BenteBikeOptions2020
from
SituationalAssessmentTemplate2017
Introduction/Definition/etc
So looking at what options
there are for BenteBikes
(ReCum)Bent eBikes
makes more sense
(lower case e makes it seem more
Bento...)
and the process as well as the
the output from the process,
perhaps, logging for any debugging
possibly later..
Body
Original Text
Wedgies
So your average Safety Bike
aka Wedgie is a certain form factor,
and 2 Wheels, in general,
hence called a BiCycle,
(Bi = 2 like BiPolar)
other options exist,
but likely at some cost(s):
weight
money,
size,
availability,
etc
Visited an eBike store in DC
which is a part of CityBikes.com
one of the chains in DC,
(just closed
their third RockVille, MD store,
afaict)
and up near the biggest hill,
Fort Reno,
the highest point in DC...
Well with the PanDemic that
makes it perhaps a different
experience...
A line of people waiting around
weekend lunch time,
signs on the door,
see the gDrug gMaps entry
for the gory details,
so after about an hour?
of waiting, and talking to
a customer in line as well,
who went ahead of me,
as he knew what he was doing
and brought his eBike
he had bought there,
and wanted something else,
looking at one of the new ones,
and as departing into sales,
and he was picking up his
eBike used to get there
in the waiting area,
(oddly they took ours into
the waiting area, seemed like
a lien/ collateral, which a card
was required to do a test ride,
but i didn't bother)
i gave him my email
maybe i hear from him if
he wants to sell the old(er)
one, idk, i didn't mention it at the time...
But they (3 sales/ tech people
came out to talk to
the mere masses
left outside in the heat
and impending
to a drop or two of rain),
took 3 people,
one rather hostile:
we don't do browsing,
and the wifi/ web was very slow,
couldn't view anything
with the signal(s)
i found there...
So after all that waiting,
no research on their site,
next door's regular
CityBikes location referred to,
and one couple came and
went back ending up behind people again
and may have eventually given up in anger,
many were just there to pick up
a bike from service
and there were apps
and signs for how to do that,
waiting (and ignored the nasty one
best 2 out of 3, it's a way of
dealing with bureaucracy/guberment)
eventually yielded a maybe 5 minute
talk with a sales guy,
i didn't take photos, inside,
got a card at the counter
on the way out,
and some other issues...
So basically the $2k lower limit
for a new one, from there,
and they don't sell used...
So a waste of time?
Doing my research?
FUD? idk...
Given i got there with the $500
Genesis B1 eBike
eBikeCheating2017
it seems unreasonable to think
that isn't the only option(s) out there,
so will see...
Back at home,
gDrug give me ads
(it reads my emails so knows/
learns what i'm after from browsing
etc?)
RadPowerBikes
around $1500
but then you have no
face to face but
deal with paying remotely,
shipping, etc
for getting the thing,
possibly losing the thing,
arriving bricked/ opened
bent/ lost/ stolen,
doesn't fit, etc
and looking at something
on the computer screen
may be misleading,
as even guessing the size,
and fit, etc...
FrameBuilding
oddly enough provided
some motivation
besides wanting a Bent
for years now,
some practicalities exist...
One Builder is
Paul Brodie
(find links sometime)
who actually teaches a
FrameBuilding
class(es) preConVid19
now has some Videos on YouTube
a few of which i have watched,
one from an architectural drawing
perspective, not CAD drawings,
but a full size paper (board) one,
which you can then do some other
things with...
Mistakes on paper are likely less costly
than in metal, as one don't have to buy
the metal yet, might get the right
size/ ones (tube types diameters, etc),
and not have to recut/Weld
something
but as a geek think that some
modeling
might be in order too,
apps/ software exists for things,
and worth checking out,
imnsho...
Given most people don't have
plotters big enough to make a full size
chart/ drawing, then do things
by hand too, for those that are able,
some like me may not be...
