E-Bike, September, 2009

My original electric bike, built with a $400 kit from Wilderness Energy, broke down
after logging 1200 miles. Even so, it had proven to me that having an electric-assist bike
was a good idea, and I decided it was time to upgrade to a higher-quality system.

After the usual internet search, I decided to go with the E-Bike Complete Conversion System
with a lithium ion (LiFePO4) battery, product ID : EBK-CS2807F, for Price: $972.00.
http://e-bikekit.com/ and http://www.e-bikekit.com/shop/index.php?p=product&id=1&parent=0

The 500 watt motor was a bit less powerful than the old 600 watt one from Wilderness Energy,
but the LiFePO4 battery pack promised much more power than the lead-acid option.
The electric cutoff hand brakes and locking mount are a nice touch, too.
I decided to stick with the thumb throttle. It just works for me.

I also bought a new bike, recommended by the e-bike website, and
put the system together as soon as the main kit and battery had arrived.

The bike is a Schwinn Sidewinder. This is a 21-speed mountain bike with better
components than the old Schwinn Panther. Also, I bought a good back rack
to carry the battery, a seat bag for the components, fenders for all-weather use,
and a new water bottle and water bottle cage, just to round things out.

Ready to ride to work on the maiden voyage.
My work bag sits comfortably atop the battery, and is held on by bungees.

At work, an hour a bit later, with just a little sweat.

Here's the bike after the second ride to work, including the new Cycle Analyst.

This $140 add-on gives all sorts of great readouts on the electronics,
as well as keeping track of mileage and speed.

http://www.ebikes.ca/drainbrain.shtml

I still need to run the setup and switch to miles per hour.
22.55 km = 14 miles
the distance from home to work.

14 miles using 4 Ah (amp-hours), with conservative use of the electric assist.
The battery is rated at 10 Ah, so I could ride conservatively and make the round trip
from work to home without recharging. But I don't plan to do that. I have a charger
at home and another at work, so I plan to recharge at both ends of the ride.

I was pretty cautious installing the e-bike kit and the cycle analyst, and had several email exchanges
and phone conversations with Jason at e-Bike. He was fast and accurate in all cases.

The way I set up the system, the controller goes in the bag, along with the wiring connections.

I have to learn to be careful putting the wires away.

I added Anderson Power Poles to the Cycle Analyst wires and hooked them into the line from the battery,
as directed by Jason from e-Bike. I also broke a wire at some point and ended up having to solder the
connection to get things back on track.

Now I've got the bike and the cycle analyst working together (and reporting distance in miles per hour) and I'm
hoping to ride to work two or three times per week all year (weather permitting, of course).

Bike Pics, October, 2009

New 5-inch swept up handle bars.

Mirror, light, horn, cycle analyst, and throttle.

Work bag on the back.

Notice the key lock/switch on the front end of the battery.

Looking at the front.

Power wires going into the motor.

Torque bar to keep the axle from spinning in the forks.

View from the back.

At work, on a 30-degree morning.