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Newsletter #4

 

Hello Rebels,

 

Hello May! Let's talk about April, what a month full of surprises it was!

 

 

Progress Report

 

Last month we purchased another bike to build, adding the 1000W Geared Hub motor that we've been sitting on for the last year. The bike is an older model mountain bike that we named 'Smoke Racer'. This build will be our version of a Café Racer eBike.

 

During the second inspection of Smoke Racer, we started to plan out the details of the build, and straightaway the challenges began to follow.

 

The Braking System

 

The first challenge was with the original brake system, the bike was fitted with Cantilever brakes and thanks to this experience I soon realized how much I disliked this system. The Cantilever brakes are a pain in the butt to install and adjust, the system is surely unfit for an electric bike conversion.

 

The brake levers for the brakes require a specific type especially made for the Cantilever system. So, attempting to use this system for the electric brake system provided with the DIY conversion kit was not going to happen.

 

After three days of adjusting and testing, we decided to abandon the Cantilever brake system and switch to a V-Brake system. The V-Brake system is a common replacement for Cantilevers, and much easier to work with.

 

The Old Fork

 

The next issue was with changing the original fork to a  suspension fork for better handling of the road. Because I intend to use Smoke Racer as an adventure bike, it was seriously important to fit it with a durable and reliable steering system.

 

I purchased a Rock Shox suspension fork from the same shop where we bought Smoke Racer. It was a used part in great condition and it only cost $20. The only issue with this set-up was the need for special tools which we don't have in our shop.

 

To professionally install this fork, we would need a Cup Removal Tool and a Cup Press Tool. Since the tools are $30 each in the US, I decided it would not be the best purchase for one-time use. With that said, I was more than happy to pay the bike shop $30 to replace the fork suspension.

 

PAS System

 

To install the pedal assist on Smoke Racer, another special too was required. The bottom bracket is the perfect size for the PAS, however; it requires a BBT-20 or Bottom Bracket Tool-20 teeth, to place the sensor on properly.

 

The BBT-20 is not expensive at all and would be a great tool to add to the collection. Along with this tool, we'll also be needing a Crank Extractor, and Cable Pliers, which I found several uses for already.

 

Productions Trials

 

This month we'll be making improvements to the production of our YouTube show, Bike Talk Vlog Series. We'll be working to improve the sound and picture quality by investing in microphones and lighting.

 

We are not in a position yet to purchase a good-quality action camera for the Friday Cruise series. However, we will focus on that as the summer draws near and until then we will continue to make do with the current set-up.

 

 

Moving Forward

 

We have an announcement for the Blogger Page. We created a Patreon Page a few months back and are excited to begin ramping up on the platform. This month will officially be the last month of posting the Bike Talk Blog on the Blogger platform.

 

Starting in June 2021, we'll be posting all the blog content on the Patreon page only. We will also be offering early access to all the Bike Talk Vlogs and Friday Cruising music videos on the Patreon page. If you enjoy the content that we provide and want to support our cause, you may do so on Patreon for as little as $5 a month.

 

Members of the Patreon group are eligible for gifts at every tier level, so don't be hasty, go on and give the membership a good try.

 

 

Bike Talk Vlog

 

As for the vlogs this month, we are looking forward to continuing the build of Smoke Racer. We'll be adding mirrors and tires to the build, and we'll also be revisiting Swan Creek for that long-awaited bike trail adventure.

 

Friday Cruising

 

For our cruising series, we'll be taking it to the parks around town to enjoy the warm sun with peaceful picnics. As the summer draws near, I look forward to stretching the new racer to the limit, seeing how far we can go on a full charge.

 

So, stay tuned via the Patreon Page and as always remember to stay safe and Ride Easy!