The eBike Thread

[Williamson]

Some you will already be aware that I ventured into the World of eBikes earlier this year.  I had been looking around, keeping my finger on the pulse, waiting for the right time to enter.  After all, they can be pricey - they start at expensive, and then prices go up.

But when an ad pops up on the laptop with a 250w Fortis eBike from Kogan (Dick Smith) for $899 instead of the normal $1499, I pounced.

 

I found out a couple of weeks later that I'd been ripped-off as the sale price dropped to $799, or $769 for members - Que Cera Cera.

 

Anyways, the eBike is the second best time you can have with your pants on.  As I sat on the edge of the bed this morning getting ready for a bike ride, I said to myself, ST or Fortis, Fortis or ST, Fortis won.

 

The bike - like most things, you get what you pay for a cheap bike at a cheap price.  Oh, it's a solid, sturdy, durable piece of kit, but came with a few faults, one being the chain kept coming off the chain ring, and the brakes (mechanical cable) disc brakes were pretty soft and hard to adjust.

 

The chain - being an ex-bicycle shop owner and chief bicycle mechanic (and a legend in my own mind), I put a bit of thought into this problem.  I then observed the off-set in alignment (miss-alignment) between the chain ring and the rear gear cluster.  An easy fix with the right tools, flipped the bottom bracket axle 180⁰, problem solved.

 

The brakes - this was my first foray into bicycle disc brakes and an attempt to adjust them resulted in a loud snap, twang and clunk - I effed that didn't I. 

 

Back to lap to, order a new caliper, another to match $20 each, only to find when they arrived a couple of days later that each $20 bought a f/r pair.  Anyone want a f/r pair of calipers?   In the course of replacement I found that I didn't bust the caliper, could have fixed it, but went ahead with the replacement anyway.  Glad I did, as the newbies work better, much better.

 

The ride - my normal 14km commute to and from work would take around 55 minutes on the pushy, I'd arrive hot a sweaty, need 30 minutes to cool down, then take a shower and change into my office clothes. 

 

On the eBike, the ride is 40 minutes, I arrive cool, calm and collected in my office clothes. 

 

A couple of weekend rides have been 55km to 60km, I'm very much enjoying my Fortis eBike. 
 

[Bodø]

a legend in my own mind

I so find this hard to believe.   

[ppopeye]

Sounds like fun Michael. My Reid ie cheepo mountain bike had mechanical disc brakes and to be kind they are total rubbish but stop eventually.
An ebike is low on my list but love to try a couple.

[Williamson]

Sounds like fun Michael. My Reid ie cheepo mountain bike had mechanical disc brakes and to be kind they are total rubbish but stop eventually.
An ebike is low on my list but love to try a couple.

If / when we catch-up for another coffee at Beasleys.  I'll bring the Fortis, rather than the Giant.


But that brings me eBike no. 2....

Tried to do the right thing by a mate of a mate, built-up an eBike for him. A kit, his bike and our time and effort, although I worked out pretty early on that it was 0% his effort and 100% mine - Que Sera, Sera.

This was more complicated than I thought, and I've learn't from some mistakes, eg:
  *  He bought and paid for the motor kit, but this didn't include the battery, anyway it was delivered to my address.
  *  He source a battery separately.
  *  The assembly is okay, some loose ends, mainly concealing tidying-up cables and wires.

Problem is now he is ill, it's not a good outlook, and he wants me to sell it - this will be once I get the loose ends tidied-up, and it'll go on Facebook Market Place.

The good thing about the kit is it's a 1000w (technically only for off-road use) with front drive motor, and man-o-man does it go?  Yes siree, like an effing rocket, compared to the 250w Fortis anyway.  Took it for a spin this AM, here's a comparison on a regularly used local uphill:

  *  Push bike - I struggle at 8km/h
  *  Fortis 250w - I cruise up at 18km/h
  *  1000w FWD - I raced up at 30km/h

Steady, continuous top speed on the flat:

  *  Push bike - 30km/h, basically whatever I can huff & puff to.
  *  Fortis 250w - 23km/h
  *  1000w FWD - 50km/h (could be more, but I wasn't game).

I'm waiting on some bits to conceal the cables and then it'll go quickly on Market Place, but before then, test rides available, let me know if you're interested.  But I won't be riding it to Beasleys though, I'll sell as a new kit - even though it's on an oldish style Shogun MTB.

[ruSTynutz]

You're a braver man than me, Michael!!!

So, does that now make you a temporary temporary Australian?   

[Williamson]

You're a braver man than me, Michael!!!

I'll take that as a compliment.

So, does that now make you a temporary temporary Australian?

That, you'll need to explain.

[Dragonstaff]

This is the only E-Bike I would ride.

Even if it is a Hardly Driveable.

[Williamson]

This is the only E-Bike I would ride.

Even if it is a Hardly Driveable.

Would be interesting, but way outta my price range.

[Dragonstaff]

This is the only E-Bike I would ride.

Even if it is a Hardly Driveable.

Would be interesting, but way outta my price range.

And mine.

[Williamson]

This is the only E-Bike I would ride.

But why not an electric bicycle?  It's the second best time you can have with you pants on.

[ruSTynutz]

So, does that now make you a temporary temporary Australian?

That, you'll need to explain.

Well, it's well known that motorcyclists are known as temporary Australians... (well, I thought it was...lol)
So, I figure riding an e-bike is possibly even more dangerous, therefore the term temporary temporary Australian... 

[Williamson]

Well, it's well known that motorcyclists are known as temporary Australians... (well, I thought it was...lol)

When I went for my job at the Road Safety and Traffic Authority (RoSTA) back in '76, I rolled up on my Honda 400/4.  One of the interviewers asked me if I was a temporary Australian, I've out-lived him.

