Comment

Comment by Todd Allen on December 12, 2013 at 1:34pm

Thanks Jerry, I rsvp'd with Ed.  I'll be there with one of my bucket scooters.

Comment by Jerry Lee on December 9, 2013 at 10:12am

Todd;

  I heard from Ed on the recumbent party.

You know the drill,   Party Time at Terry and Roseann's on Wolcott!

12/21/13 anytime after 6PM!!!!  That's SATURDAY!!!!!

Holiday Cheers!  Will see you there!!!!

Please RSVP TO TERRY OR let me know if you'll be making it?  And bring a dish along too????

Ed

Comment by Todd Allen on December 6, 2013 at 8:46am

It's a bicycle rim, 16" - ERTO 305 x 57 mm.  The tire is for mopeds/electric scooters, 16 x 3.0 but is bigger than a bicycle tire of the same size.  It fits tight on the rim and I must use motorcycle tire irons to mount/unmount it.  The rear wheels are front wheels for pocket bikes (miniature motorcycles for road racing) with tubeless slicks sized 90/65-6.5.  I like the fat tires.  They allow this tiny stiff frame to be ridden fast on rough roads, off road and limited curb hopping, etc.  And their flat resistance and rideability when flat is good.  

I have a 9C type motor for this, but haven't yet attempted to build up a wheel - the spokes will be about 20 mm long...  The motor I'm currently using is a smaller and lighter geared MAC tweaked for high rpm use.  It can't handle as many kilowatts as a 9C but due to the gearing and small wheel still produces decent torque.

Comment by Jerry Lee on December 5, 2013 at 6:00pm

Todd;

 very nice, maybe we'll see it at the recumbent party.probably on the 14th or 21st, will let you know, when I find out

   Your bike, is that a motorcycle or moped rim and tire on the front. looks like a 20" size, so moped size would be  about 17".

   Your direct drive motor looks  like a 9c type.

   Anyway kool bike......Jerry

Comment by Todd Allen on December 4, 2013 at 12:12pm

Hi Jerry, yes, I know Freddy though I haven't seen him much since he moved from my neighborhood, would like to catch up with him though.  Have you heard if/when the Christmas recumbent party is?

I doubt this would qualify as a recumbent but it's my latest build and it's a lot of fun.

Comment by Jerry Lee on December 4, 2013 at 11:16am

I have been ebiking for the past 3 years, it was just great fun. this year I even commuted to work, 16 miles each way, on 2 sets of 12s2p Lipos. Todd, I think I met you at the recumbent party few years back. I guess freddy rodriquez is a common friend. later  Jerry

Comment by Lee Roy on November 26, 2013 at 10:45am

Rock on fellow motorized bicyclists. I know this is not going to be a popular group here on the CL, but I am undeterred. Just got my Dax motor, and am going to have it up and going soon!

Comment by Jeff Markus on January 15, 2013 at 12:37pm

Well after diving in I found that as usual if I step into a line it immediately stops. After I joined the group went stagnant...is it my breath?

I also broke down and bought an electric bike. A Prodeco Storm, 350Watts, front wheel motor with a 9Ahr Lithium battery. And as soon as I bought in the line stopped....I found problems in manufacturing, as the builder didn't tighten or locktite the front brake disc bolts so I lost all but one in less than 2 weeks (Prodeco stood up and sent me new ones but it took two mailings and several e-mails to get it straight).

Then the battery rack started to come apart and the battery pack couldn't stand up to a late spring shower.

So with a new battery and rack that I installed myself the new battery snapped all of its plastic clips so I was left with making my own straps to keep the battery on.

Then after weeks of silence from Prodeco Iposted  my tale of woe on one of the national forums which got me accused of trying to sink the company and a new 'style' of battery with 'heavier duty' clips.

The new battery doesn't fit the rack because the clips shrink the rack dimensions and now I have to refabricate the rack and the weather has me locked down for that kinda work.

When it ran (and I was still on the temp contract) the concept was great I was doing 8+ miles one way charging at work (about a half charge) acheiving around 14MPH average on road vehicular style riding (stopping for all lights, etc)  and I got to work awake not fatuiged and all was well. Now if I can iron out the details I'll be in hog heaven...

Jeff

Comment by Todd Allen on March 16, 2011 at 6:47pm

Hi Jeff,

 

I prefer electric, but each has their good and bad points.

 

The bad for electric is that batteries store very little energy compared to gas.  If you need to go fast and far then it will require very expensive batteries.  Most of the electric bike components are made in China and are of marginal quality.  And when something does go wrong, there aren't many service/support options.

 

The Xtracycle is a good starting point for any motorized bike, either gas or electric.   Once you have additional power it is really nice to have added carrying capacity.

 

Bad points for gas are it will probably have to stay outside or in a garage.  The noise and smell may make you unwelcome among other cyclists, on bike paths, on a train, etc.  And small engines tend to need frequent service and can gum up after sitting unused such as over winter.  And gas bikes have more restrictions/regulations in most legal jurisdictions.

Comment by Jeff Markus on March 13, 2011 at 6:00pm

OK Todd ya just doubled the size of the forum just by the power of your magnetic personality. Well that and I'm interested in the concept of 'hybrid' bicycles.

I have been considering as retro fit of on of my bikes with a electric hub motor and possibly a Xtracycle stretch attachment to make it an urban transporter for Chicago's flat streets.

So what's yer take on the issue? gas powered or electric?

Jeff

The Chicagoan