Alex Meade FrameBuilder in
Kentucky? a Retired IBM/LexMark
printer engineer aka geek,
builds maybe 10 bikes
per year in his retirement,
and is/ was an award winning biker,
so Paris RouBaux (sp?) (or whatever)
and riding his special stainless steel
lugged, etc built bike and one
of the few Americans to join
that (perhaps snooty, it's after all
French) club of Win/Place/Show
Several articles about him
the local newspaper was interesting
as had named after
PeteTheSmiling?Dog
or similar a community dog
and history there with
pandemic/ rabies spread
and the second internment
may have killed him, of a broken
heart, being trapped inside
like that, all likely before I was
born... (find link, or exercise
left for the reader)
And the sensitive (sp?)
reader may note weapons/
FireArms are one of his hobbies
on the website so, consider
if you want to view stuff like that,
but some good engineering stuff
there too, iirc some disc
brake standards
part of why i looked at his site
in the first place, a boggling
array of standards, adapters,
and more to come with eBikes
and other motorcycle like mounting
plus many other issues...
(read up on that if you like,
ymmv)
Far from over, and far from
clarity, on what would help
to deal with this condition(s)/
situation(s)...
So back to it,
more than one day of this
dump of what i've been looking at,
learning from and considering,
what my next one(s) would be like...
Motor Kits
So adding stuff later,
find a Bent and add the motor
kit to it, that way i have best of
both worlds, but not build specifically
for it, the AdultTrike came packaged
with a motor on the front wheel
but was/ is an old person bike
higher than (most of?) the bents
and about the only one in supply,
afaict... But at the higher cost,
start with something big and expensive
and then take things off of it?
instead of Traditional (out of stock)
see if the form factor works,
can get in and out of places,
parking, storing, using,
sidewalks, curb cuts, etc,
and lower cost to start,
add to it, and do the maintenance/
install myself...
Total package costs likely higher,
add some lower end wheels
as a set not bad, mag wheels,
and conversion(s) for brakes
to disc and one speed internal
hub to 7 speed, but particulars
of mounting, and frame braze ons,
etc baffling besides the colour(s)
safety yellow vs. blue electric,
hand cycle and try adding a hub
butl ikely not the same frame
and not compatible, welding my
own on as a mod, and all sorts
of problems with that, if even
possible, would have to see,
better to start out with something
working and once know what it's
like mod later, or pickup some used
once know what it's supposed to
work/ be like and learned the
failure points, and pluses (sp?)
and minuses...
Motor Kits are expensive and
specifying (20 inch front?)
some include battery as
a total package, others just
the motor(s) and hundreds of
dollars at the lowest,
up through a thousand
for that part alone
without a base model
bike to put it on,
plus ordering online, shipping
installing
which i consider like a home
mechanics class
schools may be closed but
to learn and build
something as a way of
keeping active, while
PanDemic etc,
LifeLongLearning2014
continues,
so
seems like the way
for me to go,
YMMV
Modified Text
might be good to put the posting(s)
from gMaps up here?
they disappear over time anyways,
photos already probably gone
and finding them later almost impossible
given the volume of photos taken
and problems with the
gMaps2019
gPhotosImprovements2020
etc...
What's Missing?
Standards?
Non Profiteering?
Solar panels to charge
charging /docking stations...
eCars have places to plug in,
special plugs and everything
but your average bicycle parking
is one crowed,
getting an end spot at a bike lock
loop/ creative fixture,
and how to charge while there?
Outdoor cafes, and other issues
with PanDemic restrictions...
Height of the rider
Various combinations
of
number of wheels, seat/chair
and how that works out,
LongWheelBase
ShortWheelBase
Trike
Delta
TadPole
etc...
OverAll Weight
Rider Weight limits
250 lbs?
with gear i'm approaching that,
and a 250W motor has it's limits,
good to start learning issues
and good for quick trips but
serious limitations given too short,
and adding a longer seat pole
puts weight no the back
curving the pole might be an
option,
as well as some others...
Adult Trikes
Granny 3 wheelers
1 speed plus a motor
limit 10 mph max,
so underpowered?
like a wheelchair
in some ways,
but 20 inch motor front
wheel, not likely to pulling
wheelies on it,
but maybe weight of the rider
and motor of maybe
20lbs try lifting up the front...
Drive Train
so differential?
both wheel drive?
Thru hub wheels?
ends
Quick Release?
Wheel Size
Same or different?
some looked at had 20 inch
back and 16 inch front,
so nose down/ frame shape?
XShape?
