fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Bikes, trikes, personal mobility and getting to/from the event - this is the place to discuss general transportation issues.
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hippyDdoc
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fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by hippyDdoc » Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:55 pm

I have a mongoose fat tire bike, looking to enhance it electric assist.
26" geared

what voltage?
what wattage?
front or back?
recommended charging method (on playa)?
snarky offered wisdom?
non snarky wisdom?

DoctorIknow
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by DoctorIknow » Wed Jun 15, 2016 6:36 pm

Check out and post on the thread "Bike Builders Unite"
viewtopic.php?t=39589

Good luck!

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Jackass
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by Jackass » Wed Jun 15, 2016 6:44 pm

Get a yard sale permit, for when you hit those dunes at 30+mph...

Be sure to be compliant.
Sooner or later, it will get real strange...

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BBadger
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by BBadger » Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:07 pm

You should probably just buy a kit and follow the instructions. It's not like there are super special designs for use on the flat playa. You can recharge it at camp with whatever people use to provide electricity.
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Molotov
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by Molotov » Fri Jun 17, 2016 8:35 am

Regardless of the propulsion method and tire size, two wheeled bikes are unstable and if you hit a dune, you could go ass over handlebars.

Get a trike, install an electric motor front hub, pimp your ride, and enjoy having a place to sit when you pull up at the art to enjoy the show. It's like a portable lawn chair.

Worked for me, and I haven't crashed in two years-which at 62 years old is a winning proposition.

Meat Hunter
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by Meat Hunter » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:15 am

Molotov speaks the truth.

Three Burns ago, I purchased a $250 trike from a big box store, added an electric drive kit, did a bit of tricking-out and decorating and I am more than satisfied with my ride.

What I really like about my trike are: I can move along dead-slow and visit with people as I pass buy without falling over. When I stop, I have a chair to sit on. And, with 2.5" tires, it does real good with the soft dust on the deep playa - except when they are really deep and few folks have a bike that will easily go through those.

The negatives of having a trike: they are larger and heavier than a bike and you do need room to store and transport them. Unless you take it apart (it is not all that difficult) it would be a feat to lift and transport it on top of RV or bus-type vehicle.

Molotov and I are lucky in that both of us have pick-up trucks. Molotov is about 10 years younger than I and he can lift his trike onto his bed. Me, I am 72. I built 3 small plywood 4"wide ramps that I use to roll my trike onto the bed of my truck.
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FIGJAM
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by FIGJAM » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:58 am

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Molotov
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by Molotov » Fri Jun 17, 2016 10:36 am

I don't think Figjams little trike will pass muster at BRC-it is not capable of being pedaled (therefore it's not a bike or trike) and it has a seat. I guess you could get it a handicap tag as a personal mobility device.

But hey, thanks for playing! Come back soon!

(Now an electric unicycle-that would be interesting!) :D

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FIGJAM
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by FIGJAM » Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:35 pm

Burnt Offering has been to the last three burns.

Wheel chairs don't need permits.

This is a modified wheel chair, and is in a grey area, so I get a permit. 8)
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Jackass
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Re: fat tire electric bike, whats words of wisdom do you offer

Post by Jackass » Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:53 pm

Boom, think again ranger.

Mr. Jam, have you ever thought of embellishing Burnt Offering with a propane powered candelabra burning elegantly upon the hood of your ride?
Sooner or later, it will get real strange...

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