Electric Bicycles: A Guide to Design and Use
Design or build a battery-powered electric bicycleFor much of the world, bicycles are a transportation mainstay. Electric bicycles——powered by a rechargeable battery pack——are proven to deliver the highest possible energy efficiency, even compared to pedal bikes. A transportation alternative to fossil fuels, electric bicycles are fast catching on, in part because they don't require factory assembly. End-users can easily construct them with available components.The text reveals important techniques, data, and examples that allow readers to judge various propulsion setups——used in both home- and factory-made bikes——and estimate speed and travel distance for each. Numerous charts clearly present the costs, benefits, and trade-offs between both commercial and user-converted models.Key features include:Estimating motor-performance for wind, hill, and cruising power requirementsEstimating battery capacity and a thorough description of battery chargingMotor and motor-control optionsEvaluating motor-to-wheel coupling optionsPlacement of propulsion componentsConfigurations and performanceHow systems-engineering techniques can produce electric-bicycle designs that have long travel range and low life-cycle costTestingDevelopments to watchA comprehensive resource for harnessing innovation, Electric Bicycles is the definitive practical guide to taking full advantage of this exciting alternative energy technology.