New e-bike design in process

[BradHobday]

Hey all. I'm real close to finishing this e-bike design and wanted to get some feedback on the looks and specs before I start building the body (I have all the all parts and am building the aluminum frame now, body panels to follow after I finish the modeling...picture is just the rough shape not final). I wanted to design a 2-wheeler that I could use as a commuter vehicle that was comfortable like a recumbent, but with full lights and up high enough (50" high) so I would not be looking at car bumpers and hoping they saw me. Added a polycarbonate semi-covering for looks and light rain (although couldn't get it down to my feet without it looking stupid). Uses a rear hub motor (H3540), 26" custom wheels, BB7 disc brakes + regen, all lights and horn, V3 cycle analyst, 30A controller, 36V - 30Ah batteries for 20mph and 60-70 mile range. Weighing in at about 125lb. Guys at Grin (ebikes.ca) have helped me with the parts. Hoping there is a market for this after I work out all the bugs, but realize this is a very niche design at about a $5K price range so maybe not. Anyway...let me know what you think.
BradH

 

[MeanGene36542]

I take it the actual prototype will have pedals... but even if so, at 36v it won't be too much of a hill climber. I'd rather see a 48v set up if you seek a US market. I think your range is a bit optimistic as well. Looks kind of interesting though!

 

[BradHobday]

Yea, haven't decided on the pedals yet. I know I need the for ebike class, but don't really want them. My initial goal was to do 48v or 72v and run at 35-40 mph and stay on back roads to get to work, but thought if I could go down and classify as an ebike and use bike parts it would be much easier, and safer to get started. Will have to decide if I add them or sell just as kits if I get that far.

 

[motomech]

It's a electric motorcycle.

 

[gogo]

Side wind testing?

 

[BradHobday]

You guys are probably right. Been trying to keep this at bike status for simplicity (and wanted to cruise the back roads with just a bike helmet and not a DOT), but not my main objective. I can't see this riding with bikes on a bike trail and don't think I would want to make it that. I'll see about kicking this over to the scooter/motorcycle section.

 

[BradHobday]

That would be great if you could. Thanks!

 

[svt/r&d]

Yeah needs pedals to get out of the Red Tape

 

[craiggor]

Nice.reminds me of a Quasar motorcycle.

 

[BradHobday]

Wow...I think I've seen a picture of the quasar before, but thought it was just a homemade vehicle and not a production bike (albeit very limited production). Thanks for bringing it to my attention because I've been reading a little about the history of the design. Very interesting

 

[ErnestoA]

It's neat! Definitely needs pedals though, and a mid drive/transmission for weight and versatility reasons. Maybe add a zip in, fan inflated, encapsulation bubble for rainy days?

Off topic:
If you'd ever consider donating a few hours of your excellent rendering skills to an anti-profit, open source trike project, PM me! Happy to share years of EV prototyping knowledge in return.

 

[BradHobday]

My main goal for this was a commuter vehicle that could do about 40-45 mph for local travel on non-highway roads. After being intimidated by DOT requirements and being a newbie to electrics I figured I'd start by staying under 20mph and classify as a bike for simplicity. I posted this first in the ebike section of endless-sphere and they made me realize that i didnt really want to add pedals (other requirement to be classified as a bike) and was really designing a motor vehicle so they kindly moved me to this section...hence the pedal comments. I'm now updating the design for DOT set-up instead of a bike. Not anticipating much change in the look though with the tires getting just I little heavier (but still 26" x 2.75), higher voltage (I have enough for 48V now, but will need 60 or 72 if i can squeeze in at 40Ah for range. Would like to increase the windsheild size for weather, but main goal is the look and worried about too wide and side wind. Will see how this tests out and move forward. Was being very cautious of the FF (feet forward) design since there is really nothing out there to learn from and wondering if there were some catastrophic failures that I wasn't aware of that haunted this look. After reading about the Quasar I feel much better and understand it's just a lost genre of vehicles.

Regarding the CAD, too busy right now to do anything else, but share with me offline if its just something to draw quickly and not have to develope.
Brad

 

[sk8norcal]

u might like these,

velokraft
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24887

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=54072
http://nestofdragons.net/my-electric-vehicles/carbon-funbike.aspx

http://tiltingvehicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/feet-first-motorcycles.html

 

[agniusm]

Very similar

 

[mistercrash]

Riding an e-scooter for close to four years in all kinds of weather here in Canada, the only design I see in here which is interesting is this one. The body offers good protection for the rider against the elements like wind and water or mud splashing up on either sides from the front wheel.

The rest is all really cool looking toys to play with where it's always warm and sunny. Not really serious commuters. Most of the body of the rider is exposed to the elements, and if you happen to hit a puddle, the front wheel will splash water on your feet, under your thighs and on your hips, with water seeping down between your butt and seat. It all needs fairings to protect the rider from getting excessively wet from water or frost bitten from the cold wind.

 

[sk8norcal]

forgot about this guy,
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22779

Riding an e-scooter for close to four years in all kinds of weather here in Canada,

i agree, the regular scooter design is hard to beat for practicality.
i do like maxi-scooters, they have a more FF element, but not true FF/recumbent.