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Post by kenmb on Apr 24, 2024 23:00:43 GMT -6
I remember SWMan posted about some Ebikes so hopefully can get some feedback from him and others.
The idea of an Ebike came to me as a light and easy means of transportation back from the field. All my land is a few miles from home so don't need much. Kicked around the idea of a quad to pull behind or a dirt bike but then i realized I could toss an Ebike right on the drill hitch or hang on the back of the grain truck to get a truck to the field and get myself home again. Same with throwing it in back of half ton if I want to leave a truck in the field while working in the area.
I wouldn't need much, maybe the cheapest one on the internet but generally that is throwing away money as a guy tends to buy something better if the original idea proves good but the equipment was junk. So would be interested to know what a guy should look for in a bike that may get 50 miles a year. A mountain bike style would be nice if I could have it on the equipment in the field and be able to ride the bike through a field and back to the road or half ton parked at an approach.
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joru
New Member
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Post by joru on Apr 25, 2024 5:59:32 GMT -6
We bought one a couple months ago. So far we like it. It has wide tires and works good on gravel or softer ground in the field. The last few years Costco had it on sale (late winter) for 1600 $. It used to be 2500$. The battery should last 60-70 km which is in todays world not so much, but good enough for us. igoelectric.ca/collections/all-ebikes/products/extreme-3-1 Walmart has sometimes some sales for 800-1000 $, but i can't tell how good they are. |
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Post by kenmb on Apr 25, 2024 8:15:09 GMT -6
That's the sort of bike I am thinking of. Wondering if the 500w motor is good enough to get through a typical field, if an ebike gets me across a field at say 20 km/h then I think I would use it more. So maybe a 750w motor would help. Range won't be an issue. Maybe a rear suspension would be nice.
Would be a heck of a lot nicer than dragging an atv around. Dad used to tow a half ton with a bumper pull hitch, that is a good solution but having a bike to toss around would make it a lot more convenient and flexible to do the same thing.
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Post by Oatking on Apr 25, 2024 11:13:24 GMT -6
That's the sort of bike I am thinking of. Wondering if the 500w motor is good enough to get through a typical field, if an ebike gets me across a field at say 20 km/h then I think I would use it more. So maybe a 750w motor would help. Range won't be an issue. Maybe a rear suspension would be nice. Would be a heck of a lot nicer than dragging an atv around. Dad used to tow a half ton with a bumper pull hitch, that is a good solution but having a bike to toss around would make it a lot more convenient and flexible to do the same thing. Ken mb , I think that e bike idea is a super idea . I think I will get one also . I think that running a half mile back to my semi from the yard caused my heart attack last fall or didn’t help that day. Thinking back now , an e-bike would have saved time and been better in the old ticker. E-bike might be the best advice I got on the combine forum !! I heard on Cjob last weekend , the local bike shop said to avoid Chinese direct purchases. They are not tested , batteries can ignite and some cases they are not governed to 35km/h. I guess they are cheap for a reason. My friend started with a 2000 dollar bike and liked it so much he bought a 9000 dollar e-bike . He takes it to phenix and rides trails . If you guys have a good model you like please post a picture or where you bought it Thanks |
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Post by bob123 on Apr 25, 2024 18:45:01 GMT -6
My parents have 2 of the Igo ones from Costco for 2 years now and they have been good. I thought bypassing the 35kph law was a good thing lol. If you go into their menu and set the tire size smaller you can trick them to go an extra 7kph. I've driven them around the town dike which is grass and packed dirt and they do fine.
On the other hand Hondas new XR150L dual sport has kinda caught my eye for being under 300lbs wet, street legal, and relatively cheap. Could make some mounts or ramps for it or just throw it in a header. There used to be a guy here who farmed by himself and had hooks on every piece of equipment to hang a little honda on to shuttle around
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Post by kevlar on Apr 25, 2024 19:04:16 GMT -6
So do these bikes have throttles or do you have to pedal them to get them to move?
An older farmer here made platforms on a lot of his equipment and on the front of his truck that he could run his quad up on and tie it down.
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Post by bob123 on Apr 25, 2024 22:39:01 GMT -6
They have a throttle mode or settings for assisted pedaling
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Post by SWMan on Apr 26, 2024 1:38:56 GMT -6
We have Rad power bikes. I honestly don't ride mine much but the kids have a couple thousand km on theirs already with only minor repairs. I think a brake caliper started leaking and they sent us a new one under warranty. Also some sensor needed replacing, simple stuff. Kids have biked 10 miles to town and back many times, it will do that on a charge. There is some hack code that allows power assist up to 40 km/hr I think, not entirely sure on the number but higher than stock speed. Here is the link: radpowerbikes.ca/collections/electric-bikes/products/radrover-plus-electric-fat-tire-bike |
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Post by kenmb on Apr 26, 2024 7:48:05 GMT -6
Will look into this more and no doubt get something. Being able to hang one on the back of the tandem or throw on drill hitch or combine header makes it a much more useful item then trying to figure out how to get similar portability with a atv instead of ebike. Dirt bike drawback is they are heavier and so not as easy to toss onto something. The heavier it is the less likely it will be used/taken along.
I suppose I don't need to be concerned with suspension as the fat tire units would have reasonable shock absorption in the tires alone.
Last week the wife accepted a job working in IT at crop insurance in Melville so she will be spending 50% of her work time in Melville and staying over night. Last few years she has been working from home so not too difficult to move trucks around or get a ride home, still took some coordination as she wasn't always home or available. But now I need to figure out a plan when she is gone two nights in a row. Right now an ebike checks off a lot more boxes then buying a atv or towing a half ton around. Sure, a cab and 50 mph capability is nice but can't top portability of an ebike so the ebike looks like a good solution, worth a try anyway.
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Post by kevlar on Apr 26, 2024 16:21:02 GMT -6
Yes the fat tires absorb quite a bit, something to watch though is because of the width of tire, they do pull a bit if you catch the side of a rut or ridge. I’ve never wiped out because of this but if a guy was daydreaming and only holding on with one hand it might get a little hairy at 35-40 kms an hour.
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Post by kenmb on Apr 26, 2024 19:25:37 GMT -6
Yes, I think I can visualize what you mean Kevlar. The wider tires are probably an advantage overall vs some narrower options. A 4"x20 or 4"x26" seems fairly common.
I might give a folding bike a try, should add a bit more portability than a standard ebike with really no drawbacks. I can for sure toss it up on the platform of the air tank or sprayer if it isn't fitting nice when unfolded.
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Post by kenmb on May 2, 2024 12:29:20 GMT -6
Went into a store yesterday to check some out for sizing before ordering something on-line and got the "have I a deal for you" line. $2200 out the door wasn't too bad. Biktrix is a Saskatoon company. They basically put together a bike package based on various components from around the world (ie China) and ship out of Saskatoon. 500w motor with 48v 12ah battery on this one. Had it up to 28mph on the grid road today, level ground and no wind. I expect any kind of head wind will slow it down a fair bit. Think it will work ok for my needs, but will see. Towing a quad is an option with farm equipment but putting in a half ton or hooking behind a tandem truck to put a truck in field at harvest seems a little less attractive. Bike I can hang off the back, or side ladder, maybe put a carrier on front of tandem.
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