Eboost -kepler friction drive review and testing

[LI-ghtcycle]

Never seen one break before. How did that happen? Was this from normal operation or did you accidentally drop it on the clamp?

I started out on my trip, heard the sound that means the drive is misaligned, pulled the drive into alignment with the rear wheel, turned the handle to tighten the clamp and it snapped.
I think I'll use some leftover carpet tape and 80-grit on the inside of the next clamp to help keep it from rotating around the post.

What kind of carpet tape are you using? The stuff I tried was indoor/outdoor from Home Depot, and it lasted about 7 miles until it let loose. I have heard someone say that Gorilla Tape makes a double sided tape, that might be my next test, so far the mounting tape I have is working beautifully, but it only comes in short strips and I have to buy 2 packs (3.99 ea!) to make one trip around the motor.

You might just take some sand paper and rough up the inside of the clamp, if you put a 80 grit belt inside your clamp, it's going to continually shave down your seat-post each time you take it on and off.

I haven't had any slippage problems, but I did discover I have to really turn it tighter than I expected, and I also have a smaller sized seat post (27.2mm I believe) so I have 2 of the shims together that came with my kit, so that might make a difference, but I did also scuff up the inside & outside of the shims with sand paper.

I'd be interested too in knowing if I can source the clamps locally in case of a failure, thanks John for looking up this info.

 

[1121790]

http://www.edmwi.com/home/edm_1293407877419/page_1083/
The clamps from this source do not fit. They are too thick and the holes are too far apart.

Anyone find a source for the clamps?

 

[1121790]

I never found a source for the clamps and so had to cut and drill whatever I could get to match the holes.

I didn't make it to the street before the clamp snapped in the exact same place.

Has anyone posted a URL from which I can buy the exact same clamp that the drive is designed to use?

 

[timbits]

Take a look at a Gibraltar SC-GPRMC Power Rack Multi Clamp, its very close to the original clamp. Not a perfect match, but pretty close. Anyway , FYI

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NIMA0

I bought one from Amazon, $19.79 with free shipping on orders over $25

The holes are almost in the same location as the unit supplied with the Kepler drive , I had to file one of the holes and make it enlongated (< 1/8 " )on the amazon clamp for the bolt to go thru. The other slight difference is that on the original Kepler clamp the cast aluminum body where the bolts go thru is 25mm wide where on the Amazon clamp this is slightly wider, I measure about 28mm. Using narrower spacers would fix this issue and it looks like it would be good to go.

Hope this helps

 

[AussieJester]

Has anyone posted a URL from which I can buy the exact same clamp that the drive is designed to use?

You were just offered a replacement by the guy that invented the eboost unit! Kepler
is who you bought the drive from he owns eboo.st

Never seen one break before. How did that happen? Was this from normal operation or did you accidentally drop it on the clamp? I will organize one for you if you like

KiM

 

[Kepler]

Got them in stock guys. Send me a PM if you still need one.

 

[Hillhater]

Someone must be on the 'roids to snap 2 clamps like that ??
the way they are broken , it looks like an over tightening issue ?
is the post size matched to the clamp ?