StudEbiker's E-Bike-E build- ride vid pg. 7.

[StudEbiker]

rim brake wear.

[StudEbiker]

Went for a ride the other day and took along the camera to get some shots.

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I've got this bike sorted out now where it's really pleasant to ride. Top speed 25mph and have got everything sorted the way I want it. Really the only thing I would still like to do on this bike is put in a 90mm Sturmey-Archer front drum brake. A bigger capacity battery would be nice, but I really have all the battery I need right now.

I've put a little over 750 miles on this bike now. It has been a learning experience for sure, but in the end it has ended up being what I hoped it would be.

If I did another Bike E, I would almost certainly try to find an AT (rear suspension) as the ride on this bike is very rigid, but it is still a blast to ride around town. The looks and comments I get on it everywhere I go are great.

Thanks to everyone who helped me on this build!!

[StudEbiker]

Finally adding the front hub brake.

[StudEbiker]

All done. This brake feels great. So much better than the reverse mounted V-brake that was on the bike before this. It has great modulation and excellent stopping power. Since a disc brake is off the table for a Bike E, this was the only easy option and I have to say I think I may like this better than even a disc brake as it is all weather and the pads don't have to be changed as often.

[maxplanck]

Where did you source the chain tensioner on your pedal chain? It looks like it could be just what I'm looking for on my build...

[StudEbiker]

It's an Easy Racer idler with one of those things that you use for mounting a bike rack on the back of an upright bike that goes from the rack to the rack mounts on the bike. It took me awhile to come up with the right thing, but this works great. You can adjust the tension just by bending the rack mount thingy until it has just the right amount of spring to it.

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Here is a picture of one of the rack mount thingys that has been cut.

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[maxplanck]

I thought that bike rack piece looked familiar. Very cool idea. So cool in fact that I may need to steal it.

Thanks.

[StudEbiker]

Also just want to add that it took a long time to find something that worked the way I wanted it too in the rear. I finally purchased a Surly Singleator and the rear chain hasn't jumped a tooth or come off since. It's a nice little piece of kit.

[Alan B]

I also picked up a Surly Singleator for the Borg. Have to make a mount but it looks like it can be combined with the kickstand adapter. The Surly is spring loaded and adjustable to push either way, and adjust along the mounting bar for 'depth', as well as adjustable for narrow or wide chains. Pretty flexible unit.

[Kai]

Good setup StudEbiker!
I have a cheap poor quality LWB recumbent in my carage, and it has a very rare 18" size front wheel. Does your bike has this same wheel size or is it 16"?
Where did you find your tyres?
My bike can take 20" wheel but v-brakes won't work then. I also thought of buying a drum brake, but spending that much money on a bike this cheap is not a good idea.... maybe I do it.

[StudEbiker]

Front wheel on a Bike E is 16". People have modified them to take 20" wheels, but I haven't seen any in person.

16" tire selection is limited for sure, but they are available on Amazon and other online retailers. They even have some 18" tires too. This one looks decent:

http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Kontact-Bic ... +bike+tire

An 18" wheel sounds like a good compromise for a LWB recumbent.

You should post some pictures of your recumbent up on a thread so everyone can see what you have to work with.

[StudEbiker]

Amazingly enough, it's still holding air.

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[LI-ghtcycle]

Glad to see you have it up and running!

Looks great man, nice job.

I know the feeling of having a good watt meter right on the handlebars as an improvement, I think you will also be very happy once you install a CA, there just isn't a better piece of equipment out there that every E-Bike should have IMO.

Saw some pretty steep hills in your first video, how steep are they?

Sounds like it goes close to max speed up hill too?

[StudEbiker]

Glad to see you have it up and running!

Looks great man, nice job.

I know the feeling of having a good watt meter right on the handlebars as an improvement, I think you will also be very happy once you install a CA, there just isn't a better piece of equipment out there that every E-Bike should have IMO.

Saw some pretty steep hills in your first video, how steep are they?

Sounds like it goes close to max speed up hill too?

That video was before I replaced the planetary housing with the upgraded one from EVDeals. It wasn't anywhere near top speed, it just sounded like it. When I listen to that video now I cringe. It functions so much better after putting in the better housing with the REAL bearing instead of the bronze bushing and sounds MUCH better too.

Here is a picture showing the grade from the steepest portion of that video.

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