Electric Bikes/Kits.

[Tomas]

Anyone had any experience with them? Any research? Any 2c to add.

If, however, your 2c is 'electric bikes are gay gtfo', then stop, take a big deep breath and go contribute to Velovixens.

[Justin Fox]

Take a look at this for inspiration Tomas:

http://www.ridemission.com/

The Mission One was designed in part by Yves Behar of OLPC fame. Featuring a lithium ion battery that recharges in two hours before supplying 240km worth of power, the liquid cooled engine doesn’t even need an exhaust or gas tank since there’s no internal combustion. And a single-speed transmission eliminates shifting. From the aluminium, honeycomb body that flows in a single line to the convex front meant to suck the rider’s chest in for speed, the Mission One is really a remarkable looking machine, even if we have no idea how designing OLPC laptops equates into the kind of wind carving design that a bike at 240kph needs to have. You can pre-order your Mission One now on Missions site.

http://www.conceptcar.co.uk/design-news/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mission_one_side.jpg

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/02/Mission_Motorcycle_Behar.jpg

[keviny]

I posted this in the 2010 Bikes section...

A Sanyo Eneloop CY-SPK227 (Eneloop is the name of their famous rechargable batteries) ...A 2WD Carbon Hybrid....

nothing compared to what Justin posted above but i reckon it's unique in concept

http://www.fareastgizmos.com/entry_images/0709/27/sanyo_electric_hybrid_cycle.jpg

More here: http://tinyurl.com/knn4bk

[Jarod]

I've considered a build ala Justin's Deathtrap, but using an electric motor and batteries. Sadly when I researched it the range and top speed of the batteries/motors really sucked. Oh, and they were way more expensive than petrol engines.

Now I'll wait a few years before investigating it some more. Let the technology develop a bit more.

[Tomas]

Good olde yves eh. He designs a mean motorbike. Thanks for that one justin.

Jarod, they're not actually all that difficult to make yourself, the electric kits for motors. Problem being batteries have a much lower power density that petrol, but the technology is there. You can get a 650W motor the size of your hand and some LiPolymer batteries to get an hour runtime out of it - what more did you want?

[Jarod]

Jarod, they're not actually all that difficult to make yourself, the electric kits for motors. Problem being batteries have a much lower power density that petrol, but the technology is there. You can get a 650W motor the size of your hand and some LiPolymer batteries to get an hour runtime out of it - what more did you want?

Electronics ain't my speciality, so I was only looking at off the shelf solutions. This is the sort of stuff I came across (http://www.electricbikes.com.au/evs-evo-electric-bike-kit.html). 200watt motor, 36V lithium ion batteries which gives a range of 50km (pedal assisted, of which I'm sure their 'pedal assist' will be different to mine). Speed of 25-35kph. All for the bargain basement price of $1750.

*cough*

[Babau]

Take a look at this for inspiration Tomas:

http://www.ridemission.com/

The Mission One was designed in part by Yves Behar of OLPC fame. Featuring a lithium ion battery that recharges in two hours before supplying 240km worth of power, the liquid cooled engine doesn’t even need an exhaust or gas tank since there’s no internal combustion. And a single-speed transmission eliminates shifting. From the aluminium, honeycomb body that flows in a single line to the convex front meant to suck the rider’s chest in for speed, the Mission One is really a remarkable looking machine, even if we have no idea how designing OLPC laptops equates into the kind of wind carving design that a bike at 240kph needs to have. You can pre-order your Mission One now on Missions site.

http://www.conceptcar.co.uk/design-news/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mission_one_side.jpg

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/02/Mission_Motorcycle_Behar.jpg

It does look sexy, but it only got like third in the zero emissions category of the Isle of Mann TT. Didn't get near 240kph either. I was expecting more from a team that had a prebuilt sports platform when compared to blokes building from scratch.

[keviny]

here is another ... http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-ds/index.php

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/07/zero-ds-20090730-600.jpg

Motor
Type Brushed permanent magnet electric
Top Speed 55mph (90 kph)
Power System
Type Patent-pending lithium ion array
Capacity 4 kWh (58volts @ 70Ah)
Range Up to 50 miles (80 km)*
Recharge time Less than 4 hours
Input Standard 110V or 220V

Drive Train
Transmission Clutchless one speed
Drive system 17T / 61T, 420 Chain
Chassis / Suspension / Brakes
Front Suspension Travel 10 inches (254 mm)
Rear Suspension Travel 9 inches (229 mm)
Front Brakes 2 Pot Hydraulic, Stainless Rotor, Hand Actuated
Rear Brakes 1 Pot Hydraulic, Stainless Rotor, Foot Actuated
Front Tire 3.25-17
Rear Tire 110/90-16
Front Wheel 17 x 2.15
Rear Wheel 16 x 3.0

Dimensions
Wheel base 56.75 inches (142.9 cm)
Seat height 35.5 inches (90.2 cm)
Head angle 26 degrees from vertical with 10 inch fork
Trail 3.26 inches (82.8 mm)
Steering Angle +35 Degrees, -35 Degrees

Weight
Frame 29 pounds (13.2 kg)
Power Pack 80 pounds (36.3 kg)
Total weight 270 pounds (122.5 kg)

[Babau]

I would love one of those Zero bikes as a commuter. There's apparently a bit of throttle lag, though, which might get irritating.

[hewey]

Can I ask why specifically you're after an electronic bike? Sure it helps pollution locally however if you're charging it from the grid, unless you're getting 100% green power, you're still burning coal to charge your bike. Unfortuneately lots of the articles and information I see about electric vehicles tend to gloss over this part. :confused: The other questions are what is the embodied energy in the batteries (in other words how much energy and resources does it take to build the batteries), and what is their lifespan, and how does this compare to an equivalent petrol bike?

Speaking of renewable energies, Saturday week Im doing a tour of sustainable homes in the blue mountains, one of the stops is Hartley Green Power - he has a little Caterham 7 style replica which I beleive is electric and charged by solar, keen to check that out :D

Going off his website he also sells these electric yike bikes http://www.yikebike.com/ and these electric scooters http://www.erider.com.au/

[ChrisRider]

Electric conversion kits can be a bit of a pain to install, and then make them fit your onto your bike properly. And for the price, you may want to pay a little extra and actually buy a fully set up factory electric bicycle already. Saves you the trouble, and gives you 2 bikes to ride, not 1. hehe

[Uncle Grumpy]

I rode an electric bicycle in the rain.

It was shocking.

Grumps

[ChrisRider]

hehe, its ok to ride electric bikes in the rain, they are generally sealed off enough to stop rain from getting in. If Australia allowed the laws to allow a 500W motor on an e bike, they would fly, and people would think they are much cooler then they do now. They are still great for assistance, if you need help riding a bike. The only thing is that the battery designs, and how they mount onto your bicycle need to be more stylish, and built in with the frame design.

[Uncle Grumpy]

"...we specialise in developing the latest innovative technology in powered bicycles and tricycles that will impress you!"

Do not underestimate how hard it is to impress me.

Grumps