Electric bicycles can be a clean and green method of transportation, and building your own ebike is not only possible, but is also affordable. Micah Toll, the author of a popular DIY electric bike conversion book offers us 6 tips for getting started with building your own electric bike. There's absolutely nothing wrong with using a conventional manually-pedaled bicycle, as they're fun, inexpensive, simple to work on and maintain, and about as low-carbon of a transportation option as you can get. But an electric bicycle offers some advantages over a standard bicycle, including speed and convenience, and require significantly less effort to get from one place to another. However, before you lay out a big chunk of cash on a readymade ebike, consider doing a DIY electric bike conversion. I've previously covered Micah Toll's electric bike conversion video course, but because he's now going to have his ebike book printed as an actual physical book, I asked him if he could offer us some insight into why building your own ebike is not only possible, but is also desirable. Q: Why do you think people are switching to commuting with an ebike? Toll: I've actually seen a wide variety of people switching to ebikes for many different reasons. A large group consists of college students and young professionals, especially those living in cities, who use ebikes as an alternative to buying a car or relying on public transportation. The main benefits for this group include being able to commute on their own schedule, not paying for a car, insurance, parking or a yearly bus pass, and being able to beat traffic in crowded cities. I also see a lot of eco-conscious adults in cities and suburbs who use an ebike as a second vehicle, allowing them to leave their car in the garage for many of their 'around the town' trips that don't really require a 3, 000lb gas guzzling machine. Lastly, there are many people who would like to get into cycling, but due to their age or previous injuries, haven't been able to succeed. With an ebike, they can get back on two wheels and have total control over how much they are pedaling and how much the motor is assisting them. Q: What are the benefits of building a DIY ebike versus buying a retail ebike? Toll: The two main benefits are price and custom specifications; you can save a lot of money and get the exact speed, range, power and other parameters that you are looking for. By not buying a retail ebike, you aren't paying for all the R&D, markup and overhead that goes into selling those bikes. Instead, you can buy the same parts online for much less than the cost of retail ebikes with those same parts. Because you are buying the parts yourself, you can cherry pick from among hundreds of different types of batteries, motors and speed controllers to get the exact specifications you are looking for. You can also start with a much better quality bike. Ebike manufacturers often skimp on the quality of the bicycle frame and components to make the whole package more affordable. Since a DIYer is already saving a lot of money, he or she can either use a bicycle they already have, or put some of those savings into a better quality bicycle. Q: What does an ebike conversion involve? Toll: To convert any standard bicycle into an ebike, four parts need to be installed: the battery, controller, motor and throttle. Most ebike parts come packaged together with those four crucial parts (though many come with accessories for things like regenerative braking, cruise control, etc), and everything is designed to attach easily to the bicycle. The battery and controller simple bolt onto the frame or bicycle rack using the supplied hardware. The motor is encased in the hub of a wheel, so you simply replace one of your bicycle's wheels with the new hubmotor. Finally, the throttle just slides over the end of your handlebar. People are always surprised by how simple the actual conversion process is. The hard part is probably choosing from all the ebike kits and parts out there, making sure you get exactly what you're looking for.

Electric go-karts have several clear advantages over their gas-powered rivals, including superior performance, moderate noise, easier maintenance and operation, plus low environmental impact. For these reasons, owners continue to purchase and demand more electric go-karts for their operations. FSIP offers products and support for these electric go-karts including remanufactured controllers and battery chargers along with new controllers, foot pedals, solenoids and test equipment. These products are used on go-karts manufactured by OTL, J&J Amusements, Electra Motorsports and more. Remanufactured Products FSIP offers over 8, 500 remanufactured part numbers including AC and DC controllers, joysticks/control handles, battery chargers, DC/DC converters, accelerators, dash displays, battery discharge indicators, combustion engine controls, conversion kits and panels. All FSIP controls are analyzed by certified electronic technicians, failed and stressed components replaced and controls upgraded to the latest specifications. FSIP controls are fully load tested to ensure quality and backed by a one year warranty. New Products FSIP is the exclusive manufacturer of GE electric vehicle controls & parts, acquiring this product line in 2010. They also provide legacy manufacturing to vehicle and electronic OEMs and specialize in “small run” manufacturing. FSIP is a distributor for Curtis Instruments products and stocks many popular part numbers for quick delivery. Dedicated sales and engineering staff are available to assist with design and development of new applications. Your technicians will benefit from various test equipment products that are in stock and ready to ship along with technical training classes and an online forum for support.

