I'm with Peri. My first impression reading the article was that it jumped right into the nuts and bolts of a conversion with specifications, but nothing on the "Why?" Even if the first article was on the why, it would be good to summarize.
I've put on an alternative vehicle show at my employer. Bringing vehicles to show people really helps them see the possibilities. If there is a way to offer rides, even better. Normal bike riders often like the idea of e-bikes. It takes some discussion with auto drivers to get them to see the possibilities. Hard core bike riders and racers tend to view e-bikes as a foreign add-on that just messed up a perfectly good bike. Mike On August 26, 2014 11:52:08 AM MDT, Peri Hartman via EV <[email protected]> wrote: >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 >>-------------- next part -------------- >>An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >>URL: >><http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20140826/b942e4bb/attachment.htm> >>_______________________________________________ >>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) >> > >_______________________________________________ >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) _______________________________________________ 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)
