Electric bikes

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 27 Jul 2012, 12:24

JohnB wrote:I've driven 1,082 miles in the last year, and the longest journey was 54 miles. Maybe I need something a bit smaller than my van, but an electric bike wouldn't carry enough.

Or maybe I should get out more!

Trailer?

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 27 Jul 2012, 13:14

Tarrel wrote:
JohnB wrote:I've driven 1,082 miles in the last year, and the longest journey was 54 miles. Maybe I need something a bit smaller than my van, but an electric bike wouldn't carry enough.

Or maybe I should get out more!
Trailer?

The thing I noticed about roads in Scotland is that they are flat and follow the valleys. They're not like that around here!

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 27 Jul 2012, 15:51

JohnB wrote:
Tarrel wrote:
JohnB wrote:I've driven 1,082 miles in the last year, and the longest journey was 54 miles. Maybe I need something a bit smaller than my van, but an electric bike wouldn't carry enough.

Or maybe I should get out more!
Trailer?
The thing I noticed about roads in Scotland is that they are flat and follow the valleys. They're not like that around here!

Alien Bikes, here in Scotland, do an electric conversion kit designed for mountain biking. It has a higher power output than a normal kit, making it more effective for repeated, steep climbs. I assume it would also provide extra oomph for pulling a trailer. The higher output makes it road-illegal, which their website does point out, but I think it will be a while before we see the plod pulling up electric cyclists and checking their bikes with portable dynamometers. (Although apparently they are doing this with young motorcyclists).

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 27 Jul 2012, 16:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSaeruxLxHI&feature=fvst

This is the Bealach Na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) on the Applecross Peninsula in Ross-shire. It's the second highest road pass in the country, at well over 2,000 feet.

Not me, or anyone I know, but a great piece of video.

I must confess, I have only crossed this in the Landrover. Brakes failed on the way down, which was a challenge.

imakebiodiesel · Post by **imakebiodiesel** » 28 Jul 2012, 10:07

If you wanted to tow a trailer medium distances you would certainly need a larger motor and a larger battery pack. I use my trailer for short trips to the shops and the other errands but I would guess that I would only have a range of 10 miles or so.
Perhaps a vehicle like one of these would be suitable.
http://www.organictransit.com/models.html

the_lyniezian · Post by **the_lyniezian** » 28 Jul 2012, 10:50

That first bike looks like it could be a bit difficult to sit on, or is that just me?

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 28 Jul 2012, 20:16

the_lyniezian wrote:That first bike looks like it could be a bit difficult to sit on, or is that just me?

Yes.

imakebiodiesel · Post by **imakebiodiesel** » 29 Jul 2012, 00:00

Here is a picture of my electric bike. As much as possible Ive tried to keep it looking like an ordinary mountain bike..

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 29 Jul 2012, 01:21

I've considered making a small engine powered bicycle. Say, a two horsepower job mounted on a small push-trailer. Trouble is, it would need to go through all of the bollocks with the the DVLA getting it registered and past all of the emission regs. I have figured out a possible workaround. Although it would introduce some big inefficiencies.

It would basically consist of a small inverter generator that was rigged up to a battery that was, in turn, wired to an electric motor driving the trailer wheels. Technically, this would be an electric vehicle and so would bypass all the usual ICE regs. However, it would have a much bigger range due to petrol being the ultimate energy source via the generator. I could even use a cheap lead acid battery as it could be very small since it would only need to hold a small charge as it would be constantly re-charged in real time. The battery allows for a small generator as the battery would soak up the energy surge when setting off from a standing position

Just thinking out loud....

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 29 Jul 2012, 09:19

I think someone's already invented something more efficient Steve. It's called a motorbike

.

imakebiodiesel · Post by **imakebiodiesel** » 29 Jul 2012, 09:39

I think you are making things more complicated than is necessary. I have a lightweight bike trailer and if I loaded a very small generator onto the trailer, I would have almost unlimited range. The generator would recharge the battery as I travelled. However one of the pleasures of an electric bike is the quietness. It wouldnt want a generator puttering behind me as I ride.

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 29 Jul 2012, 09:49

imakebiodiesel wrote:I think you are making things more complicated than is necessary. I have a lightweight bike trailer and if I loaded a very small generator onto the trailer, I would have almost unlimited range. The generator would recharge the battery as I travelled. However one of the pleasures of an electric bike is the quietness. It wouldnt want a generator puttering behind me as I ride.

The main point for me would be avoiding MOT, regs, tax and insurance. As long as the inefficiencies were not too severe they would be a price well paid for being free of the aforementioned plus having an unlimited range. I would only require that it punts along at about 15 or 20 mile per hour max. Another advantage is that the trailer would be un-hookable and so revert the bike to a standard bicycle when desired.

As for the noise; a small 1KW inverter generator is pretty quiet. However, I couldn't really care less if it made a bit of noise anyway.

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 29 Jul 2012, 09:52

JohnB wrote:I think someone's already invented something more efficient Steve. It's called a motorbike .

i think you may have missed the central point of my post.

SleeperService · Post by **SleeperService** » 29 Jul 2012, 15:49

When I were a lad and lived in France there were pushbikes with a little engine that dropped onto the front wheel to power the contraption. When not needed the engine pivoted up and locked leaving a bike with normal pedals.

Quite simple and used very little fuel, I don't remember them being too noisy either. IIRC the whole engine bit could be removed in a matter of seconds.

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 29 Jul 2012, 16:52

SleeperService wrote:When I were a lad and lived in France there were pushbikes with a little engine that dropped onto the front wheel to power the contraption. When not needed the engine pivoted up and locked leaving a bike with normal pedals.

Quite simple and used very little fuel, I don't remember them being too noisy either. IIRC the whole engine bit could be removed in a matter of seconds.

I'd love one of those. They are called the "Velo Solex". Unfortunately, there are several problems. Firstly, they don't make them any more and so it would have to be a restored vintage with all of the attendant problems of maintenance and sourcing parts. Secondly, even if they were made today, they would be subject to all of the regs I was mentioning before, which would defeat the object of the exercise for me. Thirdly, they are quite small and I am six foot five inches tall. The only kind of bike that lies outside of [most] regs is an electric one. However, electric bikes still have a crappy range. My bike is a specially built one with a 28 inch frame. It is a perfect size for me. I have had it for twenty years. Any motorised bike I use is going to have to be a modification of this bike.

You know, this was initially just a "thinking out loud" exercise for me yesterday. However, as I have posted on here today, I am beginning to think I may well do it.

Edit to add:

I've just read something very interesting on the web. Apparently, the government is scrapping the requirement for MOT and tax for all vintage vehicles. Therefore, I could conceivably get hold of a vintage Velo Solex and seriously extend the seat post and handlebar stem and the only thing I would be looking at would be vintage bike insurance.