New riding season, new blog look!

Since I'm starting a new season of riding, I thought I'd update the look of the blog to reflect this. It's a more muted look which should make it less jarring when you first hit the page! I cleaned out my work area over the weekend so am readying my bike for my first commute which I hope to be this Friday. The forecast is terrific and I should be able to get to work in very nice weather. I'll post some pics of various things I'm working on shortly.

Ambrose

Upgraded Crank

I took my ebike to my LBS (local bike shop), City Bikes in Chevy Chase, Maryland to have them install my higher-speed crank which has 52 teeth. This is a significant jump from my 48 tooth version previously. I hope to be able to pedal along with my bike rather than pedal in futility since my bike goes faster than I can pedal! I've also picked up some parts to allow me to hook up my 6 Bosch Fat Packs in a 72V 6.6AH pack rather than the 36V 13.2AH pack now.

The only drawback is that because of the larger crank and the spacing of the three cranks, my shifter configuration won't allow it to shift my bike chain to the low 30 tooth crank. It's not a problem since I never shift to the middle crank let alone the low crank!

More later,
Ambrose

As the Crow Flies

Using Mapmyride.com, I created a video of my commute from my home to my office. Imagine yourself a bird following me from about 500 yards up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s-KF5Y0zwA



More later,
Ambrose

Weather warming, momentum building, bike building?

There's still lots of snow on the ground in the area. I'm hoping to be able to get back on my bike and commuting again in the next few weeks. My health sure could use it.

Over this Winter break, I've been getting parts together to upgrade my ride. First is the 72V 35A controller so that I can use my Bosch Fat Pack tool batteries at 72V to give me more speed and acceleration. Second is the e-bikekit.com rear 9C motor with disc brakes. Third is the 52T front crank so that I can at least keep up my pedaling with the bike (hopefully!). I've also got a new front wheel also with disc brakes. Lastly, I've got a new Cycle Analyst DPS to monitor the battery pack.

More as it develops!

Ambrose

New geared hub motor

To plan for the upcoming Spring 2010 riding season, I've put an order in to e-bikekit.com for their new geared rear hub motor. This is brand new motor for them so it's a bit of an unknown. However, I do know that the geared motor is a LOT smaller and lighter than the direct drive motors they have now. I'm looking forward to losing a bit of weight off my bike. Second, the geared motors are a bit faster than the direct drive motors. More as it becomes available in about 6 weeks.

Ambrose

New Controller! 72V 65A Wow!

I've finally made the big push and am now getting a 72V 65A controller for my bike. It's big at 10" long by 3" wide. That should give me plenty of power for going my desired 35+ miles per hour. It should also allow me to get to work faster once I get back on the bike.

More later,
Ambrose

Winter break...

I've had to cut back on my commuting on my ebike now that winter has set in here in the DC area. The big storm of December 20th, 2009 has left the area under a heavy snow blanket and the temperature has rarely crept above freezing since then. Many of the roads along my commuting route are still covered with either snow or partially melted and refrozen ice.

My break from ebike commuting will allow me time to upgrade my ebike. I've got a new front 26" wheel with disc brakes and my rear ebikekit.com motor to install. I've also got the parts for turn signals. I will also need to finish my "Blinder" tail light.

More later.
Ambrose