A few years ago I bought a new Specialized Ruze, and I totally love that bike! In my recent quest to buy an e-Bike and after riding and comparing many brands and models, I made the decision in December to just ship my mountain bike from Colorado to Washington and have a custom e-bike made for me by Johnny Nerdout! With the great components I already had on my 26 pound mountain bike, and his installation of the parts I wanted, I am beyond thrilled with my custom E-bike. I’m 64 and a women, having it all done by him was worth it! I know I truly have a one of a kind e-bike! I just got my bike back last Monday but I am dealing with Colorado mountain snow where I live so I’ve had to travel to lower elevations to get to ride it this week a few times! ❤🚴😊
Converting mechanical brakes to mechanical over hydraulic brakes is a relatively inexpensive and a simple process. Front and Rear caliper sets can be purchased starting at $40-$45. When upgrading, I would also recommend upgrading the brake pads to semi-metallic pads, cost about $15. The conversion will give better breaking, and a shorter stopping distance. For a $1000-$1300 ebike this is, in my opinion, a very sensible upgrade. I live in a rural area, so my riding is done on country roads-a lot of farmland, and little road traffic. The bad part is I live on a gravel road, and it is rough riding, ruts, dips, washboard ripples, and loose gravel. The suspension absorbs a lot of the shock, but it is still a rough ride that will shake the fillings out of your teeth. It is over a half mile to the nearest asphalt road, so my options are ride, or walk. I can't walk that far, even with a cane, on a good day, so it is ride, and pray I don't fall. (sixty years old, insulin dependent diabetic, both knees completely shot-military, right side kidney failure, and disabled from Widow Maker heart attack with triple bypass)
Hi Russ - Thanks for the share. I could not resist the itch and went out the last few days even though it was 35 degrees here in Chester County PA. It was awesome. Layers with little hand warmer packets in my gloves made a comfortable ride. Warming up here later this week. Spring is here. Happy Riding 🚴🏻♂
Yeah, my recumbent trike was rated at 325 lbs. There are several upward of 400 lbs. That why I chose a recumbent trikes as the base platform for the conversion. The Cattrike Max, Greenspeed Magnum and the Trident Terrain & Titan are all heavy weight trikes. Also If you do a conversion from a bicycle, I'd go with a cargo bike frame. Just think of all the pedicabs in southeast Asia are now running these conversion kits as well.
There is a guy in my town who does pedal bike conversions but he only uses mountain or cruiser donor bikes because they are heavier and beefier, they can take the torque of the e-motor better. They also take the wear and tear better.
I'm one of those guys where building the bike is half the fun. However lately I've been looking for a pre-built second bike, something with a bit more power/speed for road only use.
I do nothing but conversions. You definitely have to know what you're doing. If you are mechanically inclined then I definitely recommend conversions. You may have to convert brakes as well on bikes being converted if your bike has coaster brakes. I like hub motors too because they are easier. Grin Tech is a great company that makes conversions easier for everyone.
Good Morning Russ. Yup, Ur Right!!!!!!! My son decided to go riding a few days ago with his e-bike, not having a good look at it, it's been sitting in his living room for a few months. Well, he just charged it and went. GRRRRR It's going to cost him close to $350 CAD for Trek to fix it. His crank is not working right, he broke the chain in a weird spot, and his rear wheel leaks air, but this air leak could be coz he's a big. He realized that he didn't lube and clean the chain which was completely dry & dirty hence why it cracked. Anyways, I ride slow mainly PAS 3, but yesterday I was in a hurry to get home, I was throttling on our bike path going faster then 20 mph when this guy walking yelled something at me, I just ignored him since I had already ranged my bell. Thank You for this video 😎
I live in Europe and bought a Rad bike in 2022. End of 2023, Rad shut up shop here and went back to the States. I'm now going to convert a regular bike, so I will be able to source everything to keep it running.
Great Video Russ! I have a Goat Power Bike that's faster than my other bikes, but I've also started investing in motorcycle grade riding gear just in case an unfortunate event happens. I hope it never does, but better safe than sorry. It's heavy enough it feels stable at those speeds. Only scare I had so far was riding in the muddy slush on the road and I wasn't going very fast and just like you said trying to slow to a stop. I learned my lesson there. It's just not worth it!
The ebikes have been getting better with the base models offered for quite a while now. Back in the 80's they were horrendous, running a couple lead acid batteries to generate 24 volts that could barely keep you going without pedaling. There was only a 7 to 10 mile range depending on the riders weight. The earliest ebikes cooked the batteries in very short time, you were lucky to get a riding season out of a set.
don't want to make you jealous but yesterday was 70 with sun. I only got 5 miles in. I just getting over covid but today is going to be good weather again. I want more distance than any over speed. at my age speed worries me because it takes longer to get over it if you crash. good video can't wait to see what you will be riding.
