Video: Take A Wild Ride With Forest-Trail Xyster

[xyster]

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The attachments in this post below are accessory files for the video and don't need to be clicked.

 

[Deepkimchi]

Would have been nice to hear a song. Don't know what your voice sounds like.. :wink:

 

[xyster]

Would have been nice to hear a song. Don't know what your voice sounds like.. :wink:

Like mating cats when I sing; so I leave the tune-producing to the birds.

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

where's the sheep?

 

[xyster]

where's the sheep?

How often do you see sheep in a forest?

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

I was just asking generally.

 

[xyster]

I was just asking generally.

Oh. The sheep are grazing in nearby pastures. If you're that lonely, I can take some video for you of sheep you might find attractive. :lol:

I see....
a business opportunity in Toorbough's future:
http://www.sheep-match.com/

 

[The7]

From the video, the max current is limited to 35A by the controller during acceration.

Wondering if the current is set higher (say 45A), the acceration would be better?

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

No, nothing like that (altho...)

I just got the subliminal impression from somewhere that at your location there's rural sheep everywhere.

 

[xyster]

From the video, the max current is limited to 35A by the controller during acceration.

Correct, it's a yet-unmodified 35 amp crystalyte controller.

Wondering if the current is set higher (say 45A), the acceration would be better?

Most definitely. But the stock FETs would almost surely blow. My next mod is to have the stock FETs replaced with IRFB 4110s, and a variable current limiter installed. Then, the controller will handle over 96 volts and 80 amps. But I'd still need to do something about my batteries, which can safely provide only 40 amps or so.

 

[beast775]

what a clear great video!havent seen one like that for a while.looks like a great place to ride.

 

[xyster]

what a clear great video!havent seen one like that for a while.looks like a great place to ride.

Thanks beast. Hosting it myself allows me to control the compression settings. There's still a fair bit of loss at this compression, but nothing extreme like when using Goo-Tube et al.

 

[primalfuture]

That looked like an awesome ride ... what great scenery and what a great bike! Now you just need to duct tape a boom box on top of your battery box, hit the streets, and start blasting Judas Priest's "Breakin' the Law!" Be sure to post the video here, this time WITH audio! :lol: Seriously though, I'm VERY envious of your bike's performance!

 

[xyster]

That looked like an awesome ride ... what great scenery and what a great bike! Now you just need to duct tape a boom box on top of your battery box, hit the streets, and start blasting Judas Priest's "Breakin' the Law!" Be sure to post the video here, this time WITH audio! :lol: Seriously though, I'm VERY envious of your bike's performance!

Thanks, Primalfuture. I had to edit the best parts because of bumps, and riding the steeper inclines the camera pointed at the ground. I've also ridden some Lane County logging roads (for the majority of out-of-towners, where Eugene and I guess primalfuture is ).

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

Actually that's a long standing question I've never got a clear answer to.

How much bumpier is the ride on 20 inch wheels?

And any other possible concessions to handling, clearance while turning or what have you.
Did you have to adjust your riding style any to accomodate life on 20 inches?
Of course the differences may not be as manifest for you since you're coming off 24", plus your used to riding a scooter with small wheels.
If possible I'd like others with small drive wheels to chime in on this as well, saves me from having to duplicate the question.

Reason I ask is that although I understand the benefits of going with a smaller drive wheel, I'm actually thinking of going the other way.
A 29" wheel for tackling ruts in pack ice would be nice, which are already teeth shattering on 26" wheels.
But if there's not too much of a trade-off with 20", the extra thrust would be of prime benefit to plow thru snow since my max speed on icy roads almost never exceeds 12mph.

 

[xyster]

Actually that's a long standing question I've never got a clear answer to.

How much bumpier is the ride on 20 inch wheels?

I can't tell any difference in bumpiness.

And any other possible concessions to handling, clearance while turning or what have you.

