Welcome to MBc. What do you want to do with the bike? Commute? Trail ride? Cruise for chicks? What are your mechanical skills and background? Those things make a big difference in what you might want to build.
Hello Alaskavan -- I have very little mechanical skills, but our neighbor/friend who lives next door is a mechanic and a jack-of-all trades ... She even does engine repair on cars! She is committed to helping me install a motor on my Electra Townie.
I have decided to convert my Townie into an electric bike. My bicycle(s) are my main transportation. Van needs seriouis engine repair. Might tackle that next year ... Not sure.
If I can get a high quality electric motor for my Townie, that will get me around, commuting to work, running errands ... I may quit driving!
I work different job assignments everyday, and have to turn down assignments all the time, because the bus service here is very limited and doesn't go to many schools ....
I would like to be able to pedal my bicycle with the original gears (21-speed) at least 200 miles a month, and use the electric motor probably about another 200 miles a month.
I need to be able to commute 12-15 miles each way, which would allow me to accept many exta job assignments. Also, I need something that will pull the weight (I weigh about 210 ... my backpack is another 10-15 pounds, and groceries will add another 15 pounds, somtimes a bit more).
If I can license my bicycle as a moped, I'd like to be able to ride as fast as 40-45 mph (only for short distances), so that way I could travel on the country roads where the speed limit is 45-55 mph.
I will be needing the extra speed on my bicycle probably two to three days a week, and for shopping (three miles one way). But I still plan on pedaling as much as possible ....
In Sonora