Hero Bicycles, India's largest and the world's largest bicycle manufacturer has launched a new range of electric assist bicycles in India. The new range of bicycles will be branded Lectro which is Hero's electric bicycle brand in Europe. These new bicycles will come in a number of different styles and will be officially launched in India sometime in January at a price point between Rs 40, 000-80, 000. The electric bicycles bodystyle will include various styles and sizes including a smaller wheeler version for children and a larger wheeled version for adults. There is also a fat-wheel bicycle, which has become a recent global trend in the urban bicycle market. The new Lectro bicycles will feature a 250-watt electric motor in the rear hub wheel and a 48-volt or 36 volt battery pack. The 48-volt battery pack is mounted on the lower tube on the frame while the top of the line model will have an inbuilt battery pack inside the rear hub. Hero Lectro Electric Bicycle Hero Bicycles claims that most of these bicycles will offer a range of just over 50 kilometers on a single charge. The fat-tyre variant also has a high torque motor to assist the rider a more than the standard variants. The level of assist can be controlled through a module on the handle bar. From 0 (or 0ff) to 5, the assist level feels noticeable different when ridden and also offers a much larger boost at the highest setting. Power is restricted to 25 kmph Amongst the Lectro offerings, the top of the line bicycle also has Bluetooth sync facilities with an electronic hub lock and a GPS based tracking feature. The bicycle also can be charged marginally if you reverse pedal which adds to the range. This bicycle does not have a separate battery pack and can be charged directly through the mains and into a little socket on the rear hub. All Lectro bicycles are restricted to just over 25kmph in terms of assist to classify them as electric two-wheelers that do not require any CMVR or licensing. The bicycle also comes with Bluetooth sync facility Although these Lectro bicycles are more expensive than most standard bicycles, they do offer a sense of convenience to those who are looking to get back into the sport or hobby of cycling and are vary of the effort that needs to be put into it.

Together with FEV GmbH, Rheinmetall Automotive is currently and successfully testing a range extender developed for electric vehicles. The test vehicle, based on the FIAT 500, has already undergone comprehensive tests at Rheinmetall Automotive. Customer response to tests conducted at various OEMs underscore the targets achieved in the development of this extender where emphasis was on barely perceptible noise and vibration from the 2-cylinder V-type engine fitted with FEVcom vibration compensation. Thanks to its dedicated design features including active vibration compensation and convenient mounting location, the system on show performs excellently in the noise-vibration-harshness discipline. As a consequence, the impression of low-noise electric propulsion hardly suffers whenever the extender goes about its work. The range extender allows vast flexibility in the configuration of its operating strategy. Depending on the timing and load conditions for when it starts up, the unit’s “operating philosophy” can be very closely adapted to any given conditions. The extender’s advantages are to allow a reduction in battery size and cost and in the related weight. Also, the car can maintain its customary travel range without having to stop for lengthy recharging. It dispels “runtime angst, ” a phenomenon not to be underestimated when introducing electric mobility. Experts and legislators generally see range extenders as paving the way for widespread acceptance of electric vehicles and assume that an entirely new category of very small gasoline engines will arise to make them a reality. This presents attractive possibilities for suppliers, given that these extenders are largely unsuited for assembly on currently available production lines and initial unit quantities will possibly not be very high. Rheinmetall Automotive has both a diversified product portfolio and the necessary development competencies. The largely universally mountable module furthermore allows for economies of scale and limits development and application costs. The new Rheinmetall Automotive power unit consists of a two-cylinder, V-type gasoline engine with a vertically positioned crankshaft and two generators with gear wheel drive. Except for the fuel tank and the radiator, all components are mounted on a ready-to-install support frame. The vertical crankshaft requires only a short construction height, such that the module can be integrated beneath the floor of a small passenger vehicle or, for example, be tucked neatly within a spare wheel recess. This installation option offers the easiest and least expensive modification procedure relative to conventional vehicle construction and leaves room for attractive compact-vehicle packaging and styling options. The power unit is conceived in such a way that the vehicle interfaces are reduced to a minimum. Vehicle integration thus proves comparatively unproblematic and installation or disassembly can be performed easily and efficiently. This enables the range extender to be reduced to an additional accessory equipment option. The automobile can thus be delivered with or without a range extender, thus allowing for a strategy of modularity. Bridge technology reduces costs The current market situation for electric vehicles looks as if many consumers are afraid that battery range will be insufficient (“range angst”). They also appear to shy away from the high added costs. A bridge technology like that employed in range extenders could expedite market entry for a generation of battery-powered vehicles and support legislators in their efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. The range extender is also an elegant solution to further constraints. At temperatures in which the battery tends to work inefficiently when re-/discharging, the range extender can generate extra heat or cold which in turn helps reduce CO2. The range extender allows normal use of heating and air-conditioning functions without the fear of excessive battery discharge.

