Caught my first Lycra yesterday

[JennyB]

I'd done about 20 miles up in the hills and was heading home when he came out of a side road about 200 yards in front of me. I chased hard for about a mile until I caught and passed him (on a hill, naturally!) Then he took my wheel while I set a slightly gentler pace for another mile until he took over and turned on the gas until I was holding his wheel at 22 mph - which was interesting because my assistance gives out around 20. Once I lost the wheel I couldn't get back. I almost caught him again on the next hill, but it wasn't quite long enough and he dropped away from me quickly on the descent.

I caught upwith him again as he stopped to check his navigation. Turns out he had come about as far as me and was cycling to his in-laws just three miles beyond my home (and hoping that the wife had remembered to bring the cycle carrier ). So we cycled together and chatted for the next few miles. He was a keen club cyclist, but being 17 stone he always found the hills a struggle. He was very impressed with the ebike's range and climbing ability, so perhaps I've made a convert. 8)

If I'm to go trolling for the really fast guys, though, I'm going to have to either get fitter - or get 48v.

 

[grindz145]

Definately time to up the voltage I'm running 80V on my trek with a low current limit. I think this is a compelling way to set up pedalable ebike.

 

[JennyB]

What motor are you using? Something for a 16" wheel? :?

 

[liveforphysics]

If humans can stay with you, its definitely time to invest in a higher voltage pack.

 

[Grinhill]

I saw a TV show a while back which showed some indoor sprint cyclists in training. Their equipment was recording human power outputs of 2,500 W for short periods of time. With their fancy aero bikes, the top speeds were around 77 km/h.

I don't think the majority of e-bikes would be able to keep up with those guys.

Even in the Tour de France, the average road speeds are higher than most ebikers would ride at (especially around the corners)

 

[JennyB]

Let's be realistic. I don't have to get them all - they aren't Pokemon!

A really strong club rider can start thinking about turning pro when they can "break evens" (time trial 25 miles in an hour). It would be nice to do 25 mph on the flat for 15 mph effort, but I'm not really interested in going faster. There are plenty of short downhills here that get me into the 30 mph + zone and I find myself sitting up and braking a lot more than I used to , but I don't want to get into the brakes/tyres/suspension/crash protection upgrade cycle.

What I'm shooting for is: Average 20 mph for 2-2.5 hours, opportunity recharge in under an hour, repeat (and repeat again) with a bike I can still lift and pedal at the end of the day.

 

[dogman dan]

Sounds like you have the right motor, and voltage for your desires. You just lack the lighter and faster charging battery chemistry. Lipo can charge fast, but the meanwells to bulk charge out on the road are a bit bigger than a regular 2 -5 amp lifepo4 charger. At some point, the real limiting factor on charging fast is finding a plug that won't pop the breaker if your charger is that high amps.

The big upside is the moderate gain in lighter weight, and the large gain in smaller size. So you can just carry more range, and charge at home mostly.

 

[JennyB]

Sounds like you have the right motor, and voltage for your desires. You just lack the lighter and faster charging battery chemistry. Lipo can charge fast, but the meanwells to bulk charge out on the road are a bit bigger than a regular 2 -5 amp lifepo4 charger. At some point, the real limiting factor on charging fast is finding a plug that won't pop the breaker if your charger is that high amps.

The big upside is the moderate gain in lighter weight, and the large gain in smaller size. So you can just carry more range, and charge at home mostly.

God bless the British and their cups of tea! Jug kettles draw 3 kw (though only for a few minutes), so we have 240v 15 amp sockets!

Unfortunately I'm not going to have to worry about high speed for some time. I'm typing this with one hand. Luggage malfunction at 20 mph. Lots of road rash and a cracked shoulder blade.

 

[ambroseliao]

Luggage malfunction??? What happened?

Ambrose

 

[dogman dan]

Ouch! My luggage problem, waterbottle in the front forks, broke both collarbones 3 years back. Hope you got off much lighter.

 

[Grinhill]

Or were you slipstreaming in the middle of a pack of Lycras and clipped one of their wheels... :wink:

best wishes for a speedy recovery

 

[Hillhater]

I saw a TV show a while back which showed some indoor sprint cyclists in training. Their equipment was recording human power outputs of 2,500 W for short periods of time. With their fancy aero bikes, the top speeds were around 77 km/h. ..

I have heard of those numbers also, ..but they are "peaks" , and only for a second or two.... from the very best athletes.
Top time trials rides over distance (50+kms) average about 50-55km/hr (30+mph), and their sustained power output is way below 1000w . ( and thats Lance Armstrong type performance )
So dont fear, any lycra you are likely to meet wont get near those figures on the flat over a mile or two. !
They may sprint away from you up to 35-40mph for a short distance.....but they cannot stay there for very long.

 

[Joseph C.]

Hope you heal quickly, Jenny.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

I'd done about 20 miles up in the hills and was heading home when he came out of a side road about 200 yards in front of me. I chased hard for about a mile until I caught and passed him (on a hill, naturally!) Then he took my wheel while I set a slightly gentler pace for another mile until he took over and turned on the gas until I was holding his wheel at 22 mph - which was interesting because my assistance gives out around 20. Once I lost the wheel I couldn't get back. I almost caught him again on the next hill, but it wasn't quite long enough and he dropped away from me quickly on the descent.

