Electric bicycles

[Kram]

I have an old 2010 push bike (hybrid road, trail type). It has some issues and want to use it more for fitness rather than relying too much on car. One issue is my weight and torque, I can strip the teeth off new sprockets in a few weeks, they wear out very quick with my low cadence. Starting off from traffic lights has become dangerous with the amount it slips and lack of progress.

Looking at Ebikes with a hub motor, that will reduce some of the issue as the assistance wont be going through the chain, and even if it slips, will still give assistance.

Seen one that might do the job, its a hard tail mountain bike style, 27.5" wheels, 380wh battery. Can I fit hybrid trail tyres and use it like my current bike, with a good mix of road and light trail, or should I be looking at another hybrid style?

Suggestions welcome, upto £1000. Not wanting something too desirable as it would just get nicked.

Or should I look at a hub motor kit and keep what I have?

 

[DanZac]

Starting off from traffic lights has become dangerous with the amount it slips and lack of progress.

Personally, I'd look to fix that before you do anything else.

There's professional cyclists putting 1500+ watts through chains and sprockets without stripping them or the chain skipping, so it's more likely that what you've got is either worn (the chain will slip on worn sprockets) or badly adjusted, could also be the ratchet pawls on the freehub slipping, which will result in the same problem.

Try putting some force through the cranks whilst stood over the bike (one foot on the floor, one on the pedal) and you might be able to see where it's skipping (more likely to be the front ring that's worn and it's skipping on that than a rear one in my experience).

I don't think that putting a hub motor on it will solve any of your current problems.

 

[frank horton]

I think ue'd b better off with a decent mid drive conversion.....u dont say how heavy u are but extra lower gearing will help get u off the start line......
I have to convert a Honda EM1 elec scooter for a client to mid drive.....as it is a write off due to a burnt out hub motor....plus I wont use anything but the best qual chain....
looks to have enough room for lightweight m/cycle chains n sprockets...
luckily it's already got 48volt batts...

Yes it will be a lot heavier than a push bike but it's better than putting it in the bin.....
There's a lot of info out there on all kinds of drive types but Bosch get rave reviews from riders and repairers....
Seems that most problems are due to water ingress via rivers and streams.....but thats probably what I'll go with...

 

[m_c]

Teeth shouldn't wear that quick, so I suspect there's likely something else contributing to the issue.
For reference, even when I was over 100kg, gear wear was never an issue (at least no more than normal wear and tear), and I'm a relatively slow pedal spinner and can push over 1000W on the turbo in short bursts.
Plus the vast majority of e-bikes are using crank motors, and they don't suffer from things wearing out that quick.

The big issue with converting a normal bike, is the frame isn't designed for the extra forces, so you do need to keep an eye out for cracks around the mounting points.

And yes, you can fit other tyres to a mountainbike. You can't go super skinny, but there are plenty slick/semi-slick tyre options available that will fit wider rims.

 

[Migmac]

Not got any pals whose work does a cycle to work scheme? They get a seriously good deal on electric bikes, your grand would go further

 

[angellonewolf]

mate and me used to ride to work there was gravel paths tarmac mix and would have leaves etc on there he had no problems with this type lasted ages

Schwalbe Big Ben Urban Performance Tyre - 27.5" | Merlin Cycles

Buy your Schwalbe Big Ben Urban Performance Tyre - 27.5" at Merlin. Free worldwide delivery available on most items!

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think the ones he had where punture protection in about 25 each i think

 

[Shedendman]

@Kram
get some exercise lad

 

[Shedendman]

Sorry but i had to

Theres my bus,must go

 

[dobbslc]

@Kram
get some exercise lad

Directed by Ridley Scott!

 

[Gareth J]

Have you ruled out a conversion kit on your current bike, if you like that one? Sounds like it needs new chain and sprockets on it at very least anyway.

There are some heavyweight ebikes with heavyweight riders and cargo setups running pretty standard chains/sprockets. If yours is slipping, renewal of everything is very overdue. If you need the torque low down, a mid drive is much better.

 

[badabec]

Directed by Ridley Scott!

Filmed on Gold Hill in Shaftsbury, Dorset.

 

[Nomad]

I'd avoid 27.5" a neighbour had a lot of problems when her wheel broke as her local bike shops only keep 26" and 29" wheels in stock.

I'm very happy with my (mid/high spec) mountain bike, replaced knobble tyre with semi-slick road tyres and it's ideal for my usual B-roads and gravel tracks.
Top tip: I use tyres by curio on all my bikes, super cheap, no punctures, cool colors.
https://curiouk.com/collections

Then add a 36 volt E-bike conversion kit (mororised wheel + battery + controller)
Tip2: make sure you get a current controlled system not the older speed controlled system.
Systems by KT are a very good start, I upgraded to KT and recommend it highly.

You can also search or ask advice on the very helpful E-bike forum
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/5-electric-bike-general-discussion/