Low Speed Stability
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If OP still prefer sitting upright but have balancing limitation, maybe an e-trike is also an option.
My in-laws are in the 80's with balance issues, I bought them a Lectric XP Trike for $1500, they've been able to enjoy it as much as the fat tire e-bike they used to have before the pandemic, when they had less balancing issues.
My in-laws are in the 80's with balance issues, I bought them a Lectric XP Trike for $1500, they've been able to enjoy it as much as the fat tire e-bike they used to have before the pandemic, when they had less balancing issues.
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OK. I not sure what this high trail low trail stuff is about. My current bike is a large stepover Raleigh e-bike with a dead battery pack, and I have been riding without it.
It weighs 50lbs without the battery. It has a 7 speed Shimano Altus gearset, and 26" tires.
I have yet to be able to stabily launch the bike by peddling it from a standstill, so I believe that this can only be done with assistance from the motor.
It weighs 50lbs without the battery. It has a 7 speed Shimano Altus gearset, and 26" tires.
I have yet to be able to stabily launch the bike by peddling it from a standstill, so I believe that this can only be done with assistance from the motor.
And FYI - you could post a picture of the "ebike" in question, and see if someone could find a solution. Get a new battery/controller/display combo, if applicable. The battery doesn't necessarily have to remain rack mounted.
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Between the canbus system and the integrated controller of the Currie motor, they made a mess of it.
As it stands, I suffer from brain cancer, and can only attempt to ride when I am feeling up to it, and I may be waisting my time with this particular bike.
I however want to press on to see this project thru.
Last edited by George Mann; 07-24-23 at 07:17 AM.
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If you believe that I have wasted your time, why are you still doing so?
The bike is a 2017 Raleigh Retroglide iE (stepover). I would have to rewire the whole setup to mount a different battery to the frame.
Between the canbus system and the integrated controller of the Currie motor, they made a mess of it.
As it stands, I suffer from brain cancer, and can only attempt to ride when I am feeling up to it, and I may be waisting my time with this particular bike.
The bike is a 2017 Raleigh Retroglide iE (stepover). I would have to rewire the whole setup to mount a different battery to the frame.
Between the canbus system and the integrated controller of the Currie motor, they made a mess of it.
As it stands, I suffer from brain cancer, and can only attempt to ride when I am feeling up to it, and I may be waisting my time with this particular bike.
PS - mid drive? If you can get it up and running, it will be worth it.
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I only need a new inner battery pack to make it work. If I can find someone to build it with LiFePO4 batteries, and a good BMS, even better.
Last edited by George Mann; 07-24-23 at 08:01 AM.
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You'll get a bit more assistance in this section. Hopefully someone can recommend a solution. Please be patient.
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EBikeMarketplace in Las Vegas is a company that reportedly (I've never used them) rebuilds batteries. However, mailing yours to them is a conundrum if it's even something they can repair. I would think that, since you reside in a metro area (from your location), you should be able to locate a similar service nearby. It's possible that a new battery can be combined with your Raliegh interface or since it seems like there may be positive and negative wires going to the controller, just splice in a different battery. If your bike doesn't have a throttle, you might take a look at a new Electra (flat feet technology and sold at Trek stores) if it has a throttle since that would facilitate starting out. As stated above, I'm so sorry to learn of your affliction and the more information we have (especially budgetary), the more assistance we can provide.
Last edited by 2old; 07-24-23 at 09:26 AM.
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EBikeMarketplace in Las Vegas is a company that reportedly (I've never used them) rebuilds batteries. However, mailing yours to them is a conundrum if it's even something they can repair. I would think that, since you reside in a metro area (from your location), you should be able to locate a similar service nearby. It's possible that a new battery can be combined with your Raliegh interface or since it seems like there may be positive and negative wires going to the controller, just splice in a different battery. If your bike doesn't have a throttle, you might take a look at a new Electra (flat feet technology and sold at Trek stores) if it has a throttle since that would facilitate starting out. As stated above, I'm so sorry to learn of your affliction and the more information we have (especially budgetary), the more assistance we can provide.
I would like to stay under $500. I was planning to contact a few Chinese battery manufacturers to see what they can do for me. But you never know what you will be getting from them.
