I'm planning on building (or buying) an e-bike to make my commute shorter (quicker) as soon as winter allows, opinions welcome!
It's ~6mi of 70% bike path 30% city streets each way, mostly flat (200' elevation?) and I can charge at work if need be. On a regular bike, my avg speed is 15-16 kph. Either because I suck, or because I don't want to show up at work all sweaty.
I'm torn on the power/speed. On one hand, I want to go as fast as is reasonable when no one is around, on the other I'm not gonna blast by joggers, puppies and regular bikers like an a**hole at 40+mph. Sooooo option a : aim for 25-ish and call it a day, or option b. aim for 35+ with enough pick up and go to slow down for others, and speeding back up. I prefer option b, of course.
I'd like to go as stealth as reasonable, visually and audibly. I don't want my bike to be a theft target, and if the constabulary can leave me alone, I'll take it. (law in Canada/Quebec is 28kph max w/assist and 500W max, I don't care about staying within that, it does not appear to be enforced at all, but you never know).
Bike wise, unless someone can convince me that a cyclocross will be perfect, I'm just aiming for a full suspension mtb with disc brakes. Feels safer for the speeds and unpredictability of city riding. Looking at 29" wheels for the stability.
Alright, to the build as it sits in my head.
Bike, I have my eyes on either a new Fuji 29er from bikesdirect (800$US), or snatching up a used Specialized Camber that seems to pop up regularly on kijiji locally (~1400$CAD).
Battery is the most unusual since I need so little. Luna's Mighty Mini sounds great at 6Ah, 52V. If it was a more easily integrated shape (think triangle that I could jam in one of the frame corners) it'd be perfect, but I suppose I can just use the seatbag. Any other tiny batteries out there I could consider?
I'm favoring a hub since it's more stealth, quieter and we have virtually no hills. I've mostly looked at Luna, so Smart Pie? MAC motor looks nice but $$$$. Integrated controller is always a plus. Thinking ~1000W would be plenty
I've looked at bbshd or even ultra mid-drives, but seems to be a lot more work for less stealth and more noise, so meh.
Alternatively to all this, I see the eDaiquiri thingies on ebay and wonder if they'd be even remotely half decent.
I suppose I could build a similar light single speed for possibly less than they sell those for? And if I build it myself I know the quality of components.
Anyways, input is welcome!
It's ~6mi of 70% bike path 30% city streets each way, mostly flat (200' elevation?) and I can charge at work if need be. On a regular bike, my avg speed is 15-16 kph. Either because I suck, or because I don't want to show up at work all sweaty.
I'm torn on the power/speed. On one hand, I want to go as fast as is reasonable when no one is around, on the other I'm not gonna blast by joggers, puppies and regular bikers like an a**hole at 40+mph. Sooooo option a : aim for 25-ish and call it a day, or option b. aim for 35+ with enough pick up and go to slow down for others, and speeding back up. I prefer option b, of course.
I'd like to go as stealth as reasonable, visually and audibly. I don't want my bike to be a theft target, and if the constabulary can leave me alone, I'll take it. (law in Canada/Quebec is 28kph max w/assist and 500W max, I don't care about staying within that, it does not appear to be enforced at all, but you never know).
Bike wise, unless someone can convince me that a cyclocross will be perfect, I'm just aiming for a full suspension mtb with disc brakes. Feels safer for the speeds and unpredictability of city riding. Looking at 29" wheels for the stability.
Alright, to the build as it sits in my head.
Bike, I have my eyes on either a new Fuji 29er from bikesdirect (800$US), or snatching up a used Specialized Camber that seems to pop up regularly on kijiji locally (~1400$CAD).
Battery is the most unusual since I need so little. Luna's Mighty Mini sounds great at 6Ah, 52V. If it was a more easily integrated shape (think triangle that I could jam in one of the frame corners) it'd be perfect, but I suppose I can just use the seatbag. Any other tiny batteries out there I could consider?
I'm favoring a hub since it's more stealth, quieter and we have virtually no hills. I've mostly looked at Luna, so Smart Pie? MAC motor looks nice but $$$$. Integrated controller is always a plus. Thinking ~1000W would be plenty
I've looked at bbshd or even ultra mid-drives, but seems to be a lot more work for less stealth and more noise, so meh.
Alternatively to all this, I see the eDaiquiri thingies on ebay and wonder if they'd be even remotely half decent.
I suppose I could build a similar light single speed for possibly less than they sell those for? And if I build it myself I know the quality of components.
Anyways, input is welcome!