cheaper transport - ebike

[eccc whippet]

I need to figue out a way to assist one of my employees get to and from work.

 

I got him an old bicycle fixed it and bingo off he went...used the bike to ride to and from work saving him a pile of cash...however i noticed the bike not being used everyday...until eventually he no longer used it...it had a few mechanical issues...so i dumped the bike.

 

I got him another bike and once again after a couple weeks he stopped using it...checked it... nothing wrong other than a bit of chain lube required...i asked him why he wasnt using the bike...he informed me that everyday after work he would be tired and have to walk all the way up a long hill...i know what he is talking about...the last thing i feel like doing when i finish work is riding a bicycle home.

 

the question...is there an affordable ebike on the market...has anyone done any research?

 

It costs the fella R650 per month to get to and from work...my thoughts are to rather invest in an affordable ebike which could be used for transport.

 

i have thought about getting him a scooter...but then it is licenses...fuel...services...bulky to store in his small rood he rents...etc etc.

 

Finding an affordable ebike for the locals to use would be a win win solution for a smart businessman...the local population...and cyclists in general...more bicycles on the road...better cycling lanes etc etc...a bigger voice to implement change and improvements.

 

i am also considering investing in an ebike...it would make my  50 km morning coffee ride a more enjoyable experience and cheaper than driving to the beach...the climb back from Durban to pinetown is a real lung buster.

[Skott5]

These kits used to retail for between 8 - 10k.

Convert an existing MTB into an ebike

Link

http://www.ezeebike.co.za/kit.html

[Allrounder]

Takealot sells little 60 cc petrol engins for R1000, to convert a bicycle into a motorbike....

[Allrounder]

and it can be serviced at any lawn mower agent. 

[Dirkitech]

Hi Isetech

Finding an affordable ebike for the locals to use would be a win win solution for a smart businessman...the local population...and cyclists in general...more bicycles on the road...better cycling lanes etc etc...a bigger voice to implement change and improvements.

 

i am also considering investing in an ebike...it would make my  50 km morning coffee ride a more enjoyable experience and cheaper than driving to the beach...the climb back from Durban to pinetown is a real lung buster.

Ive done extensive research on this. I only ever once came across a local ebike (it was in PE) only to realise the company closed down. Im currently unaware of recreationally priced ebikes in south africa and importing conversion kits will cost the same or slightly more as a cheap or second hand scooter/big boy motorbike.
there are quite a few types and models of e-bike motors available overseas, but none locally (that ive found) and building your own is going to cost a few fingers or a kidney.

 

If you find something that contradicts what i found, id be all too happy, otherwise good luck on your endeavours!

[Bateleur1]

Was wondering what the e-bike market looked like in SA and how good the support would be.

 

In Germany it is a booming market but starting at 1200€ I don't quite consider it a cheap option (In SA terms)

[eccc whippet]

had a look at the ezeebike option...you can get a complete bike for around R15000...battery needs to be replaced at 4-5 year intervals...

 

R15000 which works out to around R 315 per month over 48 months...plus maintenance costs...tyres...chain lube etc...lets say we add another R100 p/m...R450 p/m still cheaper than R600 -R800 in taxi fares...maybe even look at a spare battery.

 

my question to the tax fellas on this forum...are there any other tax benefits other than claiming the vat back if purchased it as a delivery bike...as it will be used during the day for deliveries;)

 

this is starting to sound more affordable...i pay the taxi fare on thursday and get to do my coffee ride on friday morning...without working up a sweat

 

 

 

the other question is how expensive are these type of bikes to maintain.

[eccc whippet]

today i am going to speak to another ebike supplier here in SA and see if there is not a way to import bulk to reduce prices to make it more affordable for locals...the more locals riding bikes the bigger the voice to make the government improve conditions and laws. 

 

then i am going to enquire about solar panels as a means to charge the battery...even a charge station...like a petrol station to fill up/recharge for a community to have access to charging facilities...or even better...an exchange system...i need to open my mind and think more about how to make it possible.

 

the other thing i need to find out about...why the bicycle cannot charge the battery as it moves...like in the old days we didnt have batteries...we had a generator which ran on the wheel which produce power for the lights and now with all the smart technology and improved batteries...i really dont understand why the front wheel cant consume power to pull the bike forward and the back wheel generate power to charge the battery...a solar panel somewhere on the bike to charge it while standing.

 

as a business owner i would encourage my staff to use this type of transport and offer a charging station where they can leave the bike to charge during the day while out on site working...company perks like us directors get...you also get to ride an ebike

 

the happier my staff the better they work...a tip for managers...engage with your staff in the mornings...i always greet my staff in the morning and generally you can pick up if there is something wrong...sort it out ...others wise you gona get less productivity.

[cfcjim]

These guys are in CT:

 

http://chilledsquirrel.com/

 

They're also Chilled Squirrel E-bikes on The Hub.

 

A rider cannot produce enough power to overcome the friction losses to make energy recovery from brakes or a dynamo worthwhile for battery charging.

Some might say it's possible but there's simply not enough mass to make any significant contribution.

[eccc whippet]

These guys are in CT:

 

http://chilledsquirrel.com/

 

They're also Chilled Squirrel E-bikes on The Hub.

 

A rider cannot produce enough power to overcome the friction losses to make energy recovery from brakes or a dynamo worthwhile for battery charging.

Some might say it's possible but there's simply not enough mass to make any significant contribution.

this is the notice on their website...

 

 

Chilled Squirrel does not have any agents or distributors in South Africa.  With our own managed and staffed development center in Taiwan we control the development , production and entire supply chain process end to end. We believe in a lean, clean supply chain- bringing you the customer a high value product direct from our manufacturing partners. 

[coppi]

I need to figue out a way to assist one of my employees get to and from work.

 

I got him an old bicycle fixed it and bingo off he went...used the bike to ride to and from work saving him a pile of cash...however i noticed the bike not being used everyday...until eventually he no longer used it...it had a few mechanical issues...so i dumped the bike.

 

I got him another bike and once again after a couple weeks he stopped using it...checked it... nothing wrong other than a bit of chain lube required...i asked him why he wasnt using the bike...he informed me that everyday after work he would be tired and have to walk all the way up a long hill...i know what he is talking about...the last thing i feel like doing when i finish work is riding a bicycle home.

 

the question...is there an affordable ebike on the market...has anyone done any research?

 

It costs the fella R650 per month to get to and from work...my thoughts are to rather invest in an affordable ebike which could be used for transport.

 

i have thought about getting him a scooter...but then it is licenses...fuel...services...bulky to store in his small rood he rents...etc etc.

 

Finding an affordable ebike for the locals to use would be a win win solution for a smart businessman...the local population...and cyclists in general...more bicycles on the road...better cycling lanes etc etc...a bigger voice to implement change and improvements.

 

i am also considering investing in an ebike...it would make my  50 km morning coffee ride a more enjoyable experience and cheaper than driving to the beach...the climb back from Durban to pinetown is a real lung buster.

Hi

Have a look at www.relectro.co.za

[AdamA]

Takealot sells little 60 cc petrol engins for R1000, to convert a bicycle into a motorbike....

 

do you have a link... i can't seem to find it?