Maxwell EPO (Grindz, Troy Rank)

[dogman dan]

I wouldn't say dishonesty in the photos. Just inexperience. Not easy to snap really professional photos on no budget. My solution is my garage door for a background, but that's not a professional photo either.

Good on ya, for understanding shipping the bike requires certification because of the battery. That's just one reason the $500 price tag and quick delivery on others doesn't fly.

Wish you all the luck, The nicest thing about it is the bike won't stand out as more valuable than other bikes. Imagine parking a brand new trek with BB drive outside a pub.

[amberwolf]

Troy, on a vaguely related note, I'm curious why you've gone with the name Maxwell motorbikes ?

I figured the Maxwell part meant he was working with the Maxwell here on ES that already supplies frames, but that's probably an unfounded assumption. (when I first saw the name, I thought it was *just* a new bike by Maxwell).

It's hard to find a name that isn't already associated with *something* out there.

[grindz145]

Troy, on a vaguely related note, I'm curious why you've gone with the name Maxwell motorbikes ?

I figured the Maxwell part meant he was working with the Maxwell here on ES that already supplies frames, but that's probably an unfounded assumption. (when I first saw the name, I thought it was *just* a new bike by Maxwell).

It's hard to find a name that isn't already associated with *something* out there.

O wow AW, I never even though of that. Yeah, the Maxwell name is a vague reference to a 19th century physicist. It's also just a nice name.

[jkbrigman]

James Clerk Maxwell was one of the pantheon of ancients who created the field (ha) of electrical engineering. I usually name my systems after what I call "the great ones":

Gauss
Faraday
Maxwell
Tesla

[grindz145]

I kind of regret admitting that, considering how incredibly trite it is at this point, but hey, it can mean anyhting. It's just a good classic American name, so why not

[Hyena]

Hey if a South African-Canadian-American can claim the name of a Austrian-Serbian-American pioneer then why not

[LockH]

http://www.behindthename.com/name/maxwell

From a Scottish surname meaning "Mack's stream", from the name Mack, a short form of the Scandinavian name MAGNUS, combined with Old English wella "stream". A famous bearer of the surname was James Maxwell (1831-1879), a Scottish physicist who studied gases and electromagnetism.

[grindz145]

http://www.behindthename.com/name/maxwell

From a Scottish surname meaning "Mack's stream", from the name Mack, a short form of the Scandinavian name MAGNUS, combined with Old English wella "stream". A famous bearer of the surname was James Maxwell (1831-1879), a Scottish physicist who studied gases and electromagnetism.

"Mack's stream" I like it "Magnus"

[LockH]

Oh oh Rochester. Headed your way:
Monday, July 13, 2015, 2:24 PM - Algae bloom may sound like a fancy ocean flower, but the muggy, green, toxic slime is far from it, and this summer is forecast to be among the most severe algal bloom seasons on record.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its research partners predict that this year could become the second-most severe algae bloom season western Lake Erie's since the record-setting 2011 bloom.

Seen here:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/a ... ord/54165/

(Looks worse than the usual crap pumped out by Torontonians into Lake Ontario.)

[grindz145]

Oh oh Rochester. Headed your way:
Monday, July 13, 2015, 2:24 PM - Algae bloom may sound like a fancy ocean flower, but the muggy, green, toxic slime is far from it, and this summer is forecast to be among the most severe algal bloom seasons on record.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its research partners predict that this year could become the second-most severe algae bloom season western Lake Erie's since the record-setting 2011 bloom.

Seen here:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/a ... ord/54165/

(Looks worse than the usual crap pumped out by Torontonians into Lake Ontario.)

It's been bad lately. It's been a slow year for sailing though, so luckily (or unfortauntely) I don't have to worry much about it this year.

[LockH]

If that quikbyke thing succeeds after our kickstarter fails, I will kill myself. That's a promise.

Oh Oh. QB got a mention on autoglog site
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/23/quik ... ckstarter/




(Or Glub. Or something. )

[GCinDC]

hey troy, got any pics of the charge port?

sounds like it's got an on board charger. is that true?

[jkbrigman]

If that quikbyke thing succeeds after our kickstarter fails, I will kill myself. That's a promise.

Oh Oh. QB got a mention on autoglog site
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/23/quik ... ckstarter/

(Or Glub. Or something. )

Lock you slay me. "Glub"....

Thought I would follow up: quikbyke bit the dust:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/41 ... nav_search

Troy's life is spared! Thank the gods of ebike!

[grindz145]

hey troy, got any pics of the charge port?

sounds like it's got an on board charger. is that true?

No comment.... It's offboard for now.

[Rodney64]

Troy, what are the plans now. I think a light weight super commuter will
sell but it needs to be modern.

[chas58]

What is modern?