XSeam size
leaning against and angled board
measuring, but at 6 feet not sure
i'd not fit but other things too...
MonkeyBars
Like Easy Rider the big bars up front
and i may not have the arms for that
UnderSeat steering
and how far/
how does that transfer to the front wheel?
DriveTrain Chain Length
through tube?
chain length availability (sp?)
more like a garage door opener,
Limited Speeds
7 speed cassette
3 in the front,
so 21 speed?
Top speed?
pedaling?
or just coming down a hill?
Stable?
Frame handles/ Mounts
ToyStore
might be one of the bigger Bent Stores
around, likely with other stuff...
But a ways out, and other issues...
Looking at the website,
some interesting high end bikes/
trikes/ etc. Daisy chaining
Bent to Bent, say front wheel
of one behind goes in the basket/
rack of the one in front
and largest Bent Train
(in history?)
Metals
Heavy Steel?
Bikes weighing 50-75+ pounds
add to the difficulty getting up hills,
and not standing on the pedals
but more bench press?
inertia
and other issues in getting up
steep hills
UnderCarriage
chain and deraillieurs (sp?)
underneath
seem low, clearance wise
on a SafetyBike
they are near the hub
of the bike wheel
not hanging below
and might catch on things
but one speed also an issue
as not a lot of help,
especially carrying the extra
50 pounds of groceries,
(dog/cat/water/etc)
charger, extra battery, etc
Punt with Notes
I made notes
and hoped to be clever,
but really just tired now...
Maybe some of that
will make it up here
for completeness,
maybe not,
will see..
Height
likely mentioned above
nose to nose with
Dogs and kids
HeadLights
Spray
Water
Width
getting through doorways
PedalCarts2015
learning at just the door width
and not all doors are passable
(a i?)
Special Parts
One of the things seen on
Brodies frame building was about
26 inch wheels going out of style/
availability, which is one of the problems
having not been in the stores
to see all the 27.5 coming out,
29s i've seen,
but a little obvious to spot something
that much bigger...
FatTire stuff with wider than 2inch
4+ inch wide tires and
riding on the beach/ sand , snow? etc
may be possible
for some reason
i think of monster trucks
and rolling over stuff,
but also more rolling resistance
and takes more energy...
Heavy
Mentioned before but
extra wheels and stuff
takes extra weight...
So going with lighter materials
may compensate...
Carbon Fibre (sp variation)
is popular
but so is cracking it up,
like front forks,
but at the expense not likely (sp?)
an option...
WindScreens
gets more car like all
the time...
Farings
So for rain, cockpit like
shape HPV Human Power Vehicles
Solar Panels
add the eBike and battery
and needing shade anyways
might consider like
SVDelos2018
using the Bimany (sp?)
sun shade perfect (sp?) place
for making shade?
how many panels for 36-48+ Volts?
when a 12 V battery is typical to
what people know for outdoors
batteries...
Series, parallel, controllers,
UpTransFormers,
DownTransFormers,
etc...
Bring the charger/ brick,
need to charge along the way...
Charging Time
Hours of charge might be good
for a half day at the office
but going home early
or can't because not charged
Battery Costs
say minimum $300 for
another battery,
(some base $1k themselves)
some are built to have
multiple to extend range,
but others where to put it,
added weight, charging
while riding?
Ballast/ keel, shifting,
getting wet, lost/ stolen,
damaged, etc...
Shade
Covering up is different as
legs out is different than
legs under as far as wind
sun, debris, etc...
What Can Be Found?
What Can Not Be Found?
How To Analyze?
Lenses
Noob
might be some to learn
here, there, everywhere...
Kids
power and biking
why not?
aka kewl
mom!
dad!
...
what allowance?
but the other kids...
Simon Cowell eMoto not eBike
crashed and broke his back
some said he didn't bother
to learn how to stop...
I'm guessing some wanted
him dead from nastiness
on contest shows,
but others / most disagree...
https://www.treehugger.com/simon-cowell-did-not-fall-off-an-e-bike-5074440
Bent Riders
a magazine for and about
bents, referred to by
the other customer in line,
i'd seen it but need to
spend some time
actually reading it...
