Search found 41 matches

by Greenbuilder
13 Jan 2022, 12:00pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Peer Gynt long wheelbase recumbent for sale
Replies: 0
Views: 428

Peer Gynt long wheelbase recumbent for sale

Hi, I've just posted my Peer Gynt for sale on the main site. I can re-electrify it, if someone wants it like that.
by Greenbuilder
29 Nov 2021, 8:58am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Bottle batteries
Replies: 8
Views: 875

Re: Bottle batteries

I use Yosepower batteries for my conversions. I find them reliable and not expensive.
Normally I fit a 13ah Hailong, (3.7kg) as part of their hub motor kit. I agree the cases are a bit ugly; But they now do a black neoprene cover which looks much better. The advantage over the bottle, is the controller is hidden in the base.
Their bottle battery is 10.4ah and 2.75kg and looks much better, but with a hub drive, the controller is then external. I just did a Pashley roadster and fitted the bottle on the seat tube with a TDZ2 drive (no controller); it all looks 'factory', with a nod to the old Raleigh Superbe.
by Greenbuilder
14 Nov 2021, 1:52pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Pictures of your recumbent
Replies: 689
Views: 351840

Re: Pictures of your recumbent

My Peer Gynt, with a newly fitted rear hub motor. It really helps up the hill
DSCN2647.JPG
by Greenbuilder
24 Mar 2021, 12:45pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best wishes for Brucey
Replies: 613
Views: 73504

Re: Best wishes for Brucey

Get well soon, you are the best source of wisdom on the forum; our own Sheldon Brown!
Cheers
Tony
by Greenbuilder
18 Dec 2020, 12:59pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Are Electric Bikes Way Overpriced
Replies: 56
Views: 3132

Re: Are Electric Bikes Way Overpriced

Yes and no; but in the same way, would you consider electric cars overpriced?
Pay £12500 for a Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL, with complex mid-drive motor, coupled to a super light carbon full-sus frame.
Or spend £899 for a Whoosh Faro. A light weight utility commuter with a generic rear hub motor; simple, reliable technology, but still a custom frame with built-in battery.
The Specialized Levo is their top spec off-road machine and someone must have bought one, but people don't replace their cars with this kind of bike.
The Whoosh Faro is from a well-respected UK outlet and I think basic, well designed e-bikes like this will help more of us make the difficult transition out of their cars on to two wheels.
by Greenbuilder
27 Jun 2020, 9:04pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Effort or Speed?
Replies: 99
Views: 4068

Re: Effort or Speed?

There is a difference in how ebikes deliver their assistance; Hub motors will get the bike to 15.5mph quite rapidly, the wheel being driven directly. They struggle a bit on steep hills. Mid-drives operate through the gears, like a motorcycle and therefore are more suitable for those hills. Some Mid-drives use torque sensors which respond to the rider putting more effort through the pedals with more power.
The actual torque figures for 250w motors seem to go from 40Nm to over 80Nm, useful to know if you need a bike with plenty of low down 'grunt' for lugging heavy panniers or a trailer
by Greenbuilder
27 Jun 2020, 7:22pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Effort or Speed?
Replies: 99
Views: 4068

Re: Effort or Speed?

I've only lived here 20 years, but I'm sure we've waved to each other Mick, I'm usually on a light blue Salsa Vaya or occasionally on my wife's white ebike,
The point I was making is that ebikes get people out of cars and reluctant, unfit riders back on two wheels, and environmentally they seem to be part of the solution, more than electric cars, I suspect.
by Greenbuilder
27 Jun 2020, 6:47pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Effort or Speed?
Replies: 99
Views: 4068

Re: Effort or Speed?

In my experience, people are buying ebikes to help them up the hills, not go faster.
I live in Calstock and probably ride up the hill in Mick F's post, as do the dozen or so people I have built ebikes for in the village.
I enclose a photo of the latest build; alloy hardtail with Bafang mid-drive and 12ah battery, weight 19.5 kg.
IMG_20190411_114944.jpg
.
The owner uses it to commute to work and shops instead of using the car, as is the case with most of my customers. A couple of them also pull a trailer.
I use my Salsa Vaya (non-electric) for enjoyment.
As reohn2 says, ebikes really shine round here and make cycling in Cornwall bearable for older and less fit riders.
by Greenbuilder
29 Apr 2020, 9:34am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Planning ahead, tent wise...
Replies: 21
Views: 1178

Re: Planning ahead, tent wise...

Have a look at the Wild Country Etesian 4. We replaced our very old Wild Country Quasar with this, and its been great, combined with a Coleman blow-up double bed, folding chairs and table. It's 4 years old now and no problems. I think it was £250 from Cotswold, but I'm sure cheaper online.
by Greenbuilder
29 Apr 2020, 9:09am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Nano Bromptons
Replies: 6
Views: 939

Re: Nano Bromptons

I've done two conversions on standard 1990's Bromptons for friends.
First one was with a complete Nano kit including battery, still working very well after 6 years.
Second one I did a couple of years ago, using Nano motor and controls and a 4ah Bosch drill battery, plus a spare, all in the front bag. They are the best folding bike conversion, but you may need to upgrade brakes, bars, forks, tyres depending on age of bike.
You can indeed use Lidl 'Parkside" batteries instead, very close to Bosch/Dewalt quality and there is an ebay/internet shop which sells adapters for about £15. 30 miles assist would need at least 8 or 10ah I would have thought.
by Greenbuilder
7 Mar 2020, 7:56pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tubeless tyre question.
Replies: 15
Views: 1512

Re: Tubeless tyre question.

My current sealant is 'Joe's No Flats'. It seems to stay liquid longer than 'Stans' and 'Muc Off', which I used for a couple of years. I checked it today after 4 months of regular mountain biking and it had gone from about the original 60ml to about 30ml You don't have to pull the whole tyre off to do this, just 6" of bead off the rim to look.
by Greenbuilder
7 Feb 2020, 1:32pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: E bike conversion
Replies: 41
Views: 15215

Re: E bike conversion

To echo the previous post, go for a rear drive cassette hub. Yosepower are really good suppliers, I have fitted several, all being used in a very hilly part of Cornwall
by Greenbuilder
12 Jan 2020, 8:48am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 19030

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Here's my 1960 Bsa 650cc Super Rocket, rebuilt last year.
PC090020.JPG
by Greenbuilder
22 Sep 2019, 6:48pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Nomad/Bafang?
Replies: 36
Views: 3011

Re: Nomad/Bafang?

A Bafang BBSO2 or smaller BBSO1 will be ideal for your bike, or try a Tongsheng TSDZ2 mid drive; these are just as easy to fit, a bit lighter and the bike is a bit easier to pedal with power switched off. If using a downtime battery, you have to use rivnuts to fit the holder onto your frame. I just did a conversion for a steel 26" mtb. I found MAF scooters good for the Bafang motor (350w), YSPower good for Hailong Lithium battery. The next one will be a Tongsheng.