Search found 598 matches

by 1982john
20 Jan 2024, 8:54am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: We need a KlimaTicket
Replies: 5
Views: 362

We need a KlimaTicket

I've just heard about a new rail ticket from Austria called a 'Klimaticket' it allows you to go anywhere in Austria on public transport for a year. From what I can see it does not even exclude peak times.

It only costs 1100 Euros.

How much would that reduce carbon if we could have one of those? To me it would seem like a great idea for Labour to implement as part of their £28b green spend. At least it would look like there is something for the money.
by 1982john
28 Nov 2023, 7:15pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Long term viability of eBikes?
Replies: 31
Views: 5918

Re: Long term viability of eBikes?

Bonzo Banana wrote: 27 Nov 2023, 9:08am
Jezrant wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 4:10pm

Can we unpack this a bit?

Do you have any figures to support your claim that e-bikes with proprietary systems have shorter lifespans than what you are calling 'generic' e-bikes? I get the argument about the cost of replacing an e-bike with a proprietary system compared with a cheap DIY job. That's obvious.

You say that Bosch bike batteries can self-brick. Do you have any numbers to back this up? I suspect Bosch batteries are much more reliable and much safer than the cheapo e-bike batteries bought on the internet. Can you prove the contrary?

E-bikes based on hub motors are fine for relatively flat urban areas like London, which probably represents the bulk of sales in the UK. As you acknowledge, they don't work for eMTBs. For similar reasons, they are also unsuitable for very hilly areas, for shifting heavy loads, or for riders who need more assistance for longer durations.

Where I'd agree with you is the need for e-bikes that can be maintained and repaired economically. As has been pointed out, there are a few independent technicians able to work on these proprietary mid-drive systems, and it's likely that side of things will keep growing with the market.
There are no figures as far as I'm aware that give details on ebike motor reliability except for I think one survey for mid-drive motors that was done on a e-mountain bike forum where members expressed their experience however there are plenty of forums featuring issues related to reliability and uneconomic repairs which are dominated by proprietary mid-drive motors and even occasionally proprietary hub motors. There are no surprises about this because compared to hub motors, mid drive motors are very complex engineering based around a smaller higher rpm motor situated right next to plastic cogs and sometimes a belt and the controller board in the same enclosure. So despite mid-drive being a niche part of the overall market it represents an extremely high percentage of reliability issues.

Bosch ebike batteries are more safe than standard ebike batteries because they self-brick however the issue is their incredible cost and the environmental issue of this. Bosch fill the battery packs with glue and make them pretty air tight so when they fail and try to ignite they are starved of oxygen but many Bosch ebike batteries simply have a failing cell that can brick the battery pack and then the only way to re-use those cells is to strip the battery pack down and then re-use those cells in a battery pack that doesn't have a proprietary BMS. There are quite a few videos on youtube of Bosch batteries taken apart. It should be pointed out there are many high quality non-proprietary battery packs which you can repair.

It's only the e-mountain bikes with high current mid-drive motors that provide strong hill climbing ability. There are many mid-drive motor ebikes with low power motors that can perform less well than hub motors. A 40Nm mid-drive motor with relatively high gearing means it ends up at only 30Nm power and effectively less than that if using 700c wheels. Many hub motor ebikes comfortably beat that. It should be pointed out too that these mid-drive e-mountain bikes only achieve their high torque rating due to using up to about 23A at 36V which is well over 800W. We are now seeing hub motor ebikes with high current controllers also being sold and certified as 250W despite the ability to use over 3x that for hill climbing. Those also provide 80-90Nm of torque but with rating stickers of 250W. These companies are using the same shady tactics as Bosch to supply more powerful than 250W motors. Cyrusher being one of those brands.

So ultimately you don't need to go down the proprietary route and really we should be actively avoiding companies that try to sell highly proprietary products it is massively damaging to the environment and expensive for end consumers and importing high cost, short lifespan products into the UK is massively damaging to our economy. Mid drive motors mostly are a horrible design, overly complicated and excessive drivetrain wear as all power is delivered through the drivetrain. In comparison a direct drive hub motor has no moving mechanical parts at all, its just an oversized brushless motor and works independently of the drivetrain. It's why gig economy couriers use them often delivering for 100s of miles each week. Often well over 10,000 miles per year. I've never seen a gig economy courier use a mid-drive ebike long term either on youtube or in the real world. It would be the completely wrong tool for the job.

Grin Technology are a huge advocate of hub motors and pretty obsessed with the environment, lots of great info on that site and their videos. They have at least one video of a very early hub motor ebike still be used today after a huge amount of miles and getting a relatively easy repair/service to bring it back to full performance.
Interesting stuff. In your opinion is a hub motor and removable battery the way to go for long term and reducing environmental impact? I'm not sure how many of the shelf bikes tick that combo. It seems to be one or the other
by 1982john
25 Nov 2023, 10:51am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: ebikes and hotels
Replies: 5
Views: 895

Re: ebikes and hotels

Thanks that's an interesting response. Especially as chains tend to have pretty similar policies on this stuff. How much they would be able to tell its an ebike if the whole thing is integrated anyway.....
by 1982john
25 Nov 2023, 7:16am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: ebikes and hotels
Replies: 5
Views: 895

ebikes and hotels

What's your experience of taking an ebike into a hotel or bnb for that matter

If you have an integrated battery you will likely need the bike in the room, has that been an issue? Just thinking with some of the negative news stories about exploding batteries have people had bad experiences?

