Stokemonkey Knock-off

[pat_smtih]

Just posted my pictures over in the "before and after" thread:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=235&p=131884#p131884

I live in a very hilly area and wanted to keep all my gears. I decided to copy the design of the Cleverchimp Stokemonkey: http://cleverchimp.com/products/stokemonkey/

So far it has performed well though I think I need to upgrade my SLA batteries. On the steepest hills (>15%) the motor seems to be wanting more current than the batteries can supply. Also I want to get a throttle better suited for my drop bars.

[etard]

I'm lovin the buckets, you could put alot of batteries in there, along with the groceries. I am a little concerned about your mounting location, I guess you better wear lycra shorts or you might end up naked. How does it handle on road bike tires? I was going to go uberlight, bought the bike and everything. Then after about 10 miles on those skinny tires I scrapped it. You should be able to find a good cheap alternative to SLA since battery prices seem to be going down.

[voicecoils]

Nice work.

How do you find changing gears under power, does the 'assist' match your cadence uphill, downhill, etc? Are you able to hold a significantly higher cadence uphill?

Any problems with leg clearance on the left hand side?

You could probably make a chain guard that followed the chainline, protecting your leg and keeping muck out.

Cheers!

[pat_smtih]

I'm lovin the buckets, you could put alot of batteries in there, along with the groceries.

I had the buckets before I added the motor. Things tend to get soggy here in the NW.

I am a little concerned about your mounting location, I guess you better wear lycra shorts or you might end up naked. How does it handle on road bike tires? I was going to go uberlight, bought the bike and everything. Then after about 10 miles on those skinny tires I scrapped it. You should be able to find a good cheap alternative to SLA since battery prices seem to be going down.

I haven't tried it with loose clothing. I always commute in Lycra anyways and get changed afterward. I don't recall ever touching the chain while riding, just when I dismount.

I have 700 x 32 tires and they seem to handle it pretty well.

[pat_smtih]

Nice work.

Thanks.

How do you find changing gears under power, does the 'assist' match your cadence uphill, downhill, etc? Are you able to hold a significantly higher cadence uphill?

I've found that I need ease off the throttle a little bit to shift. I like to spin and have it geared so it spins the cranks at about 105-110 max (14t freewheel driving a 38t chainring). I seem to be using my usual cadence uphill just in a higher gear.

Any problems with leg clearance on the left hand side?

Not that I notice but I haven't tried it with any loose clothing. Other than the occasional dismount I don't seem to touch the chain. The tensioner really helped with any slack so the chain doesn't deviate laterally at all. The chain line does have a slight angle and I plan on moving the chainring out a cm or so to fix that but hopefully it won't affect the clearance by my calf.

You could probably make a chain guard that followed the chainline, protecting your leg and keeping muck out.

I have thought about getting a chain tube like the ones recumbents use but I haven't really needed any protection yet.