27
Looking for e-bike recommendations (anarchist.nexus)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by to c/micromobility@lemmy.world
23 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hey folks!

I'm looking to move from my cyclocross bike to an e-bike for my commuter. I have a pretty awful knee, and while it doesn't always bother me while I ride, on a commute to the local bus/train the hills can occasionally get damn uncomfortable and turn into stopping to walk my bike up, or having to pedal with a single leg while I stretch and move the other on flats.

So I'm looking to an e-bike as the option. As someone heavy on the DIY and with a strong preference against proprietary, I'm hopeful to find something that:

  • Has an easily replaceable battery, bonus for an assembly that I can rebuild with new 18650s or whatever, and a plug-in style connection for ease. Lets head off questions here by saying this would not be my first battery pack build, and I've got dozens of 18650's on hand.
  • Is flexible as a commuter. I have commuted with my cyclocross bike all through the winter, which wasn't terrible with road tires but did have me switching wheels out. I wouldn't mind fat, I'm not out there for very long distance or speed anymore. Maybe one day I'll be up for a century again, but thats real low on my list.
  • Has utility - one of the reasons I went cyclocross for my commuter was having a lot of mount points. I don't need a daily cargo haul here, but I like my mount points for flexibility.
  • Has a long lifespan with maintenance and repairs. I've got bikes from the 70's and 80's that are still doing well (though I wish my wife liked the Fuji more, she is more comfortable in a hybrid style than road though). I want a frame that lasts, a motor that can be replaced without losing my marbles, I don't have any interest in built in lights that are just going to break and become useless because its all sealed, etc.

I think what I'd want is a combo pedal assist and throttle as an option, and a cadence sensor. A torque sensor I think would be more of an issue for my knee. If I can adjust the assist or just turn it off, I think thats the ideal, but welcome some input here.

Folding is a non-issue, I have a place for the bike to go and would want to take the battery with me to charge.

In terms of budget, I'll call it mid-range ($2k-ish) but if there is a fantastic option at $3500 I'm fine with that. Likewise, I'm not going to stick my nose up at an $800 option if all I need to do is add a few things or upgrade a motor if it ticks all the other boxes.

Any recommendations worth looking at would be welcome!

Edit: Northeast US for the record

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 3 points 1 day ago (4 children)

A torque sensor doesn't necessarily require pushing harder. It's more that it detects your intent to turn the cranks faster by measuring force, and dials up motor output proportionally instead of measuring increased crank speed after the fact. (Although I've heard a lot of cadence sensors don't actually measure crank speed, and simply turn the motor on or off depending on whether you're pedaling or not.)

How hard you have to push depends on the assist level setting. It's like using an exercise bike with adjustable difficulty.

I haven't used a bike that doesn't have a torque sensor, but I think part of the reason people want a throttle is because with only a cadence sensor the motor doesn't start until the cranks are moving so you don't get automatic assistance from a cold start. OTOH a torque sensor gives assist as soon as you put a little weight on the pedal, so a cold start feels effortless.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 1 day ago (2 children)

    You want cadence sensor and throttle if you care about range. You can get to pedal as hard as you want without making the bike go faster than you want.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 1 day ago (1 child)

    With a torque sensor you can put a cap on motor power for the lowest assist setting and get basically the same range saving. I think my Shimano motor controller maxes out at about half of the possible motor power on the eco setting, and that can be configured up or down.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 1 point 1 day ago

    for my taste, 28-32kmh is the speed I want on roads with stop signs. slower while pedaling uphill is fine, but pedaling downhill doesn't mean I want superspeed. Sure you can max at 250w, for similar speed range on flat, but its too fast downhill. The better PAS controllers support 9 levels, which is better suited to fine tune cadence speed levels. I haven't seen that option paired with torque sensing ebikes.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 1 point 1 day ago

    I rode a bike without a torque sensor. It was an Aventon quite a few years back. The power of the bike seemed to match the number selected on the bars every time. You just turn the cranks to move the little magnets past the sensor so the power doesn't cut. I also rode a Specialized bike with the cadance sensor and fell in love with the feeling of no motor, but really strong legs. The motor is there, you just can't feel it because it scales instantaneously and perfectly.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent