E-S Stealth Electric Bike Owners

[Rix]

Yup, the stock batteries like HEAT! Unfortunately the motor/controller does not.

Ah good to know. Only took about 25 mins to get it back to full charge. Rode it 40 km in the cold into the city, is my total wattage and Ah use accurate in the cold or do I need to do quick math to what I see on the display? Used about 10 Ah.

Also I wore my heart rate monitor and was surprised I burned 1100 calories in one hour with a max of 170 HR. The ride was roughly mostly downhill. I'm gonna see what the round trip ends up being back up the hills.

When the weather is cold, below 40F, our batteries don't like it as much. At -11F (-24C) I can personally attest that your usable WH is cut in half. Having said that, I store my bike inside during the cold months and charge around 70F. I discovered that when I charge around 25F, It take much longer (about 40 minutes more) for my battery to charge up to the HVC on the charger. Don't know if that will translate into more range or not compared to charging at room temp then riding in really cold temps.

Rick

 

[proper159]

When the weather is cold, below 40F, our batteries don't like it as much. At -11F (-24C) I can personally attest that your usable WH is cut in half. Having said that, I store my bike inside during the cold months and charge around 70F. I discovered that when I charge around 25F, It take much longer (about 40 minutes more) for my battery to charge up to the HVC on the charger. Don't know if that will translate into more range or not compared to charging at room temp then riding in really cold temps.

Rick

Okay thanks for the tip. I probably won't be riding my bomber when it's more than -5 C. Tonight was around 3 celsius and I was really comfortable although my toes were a bit cold. Used 11 AH with a constant average of 6% regen on most of my rides.

I had a section that was all off road and I have been feeling a bit skittish on trails vs. my mtb days. I have my stock tires inflated to max because I'm doing a lot of road riding so when I hit the trails I feel a bit out of control. The bomber definitely handles a lot differently than a MTB, especially when I throttle.

 

[CJonaBttlrckt]

Actually regen braking is perfect for stopping in snow as it acts like anti locking brakes. Think about it. As soon as the wheel stops turning or slows right down, regen is no longer effective and as such lets go. Try it on some wet grass and you will see what I mean.

Yeah, I love this feature about Regen braking. It's like ABS in some way's.
That being said, I have found on very loose stuff, like the gravel I stacked on, it still does lock up the rear for a second or 2 before grabbing again. It can take you by surprise as Regen will usually only let go like that on extremely steep or loose stuff, so I tend to combine Regen with the rear brake when it looks that sketchy.
I didn't realize it till afterwards, but If you look at the video of my stack you can see my left fingers reaching for the brake when the Regen isn't slowing me down enough. I don't even think about it when I'm doing it now...it's just automatic.

Cheers

Hi Folks,
Bomber no. 289 with 19"x1.4" SMPro rim & 26" mtb wheel up front.
I have switched the regen brake using a brake micro switch so it comes on late in the brake lever travel and it is good this way. Previously it came on too early. It certainly helps to lock the rear wheel. It is a prototype as I intend to change the mechanism to be less obtrusive though I am still working on this. I can also switch the lever switch off so it just uses the standard button.
The MC rim is tops, I can smash logs and rocks now and not worry about dents or flats.
I am hoping the suspension improves as Ricks seems to have done after a few Kms!
Finally I would be interested to know how many Kms others get on their Bomber when they don't pedal at all and just ride it like a motor bike?
Thanks,
Clinton

 

[Rix]

Damn Clinton, that looks great with the 19MC rear and the 26MTB front. How does it handle off road? Specifically looking for input on loose corners and small high speed woops. Anyway what I noticed with the DNM is after about 2500 miles, mine started softening up. Initially I had the compression set as soft as it would go, and rider bike sag at 3 inches with spring preload. Now I have the compression set at 3 clicks out from all of the way soft, this caused my rebound to speed up slightly so I dialed in another click slower as well. Really loving the rear now. I see you are running the Shinko SR244. For me that's the one elusive tire I haven't tried yet. Tried different widths and sizes of the 241s but not the 244s....yet. When you get a chance can you take and post a picture of your bike from the side, bike standing straight up as possible, front wheel pointed straight forward and standing about 8feet away with your camera at bike seat level? I want to eyeball the relationship between the 19MC with the longer forks, the 26MTB and head tube angle. Curious to see how much head tube slack has increased (technically decreased head tube angle)

Rick

 

[biknut]

Is this not the perfect accessory for a Stealth?

http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/

 

[mattrb]

Is this not the perfect accessory for a Stealth?

http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/

I use http://patrolmangps.com/

 

[biknut]

Is this not the perfect accessory for a Stealth?

http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/

I use http://patrolmangps.com/

Where do you hide it on your bike?

