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PB_NB · 07-22-2020, 06:37 PM

I think a 200W unit like the seat tube motor would be prefect! Then add a bottle battery and a switch. Like they did in the olden days of la Tour

.

However, a front hub pedal assist is probably more suited and can be adapted to the LOOK 675 without too much work. The only drawback is that the wheel is hideous. I would look at getting just the motor and building a new front wheel for the bike.

Do you have any other suggestions. I am not too sure if the bottom bracket motor will fit around the LOOK's BB shell as it is BB386. I think the hub idea makes the most sense but I am not too sure how if it senses the need to assist or if it just an on/off switch.

jcl · 07-22-2020, 06:53 PM

I wouldn’t install a kit on a regular bike.

Whatever electric drive system you have, it needs a cadence sensor and a controller that prevents assist from engaging without pedalling. Then add a speed sensor and vary the assistance for starting off. Now you are up to a level of complexity that a commercial integrated electric assist bike makes more sense, IMO.

PB_NB · 07-22-2020, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcl

I wouldn’t install a kit on a regular bike.

Whatever electric drive system you have, it needs a cadence sensor and a controller that prevents assist from engaging without pedalling. Then add a speed sensor and vary the assistance for starting off. Now you are up to a level of complexity that a commercial integrated electric assist bike makes more sense, IMO.

Hi Jeff,

The cadence sensor appears to be the missing link in most of these kits. I would really like, to get her on a bike like the 675 as it moves so well and I am not too shy about doing any sort of install but if there are no kits out there, then that makes the search for a completely different e-bike more of a priority.

Sport 16 STL · 07-23-2020, 10:15 AM

I own an ebike and regulations are a mess in the states. Various regulations, even in the same state. Throttles are definitely more restrictive if you ride paths and trails. On the street anything I'd okay. Regulations are new and will be changing often but pedal assist is your safest bet.

Sport 16 STL · 07-23-2020, 10:27 AM

I own an ebike and regulations are a mess in the states. Various regulations, even in the same state. Throttles are definitely more restrictive if you ride paths and trails. On the street anything is okay. Regulations are new and will be changing often but pedal assist is your safest bet.

For those discussing bike racks, here is what we are currently doing for our two bikes. Works well except for over night stays while on the road. Bikes are safe, dry, and have survived two trips to CO/Utah and one two Florida. Anti slip rug padding is between the board and table.

PB_NB · 07-23-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport 16 STL

I own an ebike and regulations are a mess in the states. Various regulations, even in the same state. Throttles are definitely more restrictive if you ride paths and trails. On the street anything is okay. Regulations are new and will be changing often but pedal assist is your safest bet.

For those discussing bike racks, here is what we are currently doing for our two bikes. Works well except for over night stays while on the road. Bikes are safe, dry, and have survived two trips to CO/Utah and one two Florida. Anti slip rug padding is between the board and table.

I think a pedal assist would be the way to go. I am not too sure what that would feel like when riding but it would be nice if there was just some additional power added but only when pedalling and the power boost would mirror the pedal pressure for example, cruising at 23mph of open road would need about 220W and if the boost could provide 1/2 of that and then a little rise would need 400W and again the boost would kick in 50% of that. Zero boost when coasting or downhill.

I am chasing a pipe dream or does that really exist.

I am all for carrying the bikes like that. My bike is a Trailer Queen and is afraid to get bug splatter on it

fogartjj · 07-23-2020, 10:39 AM

Thoughts on organizing a caravan through the Adirondacks, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine? Lots of good campgrounds through that line up. Could aim for flats or for hills. Tends to be much quieter roads. Could do out and backs from each campground and move the caravan East towards Maine as we go.

PB_NB · 07-23-2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fogartjj

Thoughts on organizing a caravan through the Adirondacks, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine? Lots of good campgrounds through that line up. Could aim for flats or for hills. Tends to be much quieter roads. Could do out and backs from each campground and move the caravan East towards Maine as we go.

That sounds like a great idea. Those areas would come with some great scenery!

Crossing into Quebec would be nice as well. We would have to look at passports and all that to make sure the groups had theirs up to date. But ideas for now are what we need!

fogartjj · 07-23-2020, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PB_NB

That sounds like a great idea. Those areas would come with some great scenery!

Crossing into Quebec would be nice as well. We would have to look at passports and all that to make sure the groups had theirs up to date. But ideas for now are what we need!

I like the idea of Quebec. I only know the Adirondack region. Once we get some great minds thinking alike we could come up with an awesome plan.

PB_NB · 07-23-2020, 05:00 PM

I have been going through the various options and offerings for e-bikes and I am finding this more challenging to determine a suitable system.

I have looked at:

- Front and rear hub systems

- Motors and gearboxes under the bottom bracket

- Seatpost motors.

I think the idea would be to find a system that provides power in addition to pedalling. No throttle needed but more of a smart system that can sense pedal input and add some power either with a sensor or strain gauge.

I like the idea of a discrete system if there is one.

If the battery should die mid ride, I would hope that the bike can still move along at a decent pace and not be a boat anchor.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

JonDNC · 07-23-2020, 05:24 PM

All the integrated bikes by the major manufacturers are that. Trek, specialized etc. wife has a turbo Vado hybrid and she just selects the amount of assist requested level 0-3. higher the number more assist. At some point I’ll probably get the same thing in a Mountain bike format. Not cheap but works really well.

