: I've never seen such an incisive analysis of the front- vs rear-hub advantages. Your observations are very helpful! Thanks. Baboonking: As near as I can tell, the top kits in Canada are BionX (regarded as our number one), Crystalyte (many versions to choose), and Wilderness (likely the most affordable of these three). Maryinoxford: Thanks for sharing your experiences. I will look into the Urban Mover UM55 as an option. BTW, a long time ago, I was Paulinoxford (lived near St Giles, local was The Eagle and Child ... if you are in that pub, tip a jar for me!) -- pdg (aka Paul)

Is there any performance advantage to going front wheel vs rear wheel for a hub kit? I was a bit concerned about installing a hub kit on an older road bike? I'd planned to get modern front and rear rims, ideally 700c with double-wall with stainless eyelet-and-spokes. But will the old frame take the torque? (I'm a 'Clydesdale' and commute on windy country roads with hills ...). It isn't easy to find objective information as to the reliability of hub kits, plus their controllers and throttles. Any hints? Thanks! pdg

Thanks for your reactions ... I have decided to stay with my roadbike and swap the handlebars. I'll let you know how it works out.

The Bionx PL-350 'pedal assist' is my choice for an e-Bike; now to decide if it goes on an old or new bike. Any advice on this option would be appreciated. A long time cyclist, I'm a big old guy ... a 'baby boomer' and 6' 5" / 260 lbs big. I hope to commute 12 Km each direction to work on paved semi-rural roads with rolling hills and often some pretty strong prevailing winds. One choice is to fit the Bionx to my Fiori road bike (pictured below) because it is an extra-tall and strong frame, and I'm accoustomed to riding it. It is a late-80s bike with a 27" wheel and 130 mm dropout -- fitting the Bionx to a 27" wheel requires a custom-built rim because the Bionx normally comes configured for 26" or 700C with a 135 mm drop out. I know a very cooperative bike shop that will build a custom rim for me. Another choice is to fit the Bionx to a new large-framed hybrid with a 700C wheel and a 135 mm dropout, using today's technology. Modifications would be minimal and installation fairly easy. But I've never ridden a hybrid and wonder if it will be as comfortable as the Fiori on regular commutes. Advice on these options? Thanks, PDG