Putting it together just involves mounting the electric components on the kart chassis; motor, battery, controller and wiring it all up. Motor The electric motor has a face mount where as a standard kart frame has a foot mount for the motor. To mount the motor a 90degree angle bracket was made out of 8mm aluminium plate. One side bolts to the motor, the other bolts to the motor mount on the frame. A small auto timing belt pulley (toothed belt) was fitted to the motor and a large pulley was fitted to the rear axel bolted up to the standard gokart sprocket carrier. It would be possible just to keep the regular kart rear sprocket and fit a chain sprocket to the motor, but chains are more noisy than a belt and we didn't want the quiet buzz of the electric motor drowned out by chain clatter. Battery The cells were assembled in two rows sitting vertically and a clear acrylic box was made to fit them in. The battery box was just thin enough to fit in the space between the kart seat and the side pod and was bolted to the kart frame using aluminium brackets front and rear. It is taller than the side pod so it sits higher and can be easily seen in the kart. Controller The controller bolted to the frame of the kart just in front of the motor and a small box in front of the controller houses an on/off switch, forward and revers switch an contractors. The controller has a power feed in from the battery pack, inputs from the battery management (BMS) which can turn the power off if the batteries run too low (or any other battery fault is detected), input from the throttle and sensor inputs from the motor. Three heavy gauge power wires connected directly to the motor. Probably the most complex part is building the battery pack. Bolting the cells together is easy, but there are 24 BMC cell connectors that must be installed across each cell. Its not that difficult, but you do need to be very careful to follow the wiring diagram correctly or you will damage your BMS. Throttle The throttle cable that normally goes to the carburettor in gas kart is attached to a throttle pot or electronic throttle (see photo). The electronic throttle has a +5V input from the controller and puts out a 0-5V signal back to the controller. Big Red Button The big red button is attached directly to the battery pack and can isolate the pack in the event of anything going wrong. Contactor The a small on/off switch in the kart doesn't directly switch on the power to the controller and motor. A small switch operates a contactor (large amperage relay) which switches on the power. The contactor enables low voltage switching in the BMS to turn off the power if required to protect the batteries.

