No kidding. Raga on a gasgas framed electric trials bike http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mh1JsQRjxM&feature=player_embedded
I saw a guy riding an electric at a local trials event, but it wasn't as nice as that one. It seemed to do fine agility wise, but clunked and rattled like a toy. It seemed to have a very low center of gravity because of the way the compenents were mounted in the frame. The guy didn't have to pay any attention to the motor, so maybe it was a benefit overall. He was the only one eating lunch next to a running generator, though...
i wonder how the "if the engine not running and you dab it is a five" rule works with one of these things
I started to make one but sold the frame before I got around to it the main reason I want an electric trials bike is the only time I have to practice is late at night and I really try to not piss off my neighbors too much. But one thing that I wonder about is, I use my clutch a lot and I have never seen a clutch on an electric bike.
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The Brammo company announced a while back that they were developing an e-bike with a multi-speed tranny (and presumably a clutch) to realize the advantages a transmission offers, such as torque multiplication, higher top speed, and resultant extension of battery performance. The Brammo Engage is the project, but info is pretty darn sparse. I think a clutch of some sort will make any electric more ridable, but all the e-trials projects I've seen rely on throttle alone to control the power. I'd like to see flywheel similar to a gas bike, controlled by a clutch, which I postulate will make an electric trials bike more controllable, easier to balance, and more capable of gas bike riding.
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If they put a clutch on it, won't they need to install some kind of noise maker? Otherwise, with no sound and no vibration, how would you know how fast the motor is spinning when revving the motor and dumping the clutch for a splatter?
being electric, seems like the clutch wouldn't need to be mechanical. Just a circuit that mimics a mechanical clutch.
My son has an electric Oset, and it actually makes a really cool sound all by itself. The electric motor whine is definitely enough to know it's going, but not irritating. I think having a clutch would still be sweet so you could build up the rotational momentum in the motor and dump it out quickly to the wheel. As soon as my son rode his Oset, I realized I really want an electric bike!
Same here Santa brought our oldest daughter "now 7" a 16" oset for Christmas a few years ago. First time we had it out I wanted one of my own. I would love to have a full size electric trials bike.
You still need a clutch in order to control the power I would think. I suspect it'd be difficult for an electric motor to accelerate instantly enough to replicate the effect of dropping the clutch at WOT in 2nd gear as one does to get up certain things. To get that sort of explosive burst of power I'm pretty sure you'll need to get some weight moving quickly the be able to dump it to the wheel right away, but maybe a really high-torque e-motor combined with an ultra-light rotating assembly and a battery/capacitor.controller that could deliver enough current quickly enough could replicate the explosive burst of power you get from dumping the clutch without a clutch, but I suspect a clutch and a bit of flywheel weight would be cheaper and easier. I think an ideal e-trials bike would have moderate flywheel inertia, a clutch and maybe a 2-speed gearbox (one for sections, one for the loop, but maybe 1 speed would do if the motor could spin fast enough).
BTW, Gasgas Spain has this bike listed below this years pro models, (comming soon) http://www.gasgasmotos.es/en/trial/380-txt-e.html
Awesome. You know, I started by buell the other day and realized that the starter motor really yanks that motor over hard and pretty darn instantly - maybe a clutchless electric motor could dump enough torque fast enough to the rear wheel to splatter, etc Has anyone seen a video where someone was able to do a decent splatter on the gasgas e-trials bike?
Yah. The torque characteristics are completely different to a gas engine. Generally electric motors can make their full rated torque at 0 rpm, so I don't doubt they'd be able to really give a yank on the back wheel from a stop. The trick seems to be getting the programming right to give a linear feel to the throttle, and to generate back-torque when you "close" the throttle to give the strong engine braking feel you're used to from a single cylinder thumper.
I like seeing all the new tech coming in E bike. Modern electric motor and electronic speed controllers are almost infinitely programable. You could have multiple programs from mild to explosive that could be changed at the flick of a switch. You will also be able to program you throttle to suit your riding style from mild to aggressive as well as where in the rev range you want the power to kick in. I also race electric RC cars. We have had this kind of tech for years it is now just transferring over to larger vehicles now that batteries are becoming lite enough with enough capacity to make it viable.
Engine braking can be generated by electric motors. Not only engine breaking but rear wheel braking controlled by the throttle. Imagine a throttle that roll both directions. Twist back to go forward like a normal throttle. Twist forward to brake and even to go in reverse. Thats right reverse. I could see this as a usable feature for trials riders. It isn't unusual to see them bouncing the bike backwards to get a bike into possession to clear an obstacle. Again all this would be fully programable to suit your riding needs and style as well as terrain and track conditions.
found more videos on the ETA Motors (GmbH) website... http://eta-motors.com/videos/ Here's one youtube link http://youtu.be/RbECu2fnnMo
Engine braking isn't a big deal I think - I know my Montesa has essentially none - it has enough flywheel that the engine carries on long enough that I have to pull in the clutch if I wanna slowdown within a section what do you ride Chromer that has notable engine braking? a four stroke of some sort?