 

[Allex]

Do you guys know how much extra it costs to order the 888fork with the fighter. And can you order the fighter with color matched rims. And if so whats the price for that.

Sikka, Stealth can do custom requests, even custom color powder coat the frame any color on the spectrum for extra cost. Unless something has changed, the Marzocchi 888 fork will run you about a 1000-1200 more bucks US. I can personally attest that the 888 fork I have on my Bomber is much better than the RST it came with. comes through.

Rick

Rix, What kind of spring do I need to have for the 888? I am ~135 pounds. The bomber weight is a lot so maybe the standard(what ever that is?) one is ok?
Jensen only had "heavy", it does not seem that a medium or light spring is available at this time

 

[morati]

Allex, Rix will be able to elaborate more on this topic I'm sure but based on my previous experience with suspension setups on motorcycles and mtb's, I believe even the stock spring in the 888 might be too stiff. Problem is the Bomber has such a heavy rear in comparison to the front that any suspension setup is gonna be a compromise. Too soft and you'll blow through all of your travel when hitting big bumps and jumps at speed. Too stiff and your low speed small bump compliance is gonna suffer. This is why I like the air forks so much (Fox 40, Manitou Dorado) because you can tune the suspension without having to remove and replace springs. I believe there is a company out there that does custom valving for the 888 (very expensive) that would work the best. I know PUSH Industries in the USA does custom valving on FOX forks and its alot cheaper (however the FOX is more $ than the 888). Let us know what you decide to do. I am in the same boat as you and still weighing my options.

 

[Allex]

Are you talking about "Float"?
http://www.jensonusa.com/Fox-40-Float-RC2-Fit-26-Fork-2014
Do not know much about forks but if its a Float then it is not an oil bath but air pressure?
Yeah the Float is like x2 money...

 

[morati]

Are you talking about "Float"?
http://www.jensonusa.com/Fox-40-Float-RC2-Fit-26-Fork-2014
Do not know much about forks but if its a Float then it is not an oil bath but air pressure?
Yeah the Float is like x2 money...

Yes, that one....

 

[Cowardlyduck]

Here's my latest video taken on my modified Fighter.

This ride was to the top of a hill just south of Banks, Canberra, ACT. Here: http://goo.gl/maps/rz7hY
Had a puncture half way through the ride, which you can see me changing in the video.
I also had the camera come off at one point, and a light stack, shown at the end of the video.

Enjoy!
[youtube]KP6ZopBLQeU[/youtube]

Cheers

 

[biknut]

Good video CD. Well done editing, and content, and appreciate the pleasing music. I've seen every single Stealth video a dozen times, and love it whenever a new one comes out. Just wait till you get a load of the ones I'll be making soon lol.

That's pretty interesting countryside where you live. I have to go at least 175 miles to get anywhere near something like that.

 

[Cowardlyduck]

Good video CD. Well done editing, and content, and appreciate the pleasing music. I've seen every single Stealth video a dozen times, and love it whenever a new one comes out. Just wait till you get a load of the ones I'll be making soon lol.

That's pretty interesting countryside where you live. I have to go at least 175 miles to get anywhere near something like that.

Thanks! I do try, and in the same way I'm always thinking of the next thing to improve on my Fighter, I'm always looking for the next thing to improve in my video making.
I think less POV shots and more fly by's would work better compared to what I've done so far. Problem is it takes so much time to stop, find a spot for the camera, ride past (twice), and review the footage. That's one reason why I was trying different mounting positions in this last video.

The area around Canberra used to be all bush, but the colonialists cleared most of it for grazing in the 1800s, so we're left with beautiful rolling hills mostly covered in large rocks/boulders.

Glad you liked it.

Cheers

 

[biknut]

CD you have the right idea for your videos. I know what you're talking about when you say how much trouble it is to do drive by's, but I find them to be a lot more interesting than 15 minutes for riding down a single track with the camera mounted on the handle bars. After about 1 minute of that I lose interest.

I like to find different ways to mount my camera to get different camera angles and stuff. It takes a lot of patience to stop and setup your camera and ride by the same spot again.

