Strongly considering an e-bike

[TominMO]

In fact I am considering two different bikes.

One folding one for inside my car, in case the car died while I was out driving somewhere. Because of my coronary artery obstruction (working on it), I can't exert myself much. Even mowing my lawn with my powered-wheels walk-behind gets my blood pressure up a bit, which causes moderate chest pain, so I have to stop a few times during mowing for about a minute to get the pressure back down. Walking half a mile does the same thing, unless I walk very slowly (I tend to be a fast walker). I wouldn't leave the battery in the car because of temperature fluctuations, esp. in summer.

This one looks pretty good for a folder stored in the car: https://www.amazon.com/Hipeak-Elias-...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

The other one would be a conventional non-folder, either cheap or BOCO.

[bigdano711]

I think E-bikes and their true electric dirt bike counter-parts are as far as we should have gone with electric powered vehicles and even then, it still doesn't make sense. The issue, of course, being range. The other issue is lipo fire. Do a quick search on YouTube about "e-bike" and "fire". LOL While I agree that most fires are due to horrible internal resistance of cheaply made batteries, you really have to watch out for cheaply made speed controllers. Pushing 17 amps may not seem like much, but one crappy wire/solder connection can ruin your day.


My biggest problem with electric vehicles is they are too quiet. If you've ever been spooked by one creeping up on you in a parking lot, you know what I mean.

[TominMO]

Did a bit of that research. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are much safer than lithium ion batteries. Now I need to see if there are any cheaper bikes that use the lipo batteries. Not paying $$$ for a bike I stick in my SUV as a backup plan.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by TominMO

I guess my more-refined plan for charging would be to have the battery sitting on something fireproof while charging, such as a flat metal pan or tiles like Dan does, rather than a metal trash can. Still considering whether I need one, and whether to go cheap or BOCO (buy once, cry once).

My 2 cents on cheap vs. BOCO - if you are unsure of the viability, go with a cheap one, or check marketplace for a name brand bike that is lightly used. Personally, I would at least get a bike that comes with hydraulic brakes as standard, which more and more are thankfully. Cable pull brakes work, but they are definitely wanting for brake force.

Your metal container idea for charging is not a bad idea. A fire cabinet is the most ideal scenario, but those are also expensive. Something non-flammable to sit on/in is the next best thing, and the trash can idea does give you the option to put a lid on it if a fire does occur, and it can be left off for ventilation otherwise.

Charging bags are not overly expensive. My bag was 30 dollars after tax.

[XLsior]

I don't have an issue with them either, I've just seen enough E'fires to know some precaution and product/manufacture reputation research is advisable.



I've got enough 18v battery tools and domestics already triggering my combustion values on my home.



Heck even peoples pants caught fire from dodgy phone batteries.


Technology improves with failure.



If I had an E'bike I'd probably have a separate shed with solar panels too...

[TominMO]

OK, now I'm considering cheaping out and not even getting the motor. Here's a 26" folding mountain bike on Amazon for $210 delivered. I will have little/no problem riding it one mile to my town liberry, where I host the chess club, and as a bonus it won't burn my house down. Still useful as a backup in the car, since I can walk the uphills (slowly) and coast the downhills and most of the flat terrain.

https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Susp...87&sr=8-5&th=1

[XLsior]

Could potentially get a E'hub kit to convert the bike or one these sorts of things...


https://www.amazon.com/IMAYCC-100cc-.../dp/B0CZDPXGVZ

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by buzz

Just buy one ,love mine and be getting a betterone soon. battery are safe,and i don;t worry at all about charging it.

I just saw a video of a guy who's ebike caught fire within the first 3 miles of ownership.

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by Megadan

My 2 cents on cheap vs. BOCO - if you are unsure of the viability, go with a cheap one, or check marketplace for a name brand bike that is lightly used. Personally, I would at least get a bike that comes with hydraulic brakes as standard, which more and more are thankfully. Cable pull brakes work, but they are definitely wanting for brake force.

I've had bikes with just a metal rod from the brake pedal to the drum brake, and it works just as good as hydraulic brakes.
I think what you're trying to say is that cables stretch a bit.
And if paired with organic brake pads, it gives a bit of a spongy feel.

I recommend going with better brake pads instead. Those that can lock the wheel at max force. That way the cable acts as a sort of wheel lock prevention, until the lever is pressed all the way in.

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by XLsior

Could potentially get a E'hub kit to convert the bike or one these sorts of things...

https://www.amazon.com/IMAYCC-100cc-.../dp/B0CZDPXGVZ

For the folding bike that will live in the car, I would keep it motorless, but for the other bike I would consider a 4-stroke Chinese motor setup. The 2-strokes are too loud and I don't want to have to deal with mixing oil into the gas. Not that it's hard, but still.

[XLsior]

Sure 4 stroke it and and an E'hub up front and you'll have a 2wd hybrid push bike for the apocalypse...

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by XLsior

Sure 4 stroke it and and an E'hub up front and you'll have a 2wd hybrid push bike for the apocalypse...