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The wires from your battery to what I assume (I know, I know) to be the controller APPEAR to have positive and negatives. If so, you could hook up a battery which had for instance an XT-90 "female" connector by splicing an XT-90 male (probably with pigtails) to those wires. I would concur not to use a Chinese company. Also, for only $800 you could procure a Lectric Cycle ebike with throttle (although only single speed); maybe you could defer part of the extra cost by selling your bike for $100 - $200.
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If I can't get the one I have going, I will give up on 2-wheeled ebikes entirely.
Last edited by George Mann; 07-25-23 at 12:58 AM.
#37
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Saw a survey that most of the accidents among the elderly riders are from mounting and dismounting when stopping on a bike. A crank forward design (also called cruiser, feet forward etc) maybe the way to go. A recumbent bike is on the extreme, but you can go with the Electra Townie where the bottom bracket is positioned about 6 inches front of the seat tube. This design allows you to stop without dismounting from the saddle. You can find them used on craigslist for under $300.
If you can bike wrench, buy a mid drive kit and build yourself a decent ebike.
I suffer from some back pain so I got a used $300 recumbent. Another $300 for a Tongsheng mid drive kit fr aliexpress and repurposed a 48v server batter for under a hundred.
If you can bike wrench, buy a mid drive kit and build yourself a decent ebike.
I suffer from some back pain so I got a used $300 recumbent. Another $300 for a Tongsheng mid drive kit fr aliexpress and repurposed a 48v server batter for under a hundred.
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EBikeMarketplace in Las Vegas is a company that reportedly (I've never used them) rebuilds batteries. However, mailing yours to them is a conundrum if it's even something they can repair. I would think that, since you reside in a metro area (from your location), you should be able to locate a similar service nearby. It's possible that a new battery can be combined with your Raliegh interface or since it seems like there may be positive and negative wires going to the controller, just splice in a different battery. If your bike doesn't have a throttle, you might take a look at a new Electra (flat feet technology and sold at Trek stores) if it has a throttle since that would facilitate starting out. As stated above, I'm so sorry to learn of your affliction and the more information we have (especially budgetary), the more assistance we can provide.
But you want to know what cells it's using. Are they flat, Samsung style, potted? Specific output per cell. cell id numbers if possible.
Cells, unless custom, can be sourced. The beauty of the whole chinese set up is they all use the same commodity parts so almost nothing is super custom.
And if, when it's open and he says "Oh these are XXXX" ask him to fix it.
You're not going to be changing battery types unless you know someone that can built you a control circuit for your new set up.
Last edited by Schweinhund; 07-25-23 at 06:48 PM.
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Hi George,
A couple ideas:
A couple ideas:
- There's a woman on facebook named Susie Cen who can source new battery packs directly from the China suppliers. You might try reaching out to her with some pix and specs of your battery pack. I bet she can do a lot better than $600.
- Maybe you shouldn't give up on a trike so easily? You could just invest in a quality lock, alarm and cover and lock it up outside somewhere
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Why do people post stuff like this?
If you lived closer I would help you modify the bike to use a generic battery.
I helped a friend try and find a bike for her son with a balance problem. Lots of good options for a trike but hear you on the issues with storing and transporting them. He ended up getting an electric scooter, he could balance that.
BTW if you have trouble starting out on a regular bike don't even consider a 2 wheel recumbent. Those are tricky to get started.
If you lived closer I would help you modify the bike to use a generic battery.
I helped a friend try and find a bike for her son with a balance problem. Lots of good options for a trike but hear you on the issues with storing and transporting them. He ended up getting an electric scooter, he could balance that.
BTW if you have trouble starting out on a regular bike don't even consider a 2 wheel recumbent. Those are tricky to get started.
Last edited by Pop N Wood; 08-13-23 at 07:14 AM.
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Why do people post stuff like this?
Bicycle stability is a complex topic, but I don't think that is your issue. My guess is you have trouble starting out due to the overall weight of the bike and possibly from trying to start out is too high of a gear.
As for your battery at some point it connects to the controller with two wires. What you may need to do is install a connector allowing you to use a generic style battery. Batteries can be mounted anywhere on the bike, even carried in a backpack with a long power lead.
No shame if you aren't comfortable performing such a modification, but perhaps you know someone handy enough to help you out?
Some bikes use proprietary batteries, sort of like an Apple product that won't work unless you have an Apple approved charger. My guess is your bike is not that type.
Bicycle stability is a complex topic, but I don't think that is your issue. My guess is you have trouble starting out due to the overall weight of the bike and possibly from trying to start out is too high of a gear.
