First, let me say I'm sorry. I'm sure there are numerous posts like this one, but I have searched and done research and I'm still at that point where there seems to be no clear answer or just too many choices.
Me: age 42, 150lbs and commute to work on my bikes nearly every day. On a good day, I average between 17-19mph for the 10 mile trip.
My commute: 20 mile round trip on relatively flat pavement. Probably nothing more than a few 2% grades not longer than a quarter mile.
My ideal: The ability to reach 25-30mph, but cruise on partial throttle at 20-25mph with no pedaling. I'd like to be able to do this without having to charge up until I got home, but I'm not opposed to charging at work if it decreases my cost or complexity.
My input: I don't mind pedaling to get from 0-10 or 15mph and adding some leg power on the inclines.
My bikes: I have 6 or 7 bikes total, but only 2 that I'm interested in converting or might be suitable for conversion.
1) Giant Talon 29er MTB- My concerns with this bike are that it has an 8 speed drive train, is heavy and not very aerodynamic. In it's favor is a decent front fork, and hydraulic disc brakes.
2) Redline 925 single speed (700c)- This is the one I'm leaning towards. It's all steel, lighter and more aerodynamic, but it has 120mm rear end, so I think I'll be limited to a front motor. My concern is that to reach the speeds I want, I'll be putting too much power through the fork, but if I'm only using the motor for cruise and not stop and starts (the high torque part of the curve) I'm not sure that will be a problem?
My questions:
1) Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 500W for a motor should be sufficient. Should I be concerned with putting that much power through a steel road fork on the Redline? I'm thinking I'll be ok as long as I only get on the throttle once I've built up a little speed.
2) What voltage? From my research it feels like I need 48V to get the speed I want, but also feels like I might be wrong and I could get it done with 36V.
3) How much battery? I think 500 W/hrs minimum would be needed to get the job done, but when you factor in my only using the motor to cruise, could I get it done with less.
4) Battery type: Lipo is cheap and light, but complicated to operate in higher capacities. Lifepo is simple, but bulkier and more expensive. If you guys think I'll need significantly less W/hrs than I'm expecting then Lipo becomes more attractive, but if I need more than a 5-8ah battery then it becomes less so.
In summary: I could of course just throw money at the problem and probably end up with way more than I need or would want, but I'd really hate to spend $1400 when I could have spent $700. Or even worse, spend $700 and get half as much as I could have. There are just so many compromises. Either way, I really think it comes down to the battery and the fact that I have no real world experience with this stuff. And part of the battery issue is what volts I need to run. I think I know enough that I'm not restricted to a turn-key bike, but not quite enough to drill down the details.
Oh someone please help me because I just keep thinking around in circles at this point.
Me: age 42, 150lbs and commute to work on my bikes nearly every day. On a good day, I average between 17-19mph for the 10 mile trip.
My commute: 20 mile round trip on relatively flat pavement. Probably nothing more than a few 2% grades not longer than a quarter mile.
My ideal: The ability to reach 25-30mph, but cruise on partial throttle at 20-25mph with no pedaling. I'd like to be able to do this without having to charge up until I got home, but I'm not opposed to charging at work if it decreases my cost or complexity.
My input: I don't mind pedaling to get from 0-10 or 15mph and adding some leg power on the inclines.
My bikes: I have 6 or 7 bikes total, but only 2 that I'm interested in converting or might be suitable for conversion.
1) Giant Talon 29er MTB- My concerns with this bike are that it has an 8 speed drive train, is heavy and not very aerodynamic. In it's favor is a decent front fork, and hydraulic disc brakes.
2) Redline 925 single speed (700c)- This is the one I'm leaning towards. It's all steel, lighter and more aerodynamic, but it has 120mm rear end, so I think I'll be limited to a front motor. My concern is that to reach the speeds I want, I'll be putting too much power through the fork, but if I'm only using the motor for cruise and not stop and starts (the high torque part of the curve) I'm not sure that will be a problem?
My questions:
1) Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 500W for a motor should be sufficient. Should I be concerned with putting that much power through a steel road fork on the Redline? I'm thinking I'll be ok as long as I only get on the throttle once I've built up a little speed.
2) What voltage? From my research it feels like I need 48V to get the speed I want, but also feels like I might be wrong and I could get it done with 36V.
3) How much battery? I think 500 W/hrs minimum would be needed to get the job done, but when you factor in my only using the motor to cruise, could I get it done with less.
4) Battery type: Lipo is cheap and light, but complicated to operate in higher capacities. Lifepo is simple, but bulkier and more expensive. If you guys think I'll need significantly less W/hrs than I'm expecting then Lipo becomes more attractive, but if I need more than a 5-8ah battery then it becomes less so.
In summary: I could of course just throw money at the problem and probably end up with way more than I need or would want, but I'd really hate to spend $1400 when I could have spent $700. Or even worse, spend $700 and get half as much as I could have. There are just so many compromises. Either way, I really think it comes down to the battery and the fact that I have no real world experience with this stuff. And part of the battery issue is what volts I need to run. I think I know enough that I'm not restricted to a turn-key bike, but not quite enough to drill down the details.
Oh someone please help me because I just keep thinking around in circles at this point.