I'm getting a Lightfoot Sprite Trike which needs to be fitted with an EZee kit, but I have to buy all the e-stuff myself, and there are some things I am unsure of.
I used to ride bike 30 - 50 miles a day, 3 to 5 times a week. However now I am disabled and have some balance issues. So the two wheeler is out.
I also no longer drive at all - haven't had a license in 7 years. So this will be my only form of transport. Hence a cargo-capable trike.
The cargo capability in and of itself precludes any tadpole trike as far as I'm concerned, but on top of that - getting in an out of a tadpole is difficult to unsafe for me, so ... tadpoles are out, hence the delta trike configuration (plus the cargo thing).
I have shoulder issues that would make "normal" steering problematic and that could exacerbate pain issues. So I'm getting side stick steering (you don't twist to steer - you push forward on the side you want to turn, the other side goes back. It is mounted under the seat).
The motor will be on one rear wheel (the right I think) and the pedals will power the other wheel (left I think) so I'll sorta have 2 wheel drive unless i poop out (which is likely).
I have exercise fatigue issues - so no pedelec lest I be stranded.
For the same reason - fatigue issues - I'm not sure the "2-wheel drive" configuration is that great an idea, either. In fact, if I'm not pedaling at all - and the motor is not on the geared wheel - I'm not sure how that would even work?
SO What I think I need is:
I don't need to worry about PAS sensors or a "bottom bracket torque sensor" because I'm going with a throttle and not pedal assist.
I don't understand what the 3 different kinds of throttles are. Thumb lever, twist and half-twist? A thumb lever sounds like it would be hard to operate, but would mounting a twist throttle when you already have twist grip shifters be a problem? And what's the difference between twist and half-twist?
How far down can you safely run a Lithium battery? When I asked a vendor this question, the answer I got was "Till the onboard BMS circuit trips. Then it will shut itself off. ". Aside from the fact that I have no idea what an "onboard BMS" is - apparently they don't think disabled people should be allowed to have e-bikes because if I run it down until it shuts off, how am I supposed to get home???? I realize this probably varies from battery to battery - but I need a ballpark figure at least so I can be sure I don't get stranded.
If I've got this figured out properly - this was another question the vendor blew me off on - ALL lithium chargers are actually smart chargers, in that the charger will STOP charging when the battery is full so it can't over charge. In addition, I've been told that the batteries that come in the EZee kits are also smart BATTERIES, so that they actually communicate with the charger. My main thing is - do I have to unplug the charger when its done charging so I don't damage the battery? I THINK the answer is no, the smart charger will shut off.
I have no idea if there's anything else I should be concerned about. I haven't been able to find anybody in the US who carries much of anything in stock for EZee. NYCE cycles doesn't seem to carry them at all anymore. It's a special order from everybody else. So any suggestions for who to order through within the USA would be useful.
I used to ride bike 30 - 50 miles a day, 3 to 5 times a week. However now I am disabled and have some balance issues. So the two wheeler is out.
I also no longer drive at all - haven't had a license in 7 years. So this will be my only form of transport. Hence a cargo-capable trike.
The cargo capability in and of itself precludes any tadpole trike as far as I'm concerned, but on top of that - getting in an out of a tadpole is difficult to unsafe for me, so ... tadpoles are out, hence the delta trike configuration (plus the cargo thing).
I have shoulder issues that would make "normal" steering problematic and that could exacerbate pain issues. So I'm getting side stick steering (you don't twist to steer - you push forward on the side you want to turn, the other side goes back. It is mounted under the seat).
The motor will be on one rear wheel (the right I think) and the pedals will power the other wheel (left I think) so I'll sorta have 2 wheel drive unless i poop out (which is likely).
I have exercise fatigue issues - so no pedelec lest I be stranded.
For the same reason - fatigue issues - I'm not sure the "2-wheel drive" configuration is that great an idea, either. In fact, if I'm not pedaling at all - and the motor is not on the geared wheel - I'm not sure how that would even work?
SO What I think I need is:
- a 20" wheel kit with enhanced battery (36V 9Ah battery seems to be standard, but I think the 36V 15Ah battery can be special ordered from Ezee in a kit.). I have no idea what KIND of 20" wheel kit I actually need, depending on the suitability (or not) of the 2-wheel drive idea.
- An extra battery of the max that I can get in an EZee kit (to match the one that comes with the kit)
- the optional brake levers
- the cycle analyst
I don't need to worry about PAS sensors or a "bottom bracket torque sensor" because I'm going with a throttle and not pedal assist.
I don't understand what the 3 different kinds of throttles are. Thumb lever, twist and half-twist? A thumb lever sounds like it would be hard to operate, but would mounting a twist throttle when you already have twist grip shifters be a problem? And what's the difference between twist and half-twist?
How far down can you safely run a Lithium battery? When I asked a vendor this question, the answer I got was "Till the onboard BMS circuit trips. Then it will shut itself off. ". Aside from the fact that I have no idea what an "onboard BMS" is - apparently they don't think disabled people should be allowed to have e-bikes because if I run it down until it shuts off, how am I supposed to get home???? I realize this probably varies from battery to battery - but I need a ballpark figure at least so I can be sure I don't get stranded.
If I've got this figured out properly - this was another question the vendor blew me off on - ALL lithium chargers are actually smart chargers, in that the charger will STOP charging when the battery is full so it can't over charge. In addition, I've been told that the batteries that come in the EZee kits are also smart BATTERIES, so that they actually communicate with the charger. My main thing is - do I have to unplug the charger when its done charging so I don't damage the battery? I THINK the answer is no, the smart charger will shut off.
I have no idea if there's anything else I should be concerned about. I haven't been able to find anybody in the US who carries much of anything in stock for EZee. NYCE cycles doesn't seem to carry them at all anymore. It's a special order from everybody else. So any suggestions for who to order through within the USA would be useful.