Thank you in advance! This is a great, informative site!
I just bought a 21-speed used Electra Townie with front shocks. It needs some work, but I should be a nice, comfortable ride.
I am 5'7', 155lbs.
My longest anticipated round trip (in Los Angeles) will have three legs:
- 8 miles
3-4hours stay (charging)
- 9.5 miles
2 hours stay (charging)
- 6 miles
There are a few hills and low grades.
After studying this forum, I would like to go with the "slightly-higher-voltage with a lower-rpm" route. I don't wan't to go much faster than 20mph. I have noticed that posters here often mention that newbies will eventually want increased speed/power.
Please advise on the following choices (and on good sources for these items):
- Mac Rear 10T, 255rpm -- kit from Cellman (with thumb throttle?);
- Sunthing-28 LiFePO4 15A, 48v It says that the "maximum sustained work current" is only 20A -- is that too low? (By the way, complaints on this forum scared me away from BMS Battery);
- Computer PSU to charge the Sunthing-28 LiFePO4;
- Portable charger (or should I stick with the one that comes with the Sunthing-28 battery);
- Free wheel -- any suggestions for a six-speed with an 11T sprocket?;
- Torque arm(s) -- Seems like they would have more leverage than torque plates. Even after reading about one of the Townie builds here, it still seems scary to drill holes into the aluminum drop-outs. If I go with arms, should I use two of them?;
- Power cut-off brake levers -- does the stock Cellman controller accept these? If so, is there a brand/model that anyone recommends? Has anyone instead tried to rig reed switches to the brake levers or v-brakes?;
- "Kool Pads" for V-brakes -- any recommendation on a specific model?;
- Cycle Analyst -- where do I get this?;
- Frame bag (don't want to build a frame enclosure yet) -- anyone know of one that decently fits a Townie frame?;
- Tires -- One of the tires on the Townie seems to have a problem. What tires for stock rims would you recommend for street riding?;
- Precharge circuit -- leaning toward the smaller additional lead with a 100ohm-1000ohm resistor;
- Any suggestions on a source for a cheap front rim? The stock rim is possibly "non-trueable" -- seems bent from an impact;
- Larger chainring (eventually).
Any advice is appreciated, and please point out any items left out of this list.
Thanks again!
I just bought a 21-speed used Electra Townie with front shocks. It needs some work, but I should be a nice, comfortable ride.
I am 5'7', 155lbs.
My longest anticipated round trip (in Los Angeles) will have three legs:
- 8 miles
3-4hours stay (charging)
- 9.5 miles
2 hours stay (charging)
- 6 miles
There are a few hills and low grades.
After studying this forum, I would like to go with the "slightly-higher-voltage with a lower-rpm" route. I don't wan't to go much faster than 20mph. I have noticed that posters here often mention that newbies will eventually want increased speed/power.
Please advise on the following choices (and on good sources for these items):
- Mac Rear 10T, 255rpm -- kit from Cellman (with thumb throttle?);
- Sunthing-28 LiFePO4 15A, 48v It says that the "maximum sustained work current" is only 20A -- is that too low? (By the way, complaints on this forum scared me away from BMS Battery);
- Computer PSU to charge the Sunthing-28 LiFePO4;
- Portable charger (or should I stick with the one that comes with the Sunthing-28 battery);
- Free wheel -- any suggestions for a six-speed with an 11T sprocket?;
- Torque arm(s) -- Seems like they would have more leverage than torque plates. Even after reading about one of the Townie builds here, it still seems scary to drill holes into the aluminum drop-outs. If I go with arms, should I use two of them?;
- Power cut-off brake levers -- does the stock Cellman controller accept these? If so, is there a brand/model that anyone recommends? Has anyone instead tried to rig reed switches to the brake levers or v-brakes?;
- "Kool Pads" for V-brakes -- any recommendation on a specific model?;
- Cycle Analyst -- where do I get this?;
- Frame bag (don't want to build a frame enclosure yet) -- anyone know of one that decently fits a Townie frame?;
- Tires -- One of the tires on the Townie seems to have a problem. What tires for stock rims would you recommend for street riding?;
- Precharge circuit -- leaning toward the smaller additional lead with a 100ohm-1000ohm resistor;
- Any suggestions on a source for a cheap front rim? The stock rim is possibly "non-trueable" -- seems bent from an impact;
- Larger chainring (eventually).
Any advice is appreciated, and please point out any items left out of this list.
Thanks again!