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Questions tagged [electric-bike]

Electric Bike (e-bike) specific issues, including batteries, controllers, chargers, and motors -- as well as the legal or social issues surrounding their use. Not for liquid fuel bike kits.

8 votes
2 answers
30k views

Bosch battery stopped charging

It is a Bosch powerpack 500 and the other day it stopped charging. The charger seems to have some output since one of the LEDs on the battery lights up. It is only one LED though and I believe I ...
LosManos's user avatar
  • 315
25 votes
4 answers
2k views

What characterizes a future-proof ebike drive system?

Ebikes had their origins in modular drive systems that were assembled by enthusiasts and specialty companies choosing their own motors, batteries, battery controllers, motor controllers, and displays. ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
1k views

What should I do to get an older bike into good condition

I recently bought a hybrid human/electric bicycle at a garage sale, and I've been working on getting it into usable shape again. It is about 10 years old, and needs some work. The battery was quite ...
PearsonArtPhoto's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Center motor ebike costs more, is it worth it?

I am 90% sure that I will buy an e-bike. Today one of my friends who owns an ebike strongly suggested that I should buy one with center motor, because they are more efficient and battery life will be ...
Kadir Erdem Demir's user avatar
40 votes
6 answers
14k views

Why are regenerative brakes uncommon on e-bikes?

Few electric bicycles have regenerative braking. Most quality e-bikes seem to be settling on mid-drive, which even makes regenerative braking impossible because there is a freewheel between the wheel ...
juhist's user avatar
  • 20.1k
21 votes
7 answers
12k views

Why are electric bikes so expensive?

The limited selection of electric bikes available at Halfords ranges from £699.99-£1,199.99. What makes them so expensive — the dynamo, battery, or something else?
Ambo100's user avatar
  • 2,574
12 votes
3 answers
2k views

Hybrid electric bikes, how do they work?

I'm about to move further away from work, so my 5.5 mile commute is going up to 12 miles (24 there and back). I'm not interested in using an elecrtic bike because I can't be bothered to pedal.. I ...
John Hunt's user avatar
  • 1,250
10 votes
6 answers
2k views

Alright to leave or use electric bicycle in rain

Are electric bicycles waterproof to the extend that we can leave them in the rain for a day or few or ride it in rain or wash it with a standard home hose on normal pressure and soap?
Suited's user avatar
  • 207
7 votes
6 answers
3k views

Rationale behind dropper posts on "SUV" e-bikes

I noticed that the upper versions of some recent "SUV" e-bikes (also called touring/trekking, but that denomination is misleading) are now proposed with dropper posts - to give examples: ...
Rеnаud's user avatar
  • 21.4k
25 votes
3 answers
8k views

How much motor do I need for my electric-assist bike?

I take my twins to preschool by car, and I'd like to switch to doing it by bike. There's a hill, and we're heavy, and I'm not in great shape, so it's hard. I've done it a few times, but I always ...
Jay Bazuzi's user avatar
  • 5,102
23 votes
11 answers
8k views

Cycling to work - 30 mile return

I have recently made the decision to commute to work via bike. It’s about 14 miles each way (so just under 30 miles return). I initially started on my old bike but it clearly wasn’t really appropriate ...
Charliegtr's user avatar
16 votes
5 answers
6k views

What is an SUV bike?

Recently, I've started to see the term "SUV bike" in different contexts. They seem to be referring to expensive e-bikes (pedelecs or s-pedelecs, either freight bikes or regular), with price ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 3,987
12 votes
11 answers
98k views

Shimano Steps ebike E010 and E012 errors: DIY fix possible?

My Shimano Steps-powered e-bike is frequently but irregularly giving me the errors E010 and E012. In the E6000 Series Dealer’s manual and E8000 Series User's manual I found the following: E010: A ...
bjornte's user avatar
  • 267
11 votes
3 answers
19k views

Understanding e-bike power/torque

In the UK e-bikes are currently limited to a maximum of 250W assistance if you wish to use them on public roads. However, it seems that the motors do vary in terms of the available torque - from ...
John M's user avatar
  • 806
9 votes
5 answers
7k views

Charging eBike Battery with Solar

I need some advice / info on solar charging an eBike battery. We have two RadRovers from Rad Power Bikes. They are powered with a Panasonic Dolphin 48V, 11.6Ah Lithium-Ion battery https://www....
Chris's user avatar
  • 193
9 votes
6 answers
698 views

Why would I use an electric bike?

