Neptronix,
How fast do you want to go? If you're serious, I've been looking for someone to help DD hubs get the respect they deserve with no pedaling, since it's about the machine. As long as you're not a fatty like me, I have motors that will handle that climb at a
minimum speed that is nearly double Opti's average speed.
It's not just a matter of throwing more watts at it, though of course to double the speed on a given hill requires double the power, plus whatever it takes to overcome the extra wind resistance. The key to getting up the Peak with a single gear is an ebike tuned to handle the steepest sections as if they were continuous. That includes the right combination of wheel size, voltage, and current settings where the motor's
peak continuous power can be attained through the steepest sections. As long as that rpm point (or higher) can be reached on the steepest grades, then it's just a question of having enough batteries, because the remainder of the climb will be faster and at greater efficiency. My only real concern is sections with both sharp curves and steep grades, and whether you can easily and safely negotiate those curves at 30-35mph-ish.
Sure variable gearing is better for climbing in many respects, but it's simply wrong for anyone to think that a single speed can't do it. Electric motors have a much broader power band, so it's much more pleasant than it would be to get in your ICE powered vehicle and do the entire ride in 1st gear, which is how you'd have to gear a single speed ICE vehicle.
BTW, you'll have no worries about brakes. The mechanical brakes would just be an emergency backup. You'd regen on the way down, and have a healthy SOC for lots more riding, while everyone else is forced to recharge or go on pedal power alone.
John
