From the original post:
Virtual-R wrote:Just noticed there was a section here for bicycles so thought I'd post up my new pride and joy. Recently I've taken up cycling too and built a hybrid electric bike. Even though it has the motor, it still needs a decent amount of effort to ride (for me anyway). I'm using it as a pedal assist, however I switch to manual throttle and also to cruise if required (good when you need a bit of rest but want to keep moving). So far I've lost 5kg since I purchased it, I was extremely unfit previously and just riding a standard push bike around the block would make me feel like I was about to die. Now I find when the motor is off, I can ride for around 30 minutes on mixed grade paths, so I'm slowly getting to a acceptable level of fitness.
Here is a few photos of the bike, it's nothing flash. A K-mart special they were clearing out. They were dumping all their bike stock and marked everything down to basically give away prices, I'd always wanted a dual suspension mountain bike so it fitted perfectly.
Here it is when I first purchased it:
After finding out my level of fitness was beyond a joke, I made a few inquiries into options for some kind of power assistance. I'd previously owned a full sized electric scooter, but sold it when they changed the laws restricting them to 10kph. The scooter was also stupidly heavy and the 200w motor seriously struggled, even still it would make it (eventually) to a top speed of 28kph, cyclists however would blow past me like I was standing still lol
I ended up looking into things more and found kits available overseas which use the same kind of system for bicycles. Found a really good supplier in China who was very helpful, so placed my order and within a week it had become an e-bike
Since then I've been riding it daily, really enjoying being able to head to the local parkland's each morning for a ride. Made a few changes like adding lights to it, fiddling around with the electronics to get a bit more torque out of it down low and extend the battery life so I can travel longer distances. Friend helped out heaps by making me up a custom rear pannier rack. It's still a work in progress though, lot's more I'd like to change to make it more long distance friendly.
Here's a few photos after this mornings ride, thing is a bit muddy the paths were a nightmare after the rain, came home covered in mud. Think I need to find some mud guards for it next
The reactions when most people see it are good, only troubles I've had is from a few car drivers throwing abuse (and one time a bottle of coke), assuming this is what comes with cycling in general within Melbourne? Also a couple of hardcore cyclists have a bit of a go at me for riding it, but usually most of them will smile and give a quick hello. I assume some urban professional cyclists maybe don't favour these things too much either?
I've been stopped by a few people who are interested (or confused) and asked about it. When I head to the local shops here sometimes the store owners come out and take a look too. Let one of them take it for a ride the other day and he loved it. Most people seem to turn into little kids when they see it and are amazed because never knew they existed.
All up I think it's probably the best purchase I've made in a long time. Very determined to build it up more so it's able to travel longer distances with assistance, but that will come with upgrades to the batteries along with increased levels of fitness.
Since then, I soon realised the little bag on the back was no good for carrying the batteries, they would move around that much the wires would fall off the batteries, also the weight ended up almost snapping the rear pannier off. Having owned a scooter previously, I thought a top box would be the best solution.
Picked up a "small" top box off ebay, which turned out to be a lot bigger than expected, guess they are meant for motorcycles after all
Fitted it up, all good:
After that, spent around 4 days solid making up a custom mounting section for the batteries to sit, fixed solidly in place like a car battery. Separating the weight as best I could to make it easier to ride, along with mounting the ECU and having the sides free for wiring coming in and out:
Still a bit more to go on it, need to tidy up the wiring so its all neat and fixed in place. Will be sectioning off the wiring areas from the batteries, and closing the top up with some MDF.
Also got some car fog lights which I converted into headlights, which will need to be wired in and mounted up.
Hopefully few more updates soon
looks like you are hauling your Weber around to a mates place to cook lunch 
