Ebike Ideas for the Masses?

[deardancer3]

There is Lots of Angst and frustration over energy costs in the general population. Especially with those that do not see any solutions to their transportation problems.

I read over and over again about people commuting 30, 40 50 miles one way to jobs paying just enough to justify driving the commute. Not much ebikes can do to help these poor souls, soon to be much poorer.

Still we do have solutions for lots of people with reasoanble commutes.

We have basic commuter ebikes, good for most terrain and loads and for under 8 miles one way, recharge at work.

Then the advanced ebike, good for quite a bit more in range, power, load carrying, and speed.

And we have ebike systems capable of 95%+ car replacement, for the "Car light" and the "car very light" ebike users.

So what are your suggestions for these new ebike customers, considering they are probably very sensitive to reliability and service issues.

What is your suggestions for pre builts or easy to builds?

(I like a Bionx on a new Giant Suede)

 

[Ypedal]

I'd have to say for the majority:

Recumbent bike ( comfort level, easy on the crotch )

Gearless brushless hub motor ( Quiet, and reliable )

Lithium ( enough capacity for the trip to and from work ) with high-power charger to get the job done in -2hrs max.

CA type meter ( most office dwellers will want reassurance that they have enough juice left.. and not left guessing )

 

[stew007]

I agree, for some serious range, speed and comfort and quick recharging times, a recumbent, with 65-85v 30-50ah Lipo (maxamps etc) with a 2c charge custom made balance charger/power supply made and developed by a company like Hyperion/Graupner/Astroflight/schulze/thunderpower/Maxamps etc with a Crystalyte 5303/4 hub motor and 72v 50a controller and Cycle analyst with a LVC pre set to 3.3v per cell.

I think it would be quite easy to make something that could have 100+ miles range, 45mph speed with comfort into the deal as well.

 

[TylerDurden]

Many non-bikers are wary of recumbents' low visibility. I'd suggest a semi-bent like a cruzbike or the Day6 Journey; with fairing.

Selling points:

• Prestige
  Comfort
  Freedom

You won't have to sell the economy factor... customers will do that themselves.

Add some whitewalls & bling to those suckers and watch them fly out the door.

 

[pwbset]

Last two days it's been raining hard ( ) so no ebiking until my custom battery weatherproofing is complete. I'm amazed how bummed I get that I can't ride to work. I got the EV Bluesâ„¢ man! Paid $15 this morning for gas that barely twitched my empty gauge. Argh. For me finding a way to not be exposed to the elements when ebiking is critical. Not everyone lives and ebikes in sunny California, New Mexico and Florida. Soon enough I'm going to have to contend with snow too - though the bike paths and roads will remain mostly clear year-round. For personal e-commuting to be viable in my opinion there needs to be a fully enclosed solution somehow.

Some sort of 3-4 wheeled, fully enclosed (seated or recumbent or whatever) bike with a 5304/5, lifepo4 or spinel batts, 30mph top speed and 20 mi range, CA etc. etc. coming it at $1,000 or less. *drool*

 

[docnjoj]

Now theres a dream!!!!
otherDoc

 

[Link]

Add some whitewalls & bling to those suckers and watch them fly out the door.

Oh snap, boi! Thuglife!

 

[TylerDurden]

'Swatimtalkinboutyo...

 

[dsljohn]

I think a bike that was fairly standard looking, something that looks like a beach cruiser but with gears would be received well if it were light enough to be decent transportation as a regular bike when the batteries are removed. It would have to have a big cushion seat and a subtle battery pack.

The izip Cruiser Enlightened is close, but its too heavy and I don't think the batteries are easily removed. It also costs too much, and its range is too low.

 

[deardancer3]

Me thinks that although other frame designs are more efficient, a DF, or close to a DF is what would be acceptable to the masses. After all, if 'bents or semi bents, (which I own and love and are my favorites) were beloved by the masses, then they would be selling more as straight human powered.

The crank forward Townies (and other brands), appear to be quite high in acceptance. Cruiser style, MTB style and comfort style also seem to be the highly accepted frames. some give less human assist hill climbing power, but the stopped flat foot posture is really popular.

(Even thou Mid drive e-'bents have been winning several contests) And bents are easier to give weather protection to.

Soooo, a question would be, an ebike for the massses to help with basic commuter issues;

Go with the most acceptable or go with the most efficient???

