Feedback on my bike please.

[qtipslea]

Hi all,

Some of you might remember me from the "Complete e-Bike Kit for $500 shipped?" thread.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32449

My bike got stolen this morning.

I'm just glad I didn't have the e-Bike Kit installed on it yet. Went and bought a used Schwinn Sierra MTB that has chrome moly frame and fork (I checked with a magnet to make sure its steel)

The bike has a quick release front wheel and after a bit of Googling, I found dogman's old thread in regard to installing e-Bike front kit onto quick release fork.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14222

Going to order two Spacer "C" Washers from e-Bikes.ca as a result of the thread. No torque arm since it was recommended in the thread to only use torque arm on 35+ AMP controllers. I ordered the smaller MXUS 350W geared motor from cellman which comes with a 17 AMP controller.

http://www.emissions-free.com/catalog/i16.html

Two things that are missing from the old bike that I need, and hence this thread. One is the fenders, which I will go to a bike store and hope they can find something that fit. Second and most important one is a chain guard.

How the heck do I get a chain guard on to this? Those sharps front gear already ripped my work jeans apart.

Any ideas?

 

[amberwolf]

If the shop doesn't have a chain guard that will fit over it, or a protector ring to put on the largest chainring, you can make your own chain guard out of a number of materials. Some of them are even free around this time of year here in the USA, at least--coroplast is commonly found in political signage for elections, and is often blown all over the roads and yards where it is then just trash, after storms.

Google around and you can find instruction pages on how to make your own chain guard from plastic sheet or coroplast, and some of them look pretty nice, too.

Then you can still look around for a metal one made for the purpose, and replace yours, if you like.


In the meantime, you might want to look at "pant leg protectors" whcih are basically velcro straps to wrap around your lower leg above the ankle, to prevent wind from blowing your pant leg into the chainring. Some have elastic, some don't, some are even highly reflective for night riding. You can just use big rubber bands for this if you like, or string, or velcro cargo straps, etc.

 

[dogman dan]

I guess I better revisit that thread, a torque arm is still a good idea. I just don't feel it's mandatory on steel forks till you have more power. But the C washers, or grinding down the stock washerd to fit better sure is.

Bummer getting the bike stole. At the house, or from a rack locked up? New neighbors just moved in, put a trek bike "on display" more or less in the back yard. They couldn't belive it dissapeared right away. I rode by and saw it daily, and couldn't belive it took two weeks. Thier house is the middle school bus stop btw. Mines one house down, but my dogs keep em from even wanting to look in my backyard. You see em hurry by, and they don't even think of teasing my dogpack. Neighbors have a dog now.

Re the chainguard, the easiset way could be to swap cranks to one that has one. Buy a used crank at a shop, or a broken down bike at the flea for $10. But in fact, once you have the motor you will have the chain on that ring, and stop snagging the pants. You'll still get them dirty, so dry lube is good. Also you can get various devices to restrain the pants. The metal clip ones are the easiest, but a rubber band from the paper works too.

If you put a rear rack on the bike, you can make a fender out of scrounged material for the rear. The rack can support anything, plastic signs, foam fatugue mat, cut to make a fender. The front you'll have to buy an add on fender.

 

[qtipslea]

I'm going into my local bike shop tomorrow to get the Fenders and look at their options for chain guard.

I found the MXUS 36V 350W Geared Ebike Kit installation guide for the kit Cellman sell. In the guide it does not mentioned that the kit includes the bolts and screws to mount it in the front wheel.

http://www.sunpart-mobil.ch/media/f4906fd18085961effff94b7ffa86321.pdf

My current front wheel has a quick release installation. I don't think it would be wise to move this over since you want something sturdy and permanent right?

PS: Couldn't find any guides on creating your own chain guard out of coroplast or plastic. Maybe I'm not using the correct Google terms.

PPS: I think I might replace this bike. I want a disc brake for the upcoming winter. Can't seems to find any steel bike that has disc brake in my price range though.

 

[dogman dan]

The motor has a non replaceable axle, so no way to use QR. It will come with the bolts and washers you need to attach it to a flat dropout, but often the washer is oversize to fit in a QR type dropout.

 

[ecowheelz]

What's that first bike you have pictured? The white one. It got stolen? Pretty cool looking bike...

 

[qtipslea]

The motor has a non replaceable axle, so no way to use QR. It will come with the bolts and washers you need to attach it to a flat dropout, but often the washer is oversize to fit in a QR type dropout.

Ah thanks. The spacer C washer from ebikes.ca got ordered and being shipped. The kit and battery from Cellman also got shipped this week.

Went to my local bike shop (Cyclepath) and got fenders and had it installed. End up costing nearly $70. The bike was bought for $70. Sheesh eh?

Still, not having muddy water on my back when it rain should be worth it.

What's that first bike you have pictured? The white one. It got stolen? Pretty cool looking bike...

Its a Batavus BUB. Very comfortable bike but its also very heavy (all those metals). Always had problem lifting it to the bike rack on buses. With the new used bike, I can now lift it with 2 hands!