shopping on an Etrike in winter with Uncle Ron

[Uncle Ron]

Jimmy,

"e-bike sized e-vehicles for functional comfort and usage in a broader range of less than ideal weather conditions"

I agree and congratulations and good luck with your trikes.

Yes, Lightfoot Cycles. Money no object, that would have been just the trike I would have had, but couldn't even think of affording one. Personally, I don't think that they had to go nearly as far as the full Velomobile to increase the range of usage in weather. One look at that Vehicle and you know instantly that it wouold be Hell, if not dangerous and impossible, in a heavy crosswind. I'm not surprised that it didn't go beyond prototype. It's just a bridge too far on such a light weight vehicle.

I think more along the lines of a polycarbonate fairing with wiper that simply extends up and just over the rider with the upper part heavily tinted. That would be all I'd need to keep enough of the wind, rain and snow off my face and a lot of the sun off my back, without presenting a sail to cross winds. The rest I can handle just fine with the right clothing. The 10 or 15 lbs. it would cost in weight would be easily made up for in aerodynamic efficiency.

If only for the resources. (sigh)

Uncle Ron

 

[Uncle Ron]

Hi Bluestreak,

I have done a lot of work on both trikes,the seats are saddel tractor typ seats and have been moved back and down until thay are only 26inches from the ground. very much more stable, on my BLUESTREAK TRIKE i have streached it out another 12in. and made the rear end a suspension and changed the rear axel to 5/8in. and have changed all the rear wheels and rims. my wife's trike is the red MERIDIAN and it has the (E_BIKEKIT.COM) 6x10 motor at 48volt and does about 22 mph on flat ground, mine has the CRYASTLYTE x5306. and I love them,this is the most fun I have had in all my life. anyway all you young and OLD FARTS electric is the future and have a good day. "BLUESTREAK"

What with all that apologizin' about your posting inadequacies, I almost missed this. I'm sure glad I went back, but now I'm a little creeped out. It was less than a week ago that I started thinking about doing almost process for process what you have done with your Meridians, right down to the 12" length extension. So, what did you do for handlebars, bend up the originals or get replacement chopper type bars? I've got to see this and hear more about where you found the components to make it happen, so either learn to fly pics here or send me elsewhere (facebook??).

Brilliant!!

Uncle Ron

 

[Uncle Ron]

Wolf,

I'm partial to bailing wire, and like all of us, of course, zip ties.

That's the stuff you use to open the loony bin locks, right? I'm more partial to baling wire, as it's more flexible and easier to twist with some pliers.
(sorry, I couldn't help myself)

LOL after reading the second time and realizing my spelling error. Good One! Will I ever bail myself out of this predicament. (g) BTW, what does "" stand for, "Pisser?"

BTW, I love the writing style of your webpages. More people need dry and/or light humor in their business stuff--usually they have none at all, or when they try they have offensive or unfunny attempts at humor.

Why Thank You! I do work at my writing. It gives me time to overcome the senior moments. It's real good to know that someone actually read some of it. Video ain't everything.

 

[AussieJester]

LOL after reading the second time and realizing my spelling error. Good One! Will I ever bail myself out of this predicament. (g) BTW, what does "" stand for, "Pisser?"

the "" is a text equivalent to smiley face with toungue sticking out, usually done with a hypen for the noise
"" same thing as Friendly emotion used when one makes a light hearted joke at someones expense.
I use them alot

KiM

 

[Uncle Ron]

KiM,

the "" is a text equivalent to smiley face with toungue sticking out, usually done with a hypen for the noise
"" same thing as Friendly emotion used when one makes a light hearted joke at someones expense.
I use them alot

Thank you. I was awful far off on my guess. What'll the Internet gods think of next? Probably a new language for the spelling challenged. Anything to keep the gray cells working, eh?

Uncle Ron

 

[jmygann]

I think more along the lines of a polycarbonate fairing with wiper that simply extends up and just over the rider with the upper part heavily tinted. That would be all I'd need to keep enough of the wind, rain and snow off my face and a lot of the sun off my back, without presenting a sail to cross winds. The rest I can handle just fine with the right clothing. The 10 or 15 lbs. it would cost in weight would be easily made up for in aerodynamic efficiency.

Maybe like this ? ....

[youtube]Ml2eYbSlyks[/youtube]

 

[USAEBIKECO]

cool vehicle!

 

[Uncle Ron]

Jimmy,

I think more along the lines of a polycarbonate fairing with wiper that simply extends up and just over the rider with the upper part heavily tinted. That would be all I'd need to keep enough of the wind, rain and snow off my face and a lot of the sun off my back, without presenting a sail to cross winds. The rest I can handle just fine with the right clothing. The 10 or 15 lbs. it would cost in weight would be easily made up for in aerodynamic efficiency.

Maybe like this ? ....

No. More like this which I found after writing the above.



The URL below is to a slide show of the above.

http://www.exertrike.com/photo_galleries/ExerCar_slide_show/index.html

Ron Shook

 

[jmygann]

yea, like the tilting in the front ... may not need to be that high ?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/#/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/lightbox/

OR .....

 

[Uncle Ron]

Jimmy,

I wondered about that myself. Looks like it was made to fit an NBAl center which makes the nose too blunt. Lotsa bones to pick, but still simple and relatively cheap. It's an illustration of what I was thinkin'. The one you show is certainly a lot sleeker and better lookin', but maybe a bit too enclosing for my tastes. Thanks for the look see.

Ron

yea, like the tilting in the front ... may not need to be that high ?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/#/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/lightbox/

OR .....

 

[jmygann]

Maybe a frame/shell for this trike ?

[youtube]I2zMOnlJf8E[/youtube]


with extension , might have a shape like this ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/#/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/lightbox/

 

[BLUESTREAK]

HI UNCLE RON: Just an up-date on my (BLUESTREAK TRIKE) today I finished installing my 72volt 20ah THUNDERSKY battries and had a chance to take it for a short run and the X5306 CRYASTLYTE will do 32mph on flat ground and climbs like a cat going up a tree.Bike is very stable by being streched out 12in. and the seat lowered to 26in fron the ground, The trike weighs about 300lbs. and I am 170lbs. I do have a big EV grinn on my face, next is my upgrade of rear brakes by putting a GO-KART drum brake on the rear axel. GOOD DAY

 

[Uncle Ron]

Maybe a frame/shell for this trike ?

with extension , might have a shape like this ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/#/photos/10162336@N06/5085247890/lightbox/

Thanks, Jimmy. I'm afraid I'd be just too claustrophobic in a shell like that. I don't need anything at the side or back, just a fairing that goes over my head to keep my face out of the worst of bad weather. Having that shape for the front and roof with a line much like any vehicle would be more aesthetic than most of the attempts I've seen so far, however. Thanks again.

Ron Shook

 

[Uncle Ron]

HI UNCLE RON: Just an up-date on my (BLUESTREAK TRIKE) today I finished installing my 72volt 20ah THUNDERSKY battries and had a chance to take it for a short run and the X5306 CRYASTLYTE will do 32mph on flat ground and climbs like a cat going up a tree.Bike is very stable by being streched out 12in. and the seat lowered to 26in fron the ground, The trike weighs about 300lbs. and I am 170lbs. I do have a big EV grinn on my face, next is my upgrade of rear brakes by putting a GO-KART drum brake on the rear axel. GOOD DAY

3oolbs. for the trike alone or with you in it? If the former, you must have a pretty heavy rear, extended replacement axel and I believe you said suspension system. Is the suspension for the whole rear end or just for the seat? I'd really like to see this. Is there anywhere I can go to do so or could you upload here? I'm very intrigued!