Bike sizing is one of the most crucial parts of buying an electric bike. Improperly sized bicycles can lead to discomfort, inconvenience, and injury. The worst part about riding a bike that’s the wrong size is that it just isn’t fun. Your electric bike is a big investment, and you should absolutely treat it as such! Knowing the correct bike size before purchase is the best way to ensure the efficiency, longer use, and overall enjoyment. Check out how to correctly size your electric bike below. What are you using the bike for? Are you a mountain biker or a commuter? Do you want a upright or aggressive ride? Mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrid bikes are all sized a bit differently, so before you start trying to size yourself, make sure you know what your main use will be for this bike. You’ve probably put a bit of thought into this already, so this should be an easy part. If you’re not sure, contact us and we’ll walk you through some of the different uses for the bikes in our shop. Frame Size Frame size is possibly the most important aspect in bike sizing. Reason being, once the frame size is set, that’s it. There is no turning back from there. There are few ways that you can find the right size frame. The first way is to measure your inseam. Measuring your inseam can be done in a number of ways, but I find the easiest way is to grab a notebook. Once you’ve got your notebook, you’ll need to stand against a wall. Then, place the notebook in between your upper thighs so you are straddling it (like you would be if you hopped on a bike). Leave the notebook in place on the wall and measure from the top of the notebook to the floor. This measurement is your inseam. It’s generally a good idea to wear the shoes you’ll be cycling in most frequently as this will probably affect the measurement. Once you have the measurement, reference a sizing chart like the ones listed here: Road Bike Sizing: Height Inseam Frame Size Inches 4’10” – 5’1″ 25.5” – 27” 46 – 48 cm 18-19 5’0″ – 5’3″ 26.5″ – 28″ 48 – 50 cm 19-19.5 5’2″ – 5’5″ 27.5″ – 29″ 50 – 52 cm 19-20.5 5’4″ – 5’7″ 28.5″ – 30″ 52 – 54 cm 19.5-21 5’6″ – 5’9″ 29.5″ – 31″ 54 – 56 cm 21.5-22 5’8″ – 5’11” 30.5″ – 32″ 56 – 58 cm 22.5-23 5’10” – 6’1″ 31.5″ – 33″ 58 – 60 cm 23.5-24 6’0″ – 6’3″ 32.5″ – 34″ 60 – 62 cm 24.5-25 6’2″ – 6’5″ 34.5″ – 36″ 62 – 64 cm Mountain Bike Sizing: CM 4’11” – 5’3″ 25” – 27” 13 – 15 inches 33-38 5’7″ – 5’11” 29″ – 31″ 17 to 19 inches 43-48 5’11” – 6’2″ 31″ – 33″ 19 to 21 inches 48-53 6’2″ – 6’4″ 33″ – 35″ 21 to 23 inches 53-58 6’4″ and up 35″ and up 23 inches+ 58-64 As you can see, you can alternatively use your height as the main measurement. It’s really up to you, but the inseam generally is more reliable. Ideally, the next thing you want to do in terms of frame size is actually hop on the bike, or a similar style. This isn’t always possible, but if you can you’re checking that you can straddle the frame with your feet flat on the floor. If you have a traditional top tube that is parallel to the ground there should be about an inch or two of clearance. Saddle Adjustments Saddle height is also very important. Too high or too low and you won’t bike as efficiently. To size this properly, take one of your feet and put it on the pedal at the bottom of the pedal stroke (it’s lowest point). There should be a slight bend in your knee. Go for about 80-85% of full extension. When you hop on the bike, your knees shouldn’t be coming up too much past the top tube. I’d recommend getting a quick release for your seat post because if anything moves on you it’s much easier to adjust. You also want to make sure your saddle tilt is set properly. Generally, the saddle should be flat (parallel to the ground). For cruisers and commuter bikes you might want the saddle tilted back a very little bit for a more upright ride. The opposite is true of mountain bikes. Tilt your seat forward slightly for a more aggressive feel. Upper Body Position Your upper body position is very important. If this is off, you could end up with a backache and tired arms. You’ll want a slight bend in your arms on any bike. Your posture will be affected based on the type of bike you’re riding. Comfort is key here. If you hop on the bike and five minutes later you’re already hurting, that’s a problem. For mountain bikes and true road bikes, you’ll have a more significant bend in the back because they are more aggressive rides. If it is a commuter or urban bike, you should be more upright, almost like you’re sitting in a chair. Final Thoughts Once all you’ve made gotten all these measurements and made the proper adjustments, you’re all set to ride! If you have any questions, it’s always best consult a professional to help you out. Make sure that you don’t slack off on getting the proper measurements! It’s a little bit of work, but it will pay dividends in the long run when you’re biking more efficiently and having more fun doing it.

The big race is just around the corner, and more thrilling than the idea of zipping across the finish line is your vision of building and designing your own go-kart. With a newly acquired go-kart frame, you can make both dreams a reality. The large inventory on eBay fills your inner racer's needs with frames sized to accommodate both children and adults. Depending on your preference, both new and used go-kart frames are available; you can even consider taking the look back in time with a vintage frame. Some go-kart frames come equipped with brakes and a steering wheel, saving you manufacturing time. Opt for a frame that comes with unmounted chassis frame parts, and the finished product is entirely the work of your own hands. Those who consider themselves speed demons may prefer frames equipped with motors that give the go-kart an extra kick. If speed is not your priority, consider a frame with self-operating pedals that let you control the speed of the go-kart at all times. No matter which route you choose, the racer in you can cruise the way you have always imagined. Shop the large inventory of powersports and go-kart parts!

