Stunning countryside and fast racing. First place went to Enleau and his 15kW q205 drag race beast with 3kWh of LiPo in a Chinese ebike frame. The course really favored big power with deep, sandy uphills and relatively smooth trail for drag racing corner to corner. I calculate I was about 30seconds behind on my Zerode with 6kW Tangent (traffic on the course, see split times in the video). I puffed a cell on my good 14s pack the day prior and was running 12s 20Ah LiPo for the race (prob didn't slow me down, but it's def not as fun and snappy). Enleau's hub was almost smoked by end of the event, my Tangent equilibrated between 120-130deg C for the event, even dipping below 100C occasionally (mind you, it's in the California desert, midday, 92deg F). The difference between a 15kW hub and 6kW DH Tangent is down to rider ability...I make up time through corners, over rough and jumps while the big, heavy hubs saw 50mph on some straights. The hub used 1200Wh for 13 miles (17Ah@72V consumed), I used 760Wh (16Ah@48V consumed).
Tangent takes 1st in the PAS class, 2nd and 3rd in the open throttle class. Kyle's Banshee Phantom 29er is set up with a 3kW Tangent PAS kit that he raced in both classes (unplugged throttle for PAS event), he absolutely smoked the pedal assist class with power limited to 35A (~1500W). My times between the PAS and throttle class show the difference in speed, 9min faster lap times onboard my Zerode vs a class I pedelec (borrowed Fantic full suspension from EcoBikeAdventures). Nick turned in a great time of 24min onboard his hardtail with BBSHD+phaserunner, but Kyle's fitness and FS 29er+Tangent is the combo to beat.
The Tangent gearbox used on the Zerode frames is special order lower reduction ratio, not the normal customer gearbox due to the placement of the IGH inside the Zerode frame, so pardon the cool sounds. Besides, 8HP ain't no ebike...it's a motorbike, as the difference in my lap times show. It's my dirtbike replacement.
Light and nimble vs heavy and fast. I choose light and nimble, but with prodigious torque
Bring out your setup and prove how fast you are...I could've pushed harder and next race I will...
-dave
[youtube]RG9U4CmZZVI[/youtube]