Ron Shook

 

[BLUESTREAK]

HI UNCLE RON: The rear end is a supension rear not the seat.and yes 300lbs for the trike without me in the seat, the weight adds up with the rear box that replaced the basket and a big motorcycle hard trunk that sits on top of the box that holds all the 40lbs of 72volt 20ah TS battries and all the electronics along with all the stuff that you might need and feel safe with that you can fix things on the road, like a spare seneorless controller,a small car jack stand incase of a flat tire, spare tube and a bag with 15lbs of tools that you might need to fix anything that might go bad plus its loaded with lights,brake,turn signal.horns.flashers,and strob lights. I will get pictures since one of my sons is comming for a visit in DEC. and he helps with this stuff. Sorry to keep you in a state of frustration. Have a good day. COOPER

 

[Uncle Ron]

I will get pictures since one of my sons is comming for a visit in DEC. and he helps with this stuff. Sorry to keep you in a state of frustration. Have a good day. COOPER

Hey Cooper,

I can't wait for the pics, but I guess I'll have to. Boo-hoo! Don't crack up with such heavy power before the picture taking. At least the weight holds the speed down to somewhat reasonable. (g) Stay safe. Ron

 

[sk8norcal]

[youtube]TlVAVay2ARM[/youtube]

 

[USAEBIKECO]

Rons trike is a pretty good build. Ive seen it close up. Looks safe and you can see he takes it for errands around pothole infested Chicago. Its a pretty good idea in my opinion.

Hey ron are you doing the critical mass ride on friday? It starts at daley plaza 530pm

 

[Uncle Ron]

[youtube]TlVAVay2ARM[/youtube]

sk,

There's a simple elegance to this that I like. Translated to a tadpole trike, it could wrap around the front and go to just over the rider on a lot lower trajectory. I wonder if that's just plexiglass?

Ron Shook

 

[Uncle Ron]

Rons trike is a pretty good build. Ive seen it close up. Looks safe and you can see he takes it for errands around pothole infested Chicago. Its a pretty good idea in my opinion.

Hey ron are you doing the critical mass ride on friday? It starts at daley plaza 530pm

Lester,

Thanks for the pat on the back.

I won't be doing the critical mass thingy. I don't have enough juice to get there and back and take the long ride as my bad legs don't help me out much. I need to get off the lead acids eventually and get 2 or 3 lithiums to do something like that. And, oh yeah, a much better seat. (g)

I'm gonna come see you again early next week as something has come up that might interest you.

Ron Shook

 

[BLUESTREAK]

HI RON: Look at (BIKEWORLDUSA.COM) Thay have a saddel seat just made for trikes and it fits the MERIDIAN just perfect.

 

[jmygann]

I don't need anything at the side or back, just a fairing that goes over my head to keep my face out of the worst of bad weather. Having that shape for the front and roof with a line much like any vehicle would be more aesthetic than most of the attempts I've seen so far, however. Thanks again.

Ron Shook

maybe like this ....

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/lorax-900-mpg-hauler-the-solar-tricycle.php

 

[Uncle Ron]

Look at (BIKEWORLDUSA.COM) Thay have a saddel seat just made for trikes and it fits the MERIDIAN just perfect.

Cooper,

Didn't see anything there I liked, but thanks anyway!

 

[Uncle Ron]

maybe like this ....

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/lorax-900-mpg-hauler-the-solar-tricycle.php

Jimmy,

Now we are getting somewhere. That's closer to what I've envisioned for long touring. It's the first tadpole I've seen designed to haul and do real work and the fairing does the trick that needs to be done. But why, oh, why, does it have to be so butt ugly when a bit of reshaping of the line would improve it so much aesthetically:



The other bone I'd pick with the trike design for safety is to increase the wheel base by moving the front wheels forward 6 or 8 inches. It's fine as is when there's a load in back, but without that load, I'd fear pitching onto my nose in a panic stop. Dontcha think?

Following a link, the creator mentioned adding zip or snap in soft side panels to the sides of the fairing which is something I'd thought about as well for the worst weather.

Thanks for finding this!

 

[jmygann]

so ..I'm thinking like this ....