nadidlab
1 mW
I've been scouring the boards and trying to learn. Hoping for some advice from you experts for my particular situation.
Me:
Mid 40s, reasonably out of shape, but not debilitatingly so. Have a bum knee that won't let me run, but doesn't mind the bike. Looking to do something semi active and fun. Reasonable handy, but not an electrical engineer. Can work on my non-electric bikes reasonably well and would enjoy learning and bolting together an ebike for my use. Would likely buy a kit and battery from amongst the highly regarded vendors mentioned in the forums. Willing to do some maintenance, monitoring and upkeep, but don't relish it.
Was intrigued by reviews and reports of the Stromer ST2. What I like about it are its clean and integrated look, torque sensing pedelec features, long range and reasonably high speed. The price, though seems extravagant for my intended semi-regular use. I've ridden a rental ST1 and enjoyed it, but exhausted the battery and did not enjoy the limp home against the friction of the motor very much.
I've read lots of good comments about MXUS hub motors, Mac geared motors, BBOS2 mid drives. People love all kinds of stuff. So I've developed some analysis paralysis regarding how to design a system that will work well for my intended use.
Here's how I would ride:
Commute to work a couple days a week. This is optional, and a goal of mine. I would love to do it. Used to ride my non-bike. Getting older, and thinking that a little assistance would go along way in getting me to do it. My ride is about 7.5 miles each way a couple hundred feet in elevation changes each way. I live in a city. 48 stop lights and 2 stop signs between my house and the office, so tons of stop and start. Path will be paved but far from smooth--potholetastic! Regularly face head winds in at least one direction often 15-25mph.
Occasional weekend rides that could be 15-25 miles with the family.
Budget:
Plan to spend less than $2,500 for motor, battery and related kit excluding bike.
Wants:
-Meaningful but not ludicrous speed--Ability to sustain 20mph and regularly hit bursts of 35-40, but don't need more than that.
-Some stealth (really admire the capabilities of Teslanv's Genesis build (http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66978&hilit=mxus+genesis#p1007489), but am trying to avoid the motorcycle look to avoid unwanted attention from johnny law.
-Range that is dependably 20 miles without electron sipping the whole way (willing/want to peddle some, but want to enjoy greater than my own power too). Might not be able to charge at work and need to dependably get there and back.
-Want to be able to remove the battery back with relative ease--may have to lock my ride up in public places.
-Ideally want to be able to pedal the bike with relative ease if need be. Worry about the drag of a large motor. Should I?
-Would appreciate a quiet motor.
-Like the idea of torque sensing capability over cadence sensing.
-Throttle only use would be nice too.
Willings:
-Willing to consider mid drive and shifting if that makes the 48 stop lights easier on the system, but from what I've heard the BBOS2 shifting procedure is not terribly user friendly.
Not willings:
-Don't want to build a battery pack.
-Don't want to use LiPo. Seems scary if used incorrectly.
Bike:
Likely building on a steel framed hybrid bike with no suspension, hydraulic discs and 700c wheels. Plan to use Schwalbe big apple tires perhaps 2.25 inch width hoping they will provide reasonable cushioning.
Would appreciate your expert opinions on motor choice and battery sizing given the scenarios I've described. What do you think?
Me:
Mid 40s, reasonably out of shape, but not debilitatingly so. Have a bum knee that won't let me run, but doesn't mind the bike. Looking to do something semi active and fun. Reasonable handy, but not an electrical engineer. Can work on my non-electric bikes reasonably well and would enjoy learning and bolting together an ebike for my use. Would likely buy a kit and battery from amongst the highly regarded vendors mentioned in the forums. Willing to do some maintenance, monitoring and upkeep, but don't relish it.
Was intrigued by reviews and reports of the Stromer ST2. What I like about it are its clean and integrated look, torque sensing pedelec features, long range and reasonably high speed. The price, though seems extravagant for my intended semi-regular use. I've ridden a rental ST1 and enjoyed it, but exhausted the battery and did not enjoy the limp home against the friction of the motor very much.
I've read lots of good comments about MXUS hub motors, Mac geared motors, BBOS2 mid drives. People love all kinds of stuff. So I've developed some analysis paralysis regarding how to design a system that will work well for my intended use.
Here's how I would ride:
Commute to work a couple days a week. This is optional, and a goal of mine. I would love to do it. Used to ride my non-bike. Getting older, and thinking that a little assistance would go along way in getting me to do it. My ride is about 7.5 miles each way a couple hundred feet in elevation changes each way. I live in a city. 48 stop lights and 2 stop signs between my house and the office, so tons of stop and start. Path will be paved but far from smooth--potholetastic! Regularly face head winds in at least one direction often 15-25mph.
Occasional weekend rides that could be 15-25 miles with the family.
Budget:
Plan to spend less than $2,500 for motor, battery and related kit excluding bike.
Wants:
-Meaningful but not ludicrous speed--Ability to sustain 20mph and regularly hit bursts of 35-40, but don't need more than that.
-Some stealth (really admire the capabilities of Teslanv's Genesis build (http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66978&hilit=mxus+genesis#p1007489), but am trying to avoid the motorcycle look to avoid unwanted attention from johnny law.
-Range that is dependably 20 miles without electron sipping the whole way (willing/want to peddle some, but want to enjoy greater than my own power too). Might not be able to charge at work and need to dependably get there and back.
-Want to be able to remove the battery back with relative ease--may have to lock my ride up in public places.
-Ideally want to be able to pedal the bike with relative ease if need be. Worry about the drag of a large motor. Should I?
-Would appreciate a quiet motor.
-Like the idea of torque sensing capability over cadence sensing.
-Throttle only use would be nice too.
Willings:
-Willing to consider mid drive and shifting if that makes the 48 stop lights easier on the system, but from what I've heard the BBOS2 shifting procedure is not terribly user friendly.
Not willings:
-Don't want to build a battery pack.
-Don't want to use LiPo. Seems scary if used incorrectly.
Bike:
Likely building on a steel framed hybrid bike with no suspension, hydraulic discs and 700c wheels. Plan to use Schwalbe big apple tires perhaps 2.25 inch width hoping they will provide reasonable cushioning.
Would appreciate your expert opinions on motor choice and battery sizing given the scenarios I've described. What do you think?
But there are others, so you can surely test ride some different things. Then make a more informed decision about direct drive or mid drive. 