It was warm Friday, 67F, so I took my ebike on a 7 mile ride. I would have gone further, but didn't have a fully charged battery, and didn't want to chance having to walk back--bad knees. I'll go out for another ride today, if the wind dies down, if not, next week.
My wife had a heavier 105lb ebike and kept falling over because it was too heavy. She also could not pick it up over the curbs. I sold it and bought her a 40lb lighter ebike from Biktrix with a mid drive that she now absolutely loves and can handle it with no problems. I personally build my e-bikes that weigh far less than bought ones with far better components from suspension to braking with never getting called out on bike paths that I’m riding and ebike. I also at time can be called a spandex guy with my 19lb carbon fiber bike. Ebiking actually got me back into road biking that I enjoy just as much as my powered bikes.
I'll be the first to admit I have champagne taste when it comes to things like ebikes. The problem is I have a beer budget. For what I paid in '21 for my ebike, in '24 I can get a whole lot more features now. Oh well. Thankfully, I still love my original purchase.
Early 60's here in the bleak Canadian prairies where only the 'fanatics' ride in winter. Well the bike I was watching for 2 years dropped a further $200 at the big box who is responsible for warranty for 2 years so on a chili Nov 26 I rode it home and never expected to be a winter rider especially as we got a heavy snow the next day. 18 rides in December, 7 in January and 2 so far in February and I'm not hating climate change and El Nino 😉
You know if Chicago celebrates Chinese New Year?(2/10)...HNL has celebrations scheduled for today, so it'll be NUTZ!-😂..Not one much for crowds, plan on going down sometime next week to peruse shops/eateries...Gung Hee Fat Choy!
Hello Russ. Good points about conversions. Yeah I believe the e bikes are made from frame to finish with the idea that they will have a motor and it will be used and everything about the construction of that e bike is designed with that purpose in mind. Conversions are ok it you are highly skilled welder mechanically experienced in re design and fabrication etc. but most people are not and thus the conversion bikes may not be safe and your bike that served you well before conversion may well fall apart or break down due to the added stresses on it from conversion. That being said I do believe there are some really cool great conversions out there but again mostly by people who are skilled at doing them. So yeah the kits if made for pro persons would be good idea but not for the average joe. But that again is just a personal opinion and I am not a pro at that kind of thing. Happy you are doing better with the new meds and pray for your health and continued success at staying healthy and getting better. I will get out this week and ride. Few good days coming this week. Take Care. Peace.
I have that same hope russ! Couple hours south of u im in idnana and rode yesterday and today for a bit! Ive got a new bone coming Tuesday, so def want to get a ride on the new bike. Did you ride today?
Hey russ happy new year!. I hope you're health is better before riding season. I have been looking for turn si gal for my magic cycle. Living in the chicago suburbs, i would like to have some turn signals. I do not want to use anything i would have to charge. I would like to wire to the battery. Do you have any thoughts? Russ in grayslake
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
A few years ago I bought a new Specialized Ruze, and I totally love that bike! In my recent quest to buy an e-Bike and after riding and comparing many brands and models, I made the decision in December to just ship my mountain bike from Colorado to Washington and have a custom e-bike made for me by Johnny Nerdout! With the great components I already had on my 26 pound mountain bike, and his installation of the parts I wanted, I am beyond thrilled with my custom E-bike. I’m 64 and a women, having it all done by him was worth it! I know I truly have a one of a kind e-bike! I just got my bike back last Monday but I am dealing with Colorado mountain snow where I live so I’ve had to travel to lower elevations to get to ride it this week a few times! ❤🚴😊
Converting mechanical brakes to mechanical over hydraulic brakes is a relatively inexpensive and a simple process. Front and Rear caliper sets can be purchased starting at $40-$45. When upgrading, I would also recommend upgrading the brake pads to semi-metallic pads, cost about $15. The conversion will give better breaking, and a shorter stopping distance. For a $1000-$1300 ebike this is, in my opinion, a very sensible upgrade. I live in a rural area, so my riding is done on country roads-a lot of farmland, and little road traffic. The bad part is I live on a gravel road, and it is rough riding, ruts, dips, washboard ripples, and loose gravel. The suspension absorbs a lot of the shock, but it is still a rough ride that will shake the fillings out of your teeth. It is over a half mile to the nearest asphalt road, so my options are ride, or walk. I can't walk that far, even with a cane, on a good day, so it is ride, and pray I don't fall. (sixty years old, insulin dependent diabetic, both knees completely shot-military, right side kidney failure, and disabled from Widow Maker heart attack with triple bypass)
Yeah, that's my next move is to get hydraulics.