 

[Rix]

Allex, Rix will be able to elaborate more on this topic I'm sure but based on my previous experience with suspension setups on motorcycles and mtb's, I believe even the stock spring in the 888 might be too stiff. Problem is the Bomber has such a heavy rear in comparison to the front that any suspension setup is gonna be a compromise. Too soft and you'll blow through all of your travel when hitting big bumps and jumps at speed. Too stiff and your low speed small bump compliance is gonna suffer. This is why I like the air forks so much (Fox 40, Manitou Dorado) because you can tune the suspension without having to remove and replace springs. I believe there is a company out there that does custom valving for the 888 (very expensive) that would work the best. I know PUSH Industries in the USA does custom valving on FOX forks and its alot cheaper (however the FOX is more $ than the 888). Let us know what you decide to do. I am in the same boat as you and still weighing my options.

Allex, Morati summed it up pretty well. The Fox makes more since for easy tunability. But if you get the 888 because they are way cheaper, try them out. On mine, I used the air bleeder screw as air shock reservoir. It works for me and pretty good. If I was to compress the suspension with tiedowns and in the compressed state, bleed the air out of them, they would be super soft. If you get them and do ths and the forkse are still to stiff, Hippie Tech suspensions in Boise (technically Garden City) and Avalance Racing Suspensions can revalve for a softer setting and lighter ride. Be for warned, if you go with Hippie Tech, the owner, Jerry, doesn't answer phone calls, or reply to emails except for when his work is done. He has you fill out a form, and mail that with the forks to his shop. Everyone that I have referred to him is happy with the end product, but the universal complaints are he doesn't return emails or phone calls. He is a one man operation, valves about 500 forks a month, and spends all his time DH racing. As Morati said, let us know what you do.

CD, another great video. Thank you for posting it. I got to get off my ass, get a GP and start contributing to cause.
Rick

 

[MAFIA]

Nice video CD wow that place looks great i will like to get uphill with my bomber and get downhill with my banshee bike loool

 

[Allex]

Rix & Morati

Thank you for the info, I just hope that the 888 with stock spring(standard 5141923/P) will be better than my RST? ng
Do you know what kind of spring they have in RST, is it a stock one or a harder one?

 

[QuietRush]

Nice overview video has gone up today of the Hunter EV Prize race, with a brief glimpse of our demo Fighters to help me stay on topic for the thread..now, how about we get some more Stealth riders together for 2014 for a 10lap sprint?

[youtube]yGsE6yOiWik[/youtube]

Alternately, anyone interested in helping the schools out will, of course, be welcomed. Good opportunity to get some exposure for your business and support a worthwhile event.

 

[Rix]

Rix & Morati

Thank you for the info, I just hope that the 888 with stock spring(standard 5141923/P) will be better than my RST? ng
Do you know what kind of spring they have in RST, is it a stock one or a harder one?

Yes the 888 are much better than the RST in stock form. No so much on big hit performance, but on high speed woops and fast small bump compliance they shine over the RST.

Quigley, thank you for the posting the link to the EV video. Saw a clip of a Stealth Bomber briefly at the end. Amazing what you guys down under are doing with EV two wheel transportation. That was a neat contest.

CD, just watched your vid again. Awesome.

Rick

 

[biknut]

1936 Schwinn Stealth Bomber

 

[Hyena]

Nice vid 'duck, I like the time lapses.

Here's a night ride vid of me pushing it to the limit on my fighter. I've left the original audio to try and convey the feeling of speed but it still looks slower than I was going.

[youtube]nOf9dgVQa2Q[/youtube]

 

[proper159]

Here's my latest video taken on my modified Fighter.

Great video, I was actually telling someone about your fall from your previous vid posting since I've been feeling a bit sketchy on trails with the bomber. Enjoyed the scenery.

 

[Rix]

Great night ride Jay, I think I am going to do that next summer at Tahoe. Now that I think of it, we should have hit Yosemite at night. Maybe would have seen big foot or something. I recognize that trail from one of your other vids. It was the tight trail that you shot hauling ass quite awhile back during the day time when you responded to a comment from Full Throttle. Is that the same trail?

Rick

 

[morati]

Love all these vids you guys are putting out! Hopefully next season I'll have my GoPro all ready to go with more time on my hands and I'll try to do some as well.
Judging from the speeds you are attaining, is it a safe to bet to say the Fighter makes a better trail bike than the Bomber due to its lighter weight?