I don't know why, but I seem to be something of a conversation killer round here:confused:

 

Of course there will always be brands with proprietary technology to protect, and always a market for such products, but I do think these ought to be he exception rather than the rule, to simplify the field for those poor newbies who hit far too many mysteries when they're thinking about buying their bike, and the perceived risk of investing a lot of cash in a product from a relatively small company.

It wouldn't be possible to Standardise for all battery chemistry's as many have found. Putting lifepo4 on an ebike designed for Li-ion or lipo would result in handlebar power indicator's giving inaccurate readings. The lower fully charged voltage of Lifepo4 would cause lights to drop out quicker initially and then the higher low voltage cutout would cause lights to show power still available after the bms low volt protection has cut.

 

Fully charged 36v lifepo4 approx 40.5volt[42.00v for Li-ion and Lipo]

Low voltage cutoff for a 36v lifepo4 approx 36v[31.5v for Li-ion and Lipo]

 

Also if you put Li-ion or Lipo on an ebike designed for lifepo4 the controller would cut the power around 36volt resulting in you not getting full capacity from your battery.

 

I suppose these minor issue's could be gotten over.

 

Another feature that could be added to a programmable controller, should therefore be presets for common battery types?

Hi Straylight,

 

The biggest problem I see, is that all the bikes will end up looking the same....You already see many Wisper clones operating in the market. A key differential between some brands is the battery style and positioning, from Cytronex who try to hide, as do Powabyke with the X bike to our extreme of the large box which is part of the design.

 

I see how these proposals make sense for entry level bikes at sub £1000 but the typical customer (from our own research) who purchases a premium bike is very much motivated by design and being different. Either they want it discreet or pronounced.

 

I think this is the key part here, different price points have different consumer expectations. If consumers want the cheapest option, then it is there already with standard unbranded batteries etc. For those who want something different then there are the more expensive products that we and some of our competitors produce. This is the same in any market segment.

 

Thanks

Mark

 

I don't think all the bikes will have to look the same by just having a compatible battery. Obviously there will always be a room for innovators to locate the battery somewhere else. Perhaps it's the customer that could make a decision on what type of the ebike he/she wants.

 

I know that there are people who just fancy an ebike as form of tool that will do the job from A to B and will be reasonable in maintenance.

 

Those who wish to have a fancy gadget will always go for a Ferrari, don't they?

 

all the best

 

Andrew

I don't think all the bikes will have to look the same by just having a compatible battery. Obviously there will always be a room for innovators to locate the battery somewhere else. Perhaps it's the customer that could make a decision on what type of the ebike he/she wants.

 

I know that there are people who just fancy an ebike as form of tool that will do the job from A to B and will be reasonable in maintenance.

 

Those who wish to have a fancy gadget will always go for a Ferrari, don't they?

 

all the best

 

Andrew

Hi Andrew

 

My point exactly, some will want the cheaper option that will just get them from A2B and other will want to spend more money for better components and design.

 

Thanks

Mark