Why not a Sidewalker?

[GASSTINKS]

I test rode an Ego and was impressed with the way it handled. The performance is respectable, but two-grand for a 24 mph top end, as well as the limited life of sla batteries seems a bit steep.

Anyone try a Sidewalker Downhill for a donor bike?

http://www.sidewalkerusa.com/old/model_downhill.htm

Mount the battery to the foot deck (or a couple along the down-tube), use a dual-speed 400 motor on the back wheel if you need torque for hills, then just hang on. I imagine that with some creativity, one could fashion a place to sit (or not). On a regular bike, the drive train seems a bit superfluous at 20+ mph anyway.

 

[dogman dan]

Not superfulous to the Police. Must have peadles to be a bike, get yer butt off the bike trail. Stupid, but for now the law in a lot of places. The tiny scooters may just get away with it by stealth, and low speed, but a big road rocket, ticket time.

 

[GASSTINKS]

The only problem I might have from cops around these parts (Orange County, Ca) is if I concealed the battery with a Dunkin Donuts box. They're absolutely oblivious.

Seriously, though. Isn't that platform a good one for a basic e-scooter / moped vs. spending $2000 on an Ego?

 

[fechter]

I've seen a couple of them. Seems like it would work well with a hub motor.
Here's a very early one made with an EV warrior kit:

 

[GASSTINKS]

Here's a very early one made with an EV warrior kit:

Cool. The Downhill version seems beafy enough to handle the added weight, as well as smoothing the ride with front suspension.

I found something similar on Electricrider.com (big standup scooter), but that one's a bit faster than I would want to travel while standing on two feet.

 

[michaelplogue]

I've been using a Diggler frame - very similar to the Sidewalker - with a 5303 on a 20" wheel @ 36V. Works terrific! Top speed of 24mph and get better than one mile per amp-hour on hilly terrain. Never been stopped by the police and have been riding it in DC/VA/MD all summer.

I assembled my own, but Diggler is now selling them with motors (I'm guessing Xlite 4x).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPpjb_uZr6Y

 

[GASSTINKS]

I've been using a Diggler frame - very similar to the Sidewalker - with a 5303 on a 20" wheel @ 36V. Works terrific! Top speed of 24mph and get better than one mile per amp-hour on hilly terrain. Never been stopped by the police and have been riding it in DC/VA/MD all summer.

I never knew those existed. That looks like a scooter that can handle the rigors of being electrified. Isn't standing while moving 24 mph a bit sketchy?

I checked out the Youtube video ... that's pretty cool!

 

[michaelplogue]

I've been also riding a Goped ESR for several years now (20 mph), so transitioning to this has been no problem. In fact, I'm much more secure on this one instead of the ESR due to the larger wheel size. The ESR has small (but wide) 10" wheels, and they are pretty rough on a lot of the streets here in DC - so I normally rode it on the sidewalks at a much slower speed. The Diggler allows me to ride on the streets (and sidewalks when necessary) with much more confidence. You are in a full standing posture so you can see all around you and there is less strain on your neck as you may get on some bicycles. Handle-bar mirrors are just not practical for these scooters (you have to look almost straight down and to the side - loosing sight to what's in front of you), so I will probably get a helmet-mounted mirror like the BugEye ( http://www.bugeyes.com/) .

The stock deck was only 6" wide, so I had a custom 12" deck CNC-ed to my specifications.

Because I currently have to haul this up a narrow & steep stairway (three flights), I've kept the batteries in removable panniers. However, the Velcro is rapidly deteriorating and I'm having a hard time keeping them on the frame. Eventually I will permanently attach some small ABS pistol cases for the batteries.

I should also be receiving soon my custom torque and nut-retention arms so I can get rid of the stock Xlite ones.

With stand up scooters, I've found that the thumb throttle is best. Since you don't have a third point of contact by not having a seat, your grip is pretty important. The full and half grip throttles put just too much strain on your hand trying to keep it steady, and bumps will cause you to accidentally accelerate - which can be a bad thing depending on your situation.

This particular model uses disc brakes on both front and rear wheels. I chose to mount the motor on the back - which resulted in me loosing the rear brake. I can still stop fine, but I will eventually have an adapter welded on so I can mount caliper rim brakes. Another option would be to go with a front hub motor that has a front disc like the Velectis or Ezee (the rear wheel is the same size as a standard front bicycle wheel).

http://www.ebikestop.com/brake_brake_adaptors))351.php

I think if I was going to do this again, I would use the Xlite 3504 @ 48V instead of my 5303 @ 36V. Although it climbs hills just fine, I'd like a bit more pick-up to get across intersections quicker. The 3504 x 48V configuration would also provide a bit greater top speed - not that it really needs it.

 

[Link]

helmet-mounted mirror like the BugEye ( http://www.bugeyes.com/) .

I was expecting those to look a lot stupider than they do. They're pretty discreet, actually.

