Electric bike research
EnerTrac has a motorcycle hub motor for sale which looks like just about the easiest way to get an electric bike rolling. (I mentioned this a couple of years back, when it was still a prototype.) It’s hard to make a straight-up comparison, but it appears to be a fair bit more expensive than an equivalent non-hub motor. I guess that makes sense as it likely involves more custom engineering – they have to lace a wheel up around it, after all.
Looks like most people are running these motors at around 100 volts, and getting speeds up to about 75 mph. Not bad! I’ve been thinking about setting a 72 volt system, so my top speed would be more like 55 mph. There’s nothing “wow” about that but it would be plenty for a city commuter.
While I could probably get a more powerful non-hub motor, I’m tempted to go this route because it would make the project simpler – no more custom motor mount to design and fabricate, and no more chain and sprockets to spec and install (or maintain). I don’t really want to engineer the drivetrain anyway; I’d rather focus on the electrical components.
Screw bikes man, what you need is an all terrain skateboard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5ADbwfktYs&feature=youtu.be
Comment by Adam — February 2, 2012 @ 12:06 pm
Damn. Wow. That thing looks *fun*. I love the bit where the guy does spins across the ice.
After watching that video I randomly wondered if anyone had ever tried hooking a set of mattracks up to an ATV, and that led me to the Mattracks Powerboard. Not as burly, only intended for snow, but still looks like fun. Can’t figure out how much it costs, though…
Comment by Mars Saxman — February 2, 2012 @ 12:58 pm