Of course best to phone ahead to check etc but sometimes that's not always possible.
by 1982john
11 Nov 2023, 8:54pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Long term viability of eBikes?
Replies: 31
Views: 5918

Long term viability of eBikes?

What happens in a few years when the battery has depleted is cycles to the extent the battery charge is not optimal? By that time manufacturers will have moved on to newer models. Can you get replacements? If not is the whole bike pretty much junked or could you replace the whole drive system.
by 1982john
4 Nov 2023, 8:01pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Charging E-bike France
Replies: 53
Views: 7625

Re: touring on an ebike

gom wrote: 4 Nov 2023, 5:46pm

Used for cycle-camping tours in France, for which we take a lot, so the conversion does not add that much to the previous weight. Distances 40-50 miles a day. But the e part is only really used to ease the nastier hills, headwinds, etc. Usually less than 50% of a full charge is used per day. Battery holds about 200Wh.
Recharging at French campsites has always been easy as finding a live elec socket has never been a problem.
Took ferry to France with no problems.
I'm glad the distance sounds good. Whenever I look at online calculators it does not sound too impressive but I could be putting numbers in wrong.
by 1982john
4 Nov 2023, 7:21pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Charging E-bike France
Replies: 53
Views: 7625

Re: touring on an ebike

PH wrote: 4 Nov 2023, 6:06pm
1982john wrote: 4 Nov 2023, 2:28pm I'm assuming charging at a cafe/pub is not viable due to the time it takes?
Glad you're getting advice from those with experience, it seems very positive. It isn't something I've done, though on a purely technical point, there may be a faster charger for your bike/battery, I know Bosch do one, it adds 50% to a 500Wh battery in 1hr 15min. So, a couple of half-hour cafe breaks may add 25 miles to your day.
Oh that's interesting. And the weight isn't silly amounts. Do wonder with all the scare stories about exploding ebike batteries if cafes would be hesitant to help out.
by 1982john
4 Nov 2023, 2:28pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Charging E-bike France
Replies: 53
Views: 7625

touring on an ebike

Hi everyone, been a while since I was on here :)

Just interested in hearing of peoples' experiences of touring on an ebike. Do you always stay at B&B/hotels? Can you usually get 60-80 miles a day?
Have you ever ran out of juice, if so how much of a nightmare was it getting somewhere useful? I'm assuming charging at a cafe/pub is not viable due to the time it takes?

Can you travel abroad with an ebike? I'm again assuming you would need to go on a ferry?

For those that have camped what is an ebike what's like to ride when it's fully loaded? That's a heavy bike!

Sorry for so many questions but I'm desperate to get back into cycling now my health is slowly recovering.
by 1982john
26 Apr 2023, 7:32pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Non tubeless ready modern wheels?
Replies: 1
Views: 399

Non tubeless ready modern wheels?

I'm finding it really hard working with my tubeless-ready wheels that came with the bike. Its very hard to fit new tyres.

Is there a disc wheelset that someone could recommend to me that is not tubeless ready. Can take up to 45mm tyres.
by 1982john
25 Mar 2023, 12:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Error or intended?
Replies: 7
Views: 672

Re: Error or intended?

This is a new bike that I've just had delivered. I guess I'll need to contact the vendor
by 1982john
25 Mar 2023, 12:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Error or intended?
Replies: 7
Views: 672

Re: Error or intended?

It does seem to impact the rotation. When turning left the drop will move under the top tube bar but turning right it wont go as far.
by 1982john
25 Mar 2023, 12:23pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Error or intended?
Replies: 7
Views: 672

Error or intended?

My front disc brake cable has been routed behind the fork.

I'm curious as to if this was intended or if it was an error in the setup.
by 1982john
4 Mar 2023, 8:35pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: touring on a rental?
Replies: 1
Views: 325

touring on a rental?

Are there rental places in europe spain/Italy perhaps) that allows you to rent a bike from one place and drop it somewhere else like you can with cars.
by 1982john
24 Feb 2023, 8:42am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tailfin Aeropack
Replies: 43
Views: 3220

Re: Tailfin Aeropack

only alternative I'm aware of is this

https://www.ridewill.it/p/en/aeroe-aesr ... v=s&zone=2
by 1982john
24 Feb 2023, 8:40am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: swapping a crankset - do I need other changes?
Replies: 10
Views: 830

Re: swapping a crankset - do I need other changes?

TheBomber wrote: 23 Feb 2023, 8:03pm Do they say why?

And as a possibly now irrelevant addendum to my earlier comment about the BB - you presumably will need a new one as your existing won’t be the Tiagra version that I was reading of the tech doc.
comes over torqued from the factory