NPR discussion on ebikes right now.
On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 5:48 AM, Mike Nickerson via EV <ev@lists.evdl.org> wrote: > 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 <ev@lists.evdl.org> > 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" <ev@lists.evdl.org> > >To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.evdl.org>; "SEVA" > ><s...@seattleeva.org> > >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) > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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