catsnapper

My wife has ear/balance problem, so uses a 24" wheel folding Space Genie trike - cost around £500 when we purchased it. We're in a flat area with just one short steep hill, but as it's on the way to and from the front we use it regularly. It's a bit too hard for her to ride up unassisted, but so far an added push is enough. When needed, I've built a front wheel with a Q100 hub and setup handlebars, making it a relatively quick conversion. Getting old, having to take beta blockers etc, etc, makes the enjoyment of cycling just a little less..... Alan

Hi Tom, I've made and sold a lot of custom wheels fitted with the SRAM 2spd Automatix hubs. They're reliable and inexpensive, with a new version that can take 32h rims and disc brakes. There is a standard version that is suitable for 20-24" wheels. I usually get the traditional versions from our German supplier as they're the cheapest in Europe AFAK.... I've also tested and sold the FSA Metropolis 2 spd crank system offering a similar gear ratio. It's very simple to install, but is more expensive than the hub. My wife happily rides her trike around our Spanish town (flat, with just one short hill!), trying out my various experimental hubs and wheels:) Best, Alan

Hi Jerry, I saw the same article about the Fredrik Gertten film as it's on in Barcelona later this month. It's all rather different in our more traditional town in Spain. The streets are narrow and entirely one way. Despite a lot of parked cars, many rarely move as it's quicker to walk or bike. There are so many zebra crossings on every road that drivers stop for you well BEFORE you get to a crossing! A lot of drivers wait for cyclists even if they have the right of way.....I guess they're not in a hurry..... The unspoken code about pedestrian right of way on the narrow pavements is quite complex - the hierarchy of age, prams, shopping trolleys, children with parents etc seems to have evolved over time.... The more modern urban areas have wide, open (and largely empty!) pavements that accept cycling - the only downside is the recent ban on cycling on the central main front, especially in summer. Surprisingly, the local council has built a mini-park with roads, lights, crossings etc for young children to ride, scoot or whatever - it's been built just behind the central police station Despite all the acceptance of cycling, one local neighbour tells us it's not a bike friendly town!

My wife uses a folding Space Genie 24", sometimes electric, but usually not. Lower gearing, better cranks and a few other mods make it usable in our mainly flat area. A front 250 watt Bafang or similar is powerful enough for her use, and quick enough to rig up. This was shot yesterday - yes, she does ride with those heels - maybe why she occasionally needs the Bafang.....

I'm late coming onto this thread, but I'm not too sure what cwah is going to achieve, apart from undoing the freewheel.... As already said, a Cyclo (or similar) deep freewheel socket with 12mm+ clearance and enough leverage will remove a multi or singlespeed freewheel. You can fit another one up to 9spd (Sunrace) or S/S (but may have chainline problems). Also mentioned early in the thread, changing to a modern freehub and cassette means changing to a dedicated electric hub. More versatile, but not so cheap...

Hmmmm.......

VERY URGENT CLEARANCE! Thanks to our removal guys we've got to clear all stuff a week earlier than intended. I need to clear a lot of e-bike parts before the 25th of November, so...... Main clearance parts are: Q-100 silver front sensored motor, fitted to UK hand built 26" wheel, complete with CON62 Brushless sensored controller. Bafang 250W black front sensorless motor, fitted to UK hand built 26" wheel. Both wheels are almost unused. One large box of extras, including throttles, cables, brushless controller tester, switches etc VoltON 5500mAh 6s 22.2V 25C Li-Po Battery - Approx 15-18 months old. Modest use Turnigy 5000mAh 6S 22.2V 30C Li-Po Battery - 6 months old. Modest use. Both fitted by Lipo Battery Fireproof Charge Bag. Neither unused for 3 months, both items only used with Graupner charger.(Not for Sale!) The items have been reduced to £100, but I have no time to pack them, so they need to be collected from Maldon, Essex. They HAVE to be cleared, so I can reduce them a little more! Best, Alan (Apologies, but too slow with the usual For Sale):o Some deliverable items include almost unused Cycle Analyst 2.0 with matched Grin 25A Controller.

Hi Dave, Thanks for your message. Anyone can contact me about custom cut spokes and wheels at: catsnapperwheels@gmail.com. All details about the Morizumi cutter with custom DT Swiss and Sapim spokes are included. Best, Alan

Hi Pat, First, an update of everything, followed by a few clarifications. If you're bored, you can pass on to other more interesting things:) Thanks to the tardiness of certain UK people I was told I have to start taking Warfarin - just as we're on the way to Barcelona! The excellent medics at the University hospital (in San Juan near Alicante) finally insisted I would be checked for EVERYTHING for a week, and then insisted I would be around for a further month while they stabilised my Warfarin! Hopefully we'll be back to Maldon in a week. An excellent idea was to miss all the storms in the southern parts of the UK:rolleyes: We have a range of spokes of plain, single and double butted, but most people want plain spokes for electric bikes. Butted spokes are more expensive, but last longer and are more compliant, especially for more extreme uses. The alternative stealth lightweight road bike/e-bike may shave a few more sporty double butted spokes:) amigafan2003 and d8veh both comment about their e-bike wheels - both sensible but different ideas by two guys with a vast amount of experience. Our spokes and delivery costs are the same as always, BUT they will be posted from the UK or Spain, depending on the time of year. The Spanish postal costs are identical, but take a couple of days longer. Valencia and El Compello are both quick at posting small parcels, but complete wheels will be sent to the UK by my usual couriers. Best, Alan:cool:

When we went to our local electricity supplier in El Campello to arrange to get our apartment connected, we were asked if we wanted a charging point for an e-bike or e-car......not seen any of either type of e-vehicle in the town so far, despite plenty of cycle paths and quite a few non e-bikes:confused: Alan

We finally got a chance to wander along the Barcelona front near the Olympic and Barceloneta beaches. Bikes, scooters, skateboards, e-varieties of most things were on the move, often guided by the exuberance of youth, rather than the experience of age as would be expected:cool: Along with some snazzy Frank Gehry architecture and a few oddball characters it made for a great photo opportunity, so I've put a small sample of the pics on here:Barcelona Wheels Alan

Thanks Dave, that's what I needed to know - now I can get started:)

I'm trying to help out a local rider with a BPM 350W powered e-bike here in Barcelona. I was sure there were several threads about dismantling one on this forum or E-S, but much as I look I can't find them:( It's a while since I played with a BPM, so I'm struggling to remember basic things, like how to remove the cover -even which way it turns:confused: Any quick reminders or links will be much appreciated! Alan

Hi Chiwah, I've arranged for Graham at Tiller Cycles to handle any urgent spoke orders for me while we're in Spain. His site for ordering is: Repairs & Assembly He has the same spoke cutting gear as mine and sells the same range of spokes, albeit at a slightly higher price. You'll need to contact him direct at graham@tillercycles.co.uk to get a delivery price for sending them to Paris. Alan(Catsnapper). PS. Only part holiday, I'm also working:cool:

Single butted spokes such as Sapim Strong are a good solution as they combine a 13g head and elbow with a slimmer 14g main section, giving a better fit on most normal bike rims. Also a high grade stainless steel unlike most Chinese spokes. Not a cheap option though at around 75p each. I have a colleague in the UK with a similar cutting set up who can supply them if there is an urgent need. Alan