Reflex439
10 µW
I hope this isn't too long, but wanted to make sure I had enough info from the start.
I like to ride, but as age creeps upon me, I don’t ride as much as the hills take more of a toll on me and tire me out quicker. Having an assist, as well as the ability to extend my trips with an electric motor sounds very appealing.
Here is how I would end up using the bike, and looking for advice on how to convert it. Bike details are noted below;
-Augment my travels in a Class B camper van for a 10K mile road trip, coast to coast. Mostly off the grid, so I’d have to rely on my generator for charging (Onan 2800w, 30amps).
-Would be transported on rear bike rack the entire trip (would purchase a cover to keep it dry/clean)
-When visiting a new city, I would use it as a touring bike, perhaps up to 20 miles at most (would limit distance based on terrain type)
-Would normally help pedal for most trips to extend range and get one some extra exercise, but in hot/humid climate when I don’t want to arrive sweaty, or after returning from a strenuous hike, I may rely more heavily on the electric motor and accept shorter range.
-Trail bike for easy trails, not serious mountain biking, again 10-20 miles at most, 20% or so easy to moderate hills.
-Backup in case of vehicle breakdown on back desert dirt roads. Since I could be 20-30miles from a town, or 5-15 miles off a major highway, minimum would be a 20 mile range to at least get me to the highway in a pinch with me doing my part.
-At home, quick runs to the store a couple miles away for groceries. A moderate hills on the return trip tire me out too quickly, but the flats are fine.
I’ve seen the Bafang BBSHD and BBS02 kits. Would these be reasonable choices on a 2003 Canondale Jekyll 400 bike I currently have? Would it require any difficult mods to the bike, or is it mostly assembly and bolt on? If so which kit is better for my uses above? If not, any other conversion kit recommendations? I assume disc brakes would be one required mod? And what compatible batteries and chargers should I be looking at?
For batteries and chargers, I am very familiar with LiPos, LiFe, and Li-ion technologies as I use 12S 50v 6aHr LiPos for my RC helicopter pulling 140amps at peak discharge. So I’ve had to spend some time understanding the charging and maintenance needs.
Since I would mostly be using the bike on road trips, and needing to run the generator to charge, I would prefer to fast charge the batteries. Plugging them in for a slower overnight charge is not an option except at home.
I know barely enough to be dangerous here. But willing to spend the time to research and learn. Just need some pointers to get me off in the right direction. Any help appreciated. Lots of reading here in my future.
I like to ride, but as age creeps upon me, I don’t ride as much as the hills take more of a toll on me and tire me out quicker. Having an assist, as well as the ability to extend my trips with an electric motor sounds very appealing.
Here is how I would end up using the bike, and looking for advice on how to convert it. Bike details are noted below;
-Augment my travels in a Class B camper van for a 10K mile road trip, coast to coast. Mostly off the grid, so I’d have to rely on my generator for charging (Onan 2800w, 30amps).
-Would be transported on rear bike rack the entire trip (would purchase a cover to keep it dry/clean)
-When visiting a new city, I would use it as a touring bike, perhaps up to 20 miles at most (would limit distance based on terrain type)
-Would normally help pedal for most trips to extend range and get one some extra exercise, but in hot/humid climate when I don’t want to arrive sweaty, or after returning from a strenuous hike, I may rely more heavily on the electric motor and accept shorter range.
-Trail bike for easy trails, not serious mountain biking, again 10-20 miles at most, 20% or so easy to moderate hills.
-Backup in case of vehicle breakdown on back desert dirt roads. Since I could be 20-30miles from a town, or 5-15 miles off a major highway, minimum would be a 20 mile range to at least get me to the highway in a pinch with me doing my part.
-At home, quick runs to the store a couple miles away for groceries. A moderate hills on the return trip tire me out too quickly, but the flats are fine.
I’ve seen the Bafang BBSHD and BBS02 kits. Would these be reasonable choices on a 2003 Canondale Jekyll 400 bike I currently have? Would it require any difficult mods to the bike, or is it mostly assembly and bolt on? If so which kit is better for my uses above? If not, any other conversion kit recommendations? I assume disc brakes would be one required mod? And what compatible batteries and chargers should I be looking at?
For batteries and chargers, I am very familiar with LiPos, LiFe, and Li-ion technologies as I use 12S 50v 6aHr LiPos for my RC helicopter pulling 140amps at peak discharge. So I’ve had to spend some time understanding the charging and maintenance needs.
Since I would mostly be using the bike on road trips, and needing to run the generator to charge, I would prefer to fast charge the batteries. Plugging them in for a slower overnight charge is not an option except at home.
I know barely enough to be dangerous here. But willing to spend the time to research and learn. Just need some pointers to get me off in the right direction. Any help appreciated. Lots of reading here in my future.
