Next step: e road bike
07-14-18, 06:24 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Next step: e road bike
I am looking for a way, if possible, to convert my husband's custom road bike to one with electric assist capability. Suggestions appreciated.
FYI: My husband is facing his next medical recovery challenge having had a heart attack in February. This after a stroke in 2014 where we solved riding issues with a tandem that I captain. When he got strong enough he got a custom road bike (Stinner) with a very low top tube so he can get his leg over it. The tandem is out - it is too difficult for him to regulate his heart rate in the very steep hilly area where we live. He is struggling with keeping his heart rate low on his single as well. There is no such thing as a flat ride where we are.
More fyi: he won't/can't ride a bike with flat handlbars (mtn or hybrid) so that's not an option he will consider. The handling is sufficiently different and balance is an issue with him.
FYI: My husband is facing his next medical recovery challenge having had a heart attack in February. This after a stroke in 2014 where we solved riding issues with a tandem that I captain. When he got strong enough he got a custom road bike (Stinner) with a very low top tube so he can get his leg over it. The tandem is out - it is too difficult for him to regulate his heart rate in the very steep hilly area where we live. He is struggling with keeping his heart rate low on his single as well. There is no such thing as a flat ride where we are.
More fyi: he won't/can't ride a bike with flat handlbars (mtn or hybrid) so that's not an option he will consider. The handling is sufficiently different and balance is an issue with him.
07-14-18, 06:42 AM
#2
Senior Member
If your budget allows, would a Trek Lowstep+ work for him? Perhaps the handlebars from the Trek Crossrip could be used to give him drop bars. If balance is an issue, this style bike would keep the battery low for easier handling. My wife loves her Verve with the Bosch system. The boost can be easily added or reduced, too, so your husband can add power as needed with that type. On turbo setting, the mountains here just melt away.
Good luck with whatever your do! Jeff
Good luck with whatever your do! Jeff
07-14-18, 10:54 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
Great suggestion. Good price tag too. I like the looks of the Verve especially. Thank you!
If your budget allows, would a Trek Lowstep+ work for him? Perhaps the handlebars from the Trek Crossrip could be used to give him drop bars. If balance is an issue, this style bike would keep the battery low for easier handling. My wife loves her Verve with the Bosch system. The boost can be easily added or reduced, too, so your husband can add power as needed with that type. On turbo setting, the mountains here just melt away.
Good luck with whatever your do! Jeff
Good luck with whatever your do! Jeff
07-14-18, 11:43 AM
#4
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Sounds like you already have your solution and, if so, great. Should you decide to modify his bike, a mid-drive like the Bafang BBS02 is a consideration. It has PAS (pedal assist) as well as a throttle (difficult, but not impossible, to install on a drop-bar bike or you could adapt an on/off button system).
07-14-18, 01:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
I've been riding my drop bar touring bike with pedal assist for 3 plus years. I modified the bike with a bionx direct drive rear hub kit. Bionx looks to be on it's way out of business at this point, so it's not a solution that I would recommend at this point. I love riding the bike because it is totally silent with the assist and still feels and handles like a touring bike with drop bars. There are solutions out there that work and some manufacturers are even building some road bikes with e-assist.
Adding significant weight (e-bike kit) to an existing road bike is going to affect the way that it handles. My touring frame was designed to be loaded down so the handling wasn't too much of a change. However, I did convert the cantilever brakes to disc brakes to help with stopping power (especially in the rain.)
Adding significant weight (e-bike kit) to an existing road bike is going to affect the way that it handles. My touring frame was designed to be loaded down so the handling wasn't too much of a change. However, I did convert the cantilever brakes to disc brakes to help with stopping power (especially in the rain.)
07-16-18, 06:07 PM
#6
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Hi BNB;
You may find this interesting: https://www.velonews.com/2018/06/bik...cyclist_470738
It is practical to convert your husband's bike. A smaller (<500W) mid drive with a torque sensor PAS (not speed PAS as most bikes are equipped). A torque sensor PAS adds electric power based on the amount of effort put into pedaling. Most PAS systems add electric power based on fast one is pedaling. which is not good when your trying to control your heart rate. Most PAS systems are easily adjustable for the amount of electric assist power provided, which is important so that your husband can get home with very little effort if needed.
https://electricbike.com/forum/forum...que-sensor-350
https://www.amazon.com/TSDZ-Version-.../dp/B01MYRB6Q6
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TSDZ2-Mid-D...5.c10#viTabs_0
In the USA the market seems to be for higher power, a 500W system is more than enough to push a bike to 30mph without pedaling. Less powerful units are smaller, lighter and consume less battery power.