As for your battery at some point it connects to the controller with two wires. What you may need to do is install a connector allowing you to use a generic style battery. Batteries can be mounted anywhere on the bike, even carried in a backpack with a long power lead.
No shame if you aren't comfortable performing such a modification, but perhaps you know someone handy enough to help you out?
Some bikes use proprietary batteries, sort of like an Apple product that won't work unless you have an Apple approved charger. My guess is your bike is not that type.
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There were a few assuptions made here about whether or not this particular bike could serve as a conventional passively pedalled bike.
Well, this is a conventional bike design that has been adapted to an ebike. It operates just as a convention bike should, but it weighs 50lbs without the battery pack.
The weight of this bike appears to be the sole hinderance to getting it up to speed.
I have several ideas that would make the bike lighter such as removing the motor (around 8 pounds) and adding lighter rims.
I have not weighed the seat or stem.
I also want to swap out the current derailleur for one of higher quality.
Well, this is a conventional bike design that has been adapted to an ebike. It operates just as a convention bike should, but it weighs 50lbs without the battery pack.
The weight of this bike appears to be the sole hinderance to getting it up to speed.
I have several ideas that would make the bike lighter such as removing the motor (around 8 pounds) and adding lighter rims.
I have not weighed the seat or stem.
I also want to swap out the current derailleur for one of higher quality.
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There were a few assumptions made here about whether or not this particular bike could serve as a conventional passively pedaled bike.
Well, this is a conventional bike design that has been adapted to an ebike. It operates just as a convention bike should, but it weighs 50lbs without the battery pack.
The weight of this bike appears to be the sole hinderance to getting it up to speed.
I have several ideas that would make the bike lighter such as removing the motor (around 8 pounds) and adding lighter rims.
I have not weighed the seat or stem.
I also want to swap out the current derailleur for one of higher quality.
Well, this is a conventional bike design that has been adapted to an ebike. It operates just as a convention bike should, but it weighs 50lbs without the battery pack.
The weight of this bike appears to be the sole hinderance to getting it up to speed.
I have several ideas that would make the bike lighter such as removing the motor (around 8 pounds) and adding lighter rims.
I have not weighed the seat or stem.
I also want to swap out the current derailleur for one of higher quality.
If you know the electrical ratings (voltage, etc.) for the original battery, I would hope you could find companies that sell batteries with the same ratings that could be safely adapted for installation on the existing rack or a front rack. There might be compatibility issues I'm unaware of, though.
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Just so there is no confusion here, I have completely removed the battery components from the bike.
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That bike was meant to be an e-bike, maybe not a great one but it is not a great candidate for much other than a lower initial cost cruiser e-bike. There are plenty of more suitable bikes with better components that will be easier to ride. Having such a heavy bike without battery means it is going to be less stable and less practical for most rides aside from slow casual cruising in a flat area like a beach. Putting a bunch of money towards it doesn't really make sense the derailleur on it isn't great but it matches the rest of the bike and the price point they were intending to hit. Just ride it as intended or as you have set it up and realize it is not the right bike for the job. There is a reason there are so many different bikes out there because some bikes are suited for different terrains and purposes.
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Originally Posted by veganbikes
There are plenty of more suitable bikes with better components that will be easier to ride.
Originally Posted by veganbikes
Having such a heavy bike without battery means it is going to be less stable and less practical for most rides aside from slow casual cruising in a flat area like a beach.
Originally Posted by veganbikes
Putting a bunch of money towards it doesn't really make sense the derailleur on it isn't great but it matches the rest of the bike and the price point they were intending to hit.
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This is the style of bike I like. They made a few significantly lighter cruisers recently, but none of them are currently available at an affordable price.
See above.
That's what this style of bike was intended for. There are many vintage bikes that are heavier.
This was a $2000 bike back in 2017, not a cheap one.
See above.
That's what this style of bike was intended for. There are many vintage bikes that are heavier.
This was a $2000 bike back in 2017, not a cheap one.
There are not many vintage bikes heavier than 50lbs. There are some there will always be heavy bikes but most of that stuff was just old technology and lower end steel tubing.
I know the bike well, we sold a couple back in the day, it is a cheaper bike. Maybe as a non-electric bike with what it is equipped with it would be expensive but 2k for an e-bike is about the lowest I would ever go on a new e-bike and usually those have compromises. It is generally close to the same prices as many of the online random e-bikes out there from various different company names maybe a few hundred more than some but close to that.