| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
Even you die hard ICEers gotta admit this bike is pretty sharp looking. Just think about how many less parts there are on an electric bike like this compared to what we are used to. Less parts probably means less to go wrong. http://www.gizmag.com/voltra-sexy-electric-motorcy cle/13484/ | ||
| Froggy |
Yep that is one of the appeals of electric. There is a lot less to go wrong. Also most lack a transmission, so thats less points of failure right there. Just imagine a shaft drive electric bike with puncture proof tires, as long as you had juice you wouldn't have anything to worry about going wrong. I would love to turn an old X1 with blown motor to electric  | ||
| Buewulf |
Very nice looking bike. It will be interesting to see how electric bikes develop over the next decade. Seems like a 2- or even 3-speed tranny would be desirable with today's motors. Batteries still have a long way to go given the current limitations: life, cost, weight, capacity and speed of recharge. Current research and development is promising though. And I have learned from the locomotive industry that plenty can go wrong with electric powertrains. | ||
| Froggy |
Yep, but you reduce hundreds of pieces down to less than a dozen pieces. Less parts means less potential to fail. Obviously its not totally black and white like that. | ||
| Buewulf |
I get your point, and, mechanically, that is certainly true. Those moving parts are replaced by moving electrons, though, and anything they pass through has a chance of frying or getting scrambled. Connectors come loose, currents arc, insulators fail, etc. That said, the electric drives I've worked with (in locomotives) never ceased to amaze with the reliability they could achieve under such harsh conditions and demands. We'll probably be more worried about wheel bearings on an electric bike than the motive power system. | ||
| Eulysses |
Putting a big battery down low...a big "airbox" storage compartment on top (not those bars on the demo bike which could hurt!) and a low motor with a belt drive. That would be nice! |
