VEHICLES > Bikes/Trikes/Choppers/Scooters & etc.
Two Wheels, One Ticker, and Endless Roads
oldcarguy:
I have been a fan of two wheel transportation for over seventy years. Being from a large family I found my transportation on trash days. A part here and another part there. Assembling them until I had a working bicycle. Starting for pleasure rides up and down local sidewalks. As I got older I'd adventure to a fishing hole hours away. Rain, snow or sleet didn't stop me. And having a paper route since I was twelve made a bike a necessity.
Once I was eighteen I graduated to four wheels. Other than a few years owning a used 1950 Harley pan head. That I sold to purchase a house when I was twenty. But I kept my trusty two wheeler's with peddles..
Being a camper for most of my adult life. Bicycles were always a part of it. However with age my legs could not keep up with peddling. And purchased my first electric assist bicycle fifteen years ago. It was an EG Milan built by EG Bikes. The 350 watt motor in the rear hub, and 36 volt 10 AH battery that slid into the rear rack. Along with 21 Speed Shimano Rear and SIS Front Derailleurs... Pulling my dog in the trailer a single charge range would be 30 miles at best. Traveling with a second battery was a must. All my ebikes have an assist mode level. So you put the same amount of effort on a hill as if you're on level road. If I'm totally bushed, a hand throttle will get me home without peddling...
After ten years and 10,000 miles the batteries gave out. That's what we're about to see soon on EV cars. The manufactures did not make replacements any more. And decided to purchased a newer model. The EG Maui 500MX also built by EG Bikes. Shimano SIS Microshift eight speed sprockets. A 500 Watt rear hub drive with a 16 AH 48 Volt battery.. could easily make 50 miles with 50 pound dog in tow on a single charge. Again I carried a second battery. There times when I'll do a 100 mile trip... This ebike was a cruiser style. Wide handlebars and ride upright. Not leaning forward like the last one. So much better for the old back.
Here's the OldCarGuy on the Spanish Moss Trail in South Carolina
Sadly last December parked in southern Florida some thieves felt they wanted my bicycles more than I. Cutting the locks and took the them off my motor home's bike rack. All the while I was awake and inside. I was alerted by the noise and hit the key fob that flashed the lights and sounded the horn. I was parked with a dozen other RV's around. But I wasn't about to chase after the thieves.. I owned that ebike for four years and had clocked 4,000 miles.. .
April 2023 I purchased my present set of wheels. An EG Maui from EG Bikes. This is what us old timers called a “Ladies” bicycle. And doesn't have a top bar crossing the frame. Though it's not as sturdy of a design. But the step-thru frame is far easier to mount and dismount. I am not flexible enough to get my leg over the cross bar. And have to tilt the bike halfway over to get on.. Today ladies bike style ebikes outpace men's frame style by ten fold..
The Maui has a 500 Watt mid-drive motor mounted in the crank.. A smaller12.8 AH battery streamlined into the front frame. That gives me a range of 40 miles. Shimano eight speed Derailleur rear axle. Wide handlebars and cruiser style riding posture makes for a comfortable ride. Along with hydraulic front suspensions. I added a spring activated seat post and a Serfas Super Cruiser Saddle Seat that's 13” wide.. Most seats are nothing more than a padded post!
Road trip in Southern Ohio
The OldCarGuy in Sarasota Florida
Baxter Boy, my 13 year on puppy, has trailered behind me over countless miles covering 36 states,, plus Ontario Canada
The biggest high points of this bike is ease of mounting for older riders. The geometry makes this bike handle very well compared to my other two ebikes. The mid drive is the weakest point of the Maui. All the stress is on the chain. Both the pedal power and motor. And if you break a chain you're dead in the water. While the rear hub drive, If you loose one mode, you have the other to return home. Plus you have to shift down to a lower gear to start. The other shortcomings EG does not offer built in brake lights and turn signals. Some ebike's even offer cruise control. An idea I've suggested to EG may years ago...
Picture the way I transport my ebikes in my 1986 Chevy K10 to trail heads that I don't care
goodfellow:
That look like a heck of a lot of fun. Also love the pics of your travel companion OCG.
slip knot:
Thats my kind of bicycle. I didn't realize they were getting that kind of mileage off a battery. Very impressive.
stokester:
Looks like a lot of fun.
I get a bit concerned regarding the Li-ion charging and the possibility of overheat and fire. Do you regularly monitor them when on the charge?
oldcarguy:
Indeed I am very aware of the dangers of Lithium Ion Batteries. A small laptop computer caused a fire in my 30' by 50' garage that totally destroyed all tool shop equipment in December 2020. My saving's grace was pointed out by the Fire Marshal. I had built it using 5/8” Fire Rated drywall, steel doors, windows, etc. Consequently the second floor, attached garage and house had ZERO damage!
I rebuilt the shop in two years without any outside contractors. Just the help of one family member. Pictures of my shop today... My insurance company had my back!
What 10,000 pounds of fire rated 4' by 12' sheetrock looks like on my trailer.
Trailer inside, drywall jack, and my trusty 40 year old scissor's lift made the job easy
Finished taped, floor covered, and ready for paint
I no longer use laptop computers. I have 38 Milwaukee power tools. Neatly stored. And the batteries plus my ebikes batteries are always stored in a Fire Rated safe. It will take 2,000 degrees for two hours. A timer sits outside the safe to regulate charging time..
I will not put an electric car in my garage! If what you see a small half pound laptop battery could do. Can you imagine what 1,000 pound plus battery would do? It is my opinion the EV's and batteries do far more damage to our environment that using fossil fuels.. Just Saying...
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