Wednesday, July 20, 2011

solar bike concept

http://www.gizmag.com/solar-cross-pedal-electric-bicycle/19066/


The bike also has a third handlebar-mounted panel, along with a 24-volt 1-horsepower motor, a 5000 mah (milli Ampere hour) lithium-ion polymer (LIPO) main battery, two 5000 mah LIPO booster packs wired in series, and a 24-volt controller.

Terry built the solar panels himself, out of eighth-inch polycarbonate sheeting, aluminum, and 18 x 6 x 6-inch (457 x 152 x 152-mm) mono crystalline cells. In order to keep the weight down, he drilled thousands of holes through the aluminum parts. The cells each put out 3.8 to 4 watts, together providing an estimated 8.7 volts of electricity. Using the controller, riders can assign them to charge any two of the three batteries.

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nice proof of concept!
I was thinking flexible solar thin film under a partial fairing which is transparent.
Plus mainly to power consumer electronics.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

off road SWB bikes. best of class




D: really, just


http://www.rbr.info/store.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&category_id=55&product_id=147
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Re: Azub Max.

The Azub Max has an offroad variant. I don't know what currency their sites u...

1:20 PM (23 hours ago)
Reply
Peter Stull to me

show details 3:07 PM (21 hours ago)


The basis Max frameset is $2200, Basic complete bike is $3200.
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D - so comparable to the price of the Meta Bike frameset.
Hmm, Orca is winning for total-setup price.

I confess, the adjustable seat/et al position of the Azub series is unprecedented.
Plus the rear-boom extension for trips allows 2 sets of panniers, like some grasshopper models. It makes me wonder about a DIY rig for the Orca.
I cannot believe the company does not offer that.

Peter Stull
Bicycle Man LLC
Recumbent bikes and trikes
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But you see the appeal of my 'long-short wheelbase' layout though.
A lot of the benefit of a 'bent bike is lower air drag.
By adding the 2nd set of panniers lower, we increase front cross section.
In fact, we end up with a profile much like an upright bike when done.

I remain intrigued by the idea of a wide carry rack that could hold an additional folding basket on top.
I have 2 side folding baskets which must be permanently affixed.
I'd like to modify that to have pannier style mounts so they can be removed.
An unlikely benefit of my 24i tires on my youth frame is the additional space between the top of the tire and the rack.
(Recall that I have a Cruzbike.)
I confess that I like the lower centre of gravity with groceries.
I hope to have 2 grocery bags with heavy stuff low and left/right,
with 1 additional lighter one high and mounted on an extra-wide rack.
Those folding baskets match the size of a reusable grocery bag perfectly.
But are darn heavy the rest of the time.
My bike weighs in at 60lbs!

Aside - not too impressed with the Front wheel drive.
My front tire tried to slide sideways when I spun out on gravel uphill.
Scary.
I suppose on pavement this is not an issue.
But you'd think something with mountain bike tires could go off-road! Nope.

D - I am intrigued by the Meta Bike biz model of just selling frames.
I mean, my 'everyman' 'bent bike entry just uses standard parts anyway.
(Just a very basic chain-inside-frame layout.)
As much as I like the Flevobike Greenmachine, it only comes with 20i tires and
costs about 6000 bux!
Plus I'd prefer if Rohloff released a 580% gear hub for it.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

d30 gel gloves. review.




http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/gloves/product/review-661-evo-d30-glove-09-34382/

D: they looked so promising that I ran out and bought a pair.
For 50 bux, I would not complain.
For 100 plus, I will.
The quality control is terrible.
If you look at the pic, you'll see one of the finger guards is almost 1cm off the placement on the other glove.
And the gel knuckle guard is no better.
The left glove is fine.
But the right glove has it so far over that the right index-finger knuckle is barely covered. Worse, all my friends promptly tested them by punching stuff. So the threading is starting to tear out on that knuckle too.

All in all, not worth the money.

I want my money back.