Submitted by francesmendenhall on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 05:02.
First a simple intro: I want to talk with people with more experience using the bionX system to expand their range and success in commuting.
Details to come as soon as I figure out how to click "submit" and get it to work
Frances, Omaha
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bionX details
I want to move bike culture along here in Omaha by promoting electric bikes, and I got a bionX because the system is light, looks like a bike not a moped, and you can recharge the battery going downhill. I adapted a 700 mm commuter bike, steel not aluminum. The battery is 36V and the motor is 350 watts.
Problems:
First, I needed a tougher tire in back. Apparently the extra weight, or maybe the many places with no curb cuts, just beat up a regular commuter tire.
Second, the rear wheel-motor assembly can work loose. So I now carry a hex wrench and really keep an eye on it.
That said, I love my bike and greatly enjoy being seen going uphill at 20 mph with baskets loaded with groceries. Not bad for a 60 yr old grandmother!
The mission is to get people to believe that clean transportation is possible, however. My next goal, and I hope someone can advise, is to recharge the battery with solar. I understand how trivial the energy savings would be, but the real point is raised consciousness, and that is not trivial at all. At this point, I have not even convinced any local shops to take electric bikes seriously. Comments from folks with more experience should help me get that done, however.
Frances in Omaha
(402) 208-3717