Any Marketing Types reading this stuff?

dick

 

[TylerDurden]

Go with the most acceptable or go with the most efficient???

Go in between:
As people's pain-at-the-pump increases, their boundaries of acceptability will too.

In the Seventies, >2600 people bought Citicars... many more bought the horrendous Chevette.

A comfortable, attractive, easy bike? No problem.

 

[ZapPat]

I know about electronics, but have no idea about the bike style terms you are using!

What I would like to know is how are they comparable in terms of aerodymanic drag - the real high speed energy thief. I imagine a nice low recumbent style could go quite a bit faster with the same power than a regular bike, but I would like numbers to compare. Adding a nice round windshield like I've seen on a photo or two would help too, but again how much?

Thanks for helping an e-bike noob!

 

[TylerDurden]

cruzbike:

Day 6:

"Use the s e a r c h, Luke...."
Yer pal, Obiwankenobi

 

[Miles]

What I would like to know is how are they comparable in terms of aerodymanic drag

Hi Zap Pat,

http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=538&start=2

Data from "Bicycling Science"; DG Wilson 3rd edition

Upright commuting bike... CD 1.15; Area 0.55sq.m

Touring bike... CD 1.0; Area 0.40 sq.m

Racing bike... CD 0.88; Area 0.36 sq.m

"Easy Racer" recumbent (unfaired)... CD 0.77; Area 0.77 sq.m

"Peer Gynt" recumbent (unfaired)... CD 0.74; Area 0.56 sq.m

"Peer Gynt" recumbent + front fairing... CD 0.75; Area 0.58 sq.m

"Flux" recumbent + rear fairing... CD 0.55; Area 0.35 sq.m

"M5" low racer recumbent (faired)... CD 0.13; Area 0.35 sq.m

"Avatar Bluebell" recumbent (faired)... CD 0.11; Area 0.42 sq.m

 

[vanilla ice]

I'm with deardancer here. Acceptance or efficiency, marketing guy will go with acceptance every time. Come on, the masses? They wont even know or care about efficiency. And its challenge enough to get people on bikes without changing up shapes on them. Std frame with big fat sprung cushion seat, suspension seat post, that should be good enough for the tush.

 

[ZapPat]

"Use the s e a r c h, Luke...."
Yer pal, Obiwankenobi

I'm trying, obi... but the s e a r ch is so strong, the number of resulting open tabs I open sometimes overwhelms my little brain! Not to mention that my dial up connection underwhelms me too!

Great looking cruz bike! Makes me slobber...
Pat

 

[paultrafalgar]

People who commute to an office to work on a terminal shouldn't. Should be working at least part of the week at home. BTW how is "telecommuting" regarded on that side of t'pond?

 

[TylerDurden]

BTW how is "telecommuting" regarded on that side of t'pond?

It's big for many companies.

However, if the same work can be done by a drone in Delhi... away it goes.

 

[paultrafalgar]

Is that:
1. A worker bee
2. An unmanned aircraft or
3. A computer wallah?
:lol:

 

[paultrafalgar]

Is that:
1. A worker bee
2. An unmanned aircraft or
3. A computer wallah?
:lol:

Edit
EMF's right we do need flogging! SOOOOOOOOO Naughty! :lol:

 

[TylerDurden]

EMF's right we do need flogging! SOOOOOOOOO Naughty!

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

 

[pwbset]

BTW how is "telecommuting" regarded on that side of t'pond?

I'm a "web developer" and I've been trying to telecommute for 3 years with little success. If I work from home even for a day or two I inevitably get the, "oh hi you're back... how was your vacation" when I get back to my office. Unfortunately where I work "face time" is all that matters. The CEO came in the other day (rare) and mentioned "I never talk to you do I?" I said, "Sir... if you were talking to me I wouldn't be doing my job because that means something would be broken and you'd have noticed it." :lol:

The really retarded thing is that we're short on office space... I raise my hand every time this comes up... "I don't really need an office". Still have an office. :?

 

[paultrafalgar]

These people (Neandertals deleted) HAVE to change their minds! Perhaps the best approach is to point the CEO to the experience of another CEO who is enthusiastic about it. If the man at the top is convinced, you've won your battle.
Good luck, I'm sure you can Google someone up. If you can't, I'll have a look for you. Let me know.

 

[paultrafalgar]

Another approach would be to encourage legislation that makes employers pay for their employees commuting.

 

[John in CR]

The best solution is to become your own boss. I can't imagine ever going back.