Cycling UK Forum

> You really need to understand what you're doing if you are considering paralleling two batteries.
> For instance if say you had two 36v batteries, you can indeed parallel them PROVIDING they are at the same charge state [as measured by the voltages which should be around 50-100mV of each other].
> If they are not, then you could be looking at damaging your expensive batteries or worse.
> Having said that you can bye 'Y' cables with suitable electronic boxes that allow batteries of dissimilar charge states to be paralled.
> To get a flavour of the complexities, have a read through this post https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/thread ... ion.45664/

If you haven't done so already, look through some youtube vids on the 'torque sensing vs cadence sensing' ebike motor systems as each will give you quite a different ride experience.

If looking for a mid drive conversion the two most popular at an affordable price are either from Bafang (the BBSxx series) or Tong Sheng (eg. TSDZ2) - Bafang are cadence sensing and Tong Sheng are torque sensing.systems.

I have done five TSDZ2 conversions for self/family/friends and my own machine/motor has done in excess of 6,000 miles without issue other than retirghtening the motor fixings periodically but I only every ride in the lowest power assist level, so I am a 'light user'.

Some users on the likes of the Endless Sphere forum have complained of TSDZ2 problems but you can never tell how they have used their motors e.g. some 250LB giant, bunny hoping his ramped up TSDZ2 (750w 48v) over mountaneous terrain on hot summer days!

stodd wrote: ↑24 Feb 2024, 8:01pm Worth asking at https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/forums ... cussion.2/

I'm afraid you may just get lots of posts saying that's the problem with buying bikes with proprietary electrical systems but you may get one or two that really help.

All true enough about what responses to expect from that forum as there is a strong contingent of those who install kits with generic batteries or even build their own, thus avoiding the 'locked in' factor of proprietary system which is a real pain (financially and practically)

I suspect they aren't any less reliable than many other batteries

I am a regular reader of the pedelec and endless sphere forums and I'd say that the Mahle battery problems seem to arise more than other proprietary batteries - that is of course a subjective assessment but I've seen Mahle battery problems raised enough times that I'd not want to chance buying one although as has been said already, there are many happy Mahle owners.

That of course is no comfort to those who already have Mahle problems.

So do you have any current or recent cycling experience or is this your first time on a bike for many years?

Have you looked at https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bikes - further down the page I've linked to is a list of UK places titled 'Local Help' which includes a number of locations in Scotland.

And whilst you're at it, maybe a look as https://wisperbikes.com/product-category/e-bikes/ -

If no suitable suggestions from this forum, try posting your question on pedelecs.co.uk which is of course dedicated to the ebike - a friendly informative site with many highly experienced members (and Wisper and Woosh post directly on that forum too and both are highly regarded for customer service which is more than is often said about Halfords unfortunately).

foxyrider wrote: ↑3 Feb 2024, 8:46pm ................................ they work for motorbikes so why not pedal bikes?

Because motorbikes are VERY HEAVY to pick up and walk away with? Mind you, I guess a tricycle or one of those gi-normous ebikes might not be too easy to carry away

I'm not sure what the weight difference between a padlock and a frame lock is, but the latter has its merits over the former in terms of not needing a brake disc and is always on the bike.

Both fall into the category of 'minor deterent' but better than nothing of course.

• A useful read about cold setting rear drop-outs and the Paul Brodie vid was worth watching all the way through

• All done on steel frames of course

• QUESTION - what is the general consensus on cold setting titanium frames - doable, risky, or what?

• And And whilst I'm here, I'll ask about the wisdom of cold setting an alu frame too (but I WON'T ask about carbon frames - lol)

Thanks, B4t

• There is indeed a lot of tosh spoken about ebike battery fires and often with little evidence to back up 'claims' which is a pity, and whilst in most news lines there is an element of truth to them, ultimately the 'true story' is difficult to find.

• It reminds me of the old schoolboy joke where a message to the troops needs passing along the trenches which starts as "send reinforcements, we're going to advance" but by the time it gets to the end of the line it's "send three and forpence, we're going to a dance".

• Journalists of course never let truth get in the way of a story.

There's a long running post on pedelecs.co.uk (LINK) that gives many examples of how ebikes have either helped people continue cycling after illness, aging and so on, or indeed have got them (back) into cycling in the first place.

Fortunately there are far less cycnics on that forum, so it's a positive read, unlike some on here who can drone on a bit.

• I'd recommend you to pose this question on the pedelec.co.uk forum where there is a wider spectrum of knowledge than here

• When you do post there, and to promote responses, it would be helpful for you to give as much detail as possible about the battery type that goes on your bike, or at least a link to the bike's spec/details.

• I'm not familiar with your bike nor it's battery so have no idea whether you're stuck with buying a proprietary replacement or if there are suitable substitutes from the general market place

• The wheel with the hub motor in it requires torque washers so in your case the washers are either spares for the rear wheel or they need to be fitted so best check that one out

• some useful info on the subject here

After a lifetime of mostly riding without a helmet (a baseball style hat was my hat of choice), I now wear a Kask Mojito and the strap noise is minimal compared to my previous helmet which I'd used when riding in Spain.

I'm pleasantly surprised at the improvement on the reduced strap noise which has been intimated by others to be a function of helmet design rather than helmets per se.

I've ridden with a tsdz2 for a couple of years now and whilst I'm a fair weather rider, avoiding wet weather isn't always possible especially of late (Dec'23).

I'm a bit of a belt 'n' braces man and I have put extra sealant (red rubber grease) where it matters and no problems so far.

I too get condensation in my vlcd6 display even though I've sealed around the case joint and dried it out with hot air several times.

However, apart from the condensation being an irritation, the display has kept working fine.

rualexander wrote: ↑17 Dec 2023, 6:02pm I wouldn't leave the cover on when you are charging it, possible overheating issues.

Whilst it's always wise to consider battery heat during charging, in practical terms if say charging at 6 amp or less, I can't imagine there being a problem with heat.

If when using your normal charger the battery remains less than hand warm without the cover then I'd say you're ok with that cover on.

Hi Delinquim -

• Out of interest as I've no experience of Bosch motors/system, I've no idea on the amount of electrical power that can be drawn from the system for lighting and was wondering when you were with the dealer, was this something that was discussed?

• I mean, there has to be a limit to the current that can be taken from the connector (and the associated electronic gubbins).

• Thanks to all of the contributions which have helped me choose between something mounted on the bike or the person.

• I don't think I'm comforable with using a bar bag and all that bike bouncing (and I ride an upwrong so knowhere reasonable between the wheels for a bag!) and TBH the Ortlieb insert didn't look very padded to me although if push came to shove, bubble wrap or some nice squidgy foam cut to shape might be OK.

• So unless something else comes to mind I'll go for what is termed a toploader camera bag that can be slung over a shoulder and/or a waist strap (or even a chest strap) and then apart from the bag's padding the whole lot will be suspended on my fleshy torso.

So thanks again to everyone for their input and if anyone is inclined to consider a toploader, then eBay has a considerable offering of used items.