January 21, 201115 yr Regarding efficiency of an electric bike - or any bike for that matter, I would say that the type of tyres have a substantial effect. I can't justify it wwith figures, but I would say that my pedalling effort has been reduced and my range increased, both by maybe as much as 25% since I changed from MTB tyres to Scwalbe City Slicks.
January 21, 201115 yr Tyres will always make the biggest difference in energy required, also the bike being well maintained and having the exact gearing and crank length for your personal requirements. Then you have to consider the riding position which will determine how efficiently you use your leg muscles. Then streamlining and weight of bike, and finally the magic software ingredient. Colin
January 21, 201115 yr Tyres will always make the biggest difference in energy required, also the bike being well maintained and having the exact gearing and crank length for your personal requirements. Then you have to consider the riding position which will determine how efficiently you use your leg muscles. Then streamlining and weight of bike, and finally the magic software ingredient. Colin Streamlining is tricky. Even on recumbents. It's a shame bents come in so many different sizes (and are so expensive) so it's hard to find add on streamlining. As for the rest of it, its amazing just how badly setup and maintained most people's bikes are. Pumping the tyres, freeing up all the bearings and oiling the chain can make a huge difference.
January 21, 201115 yr Tyre pressure is something I forgot to mention as an individual item. Good point Streamlining - if you add extra streamlining aids you also increase the weight which counteracts it to an extent. What I meant was related to riding position: certainly not using the "sit up and beg" position, and general clutter on the bike. I have a large tall mirror, GPS on a mount, three lots of lights on the front and panniers and top-box on the back. If I got rid of that lot my Wisper would possibly go all day and night on one charge; it would certainly go a bit faster and further, and be a bit easier to get on and off trains. Colin
January 21, 201115 yr On streamlining, have any of you come across a velomobile? Its essentially a recumbent but with a streamlined hull which you climb into. Popular in Holland, unassisted speeds even up to 30mph (!), protection from the elements and costing about the same as a top-end electric bike. The basic idea is combining the efficiency of a cycle machine with the aerodynamic profile of a car - and win. May not take off in the UK compared with a very flat Holland... Interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velomobile
January 21, 201115 yr Most people lovingly remember the C5? That was an electric velomobile. With the lighter unpowered ones you have problems controlling them in gusty crosswinds, and the only advantage is they can keep you dry in the rain. I tried racing one in the 60's in Holland but as I had never ridden a recumbent before I didn't do very well - and that is putting it very kindly. Colin
January 21, 201115 yr But that's why I stressed large-people carriers at the end Colin, carriers of large people, not many people! Maybe long wheelbase Transits fitted with four large armchairs would fit the bill. . Just 4 big armchairs, with either 16" wheels and a 250W, or with hydraulic legs.... like the walking table.... et viola
January 21, 201115 yr On streamlining, have any of you come across a velomobile? Its essentially a recumbent but with a streamlined hull which you climb into. Popular in Holland, unassisted speeds even up to 30mph (!), protection from the elements and costing about the same as a top-end electric bike. The basic idea is combining the efficiency of a cycle machine with the aerodynamic profile of a car - and win. May not take off in the UK compared with a very flat Holland... Interesting: Velomobile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Thats really the main reason velomobile and recumbent bikes haven't taken off in the UK, it looks kind of silly pushing one up a hill.... great in the square mile but no real practical application apart from the Broads...
January 21, 201115 yr great in the square mile Would it be that fashionable? What I wouldn't get though is being so low in such busy traffic.
January 22, 201115 yr Velomobiles are neat, as are tadpole trikes. And they're prime candidates for electrifying. But what I really want is a streamlined recumbent bicycle. Not quite sure why though!
January 22, 201115 yr I'm trying to get my head round quantum mechanics Is there an award for 'most off topic'? Quantum Mechanics? Simples! Is Schrödinger's cat dead or alive? You have to open the box to collapse the wave function, until you do..........oh hold on, there goes the doorbell............ Edited January 22, 201115 yr by BLACKPANTHER
January 22, 201115 yr I'm trying to get my head round quantum mechanics, where all our normal understanding of principles of physics goes out the window This is dead easy to understand. It's what one refers to when wanting to maintain the impression of having knowledge when no other answer is actually available. AKA the scientist's cop-out. .
January 22, 201115 yr Would it be that fashionable? What I wouldn't get though is being so low in such busy traffic. and if you left your I PLOD plugged in on the table wouldn't it get stolen?
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