So, I figure riding an e-bike is possibly even more dangerous, therefore the term temporary temporary Australian.

The way I see it, no more risk than riding a bicycle.

[Dragonstaff]

This is the only E-Bike I would ride.

But why not an electric bicycle?  It's the second best time you can have with you pants on.

I'm 35 ks from the nearest town, part of that dirt. It would take me three hours to get anywhere. And then I would be thinking I would need to actually ride it home, which would probably kill me, and certainly take any enjoyment out of the experience.

[ruSTynutz]

Well, it's well known that motorcyclists are known as temporary Australians... (well, I thought it was...lol)

When I went for my job at the Road Safety and Traffic Authority (RoSTA) back in '76, I rolled up on my Honda 400/4.  One of the interviewers asked me if I was a temporary Australian, I've out-lived him.

I wasn't saying it was true, Michael, just saying what many people think of motorcyclists...

So, I figure riding an e-bike is possibly even more dangerous, therefore the term temporary temporary Australian.

The way I see it, no more risk than riding a bicycle.

It would seem that may not be the case though...

https://pssjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13037-022-00318-9

Anyhow, enough negativity on my part...enjoy your e-bike, Michael! 

Cheers 

[Gadget]

Late last year I was talking to a friend, and mentioned I was looking at buying an eBike.

Turns out her late father who'd been living with them had bought a folding Leitner and they were about to advertise it for sale. 6 speed shimano and disk brakes.

I borrowed it for couple of weeks, and I was having trouble getting it into 5th or 6th gear.

Having worked as at a Cyle shop as a teenager, a few adjustments later, it was going into 6th.

Farkled with:
sadle bags for the carrier
Security cable with 6 digit code
Wireless speedo
 
So for $600 I picked up the Leitner.

Standard set up it will do 6 km/h in throttle alone.

There is a mod of disconnecting a grey wire in the control electronics behind the pedal hub, and it does 24 km/h on throttle. Unfortunately it gives too much peddle assist with the mod on, and not enough exercise.

Since I bought it, it has rained almost every weekend. The weekends it hasn't rained, we've been busy.

I do want to get on it and get some exercise.

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[Williamson]

... a folding Leitner ...

A mate has got a Leitner, it's a quality piece of kit.

I presume yours would be with 16" or 20" wheels, which would be very compact when folded and easy to get in the car or caravan, but the ride not as smooth as some (me) would like it.

The Fortis has 700C wheels and rides nicely.



The ad after my purchase.
 

Standard set up it will do 6 km/h in throttle alone.

The Fortis has a mode when you hold in the bottom button on the controller, it powers at a steady 6km/h speed for walking (that's a fast walk).  I've only used it when walking the bike up some very steep slopes.

Another problem with the Fortis is it won't reach 25km/h in any of the pedal assist (PAS) modes.  These are 1 to 5, with one being the lowest assist and 5 the highest.  The maximum PAS speed is 22 to 23km/h, no much difference, but it is annoying.  There are a many a hack for many a bike on YouTube, but I haven't been able to find one for the Fortis, as yet.

[Gadget]

Yeah the Leitner has 20" wheels.

It is a bit twitchy compared to the old 27" road cycle I used to have.

It does have suspension so it's a bit smoother.

I'm yet to fold it up and put it in the back of the car, but the idea is to do that and ride it along the foreshore at Redcliffe.

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[Williamson]

.... I'm yet to fold it up and put it in the back of the car, but the idea is to do that and ride it along the foreshore at Redcliffe.

Soft!  Ride it to Redcliffe.

https://goo.gl/maps/hpee91RLzEKrijLt5

[Gadget]

I've got to get fit enough to do that first. Especially after getting Covid.

Walking the 20 metres to the mailbox was very hard for the first 3 weeks.

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[Williamson]

I've got to get fit enough to do that first. Especially after getting Covid.

Walking the 20 metres to the mailbox was very hard for the first 3 weeks.

 

[Williamson]

Bit fresh this AM on the eBike, mainly cold hands despite two layers of gloves (albeit thin), I suppose I could put on heated grips but that would dramatically impact on my range.  I do have some heated glove with their own Ni Cad batteries, might give that a try.

About 42km up to Hurstbridge (nice new path follows the Diamond Creek), a U-turn, then down to where the Diamond Creek Trails meets the Yarra Trail, and home.  Just a little bit of drizzle towards the end, I think it was colder at the finish.

Garry and I (and a few others) are planning to ride a section (Tallarook to Kerrisdale and return) of the Great Victorian Rail Trail on Friday 24 June.  If there are any other like minded VIC members interested, send a message.

[ruSTynutz]

Garry and I (and a few others) are planning to ride a section (Tallarook to Kerrisdale and return) of the Great Victorian Rail Trail on Friday 24 June. 

So you'll both be in peak condition for the RTE on Saturday then?   

[Williamson]

Garry and I (and a few others) are planning to ride a section (Tallarook to Kerrisdale and return) of the Great Victorian Rail Trail on Friday 24 June. 

So you'll both be in peak condition for the RTE on Saturday then?   

I'll be on the eBike, Garry on the pushy.  Guess who might be nodding off at the RTE.

[ruSTynutz]

Both of ya's??? 

[Williamson]

Let's talk about REAL electric bikes .....

Think I might have scared some skippys this AM.



Provides some really decent light, obvious drain on battery, but not too much that I won't get home without a recharge. Will recharge overnight before tomorrow's ride to work.

Now the bike horn doesn't work. Probably related, although I can't see how. Bit fresh and frosty on grass in front on Westfield.