 

[Eric G]

Anyone try a Sidewalker Downhill for a donor bike?

http://www.sidewalkerusa.com/old/model_downhill.htm

I believe fellow forum member Lock has a ride similar to that.

Eric

 

[GASSTINKS]

Thanks for the pics. Must be nice to not worry about saddle soreness. Have you considered swapping the knobbies for some high-pressure street tires? I wonder if you could squeeze one-or-two more miles-per-hour out of it.

 

[michaelplogue]

I have, but I'll probably wait until these start showing a bit of wear. Right now, the tires are the noisiest things on this thing.......

 

[Lock]

Anyone try a Sidewalker Downhill for a donor bike?
http://www.sidewalkerusa.com/old/model_downhill.htm

I believe fellow forum member Lock has a ride similar to that.Eric

Two Currie-built Phat Flyers like these:
View attachment 1
... Made 8-10 yrs ago. One in Thailand and one in Taiwan... One branded Oxygen. Over 10,000kms surfing Toronto sidewalks on a RUM ("Restricted Use Motorcycle")

I love the things. My neighbours and fellow commuters... about 99% of `em, really like the concept. Governments, not so much <grin>

My next machine is designed around a front hub motor (bought a 16" cast brushed C-Lyte from Joshua for a prototype, but expect to go brushless eventually.) Waiting for a 48v 10ah LifePO4 pack to arrive.
I love the things because they are so small. Easier to move around through doors and indoors. One flew with me as "luggage".

Truth is, Curries are not true kick machines, and I have the scarred ankles to prove it hehe

I use `em as "hybrids" not just in the the choice of propulsion but in the way trips flow between walking and kicking and motoring. On the sidewalks I have to interact with pedestrians, not cars and trucks so much.

My scooter highways look like this in our busy rush-hours:


I looked at Sidewalkers, Digglers, Kickbike et al... not satisfied that the back end is small enough to avoid the bleeding

So I'm going *really* small now with a deck that tapers to the back like a teardrop. Maybe a 6" wheel at back. Maybe an inline skate blade. Dunno. I want to be able to go to an agressive tread in front and snap a ski on the back for winters. Often in am commutes I am breaking trails in virgin powder. Otta be fun in the parks also.

EU folks are more into kicks:
http://www.youtube.com/v/ttJkOJeCbSU&hl=en

Czech "Rollo" league in 2006 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlhfOfgJk_c

Still figure I can get the pack into the deck, but the deck needs to be as thin as possible to maintain ground clearance while staying close to ground to make kicking comfortable...

More from me blabbing on and on about this stuff here:
http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=113&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=14

Tks
Lock

 

[snowcrow]

Nice ride michaelplogue!!! The wheel size looks to be just about right for around here, not those little tiny ones that disappear in a small hole!!

I like your ABS pistol cases idea too, but I haven't been able to find them deep enough to hold SLA yet. Do you know where I can find a couple?

Blessings, Snow Crow

 

[michaelplogue]

Nice ride michaelplogue!!! The wheel size looks to be just about right for around here, not those little tiny ones that disappear in a small hole!!

I like your ABS pistol cases idea too, but I haven't been able to find them deep enough to hold SLA yet. Do you know where I can find a couple?

Blessings, Snow Crow

Thanks! The site below has a nice search feature so you can provide some dimensions of the case you are looking for. Makes it a lot easier than random google searches..... :wink:

http://www.casesbysource.com/

.

 

[snowcrow]

Thanks for the link michaelplogue!! After looking at the prices and weight of the boxes I've decided to stick with the panniers and use a good lining of foam. As it is, the bike, batteries, and me, come up to 250 lbs. Blessings, Snow Crow

 

[ururk]

Regarding the "pistol" cases, I bought a Pelican case. Pelican's site has a nice case calculator. As for where to buy... you can get Pelican cases inexpensively on the net, just have to google a bit. I got one from here:

http://www.storesonline.com/site/529271/

and was able to pay via PayPal. Another place that sells them is this place:

http://www.casesbymasco.com

though I've never ordered from them.

 

[snowcrow]

Regarding the "pistol" cases, I bought a Pelican case. Pelican's site has a nice case calculator. As for where to buy... you can get Pelican cases inexpensively on the net, just have to google a bit. I got one from here:

http://www.storesonline.com/site/529271/

and was able to pay via PayPal. Another place that sells them is this place:

http://www.casesbymasco.com

though I've never ordered from them.

Thanks for the links ururk, but I think I'll stick with the nylon panniers for now. I'm running 48v (SLA) so I would need two boxes @ 2lbs each. The nylon panniers only weigh about a pound total. I'm trying to shed as much weight as possible because of all the hill climbing here in Vermont. When I can afford it, I,ll be changing the handle bars, post, etc.... to aluminum and go with a li battery ping pack, to shed even more weight 8) At the rate storms have been washing out roads and bridges around here, I may have to do a portage over or around spots, so.... lighter is better Blessings, Snow Crow