PB_NB · 07-23-2020, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonDNC

All the integrated bikes by the major manufacturers are that. Trek, specialized etc. wife has a turbo Vado hybrid and she just selects the amount of assist requested level 0-3. higher the number more assist. At some point I’ll probably get the same thing in a Mountain bike format. Not cheap but works really well.

Hi Jon, I found a video of this bike and the SL model!

What sort of range does your wife get with her's say on a typical undulating course?

That looks like Specialized have found a way to inject more fun into riding.

Thanks for this info!

Mikebrady62 · 07-24-2020, 05:43 AM

[QUOTE=Too tall;2386741]Mike, fwiiw (in small caps) I supported Cassie Lowe twice winning RAAM and coached several 4 person teams. Greatest show on earth at 14 mph

They say your crew can't win the race for you but sure can help lose it. In my opinion no one ever finished RAAM without their crew winning also. Crewing is more challenging than being on the bike.
You are awesome!
Hopefully we meet up and put on some miles together!

JonDNC · 07-24-2020, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PB_NB

Hi Jon, I found a video of this bike and the SL model!

What sort of range does your wife get with her's say on a typical undulating course?

That looks like Specialized have found a way to inject more fun into riding.

Thanks for this info!

She has an older one I think this

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/wo...o-1-0/p/157806

We haven’t run into a range limit yet, she doesn’t always use the e assist depends how fast I’m riding. When I’m on my mountain bike she doesn’t need a lot to keep up. But I think range was advertised at about 40 miles plus or minus depending on how much assist.

PB_NB · 07-24-2020, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonDNC

She has an older one I think this

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/wo...o-1-0/p/157806

We haven’t run into a range limit yet, she doesn’t always use the e assist depends how fast I’m riding. When I’m on my mountain bike she doesn’t need a lot to keep up. But I think range was advertised at about 40 miles plus or minus depending on how much assist.

Hi Jon, I had a look at the specs on the Vado SL and it appears that you can get up to 120 miles of e-assist when you add the range extender bottle battery. This one looks like a good possible fit and the prices are lower across the selection compared to the Pinarello and LOOK e-bikes.

The SL would be suitable for road and gravel and maybe some easy trail riding.

They did a good job of making it look like a regular bike as well.

JonDNC · 07-24-2020, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PB_NB

Hi Jon, I had a look at the specs on the Vado SL and it appears that you can get up to 120 miles of e-assist when you add the range extender bottle battery. This one looks like a good possible fit and the prices are lower across the selection compared to the Pinarello and LOOK e-bikes.

The SL would be suitable for road and gravel and maybe some easy trail riding.

They did a good job of making it look like a regular bike as well.

Cool, lots of choices now and I think we’ll see more next year when the 2021s come out. I’ll probably go Specialized or Trek as I have good local support and a solid national dealer network. Not in a hurry as long as I can do the riding I want without the assist.

Philandsue · 07-26-2020, 10:15 AM

Love the idea of the AS/Cycling focus...Sue and I have done a number of terrific rides...some accompanied by the AS, some not...Sea to Sky in Vancouver, Lake Louise to Whistler...7 amazing days...the Blueridge, Natchez Trace south of Nashville, a few weeks in the high desert in US southwest...plus many others...Most of our riding has been on our Mariposa cross bikes...you have to google them...comfortable and capable of pavement, or gravel...Just had my newest one custom painted to match the new Classic.
We would love to find some terrific areas, probably out and back rides, then maybe move on. Out and backs, with local knowledge allows for some of us to ride 20 or 30 Km’s and others to go 100...
As for the e-assist bikes...we are all going to be riding them at some point. They allow a person to continue getting fresh air, exercise and staying...or lots of the time, leading the peloton! When Mariposa starts to build them, I’m first in line!
Look forward to following this string....

LeeJeff · 07-26-2020, 10:52 AM

Count us in. We rode the Great Allegheny Passage last September in 3 day, 50 mile sections. The KOA at Connellsvile was a good place for a home base. We had 2 cars and could self shuttle. We’d like to join folks cycling with the Airstream.

PB_NB · 07-26-2020, 11:28 AM

Hi Philandsue, It sounds like you have done some great rides. Lake Louise to Whistler sounds great, was that an organized tour like Trek Travel? What was the Blueridge, Natchez Trace like? Is this on pavement?

The Mariposa bikes sounds like classics. Hand built to individual specifications.

There was a shop here in Vancouver that did custom work with Reynolds tubing. The builders name was Ken Legge and he did some very lively builds with that tubing so I can only imagine what Mariposa bikes are like to ride

PB_NB · 07-26-2020, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeJeff

Count us in. We rode the Great Allegheny Passage last September in 3 day, 50 mile sections. The KOA at Connellsvile was a good place for a home base. We had 2 cars and could self shuttle. We’d like to join folks cycling with the Airstream.

I had a look at the website that talks about this route: https://gaptrail.org/

It looks like there is a lot for many different interests. The home base idea works great as many others have commented. I know that it will be hard for me to get Cheryl to drive the combo while I ride just due to her feeling uncomfortable towing in general. When we did the American Lung Association ride. it was a one way century and we camped in the middle of the route. Drove to the start and had one person drive the vehicle back and then to the finish line at the Coast. Then after many beers and some food. Our DD drove us all back to the campground there was a lot of driving that day.