I think your summary is a good intro. But I want to express my experience (EVangelizing all EVs, even ebikes), that in some circles there is an incorrect assumption, with statements that form a negative stigma, that you will need to have the knowledge and answers to address when they occur. i.e: ebikes are for lard-butts / lazy-people, etc.
Some may know that there are people with the desire to go Electric but just do not need that much and or want to keep the co$t of sticking their toe into an EV purchase low (which includes ebikes). Some can see the justification of an ebike to help them (with an Electric assist design: you have to pedal to get the assist). Of those, they could be workers that sit all day, and do not regularly bicycle enough when compared to those that make the negative comments. Some people may have seen the hard-core/purist cyclists around. You know those people that are super-serious about cycling, that wear the cycling outfit, with cyclist shoes that snap into the cyclist' pedals, that eat high-energy power-bars, and rehydrate from one of their many cool looking cyclist water bottles, etc. Those (skinny as a rail looking) folk are not who you are targeting to come join your cycling org, and who would if they had an ebike to help them out. ebikes do more than help with the pedaling to keep up on long tours. They also help on the down steep hills with regen braking (something the cyclist-Nazis have to use brakes all the way). Also, know in some parts of the country, cities put overpasses in that makes it tough for the cycling noob, where an ebike assist and a lower gear let them get up and also safely down those overpasses. Those people that but an ebike, should also know that they can use it more and more to not only stay in shape, reduce the amount they drive their ice ($ave$). I will assume people from all backgrounds are welcome, even older folk, where they have the strength, but their joints painfully complain. The assist with an ebike helps reduce that, thus lets them get regular exercise and join in on the org's fun. There is a Light Electric Vehicle Assn that is related to companies that sell ebikes https://www.facebook.com/LEVAssoc http://www.levassociation.com/ They might point you to one of the many shows/EVents they have promoting those ebike businesses. Here a couple search links to explore for: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=electric+bicycles ebikes ready to buy https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=electric+bicycle+kit ebike kits to diy convert that cheap China made Huffy into a ebike Lastly, I post ebike items at the end of my newswire posts. So, though the title of the post does not seem to be ebike related, open it up and look at the bottom for an ebike link to explore. http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=EVLN+%22electric+bike%22&days=0&i=24&sort=date {brucedp.150m.com} - On Tue, Aug 26, 2014, at 10:38 AM, Larry Gales via EV wrote: > 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. > = -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Electric-bike-information-tp4671202p4671204.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
