Bikes Other than ST 11/1300 > Other Bike Discussions
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.
:thumbs
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.
:thumbs
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.
:thumbs
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.
:thumbs
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.
:thumbs
A couple of weekend rides have been 55km to 60km, I'm very much enjoying my Fortis eBike.
Bodø:
--- Quote from: Williamson on June 04, 2022, 03:47:51 PM ---a legend in my own mind
--- End quote ---
I so find this hard to believe. :Stirpot
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:
--- Quote from: ppopeye on June 04, 2022, 07:19:54 PM ---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.
--- End quote ---
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? :tongue: :popcorn
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version