The bike is maybe 20% more sensitive to turning input from the rider. Pedal clearance is the same as with the 24" because I raised the rear end by the same amount by extending the shock absorber mount. Turning clearance is likewise the same. There's 2.5" less clearance of the rear triangle and rear the derailleur. But that's not been a problem.

Did you have to adjust your riding style any to accomodate life on 20 inches?

Not in any significant way. The bike turns a little easier now, and with a little tighter turning radius.

Of course the differences may not be as manifest for you since you're coming off 24", plus your used to riding a scooter with small wheels.

True. My old 24" wheel was really 25" though because of the high profile hookworm tire. The 20" hookworm isn't a high profile tire, so the 20" is really 20" and the difference is 5".

Reason I ask is that although I understand the benefits of going with a smaller drive wheel, I'm actually thinking of going the other way.
A 29" wheel for tackling ruts in pack ice would be nice, which are already teeth shattering on 26" wheels.

Do you expect there to be enough of a difference to warrant the switch? I'd think that the ruts that catch a 26" will probably catch a 29" too. And do you have enough frame clearance for a 29"? The 20" switch has provided another 2.5" of clearance under my back rack. Now if I wanted to I could hang batteries or other stuff from the bottom of the rack.

But if there's not too much of a trade-off with 20", the extra thrust would be of prime benefit to plow thru snow since my max speed on icy roads almost never exceeds 12mph.

In addition to 25% more thrust, the 20" wheel makes handling feel a little more like my scooter -- more fun that is. If it was technically more feasible, I'd change the front wheel to 20" too. But I have rim brakes, and no way to extend the front forks to keep the ground clearance the same, as I did for the rear triangle.

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

Actually I was looking over a whole new 29er bike to make the conversion for a winter bike. I would think the extra 3 inches plus fat tyres should make rolling over rough terrain easier, but won't know till I try it. Since it sounds like going smaller isn't too drastic a change it's defiantly the cheaper/easier way to go. Now if you were to make the front wheel smaller, I should think that's got to change the ride somehow. Anyway, thanx for your insight & helping me to decide what to do. A 29 inch bike still intrigues me but will probably have to wait for another winter.

BTW, hanging batteries under the rack is an idea I've had for a long time even with 26" wheels. I figure a couple of tubes along the top inside corners so that they're parallel on either side the wheel. In fact it always bugs me to see the luggage space of a rack eaten up by the battery pack. In my view, the pack should be the rack. There's a picture of what I'm talking about that I'll try to find. It's from the toy hydrogen powered car website where he had what looked like a Brompton with the fuel cell mounted in back & the luggage railing on top of the fuel cell.

 

[flip_normal]

In my view, the pack should be the rack.

this is just for ideas, maybe you can find something similar in your local area.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MicGoods-eShop_Electric-bike_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ12499264QQftidZ2QQtZkm

 

[deecanio]

Hey Xy,

how's the 20" ?
looking a lot faster on the acceleration - i was hoping you'd gone for a blast in the forest itself


cheers


D

 

[xyster]

Hey Xy,

how's the 20" ?
looking a lot faster on the acceleration - i was hoping you'd gone for a blast in the forest itself

Hey D,

I'm loving the 20 still. I look forward to blasting through the forest proper while shooting some righteous vid to share, but that will have to weight until I can lighten the 15kg battery load with a 5-8kg 96v 6-9ah emoli off-roadin' pack.

How's your bike coming, BTW? Is the brand new wife-unit allowing you to work on it?

 

[deecanio]

Hey Xy,

haha yes the wife is happy as a lady who just got wed and had a cracking honeymoon with a damn handsome hubby
my bike is ready for final specialist build on the seat and mounts but i'm just holding on to my cash as knoxie is weaving his test magic with some new pumas and a new controller - cant tell you more as i dont know yet he's only testing this week - fingers crossed i'll get my 72v puma setup after all.
I've decided if that fails i'll probably get a X5 and some new batts and take inspiration from you and lowell's monster


cheers


D