I love Troy's design. I built a bike like this, but with external batteries. Two years ago I needed 10 lbs of batteries, today I need about 2 lbs of batteries.

"modern" Hipster Urban style bikes are a market that is untouched by ebikes.

Flat bars make easy throttles
Bull horns are more aero and what I used
I switched to drop bars as that is even more aero and just what my mood is today.

I even play with a track bike sometimes, which is "modern and sporty" but not as practical as the fixie look single speed urban style.

[jkbrigman]

What is modern?

I love Troy's design. .

Strongly agree. In fact, I was lamenting the fact that he couldn't go MORE classic and use a fully lugged frame (with the special headset, of course). If simple, straight handlebars are more "modern", then I'd agree with that. I'll always vote for simple handlebars for mounting mirrors, reflectors, lights, cycle computers and smartphones. A smartphone interface and app would be nice, but those kind of things tend to blow up the price.

Troy's got an interesting idea that's still fresh. Of course the Sondors is a fat bike equivalent - there are plenty of those on the market right now - but nothing that's like a fixie with the batteries embedded in the down tube. Troy's concept to keep the bike as lightweight and bike-like as possible is important. "Pedal-ability" is crucial. I've even considered a build using a lightweight road bike with a small motor and battery just to see what's possible at the light end of the ebike spectrum.

I'd say the most head-on competition he's got is from the Faraday Porteur and Faraday Porteur S: https://www.faradaybikes.com/launchporteur-s/
However, you could argue that there are enough differences in the product that there's little or no overlap in the target market. I doubt a diehard fixie fan is going to even give the Faraday a second look. Plus: Holy smokes at the price of the Faraday: $3k. For what it is, that's more than I want to pay.

BTW: what we see in the kickstarter is only the fixie version. He's got a "Signature" and "Touring" versions planned and I'm loving the ideas of the tourer. A 250Wh battery on a touring bike might be just fine if the bike is relatively close to the weight of an actual touring bike!

I imagine a Surly Disc Trucker sporting an Alfine 9 speed hub on the back, a Schlumpf up front and Troy's system. Hell, just thinking about it makes me want to slap a BBS02 on a touring bike and see what happens....

[jkbrigman]

Troy, I see your kickstarter closed and fell short of the funding goal. I'm bummed.

What next? Many people reconfigure their kickstarter campaigns and succeed. Is that in Maxwellmotorbikes future?

[Rodney64]

New road bikes sell, Maybe try with a less classic look. I'm starting to ride my road bike now in Perth. Newer road bikes have a more relaxed riding position.

[grindz145]

Troy, I see your kickstarter closed and fell short of the funding goal. I'm bummed.

What next? Many people reconfigure their kickstarter campaigns and succeed. Is that in Maxwellmotorbikes future?

We're working with investors now to build the first production run within about 4 months. It's good because this way nobody has to wait many months for a bike. This way folks know exactly what they're getting and there's no surprises.

[jkbrigman]

Troy, I see your kickstarter closed and fell short of the funding goal. I'm bummed.

What next? Many people reconfigure their kickstarter campaigns and succeed. Is that in Maxwellmotorbikes future?

We're working with investors now to build the first production run within about 4 months. It's good because this way nobody has to wait many months for a bike. This way folks know exactly what they're getting and there's no surprises.

I thought that was your plan - to proceed whether the kickstarter was funded or not. EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT. Troy, I believe in the concept you are going for. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the "Signature" and the "Touring" versions of your ebikes.

I imagine a Surly Disc Trucker sporting an Alfine 9 speed hub on the back, a Schlumpf up front and Troy's system. Hell, just thinking about it makes me want to slap a BBS02 on a touring bike and see what happens....

I'd say "NuVinci", but I've heard complaints that the NuVinci hubs don't have a wide enough shifting range. The Shimano 8 and 9 speed sealed hubs are nice for that.

Regardless, I'm bugged by the fact that going with a sealed hub wipes out the ability to put a direct drive electric motor on the rear wheel. It's either mid or front drive. If you want a dynamo hub on the front, then you're down to only a mid-drive and NO Schlumpf. Damn. Maybe I forget the dynamo hub and only drive lights from the battery pack. Then with a front-drive motor, I can have the Schlumpf back....

[hillzofvalp]

Yay what a concept.. Building product before setting commitments to ship it.

[grindz145]

Yay what a concept.. Building product before setting commitments to ship it.

meh. taking other peoples money isn't very cool either. Bootstrapping real products (as Hills well knows) really requires more than just the cash to build a few products. R & D investments are far more than just designing the product unfortunately.

Either way, we'll make it happen, and it will be awesome!

[dogman dan]

Glad you're back Troy.

[grindz145]

Glad you're back Troy.

<^>(-_-)<^>