I've been doing some shopping lately on ebikes.ca and general browsing around trying to figure out how best to turn my Surly Disc Trucker into a toddler transport machine and I'm hoping to get some answers to some questions i haven't been able to find. I would likely go with a setup where i have a torque sensing bottom braket of some type (not sure on the model to choose) and then also a throttle in the mix, probably a half-twist.
I am torn between a GMAC motor or going for the quieter but heavier 9c RH-212. I would prefer the smaller size of the GMAC for sure, but I'm not sure if the noise would bother me or not; I also think i would prefer the look since it would look less like "hey i'm an ebike!". Any thoughts there? It's worth mentioning that I live in Vancouver, Canada and my commute of about 30km roundtrip would definitely involve some hills with a max grade of about 3%. I would LOVE to see a video of someone riding the GMAC in normal city conditions so i could hear how it sounds. In addition to this, is there really much concern about stripping gears etc?
The other questions i haven't been able to find answers to are how things like proportional regen works in practice.. like, how does it work physically? Do you pull the brake lever and then do you need to keep holding that slightly pulled while you turn the throttle to modulate the braking force of regen? Related to this, if you're using regen, how or when does the throttle turn back to throttle mode?.. is it when you release the brake, or when you start pedaling again?
To complicate things, I'm wondering about touring weights and hills. As some might know, this bike is meant to be a touring bike and that's what I've used it for in the past. I now have a kid so it's primary function is toddler transport right now, but I could forsee at least some weekend camping trips for myself and maybe with the kid as he gets a bit older. I realize i would need to organize these trips around being at a campsite with power at some point, but I'm wondering if either motor i mentioned would be better for hill climbing with a full load of paniers? What is important here other than just amp hours? is 36V going to provide enough grunt or should i be thinking more in the 52V range.
One final thing, does anyone know how grin's website stock system works? It will let me choose parts for a RTR system but then say something like -147 available, but not tell me what part they don't have. Obviously, I can just call and ask, but just wondering if anyone knows.
Stephen
I am torn between a GMAC motor or going for the quieter but heavier 9c RH-212. I would prefer the smaller size of the GMAC for sure, but I'm not sure if the noise would bother me or not; I also think i would prefer the look since it would look less like "hey i'm an ebike!". Any thoughts there? It's worth mentioning that I live in Vancouver, Canada and my commute of about 30km roundtrip would definitely involve some hills with a max grade of about 3%. I would LOVE to see a video of someone riding the GMAC in normal city conditions so i could hear how it sounds. In addition to this, is there really much concern about stripping gears etc?
The other questions i haven't been able to find answers to are how things like proportional regen works in practice.. like, how does it work physically? Do you pull the brake lever and then do you need to keep holding that slightly pulled while you turn the throttle to modulate the braking force of regen? Related to this, if you're using regen, how or when does the throttle turn back to throttle mode?.. is it when you release the brake, or when you start pedaling again?
To complicate things, I'm wondering about touring weights and hills. As some might know, this bike is meant to be a touring bike and that's what I've used it for in the past. I now have a kid so it's primary function is toddler transport right now, but I could forsee at least some weekend camping trips for myself and maybe with the kid as he gets a bit older. I realize i would need to organize these trips around being at a campsite with power at some point, but I'm wondering if either motor i mentioned would be better for hill climbing with a full load of paniers? What is important here other than just amp hours? is 36V going to provide enough grunt or should i be thinking more in the 52V range.
One final thing, does anyone know how grin's website stock system works? It will let me choose parts for a RTR system but then say something like -147 available, but not tell me what part they don't have. Obviously, I can just call and ask, but just wondering if anyone knows.
Stephen