First customer bike was taken last night, a converted new MTB. Older gentleman with lung problems wanting to keep riding. Few pix here http://eplusbike.weebly.com/gallery.html
Or check out the Updates page for some progress shots.
Already have another bike to do and an enquiry for two more for a husband and wife. And have possibly sold another 3 new bikes.
Been a lot of hard background work getting the word out there but it's starting to spread, I'm getting at least one enquiry per day and growing.
That's great Brent, hope you become the Elon Musk of NZ! Are you making DIY kits for export? I have a full suspension rear mono shock MTB sitting in my garage.
That's good news. I am actually looking into getting an e-bike myself for commuting as the traffic is not improving as far as I can tell. The hours of heavy traffic seem to be extending and I really hate sitting in traffic.
Any tips on what to look for? So far, in my reading, it seems a mid-drive system might be the way to go.
@glend: there's a few Australian places around that offer kits for converting to e-bikes.
That's great Brent, hope you become the Elon Musk of NZ! Are you making DIY kits for export? I have a full suspension rear mono shock MTB sitting in my garage.
Thanks guys, it certainly seems to starting to roll over here for sure. I was just reading a big article in the Sydney Morning herald about how they are getting behind cycleways as well, Written by the Mayor no less.
Glen ; I just looked at a full suspension bike for possible conversion. Trouble is that the motor is anchored by a torque bolt through the back wheel lower arms, into that little triangle brace area and most full suspension bikes are all pivot and moving components there. Nothing to secure it to. The MTB's I have done have been only front suspension versions. Send me a pic or two and I can confirm for you at least.
The kits and batteries are brought in from China, Shanghai.
Check my ebike website for a bit more info
eplusbike.weebly.com
Chris : Mid drive on a MTB\Commuter bike frame seems best, again look at my website for my own conversion pictures. Pretty standard sort of bike and reasonably priced even new. My bike cost $549, Jims was $700 and he still got a good deal. Kit to fit is about $1800 including my installation time.
That first one I did gave the best performing bike for the price. Anything similar shop bought new is in the $3500 . $4000 + bracket. I turn them out at around $2200 to $2500 including the new bike.
#2 out the door. An older Marin Larkspur, wee bit of re-engineering and a major service and clean up. The rider nearly beat her husband back home after he dropped her off to pick it up, about 7 km with hills. Nice big 11.6 AH battery on as well.
More info on eplusbike.weebly.com in Gallery and Updates
I wish you were a local store. I had to go with local for the service and support, so I'm certainly not getting it as cheap. I'm also getting a completely new e-bike, not a converted one.
I think you're in the right market though - I can see the e-bikes becoming a lot more prevalent.
For myself, I'll be using it mostly for commuting (approx 20km each way). Rough calculations suggest that it will take me as long to ride to work as it will to take public transport. I might as well get some exercise instead of being sardine packed for that time. I should "pay off" the bike in about 2 to 4 years from not paying for public transport (depends how many days per week in the office vs work from home, etc).
Cheers Chris,
It is just taking off over here, especially in Auckland. Driven by a lot more apartments and traffic problems. The Govt and the local Councils are pushing it all big time. Just organising more marketing gear at present so I can be a presence at shows etc.
20km each way ! Bit of a hike, I hope it is reasonably flat. I do 7 km each way with some minor hills and traffic. But it saves me about 30 mins walk and train time and is a lot cheaper of course. Pay off is a mixed bag, $$ yes but also the fitness and eco effects of doing it 'green'.
And I quite enjoy the ride to be honest, clears the morning cobwebs away for sure.
Well, I think they're right to push it - there's limits to how much further we can go with car traffic infrastructure.
I have yet to ride my commute route (I'll be (re)building my stamina up a bit first), but I drive close to it all the time. There are a few hills, but nothing too excessive - there's 2 excellent bike paths I get to use for most of the distance. I realise that 20km is a bit of a hike as you say, but if I did the public transport, I'd still have to find extra time to go to the gym/exercise anyway (+1 hr / day), so I'd end up using more time overall. Many moons ago, I used to commute about 8kms each way with some terrible hills, so I'm hoping 20kms with electric assist should be manageable.
I'm really liking your progress in this field. Can I ask a couple of questions?
Firstly, what's that little screen thing on the handlebars, - the thing that looks like a car sat-Nav?
And secondly, over there in NZ how much do you pay for the kit that I suppose includes the motor, battery and whatever else is involved?
Oh, and following on from your comment with Chris, what would be the approx max distance that these beasties would be good for (assuming flattish ground) before it goes flat and you're stuck with peddling?
Also, I just dug out these regs for Australia...
"As with all other states, the key criteria is:
250w maximum rated output
Power assist - no pedal no power
25km/h assistance cuts out"
I think you said the max in NZ was 300W, but are the other guidelines similar to yours?
I'm really liking your progress in this field. Can I ask a couple of questions?
Firstly, what's that little screen thing on the handlebars, - the thing that looks like a car sat-Nav?
And secondly, over there in NZ how much do you pay for the kit that I suppose includes the motor, battery and whatever else is involved?
Oh, and following on from your comment with Chris, what would be the approx max distance that these beasties would be good for (assuming flattish ground) before it goes flat and you're stuck with peddling?
Also, I just dug out these regs for Australia...
"As with all other states, the key criteria is:
250w maximum rated output
Power assist - no pedal no power
25km/h assistance cuts out"
I think you said the max in NZ was 300W, but are the other guidelines similar to yours?