I live in an extremely flat city that lies about 15m above sea level. One has to drive an hour or two to reach even rolling hills. Several decades ago, I rode quite a bit, and accumulated a decent "...
shoover's user avatar
  • 331
8 votes
11 answers
13k views

Electric bike rear wheel spokes breaking

I have an electric bike with a 500w rear hub. The spokes have broken twice in the last month on the hub end of the spokes.The spokes are bent at the hub end and threaded. This is where they break. As ...
Peter Kay's user avatar
  • 121
7 votes
2 answers
618 views

Are small radially laced motor hub wheels like Swytch trash?

I saw a bike that recently had this kit installed on it, and was surprised at the radial spokes: From having done rebuilds on 20" motor hub wheels, I can appreciate the temptation to look at ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
7 votes
6 answers
11k views

What is the process of adding a light to a Yamaha PW equipped ebike?

I recently got a bike with a Yamaha PW system. The bike computer has a light on/off button but the bike itself has no light and I want to add one. How do I do this? From what I understand, I need a ...
Dmitri Nesteruk's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
6k views

Electric Bike (eBike): Freewheel or Regenerative braking?

Not asking for opinion which one is better, so please do not state without some reasons why one is better than another on eBike. Question is: Freewheel or Regenerative braking is more efficient in ...
Nhân Lê's user avatar
  • 3,531
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to make a 10 year old electric bike battery work better?

I have taken a 10 year old electric bike out of the garage a few weeks ago after not having used it for multiple years. The bike is an elops 7 bought at decathlon with a geonaute battery. It still ...
Statistic Dean's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
336 views

How servicable are older e-bikes?

I am considering to purchase a bicycle that includes an electric assist with a Shimano E6100 engine. I have not owned any bicycles with electric assist before, and I'm worried about serviceability. ...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 3,987
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

To what extent should I insulate an electric bike battery during winter?

For temperatures between 0 F (-18 C) and 32 F (0 C), to what extent, if at all, should I insulate electric bicycle batteries? I have read that they do not like temperature extremes. Should I wrap a ...
kloddant's user avatar
  • 485
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

How do you measure return on investment (ROI) for an electric bike?

As we consider an e-bike vs. a car purchase, I'm trying to assess return on investment (ROI). My cost factors are, in order of priority, time, money, and carbon footprint. My commute I travel 20 ...
strongbad03's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

Changing from rigid to suspension fork

I have a White AX 290 FF 20 that I have converted to an e-bike. I'm also planning to add a suspension fork to it. My budget is approximately 100€/120 dollars. Do you have any recommendations for the ...
MT247's user avatar
  • 136
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do DC HUB Motors For Electric Bikes use regenerative braking?

Or do I need a special control circuit aside from the included electronics?
aqvavitae's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
60 views

Motor sometimes not engaging on a moustach lundi 27.5 with bosch performance line motor

The issue I'm encountering sounds similar to Riese Muller with Bosch performance CX not engaging immediately - but may be slightly different. In a little more detail: The bike usually starts fine, but ...
Chozabu's user avatar
  • 178
2 votes
2 answers
312 views

DIY ebike: what system to choose for adding space between frame and battery?

So, the project is to install this 5kg battery: on this bike: This is no joke. I'm serious. Following up to this previous question, I'm going to use steel rivnuts (aluminium is really too light for ...
Gras Double's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Blind rivet nuts for ebike battery on frame: aluminium or steel?

I'm planning my first installation of an ebike battery by drilling/riveting the frame (photo of the battery below), here are some details about the project: The battery weights about 5 kg. It's a ...
Gras Double's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
938 views

Riese Muller with Bosch performance CX not engaging immediately

since the firmware in my ebike engine Bosch performance CX gen 4 has been updated, I am noticing a strange beahviour, that is, when pedalling, the engine (or the rear wheel pawns) will not engage ...
Riccardo's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
4 answers
2k views

Replacing quick release wheel with ebike - motored wheel

I intend to upgrade my FireFox Sniper V to electric, by replacing the front wheel with a motorised kit wheel. My question is that the wheels (both) are quick-release: is it safe to motorise this bike....
user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
417 views

Carrera impel im-1 Electric Hybrid Bike ridgid to suspension fork

Hi there I have the Carrera impel im-1 Electric Hybrid Bike this bike has been great so far but as far as living in a town not quite a city there are some bumps and curbs I would like to get over more ...
Danny Ashcroft's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
327 views

What are some oft-cited benefits of electric assist on a mountain bike?

Recently, electric mountain bikes have been hyped quite a lot, and I have seen a lot of them for sale at LBSs and have even seen a few "in action" despite that I never go mountain biking (i.e. I see ...
errantlinguist's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

tricycle engine compatibility?

Hi I was wondering if any bike engines would be compatible for a adults tricycle? An example of the bike I am talking about: TinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/otuo2d2 Thank You
user10755's user avatar