When was the last time you let loose? Whether you’re looking for a place to host your next business party or the next afternoon you have free, Thunderbolt Indoor Racing is the premiere place for high-speed entertainment in Richmond. Reawaken your sense of competition. Challenge yourself to reach top speeds. Feel a surge of adrenaline you haven’t felt in years as you zip around our track and cross that checkered line at the end of your final lap. Our Customers Always Win Your racing experience is our number one priority. We want you to be completely comfortable when on our tracks, which is why we’ve created a consistent, customer-first environment you can rely on. We’re committed to providing an upscale, premium racing experience every time—no cutting corners. We’ll train you on the ins and outs of our facilities and karts before you race, and will have members of our friendly staff on-call to help with anything you may need while you’re there. At Thunderbolt, you can expect the same thrilling experience every time you come to race. We’re Clean and Green We want to make the racing experience as enjoyable and exhilarating as possible for every customer who walks through our doors. That’s why we use electric karts over gas-fueled karts, which are not only faster but are more eco-friendly and comfortable for racers and spectators alike than their counterparts. When you go electric, you encounter no gas smells, no grease stains, and no carbon dioxide fumes that need to be ventilated. And even better, you actually go faster than you would in fuel-powered options. Something for Everyone Electric indoor karting appeals to the competitive spirit in all people. Families can make new memories together. Companies can foster office bonding with a little innovative team-building and friendly competition. Speed demons can hone and sharpen their skills, friends can celebrate birthdays in a way that’s new and exciting, and girls’ nights out take on an entirely new form. Whatever the reason for your visit, you can feel confident knowing you’re in for a premium racing experience you can’t get anywhere else.

One of the most popular posts on Gadget Master, over the years, has been the Neuroti-Kart: Home-made electric go-kart. “An exciting way for electrical engineers the world over to annoy their neighbours on a quiet Sunday morning, ” we said. Well, here’s a great resource in a similar vein – a site dedicated to “built-for-fun electric vehicles”. Electric go karts, to you and me. See It’s a hobbyist engineering site and covers a whole range of designs and vehicle types. For example there are “1500W DIY Electric Karts”, “Double drive motor 500W electric kids’ go-karts”, and a “Simple kids’ trike”. Or even a “veteran” style 3/4 scale single seater Voiturette! (pictured below) The site also breaks down the info on part types, for example grouping info on: Electric Motors Speed Controllers Batteries Adhesives Ball & Sockets Joints Bearings Gears Chains & Sprockets Shaft Collars Shaft Steel As well as detailed plans and images, there are also videos available, and a Simple Vehicle Power Calculator. So much information!

Experience real head-to-head indoor go kart racing at Pole Position Raceway and discover why indoor go karting is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. If you think this is kids play...well, think again! Our high-performance European indoor go karts are capable of speeds up to 45 mph, and that seems extremely fast when you are sitting just one inch off of the ground trying to navigate a 1/4-mile road course! Pole Position Raceway has invested over $10 million in the latest go kart technology to combat the environmental problems caused by running traditional gas engines indoors. Ultimately our development team created the world's best electric kart known as the Formula EK20 Pro Kart, and nothing else compares! From a competition standpoint, our high-performance electric go karts accelerate quicker and handle better than any other indoor competition kart on the planet, and you will only find them at Pole Position Raceway! We also have kids go karts, and you only need to be 48" tall to race. Best of all, the action takes place inside our comfortable state-of-the-art climate-controlled facilities and there are no smelly fumes! The end result is North America's best motorsports entertainment venue, and nowhere else can you find the adrenalin rush created by this type of side-by-side race action. It is so good that it's been called the ultimate indoor entertainment, and all of our tracks are open seven days a week. We only close for Christmas (except Vegas) and private events, and you can check availability online by clicking on the calendar link at the track of your choice. We welcome everyone, from walk-in racers who want to race family, friends and other customers, to private groups both small and large. Indoor karting at Pole Position Raceway caters to fun corporate events, team building programs, team building programs, birthday and bachelor parties, new product launches, training seminars, meetings and other special occasions. We have 13 tracks, Buffalo, NY, Corona, CA, Dallas, Houston, Jersey City, Las Vegas, Long Island, Murrieta, CA, Oklahoma City, Rochester, NY, St. Louis, Summerlin, NV, Syracuse, NY with others planned throughout North America. Pole Position Raceway, is currently working to create a network of 50-plus tracks. MISSION STATEMENT: To create an exciting environment where casual drivers and professional racers have a chance to test their skills against one another on equal terms. Introduce new people to the dynamic world of motorsports while giving hard-core racers and fans an experience that they will want to share with friends.