Thanks in advance
On the handle bars is the computer and assist controls for the motor. There is also a small thumb controller near the left grip. Speed + & -, mode and Info buttons. Gives ODO, avg, trip and calories burnt. You can reset the last 3.
This kit cost $1598 + my $200 for fitting ( about 4-5 hours ). Motor is $949, battery $649. But these will drop. Already has as new tech and manufacturing expands. And in our case as we bring in larger shipments.
Max distance depends on how much assist you want to use. I did 24 km a couple of weeks ago on assist 2 and still had plenty of battery left when I got home. That included a couple of medium hills coming back. Depends also on battery size obviously, mine is 10.4 Amp Hours, should get about 40+ km if I'm am careful with assist level. Biggest battery is 15.4 AH.
NZ regs are 300 watts and 32 kph. But nobody checks it and there is a hack ....
The mid motor as I build is the most efficient of all the conversions as it allows the motor to take advantage of the rear gear set. Electric motors run better at revs. Hub motors only go at wheel speed so use current at low speeds, not very efficient climbing hills.
More info on my website eplusbike.weebly.com
Cheers
Brent
P.S. the charger is just a wee 2amp thing like a laptop uses, I take mine to work to top up for free .... shhh 20 mins maybe.
Well, I think they're right to push it - there's limits to how much further we can go with car traffic infrastructure.
I have yet to ride my commute route (I'll be (re)building my stamina up a bit first), but I drive close to it all the time. There are a few hills, but nothing too excessive - there's 2 excellent bike paths I get to use for most of the distance. I realise that 20km is a bit of a hike as you say, but if I did the public transport, I'd still have to find extra time to go to the gym/exercise anyway (+1 hr / day), so I'd end up using more time overall. Many moons ago, I used to commute about 8kms each way with some terrible hills, so I'm hoping 20kms with electric assist should be manageable.
Hi Chris,
I was already riding for fun and fitness although hadn't done much lately and 7 km is not far. I don't even change clothes, use the assist to make an easy ride in but I work hard coming home.
I suggest you get some local practice in first and build your stamina for sure. Also the lighter your bike the better. The Marin I just converted is extremely light, all alum frame and even after conversion the lady owner can easily lift it onto her car carrier which has pleased her.
Make sure you have safety gear as well. I have two sets of lights up front, flashing and steady and flashing rear red plus yellow flouro safety vest. I have to mix it with traffic but I've found being able to maintain a good speed certainly has reduced their frustrations with my presence on the road.
I'm building up some extra safety gear, definitely. I'm of the mind that the more visible I am the better it is overall. It's too hot here to wear a vest over a shirt, but I'm thinking about getting hi vis straps or those flashing led straps for the wrists/legs.
The bike I'm getting is the Haibike xDuro Trekking RX 2016 and it's nicely kitted out with lights, etc. The wheel rims are reflective too. It weighs 23.5 kg which didn't seem too heavy to me. It felt amazing when I did my test ride compared to another system I tried, as in it felt like natural responsiveness to whatever I was doing although massively amplified in effect.
I did my test ride in >30C heat, wearing normal clothes, and for part of it rode up a steep hill while sitting down (max assist) and was barely puffed or sweating at the top - which isn't bad as my fitness has taken a hit from illnesses and injury over the last year. On a normal bike I probably would have had to walk it up that hill for most of the way and been stuffed at the top.
I get the bike either tomorrow or Wednesday and I'm looking forward to getting underway with it all.
Cool, I'll be interested in how it goes and your thoughts on it. Send us a pic.
My Safety vest is just a loose nylon thing the flaps in the breeze, no heat build up problem there. Dayglo Green\Yellow, very visible.
I'm building up some extra safety gear, definitely. I'm of the mind that the more visible I am the better it is overall. It's too hot here to wear a vest over a shirt, but I'm thinking about getting hi vis straps or those flashing led straps for the wrists/legs.
The bike I'm getting is the Haibike xDuro Trekking RX 2016 and it's nicely kitted out with lights, etc. The wheel rims are reflective too. It weighs 23.5 kg which didn't seem too heavy to me. It felt amazing when I did my test ride compared to another system I tried, as in it felt like natural responsiveness to whatever I was doing although massively amplified in effect.
I did my test ride in >30C heat, wearing normal clothes, and for part of it rode up a steep hill while sitting down (max assist) and was barely puffed or sweating at the top - which isn't bad as my fitness has taken a hit from illnesses and injury over the last year. On a normal bike I probably would have had to walk it up that hill for most of the way and been stuffed at the top.
I get the bike either tomorrow or Wednesday and I'm looking forward to getting underway with it all.
Where are you getting your bike from Chris, and do they have an online shop? I'd like to have a browse
I'm keenly following this, starting work at a new client in March and my commute on a bike would be approx 2hrs/35km/300m elev change each way (according to google).. not much further than the 1hr 40min it'd take now.
I've always felt daunted by the prospect of riding in and wonder if an ebike to assist with the hills would work out to be a good compromise over driving.
Taking the car depends heavily on peak traffic and accidents, anywhere from 55mins to 1hr 50mins according to google (not much help!).
I take it these things are off-road only.. given the power! Would be nifty to have something that could cut that commute down
My current bike is an 2012 Avanti Explorer 3.0, it's a nice hybrid, good disc brakes, front suspension, not sure how suitable this would be for a conversion kit? I would happily go over the 250w/25km/h barrier too as the majority of my riding is not on the roads.
