Hi Larry,
Great start. My first thought is it might benefit the reader to tell
him why he might be interested in an e-bike. It may sound obvious but
simply adding some tempting phrases might hook the reader into finishing
the article. "Do you hesitate to ride because there are too many hills
in Seattle?" Or, "I feel like I'm holding up traffic but I don't feel
safe riding in the door zone." And so on.
I think the first step is to get people interested in the possibility of
using their bike *instead* of a car. They may not be that interested in
the technical details at that stage. Perhaps they haven't even
considered not using a car. First you have to capture their
imagination. Then, again, you are writing for CBC so I don't know how
many non-cyclists will see your article. Maybe you can start with CBC
and then get more publicity in general media.
I'm trying to convince my wife to give it a try. Maybe your article
will help.
Peri
------ Original Message ------
From: "Larry Gales via EV" <[email protected]>
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <[email protected]>; "SEVA"
<[email protected]>
Sent: 26-Aug-14 10:38:42 AM
Subject: [EVDL] Electric bike information
I am trying to interest the largest bicycle club in my area (Seattle),
he
Cascade Bicycle Club, about the importance and future of electric
bikes.
In July I wrote an article about the fun, practicality, and benefits of
e-bikes, and now I would like to provide information that would help
them
purchase an e-bike or an e-bike kit. So I want to know if the
information
that I give them is accurate. So if you see any errors in the
presentation
below, let me know.
Thanks,,
Larry Gales,
Here is the article (limited to 600 words):
======================================================
In July I wrote an article in the "Courier" about the many advantages
of
electric bikes, or e-bikes, and how they are becoming a mainstream form
of
local transportation throughout Asia and Europe. I hope to encourage
people in this country to acquire e-bikes and so relieve us from the
problems caused by the near exclusive use of automobiles.
There are many aspects to consider when acquiring an e-bike:
o The method of purchase: buy a ready made e-bike or convert an
existing bike with a kit
o The odometer and battery state of charge display
o The power you need (typically 250 to 750 watts)
o The type and size of battery
o The type and location of the motor
o The wheel size compatible with an e-bike kit
o The weight of the e-bike, typically 15-25 lbs more than
conventional
bikes, but note that with an e-bike, the weight only matters when
lift or carry it, so you can easily detach the battery, cutting the
additional weight to 8-12 lbs.
o The purchase cost and servicing of e-bikes
Here we consider only the type, control, and placement of the electric
motor in an e-bike.
o There are three main ways to control an e-bike motor:
- Pedelic: this multiplies the power you apply to the pedals,
typically by 25% to 300%. So the motor only operates when you
pedal
- Throttle: the motor starts when you press the throttle. You can
also pedal to add power or extend the range
- Both: many e-bikes provide both options
o There are two main types of e-bike motors:
- Mid-drive motor: this is a geared motor that drives the chain
wheel which in turns powers the chain that powers the rear
wheel.
The main advantages are that the motor is isolated from the
shock
and vibration of the wheel, and it operates in a way that is
most
similar to the way a conventional bike works. However, it
requires frequent gear shifting which must be coordinated with
the
motor controls
- Hub motor: this motor fits inside the wheel around the axle,
and
is the most common e-bike motor. The main advantages
are that it greatly reduces the wear and tear on the
drive train as it powers the wheel directly, it usually
eliminates
the need to shift (if the motor is sufficiently powerful), it
often enables regenerating braking which can restore
10-20% of the battery charge, and adds a 3rd braking option.
Note that hub motors mounted in the front wheel cannot use
pedelic control. There are two main types of hub motors:
* Gearless hub motor: this is powered by a ring of rare earth
magnets that are electronically switched on and off to turn
the wheel. It has no moving parts and lasts longer with
less
(usually no) maintenance than geared motors, it is the
quietest of all motors, and enables regenerative braking.
The main disadvantages are that it is larger and
somewhat heavier for the same power as a geared motor, the
torque (needed for hill climbing) is about 20-30% less,
especially at very low speeds, for the same power rating as
a geared motor, and there may be a small amount of drag
when
the motor is off.
* Geared hub motor: this uses planetary gears. It does not
cause any drag when the motor is off, has more torque and
power
for a given weight than a gearless hub motor, but does not
(currently) allow regenerative braking. It is slightly
noisier
than a gearless motor and requires more maintenance because
it
has moving parts.
========================================================
--
Larry Gales
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