Recent content by Mark42

@Chalo.... The problem is the Schwin frame does not even work with the standard 3 speed hub or a 5 speed hub. That is why I looked to my China retailers to find a 5 speed hub with extra long axles and heavy duty shifting. They are out there, just look.

I found 5 speed hubs in China supply who make the 2 common hubs and they offer them with longer axles than what is normally available in the US so it will work with Schwinn frames. The standard hubs by Schmano and Sturmey-Archer available in the US have too short an axle to work in the Schwinn...

BTW I have an account where I deal with China retailers. I can get heavy duty 5 speed hub with extra long axles for a reasonable price. These are used in pedal and motorized 3 wheel transports and taxi's. I think they are pretty proven, if not cheap.

Slow-co has a very interesting solution I did not think about. Going to have to look into that more.... I am afraid of the existing problem of torque on a standard shifter and chain set and rings. This seems to be an issue from what I have read about non-hub drives. And I would like to avoid...

BTW, other than the Monarch fork, everything else on this build is working very reliably. The cheap voltage converter from ebay is still working great, does not get too hot and the LED bulbs help keep the draw down. With the OEM mountain bike fork, the bike has a more rigid feel, and I find I...

I am thinking of building an e-trike from a Schwinn trike, and fitting it with a 5 speed hub driven by a non-hub motor for a small business pickup/delivery machine around town. It would have a tall (4 or 5 ft) light weight cargo box mounted in the rear to carry parts and clients computers...

Have a Chinese 20Ah Lithium Ion battery in pvc jacket for about 4 or 5 months. Lately it seems to take longer to charge. And it seems to discharge a tad quicker than it used to. Does that have anything to do with the onset of winter and the temperatures going down to 30 or so overnight in...

You may remember my retro ebike build used a Monarch reproduction fork. Well I have to say it did not hold up too well. One day I was carrying a back pack full of groceries, and one side bag was full too. The fork bent right at the crown. One or two welds broke on each side and the fork...

The Monarch fork is fine for a classic cruiser you want to build. But I found it sucks for an ebike. Too much linkage, too much play. Too hard to adjust all the pivot points even with lock nuts. I am going to pull the fork and replace it with the original fork. Everything is OK under 25...

BTW, was riding on a long flat stretch of smooth black top road and ran full throttle and was surprised to see the bike was doing a steady 27 mph. I had no cargo. Just me (190 lbs) and a bottle of water. This is the fastest the bike has gone on level ground. Maybe after 100 miles the...

Yeah, I already saw all those. None are meant to carry an adult. I'm looking for a side car design long enough to carry an adult comfortably. And with a 26" wheel, preferably.

Was thinking about building a side car that is large enough to carry an adult. Haven't found any for sale commercially. Seems they are all custom made. Any suggestions or plans?

The retro ebike is working very well. 48v battery, 1000watt rear wheel drive..... plus LED headlights and dual tail lights. Everything is cool. But lately I have been running the bike at well over 20 mph where before I have been keeping it under 12 mph to see how far I can go. Now I am...

I have been to Yellowstone. Unless you are very experienced, and carry lots of water and over night equipment, I would not go out. JHMHO.

BTW, After reading the reviews on Amazon about this kit it seems to be a common issue that after 100 miles or so the spokes need tightening. Guess its just an issue with this kit.