Wedgie Riders
not sure many make the leap
and learn other configurations,
alternative life/bikestyle
i guess...
some advantages,
some disadvantages,
etc...
DisAbled
Hand cycles,
back problems,
knee,
hip
heart,
balance,
etc
all sorts of things
might be better on
3 wheels...
Might not too,
expense, odd,
heavy, big, etc...
individually
case by case basis
aka individualized...
Old People
Well how to bike in place
like shelter in place
age in place
stay on the pedaling
green 1960's track
of being nice to mother
nature, even if she/he/it's
not kind to us...
General Public
More of those things slowing
us down on the roads/
trails, etc
what a bother...
Assumptions
More power (Tim Allen Grunt,
but more Weight,
ohh...(
Turning Radius?
still volatile market?
not standardized, maybe like
when other new tech started:
tablet computers
laptops,
desktops,
color TVs
WashingMachines
were mass produced
a shake down in the industry
By the MTBF
(Mean Time Before Failure)
time to upgrade
anyways, so planned
obsolescence (sp?)?
PlannedObsolesence2016
Time Limits
Perhaps seasonal?
High temps mean
i need more help,
Extremely low too,
maybe, will see...
PanDemic Effects
if Trump creates problems
with China, how does manufacturing
get effected?
Renting Charging Options at Food Places
Could be expensive, no?
And how much do you eat in 2 hours?
3?
Need a nap after that much?
Or Cafe dining?
Extra Tip the Waiter/Waitress?
as electricity costs what for how long
charging? $0.25 and they need a $10
tip?
or what?
Book Data
I'm sure there are already
books/ magazines etc
on Bents, but not read/
find/ look for, etc,
given library shortages,
holds, pandemic, etc
might have to learn the
hard way, idk...
ISBN
Bound
CopyRight
Pages
index
Links
BenteBikeOptions2020
TimeForAChange2020
WBTWD2020
WBTWD2019
FauxCritMass2018
eBikeCheating2017
CaBiWalker2017
CaBisCrap2017
BakingStallingDraggingRollingThunder2016
IsBikingStillFun2016
PedalCartAlternatives2016
PedalCarts2015
TheBikeHouseCoop2015
BikeBikeHosting2015
BikersAndDrunks2015
AdvMotoRally2015
ADVMotoRally2014
Sturgis2013
SpringBreak2013
WeldingBasics2013
ArlBAC20120507
Autreat2012
HippieClownCamp2011
CriticalMassDC20110701
BikeCulture2011
AfricanAmericansDon'tBike2011
DownGradingVeloCityCoop2010
AroundTheWorldOnTwoWheelsByPeterZheutlin
4WheelsBad2WheelsGood3WheelsMaybe
OneWetDyslexicsBikersExperienceAtTheNationalBookFestival
TheBikeHouse
VeloCityBikeCoop
PhoenixBikes
BikeTechWheelBuilding
DCtoRichmondBikeTour
JerrySpaceIdea
and many many more
/GoFish
I don't mean to be rude but...
(Just mean?)
https://www.treehugger.com/simon-cowell-did-not-fall-off-an-e-bike-5074440
Conclusion
Summary of experience or similar
Will see
a lot of missing information,
but only one way to find out
most of it...
Discussion
A place for feedback on the page presented
What use cases do you have?
2 wheels good enough for you,
given cost, availability,
riding restrictions, etc?
(Presumably,
you are relatively young?)
Is it enough like a wheelchair
for some disAbled?
Ever tried one?
Bent?
eBike?
WheelChair?
PoweredChair?
Combinations/
Permutations of above?
Do you plan to pedal in place?
Do an advanced directive
of how?
DNR if Not?
License
Creative Commons Share and Share Alike,
Non Commercial, Non Derivative,
for the whole site's contents
unless otherwise explicitly stated
Page History
20200820
- Add cowell link
- A few other addition s
- Sectionalize headers
- Level right at 3?
- Try again on kbd not smartphone
- Add UniCode?
-
20200819 Jerry
- adding
- correcting
- rephrasing
- links
- etc
-
20200818 Jerry
- Jerry created this page to
- log an eBike and Bent related
- issues from research/
- WAGuesses
-
- from
- FrontPage
- Using TempSitUpdating
- to make situations uniform across cases...
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