Clean up old Pedego Trail Tracker

[oldmate]

Hey everyone,

Posted this in another forum and didn't get any bites, hopefully someone is interested here.

I just picked up a 600w ~2014 Pedego trail tracker on facebook marketplace for very cheap. I think its the earliest model, very simple, which is in my favor. Its a single speed, no pedal assist, wrist throttle only, no screen. There does not appear to be any proprietary interface that would prevent swapping out the electronics.

The 48V 10Ah battery still has some juice, I can get about 20km range out of it, though experience significant voltage sag and it doesn't like even slight inclines or head winds very much. I took it to a local bike mechanic and they said the drivetrain, brakes, frame, wheels and tyres are all in ok and safe condition for a bike of this age. Score!

I'm trying to decide if its worth putting a bit of money into, and would be keen for some feedback or recommendations on my plans:

Minimum:
- Replacing the battery with a larger downtube mounted one, I would maybe build it myself using one of the Hailong G80 style kits from Ali Express. I priced up building a 20Ah 48v battery comprised of Samsung 50E cells at ~$700 NZD (approx. $400 USD). More than double what I paid for the bike.
- replace creaky seat.

Maybe:
- Replacing the controller with something from the KT range
- adding a screen compatible with new controller
- replace throttle
- add fenders

Stretch:
- add front and rear lights compatible with controller
- add pedal assist sensor
- sandblast and powder coat the frame ($200 NZD)
- new wheels

Couple things about me:
- located in New Zealand where importing cheap batteries is not really possible, and retail batteries are crazy expensive. Even cells are very expensive and cant be easily imported.
- I've built an e-foil in the past so I'm familiar with building a battery, spot welding, wiring, soldering

Any recommendations on battery kits, controller ecosystem, tyres or anything else would be awesome!

 

[OlderGiantFan]

Good Score! If it was me, I'd go over it and check all the nuts and bolts first, which you've had done I believe. Then I'd ride it for a few weeks and see if the single speed is suitable for where I was riding it. Would be a bummer to spend hundreds only to discover it struggles on hills. Even gentle inclines can be a drag.

Welcome to the forum BTW

 

[Apartunis]

I do not think that bike will like any hills or headwinds with the stock controller. Fat tire bikes with 750W or lower power and 20mph or higher max speed lack enough guts to get out of their own way. To see what the motor is working against, try riding the thing for any significant distance on pedal power alone so you can see how your personal battery holds up.

If you are going to replace the battery anyway, get one that can serve up plenty of amps plus a controller that can use the extra power. Be aware that the motor cable plug is good for about 27 amps in my observation. The motor itself might be able to cope with significantly more.

Fat as in 4 inch or wider tires are only useful for snow, sand, duff, or nonsticky mud. The ebikes that have them never have enough torque or the low speed range to run on those surfaces. The bike is in conflict with itself and you lose.

Smooth tires in the 3 inch range would help that bike work for you instead of against you. You could rebuild the hubs on 29 inch rims with 40 to 50mm tires and that would be a real win, but also a chore to do.

 

[oldmate]

Thanks for the comment! You are right abut riding with pedal power only, with only a single gear it is painfully slow and hard work. I had thought a 20Ah new battery would overcome some of the draggy feeling and massively extend the range (despite the overall inefficiency). I could add street tyres to it as an easier win compared to rebuilding the hubs, it would mostly just be ridden on flat road and on gravel bike path anyway.

I bought this bike on a whim due to the price, not that common to find a functional ebike for this much! My other option is to ride it for a bit as is, then sell it on and wait for another second hand ebike to come up that will be more efficient, or do a conversion kit on an existing bike.

I do not think that bike will like any hills or headwinds with the stock controller. Fat tire bikes with 750W or lower power and 20mph or higher max speed lack enough guts to get out of their own way. To see what the motor is working against, try riding the thing for any significant distance on pedal power alone so you can see how your personal battery holds up.

If you are going to replace the battery anyway, get one that can serve up plenty of amps plus a controller that can use the extra power. Be aware that the motor cable plug is good for about 27 amps in my observation. The motor itself might be able to cope with significantly more.

Fat as in 4 inch or wider tires are only useful for snow, sand, duff, or nonsticky mud. The ebikes that have them never have enough torque or the low speed range to run on those surfaces. The bike is in conflict with itself and you lose.

Smooth tires in the 3 inch range would help that bike work for you instead of against you. You could rebuild the hubs on 29 inch rims with 40 to 50mm tires and that would be a real win, but also a chore to do.

 

[99t4]

I vote for this option:

My other option is to ride it for a bit as is, then sell it on and wait for another second hand ebike to come up that will be more efficient, or do a conversion kit on an existing bike.

because:

it would mostly just be ridden on flat road and on gravel bike path anyway.

 

[oldmate]

Thanks for the perspective. I've been investigating a mid drive conversion kit for my 2019 Trek 520 Disc which would be much more efficient and a cool project.

However, in the meantime I rode the fatbike at the beach near by house with my dog and had an absolute blast. On the lowtide hard sand it was great, and still did ok in the softer stuff too. I significantly underestimated how much fun riding on the beach is.

I think I'm going to build a 48V 15Ah (13s3p) battery using Samsung 50E cells and use it with the Pedego bike for a bit. That way if I decide to move it on I will be able to re-use the battery for a new ebike project.

 

[99t4]

Yes, well, riding on sand is one of the 3 types of terrain where fat tires are actually desirable and appropriate. Sand, mud, and snow. Obviously different than your original scenario:

it would mostly just be ridden on flat road and on gravel bike path anyway.

So for your new scenario (sandy beach), the fat tire bike makes sense. Now you are realizing you need two ebikes!

 

[oldmate]

Been riding it for a few weeks now and I'm fully stoked on the trail tracker. I've been using it way more then I would with my regular pushbike.

I managed to grab a 'near new' 15Ah battery for dirt cheap from someone off a local used goods site. It was made by Shenzhen aerospace electronic co. ltd and seems to be of decent quality. It should be better than the 12 year old 10Ah battery the bike came with. I'm going to mount it on the downtube which will hopefully improve the handling a bit and make the rear rack more usable.

Will continue to ride it but as we are running out of daylight heading towards winter I am considering what lighting options I have available. I'm thinking about replacing the stock controller with a 22A KT sine wave, and getting compatible lights and a new throttle while I'm at it.