Bicycling for the Tough
I know that you have to be really tough to ride in weather we are having here. The temperature is 16 degrees, with winds of 15 and gusts to 25. Riding today is for the really hearty, tough and dedicated. I have a friend that rides his bicycle to work every day, and I guess that at my mature age I will stick to the truck today. Supposed to be colder tomorrow.
There is a riding trail just down the hill from my house called the Katie Trail. It is a State Park Trail that runs along the Missouri River on the old Katie Railroad Track Bed. The trail is hard packed chat gravel, fairly flat, and relatively smooth. I have riden my road bicycle on it before, and it does fairly well, but the wider tires of a hybrid bicycle would add a little extra stability, especailly if you stop at too many of the vineyard stands along the trail.
I have not been riding on a bicycle for for some time, and have been working at getting back into enjoyment riding shape, and the Katie Trail is pretty good. You can ride and get picked up at one of the towns along the trail, or in my case, ride down to the trail, about 3 miles, ride out as far as I feel I can get back, and then turn and ride home. I always have the Cell Phone incase I over ride out and stop and cool down too long on the way back. I get stiff just thinking of it, but my doctor said that it is good exercise if I remember how old I am. Unfortunately, I have a good memory, it is just really short.
I have my eye on a hybrid bicycle and want to get it before long. We have some decent days here even during the winter. This weekend it is supposed to be back up to 50 degrees, and having my new hybrid bicycle would give me a chance to practice some and get it all setup. Setup is really important. If the seat and handle bars are wrong, it can cause more effort on the ride than is really necessary. In March the riding is really good, and being setup and with practice, I could start getting in some good miles.
This is my 3rd bike that I built. I’ve tried the Dimension Edge Honda gx50 friction drive kit and the Golden Eagle Robin/Subaru 35cc belt drive system. Out of all of them I think the chain drive system from Staton is the best. It has lots of torque. The complete Staton gear and chain two cycle engine drive kit with the NuVinci hub. The NuVinci hub is the transmission built into the rear wheel. The motor is the MITSUBISHI ENCORE TL43 50 T0 ONE GAS/OIL RATIO. The one-liter fuel tank delivers over 40 miles. The top speed is about 35+ all depends on the rider’s weight. The motor all the parts were painted black with a base coat of primer. The motor has a kill switch to turn it off.
The front wheel is electric. The Bionx PL350 system. Its top speed is 20mph.The battery is a 36 volt L-ion. The command console has a thumb throttle. In position G1 through G4 the motor becomes a generator, allowing to restoring energy into the battery. There is a switch on the front brake handle. When engaged the motor acts like a brake. The command console features are multifunction odometer, low voltage, battery level, assistance or generation level, level of energy being used of generated and many more. It also has a backlit lcd that you can turn on or off. Other features it having an alarm system. If the bicycle is being moved for more than ΒΌ wheel rotation, the battery will emit a sound and the Bionx will switch to the maximum generative mode. To turn if off just put in your pin code. A fully discharged battery can be recharged in approximately 3 to 4 hours
The head light are from Jet Lites Starfire Dual Beam W/ 5 Way Smart Switch. It has 3 power settings 14w, 22w and 36w.The battery is a 13.2v 3800 NIMH WATER BOTTLE BATTERY. It takes 4 hour to charge the battery.Run time for the light is 6w-6 hrs, 9w-4hrs, 12w-3hrs, 20w-2hrs, 32w-1hr, 15min
The mirrors on the bike are zefal dooback.Fully adjustable to any viewing angle.
The seat on the bike is Bontrager Cruiser
The stem on the bike is Bontrager Adjustable Aheadset
The Nashbar Deluxe Rack Trunk Bag and the 1 Pannier. I have the right one but I’m not using it because of the motor. Both bags are waterproof.
The fenders are from Planet Bike, Cascadia Atb black
The front tire and the rear tire are from Maxxis Over Drive Hybrid tire. The tire size is 26×1.75.It has a Kevlar belt and reflective stripe. The tube that I have inside is an extra thick downhill tube 2.2 mm. It also has, slime tire liners in the tube for better protection.
The handle bar is a Dimension Cruiser Bar.
The rear rack is a Trek Rear Rack Deluxe and the tail light is also made from Trek. It’s a Flare 10 Led Taillight. It has 3 light mode steady, flashing and random mode.
The bike pump is from Topeak.The Road Morph bike pump its capacity goes to 160 psi/11 bars. It has an in-line gauge for easy reading.
The kickstand is from Edge Double leg alloy its Swiss made.
The bike frame is from Redline. It’s a Monocog 26in large frame. It was a single speed bike. I picked that frame because full chromoly 3150.I wanted a strong frame to handle the torque from the motor.
The horn is from Delta Airzound its super loud up to 115 db.It refills with any bike pump.
It also has a second speedometer on it; it’s a bell F-20.Large dual display with 20 functions and back-lit screen
I took a ride to portvue from Clairton. It’s about 8 miles. It went up Rebecca St by the Elbow Room at 15 mph. I weight about 250. So if you are lighter you will gain more speed.
I live in Clairton Pa, stop by to test drive it. (Local pickup only)
I paid 4,000 for all the parts and the amount of time I put into it. Asking price is 2,000 I’m selling it because I saw an all electric motor cycle that I want to get.
It also comes with a full case of Stens 50:1 2 cycle oil.
Any questions please email me at Clairton@comcast.net or phone me at 412-297-9457 or 412-267-1905 Ray
The bike is not even 1 year old. I used only 1 gal of gas.
Bike using two, four, or six, 36 volt Dewalt battery packs in series for 72 volts powering a 408 Crystalyte motor.
Bike using two, four, or six, 36 volt Dewalt battery packs in series for 72 volts powering a 408 Crystalyte motor. More at http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/6/1/1287/76804
news report on electric bicycle (electric bike) HPV EV
For more info see:
http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com
Here is one of my favorite “how to” video on building an ebike:
http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com/2006/08/ebike-conversion.html
More keywords: Magnetic motor free hybrid