Marc Draco

Ah, good that at least destroys the argument that it's my fault then Woosh! Thanks! I'm still pretty p*ssed off that it's failed so soon.

I had to take my beloved Carrera-e back to Halfords with the E-22 error. That's the torque sensor. Four months! That's all - from new. Seems that I've learned a nasty lesson and while Halfords are going to fight me, I'm sure, it looks like this particular system isn't designed to be ridden without assist - which is what I do to save battery (d'uh)! I'm guessing (but it's an educated guess) that the extra torque I'm generating (even approaching 60 y/o) has destroyed the sensor. That's a very poor show really - I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. I've asked the store to replace it with a more reliable model but they're going to balk at that I'm sure.

It's a fake video for Adidas (I won't give you the breakdown) but here's an expert dissecting a similar but much longer video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOjOU51PJNc The problem I have with these is they encourage children to take these risks in real life.

My friend David Zaruk https://risk-monger.com/ and I often wax lyrical about how awful we are at balancing hazard vs. risk. I'm just a Padawan really but it's remarkable how we concentrate on the little things while completely missing the big ones. The obvious one is fear of flying but there are many more insidious ones that we don't even consider, yet put our lives (or health) at risk every single day.

I saw the dratted thing on YouTube again last night (I was in bed and not supposed to be on the computer) so I've forgotten what it's called. Is it just me or do these things seem attractive in theory but in practise the cost in tyre wear (and the maintenance of changing them) defeat the object? It's not like having a little bottle dynamo (I kinda miss those) for your lights. This latest iteration seems rather like the Zeta you've linked here Flecc (and thank you for that).

Starting to think I should check to see if my insurance has PL. I recall the guy mentioning it but I don't know if it was an option.

Not sure where we got with this but I just saw an eBike "hack" (I was too tired to see what the darn thing was called) but it was supposed to drive your back wheel VIA the rear tyre! It has regeneration too. Nice idea but can you imagine the cost in tyres!?

Oooo a Bosch crank motor... (excuse me a moment while I go take a cold shower)! Me? Jealous? With MY reputation!

Same on my existing MTB - they're coming off this one tout de suite! It's a shame we live in such a world - but we do...

Woah! Isn't it crazy how our vernacular can pinpoint our origin!

Something in need of development then before it's useful for the rest of us! (and "as useful everyday as the male nipple... OH MY SIDES!)

This is one of those things you see and then go "It's HOW MUCH?!" Definitely something for when the cost comes down.

That (sadly) is a very good point Soundwave. My bike isn't anything special in the grand scheme of things but it's everything to me... so looks like it's going to be an everyday lock, battery removal and eyes peeled! I suppose in time we'll get more secure facilities - but we only have one where I am that's already threatened with demolition.

Big? As in heavy? My last patent application was a decade ago (not cycling related) and we already had fairly good systems on cars then. Existing (rotational) speed sensors are almost there and already built into these motors. Looks like the issue would be with hydraulics inline to the servo, would it not?

In fact that sort of performance calls for lightweight anti-lock brakes. Presumably someone must have done that by now for the higher-end stuff.

"I'm going to crush this lock with my bare hands" Proceeds to apply rare-earth metal, leave it for six hours and then attack it with a screwdriver. You have a good point though - seems that nothing is safe if you're a scally with an Internet connection.

Damn... that's … damn! Find out what sort of bike lock he had - and don't buy that one. I guess removing the battery is always an option for some of us - the price of replacement is (in my case) almost half the cost of the bike! No wonder insurance is so crazy.

I love how they quote the output for the sort of sunlight you might get at midday on a cloudless day in summer at the equator... Not a lot of use for Blighty!

Good point - excellent point in fact. How do you prevent some little **** from stealing the cover or do you seek out somewhere indoors to park? This is my main fear of having an ebike (bit late now I've bought one) - some little **** deciding it was better in his hands than mine! Ugh... what's the deal with heavy rain in this case? Does WD40 or similar help?

Now before everyone jumps on me and starts talking voltages and currents, please be aware that this is something I'm already quite familiar with so let's not all waste time trying to explain the physics of why "this can't work" because it's already being used on cars. We may be a little early yet (weight is clearly an issue) but I wonder how close we are to "hub" generation. The alternative hub for the hub-driven machines and both (wow!) for the crank driven. I'm raising this now just in case some patent troll is trying to patent it (ruining it for the rest of us) because this classifies as something called "Prior art". Clearly existing dynamos are no use - they're the wrong voltage, nowhere near efficient enough and would be running all the time which is a bit pointless. Seems that what we need (unless this is extant) is a highly efficient hub dynamo(s) [alternators are more efficient but assume I mean the same] that comes on as we engage the brakes. I thought about freewheel but that doesn't really help...

I'm familiar with the electronics - it's not that we could use existing 12v tech, but we already have regenerative braking on cars. The laws of physics are fairly clear that we can't get back everything we put in - not even close - but that doesn't mean we can't get 36v out of an efficient FWD. (It's the energy we get back that counts, as it's easily possible to raise the voltage with corresponding loss in current. That's how stun guns work - sometimes with just a 1.5v battery, clever bloke that Tesla fellow.)

Wow guys - this is great! I've never had so much (good) information in such a short space of time. I'm rather attracted to this option - assuming the lights have short supply so they work when the machine is slow or stopped. I used to use a bottle dynamo (wow, we are largely "of an age here") many moons ago and while I always had light when I was on the move, once I'd stopped things went dark. I wonder why (or even if) anyone has considered this option for re-charging the main battery while we're coasting or breaking - I think this is called regeneration? Obviously something for a different discussion which I'll start unless someone else already has. A modified front hub generator - rigged to engage when we're not peddling - would be idea for this.

…is a way away yet - but there's nothing like being prepared. Since I'm new to e-biking is there anything to be concerned about? Water ingress rarely causes shorts these days since most things are well sealed but it can cause longer-term damage and corrosion. Also what about tyres, lights and such. Any thoughts on going for "winter" tyres? Are such things even available or desirable? Lights are a major bugbear for me. I really want a set that I don't have to unclip ever time I stop for a bottle of milk. Any suggestions (pertaining to anti-theft systems, etc.)

The BHF has a chart for various resting and active heart rates I believe - but age and genes play a large factor.

Can't argue with that logic my friend. I'm just hoping I can pay all this money back before they plant me!