I caught upwith him again as he stopped to check his navigation. Turns out he had come about as far as me and was cycling to his in-laws just three miles beyond my home (and hoping that the wife had remembered to bring the cycle carrier ). So we cycled together and chatted for the next few miles. He was a keen club cyclist, but being 17 stone he always found the hills a struggle. He was very impressed with the ebike's range and climbing ability, so perhaps I've made a convert. 8)

If I'm to go trolling for the really fast guys, though, I'm going to have to either get fitter - or get 48v.

Well, just make sure you have a Lycra License, don't wana get a ticket! :wink:

48V is a good plan all around, and I vote LiPo, but LiFeP04 is just fine too, just a bit heavier & bulkier.

Sorry to hear about your crash! Hope you heal up and are riding again soon.

 

[JennyB]

Luggage malfunction??? What happened?

Ambrose

I was riding by myself, heading round the Lough again, 12 miles from home. I'd been experimenting with the battery in a rear pannier. I think it bounced off and tried to take the cabling with it, but I'm not too sure because the next part happened pretty quickly. I went down hard on my right shoulder, roll/slid sideways on my face and knees, and ended up with my left arm pinned beneath me. Fortunately someone stopped and called 999 pretty quickly, because I was in no fit state to do so. I couldn't get up, and all I could see was the sun on the chip seal and the blood dripping from my nose.

 

[Solcar]

Sorry about that awful accident. Get well fast.

 

[dogman dan]

Hope you heal quickly. My accident broke bones but the rotator cuff damage will be with me for life. Hope you don't get that.

Stuff like this, true accidents, are hard to deal with. Once second everything is fine, the next, wham what happened? Other times you know you are losing controll and can prepare, if even for just a split second. I go over the bars all the time dirt riding, and never get badly hurt. You can feel it coming most times, you know you are riding the razor edge. Then you know you just lost controll, and can go over the bars ready for it.

 

[liveforphysics]

D'oh! I hope you heal an feel better soon! A fancy new 48v battery will cheer you up.

 

[ambroseliao]

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear that. We've had a spate of accidents lately that have been quite serious. I hope that you were able to get good medical help! Please take care and let us know how you're doing.

Your accident confirms that it's a good idea to have a quick disconnect in the wiring of your electronics. The heaviest component on my bike is the battery which I carry in a rear pack mounted on my rear rack. I have it connected to my controller via silicone wire to Anderson Powerpoles which can disconnect if pulled on. I've always thought that if my pack should somehow fall off (which is not impossible since Topeak MTX racks and packs don't have a very strong clip), that it would just pull the APPs off. I have to use a pair of Velcro straps to hold my battery on my bike since the rear pack with my Bosch Fat Packs is very heavy and bounces quite hard unless strapped down firmly.

Again, I hope you recover quickly and can get back out riding in your beautiful country!

Ambrose

 

[JennyB]

First the good news:

The right shoulder blade is healing very well. It was actually broken clean through, but the joint itself was not damaged. The arm is still very weak, and sore at times, but I have full range of movement and have begun driving again (very carefully).

And the bike is more or less O.K.

Now the not-so-good news:

... apart from those weird bars of mine, which are wrecked - bent out of shape and badly gouged. (Looks like somehow they did most of the deceleration).

Naturally I put it all back together as soon as I felt able, but as soon as I sat on it a sharp pain up my left arm told me I wouldn't be riding again soon. I went back to the fracture clinic today and got it x-rayed. It turns out I have a crack in the point of the left elbow as well. I remember them asking about my left arm at the time of the accident , and I kept telling them it was O.K. Probably because it was busy holding my right arm in place.

The arm is fine with the hand vertical, as with a drop bar, but won't bear weight with the palm down. Perhaps I'll just have to get a North Road bar and learn to ride like a lady. :?

 

[ambroseliao]

I don't know if this will help, but Ergon grips are wonderful for eliminating wrist strain. Perhaps it will help alleviate some of the strain on your elbow.

Try holding your palms facing down and reach forward. Does that hurt? Palms down is essentially how the Ergons work. They spread the pressure out over your palms instead of focusing it on your wrists.

Don't know if this will help with chipped elbows, though...

Heal quick!

Ambrose

 

[corkscrew]

Why, do we as e-bikers take pleasure in passing cyclists?

On my trike, I pass cars. (The ones stuck behind that slow moving truck anyway. )

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

If I were to go back before I assembled my battery pack, I would definitely go 150V (36S) instead of 100V (24S).

No reason to step up to 48V. If you are looking to really upgrade, go high voltage, low current. Even 20A at 150V is a fair bit of power if your're into pedaling.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

Ouch! That elbow doesn't sound very happy!

Hope you heal and feel better soon!

Have you ever considered Trekking bars? (butterfly bars)

They allow nearly any and all hand positions you can imagine. Also in the main position, where the grips are attached, it has lots of give the lessen the vibration and bumps felt through them.