You may find this interesting: https://www.velonews.com/2018/06/bik...cyclist_470738
It is practical to convert your husband's bike. A smaller (<500W) mid drive with a torque sensor PAS (not speed PAS as most bikes are equipped). A torque sensor PAS adds electric power based on the amount of effort put into pedaling. Most PAS systems add electric power based on fast one is pedaling. which is not good when your trying to control your heart rate. Most PAS systems are easily adjustable for the amount of electric assist power provided, which is important so that your husband can get home with very little effort if needed.
https://electricbike.com/forum/forum...que-sensor-350
https://www.amazon.com/TSDZ-Version-.../dp/B01MYRB6Q6
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TSDZ2-Mid-D...5.c10#viTabs_0
In the USA the market seems to be for higher power, a 500W system is more than enough to push a bike to 30mph without pedaling. Less powerful units are smaller, lighter and consume less battery power.
07-17-18, 07:14 PM
#7
Full Member
Thread Starter
Because we were feeling impatient and we found a demo Cannondale Quick Neo available at a LBS we went for it! Yes, it has straight handlebars; and yes, the first thing that happened was my husband crashed on it in the LBS parking lot (and that required a trip to the ER because of the bruising and being on warfarin - jeez, louise, getting old is ruff). But he loved the bike nevertheless and felt like the handling was more "road bike" like and not like a mountain bike. The Crash was due to his lack of experience with the power of hydraulic disc brakes.
FYI, we were told by the Trek that their verve e-bike was "sold out" and not available until mid August, fwiw.
Our first ride was great - took it very easy, practiced with the braking etc. Very nice for me to be chasing him on hills like the old days rather than "track stand" riding behind him on hills worrying if his heart was going over the limit.
For all the judgement of e-blikes I must say this is truly a gift to avid cyclists who can no longer ride as they once did - but can now still RIDE A BIKE!!!
FYI, we were told by the Trek that their verve e-bike was "sold out" and not available until mid August, fwiw.
Our first ride was great - took it very easy, practiced with the braking etc. Very nice for me to be chasing him on hills like the old days rather than "track stand" riding behind him on hills worrying if his heart was going over the limit.
For all the judgement of e-blikes I must say this is truly a gift to avid cyclists who can no longer ride as they once did - but can now still RIDE A BIKE!!!
07-19-18, 04:53 AM
#8
Senior Member
Congratulations on just going for it! May you have many happy rides together.
And don’t be surprised if you decide to get one for yourself. I think it was our Trek dealer who said that the ebikes were usually sold in pairs—- one at a time. (I like Kathryn’s Verve+ so much that the Crossrip+ is looking tantalizing)
Jeff
And don’t be surprised if you decide to get one for yourself. I think it was our Trek dealer who said that the ebikes were usually sold in pairs—- one at a time. (I like Kathryn’s Verve+ so much that the Crossrip+ is looking tantalizing)
Jeff
07-28-18, 10:01 PM
#9
Senior Member
Check out the Easy Motion City Pro. I think it will be a better fit than the flat bar Cannondale you already checked out.
-SP
-SP
07-29-18, 01:54 AM
#10
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It sounds like you are enjoying the new bike.
However, if you wish to refurb the old bike, or get back to a sporty bike, there is also the Vivax Assist.
https://www.vivax-assist.com/en/prod...assist_4-0.php
https://www.vivax-assist.com/en/prod...nrad/index.php
It isn't cheap, but one should still get the full road experience.
However, if you wish to refurb the old bike, or get back to a sporty bike, there is also the Vivax Assist.
https://www.vivax-assist.com/en/prod...assist_4-0.php
https://www.vivax-assist.com/en/prod...nrad/index.php
It isn't cheap, but one should still get the full road experience.
