I have been thinking about electrifying my bike for some time now and read about various systems. It seems to me that the technology hasn't quite settled, there is a large variety, and because these things are quite expensive I am a bit reluctant to go for a particular model lest it turns out to be useless.
I also have GripShift on my bike that goes half way into the handle so it seems that most of the throttle systems won't work for my bike.
I wonder if anyone has any advice on this or is there another forum for electric bikes specifically.
There's a Yahoo group called electricbikes where you could get some help. You are right about the gripshift. Most kits use a motorcycle style twistgrip throttle, but there must be a way around this. I have a Heinzmann kit on my bike which is excellent (though expensive). Ironically I don't use it any more as these bikes are really electrically assisted rather than powered i.e. you still have to pedal if you want to acheive respectable speeds and distances. After a few weeks of assisting my legs were strong enough so that I didn't need the motor any more. Nice to know it's there though, just in case. The effect up hills is amazing.
Steve
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There's a Yahoo group called electricbikes where you could get some help. You are right about the gripshift. Most kits use a motorcycle style twistgrip throttle, but there must be a way around this. I have a Heinzmann kit on my bike which is excellent (though expensive). Ironically I don't use it any more as these bikes are really electrically assisted rather than powered i.e. you still have to pedal if you want to acheive respectable speeds and distances. After a few weeks of assisting my legs were strong enough so that I didn't need the motor any more. Nice to know it's there though, just in case. The effect up hills is amazing.
Steve
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That's the biggest problem with electric bikes, often the system available commercially is built to provide the legal maximum IE: 15mph above this it becomes a moped, allegedly. I say allegedly as there are some legal loopholes that allow ev's to travel at 25mph without the co-responding licence and cbt requirements being fulfilled. If you wish to go down a DIY route think about how a bicycle actually works, gears should multiply effort not reduce it. Look for parts in the electric scooterboard market, a 600W motor is about £36 plus controller and throttle lever £18-20 plus batts.