Yup I have a very nice Euphree bike that I haven't had much of a chance to ride sitting in the garage begging to be ridden
Hi Russ - Thanks for the share. I could not resist the itch and went out the last few days even though it was 35 degrees here in Chester County PA. It was awesome. Layers with little hand warmer packets in my gloves made a comfortable ride. Warming up here later this week. Spring is here. Happy Riding 🚴🏻♂
Yeah, my recumbent trike was rated at 325 lbs. There are several upward of 400 lbs. That why I chose a recumbent trikes as the base platform for the conversion. The Cattrike Max, Greenspeed Magnum and the Trident Terrain & Titan are all heavy weight trikes. Also If you do a conversion from a bicycle, I'd go with a cargo bike frame. Just think of all the pedicabs in southeast Asia are now running these conversion kits as well.
There is a guy in my town who does pedal bike conversions but he only uses mountain or cruiser donor bikes because they are heavier and beefier, they can take the torque of the e-motor better. They also take the wear and tear better.
Yeah, I practiced in my front/back yard. Once I got a hang of the power and how it worked, I took it out to some local mountain bike trials.
RUSS IS SMART. DO NOT RIDE WHEN NOT SAFE.
Also get mirror for the left side, right is optional.
?
I'm one of those guys where building the bike is half the fun. However lately I've been looking for a pre-built second bike, something with a bit more power/speed for road only use.
I do nothing but conversions. You definitely have to know what you're doing. If you are mechanically inclined then I definitely recommend conversions. You may have to convert brakes as well on bikes being converted if your bike has coaster brakes. I like hub motors too because they are easier. Grin Tech is a great company that makes conversions easier for everyone.
Good Morning Russ. Yup, Ur Right!!!!!!! My son decided to go riding a few days ago with his e-bike, not having a good look at it, it's been sitting in his living room for a few months. Well, he just charged it and went. GRRRRR It's going to cost him close to $350 CAD for Trek to fix it. His crank is not working right, he broke the chain in a weird spot, and his rear wheel leaks air, but this air leak could be coz he's a big. He realized that he didn't lube and clean the chain which was completely dry & dirty hence why it cracked. Anyways, I ride slow mainly PAS 3, but yesterday I was in a hurry to get home, I was throttling on our bike path going faster then 20 mph when this guy walking yelled something at me, I just ignored him since I had already ranged my bell. Thank You for this video 😎
Smart...health more important than youtube!
I live in Europe and bought a Rad bike in 2022. End of 2023, Rad shut up shop here and went back to the States. I'm now going to convert a regular bike, so I will be able to source everything to keep it running.
Great Video Russ! I have a Goat Power Bike that's faster than my other bikes, but I've also started investing in motorcycle grade riding gear just in case an unfortunate event happens. I hope it never does, but better safe than sorry. It's heavy enough it feels stable at those speeds. Only scare I had so far was riding in the muddy slush on the road and I wasn't going very fast and just like you said trying to slow to a stop. I learned my lesson there. It's just not worth it!
Safety is very important to me when on my ebikes. Also, I'm with you on a hub motor. the only way for me
Weather has been warmer in my area and I feel like we’re in for an early spring. Hopefully you’ll be able to get out soon. 👍
The ebikes have been getting better with the base models offered for quite a while now. Back in the 80's they were horrendous, running a couple lead acid batteries to generate 24 volts that could barely keep you going without pedaling. There was only a 7 to 10 mile range depending on the riders weight. The earliest ebikes cooked the batteries in very short time, you were lucky to get a riding season out of a set.
don't want to make you jealous but yesterday was 70 with sun. I only got 5 miles in. I just getting over covid but today is going to be good weather again. I want more distance than any over speed. at my age speed worries me because it takes longer to get over it if you crash. good video can't wait to see what you will be riding.
It was warm Friday, 67F, so I took my ebike on a 7 mile ride. I would have gone further, but didn't have a fully charged battery, and didn't want to chance having to walk back--bad knees. I'll go out for another ride today, if the wind dies down, if not, next week.
Thanks!
Thanks so much!
My wife had a heavier 105lb ebike and kept falling over because it was too heavy. She also could not pick it up over the curbs. I sold it and bought her a 40lb lighter ebike from Biktrix with a mid drive that she now absolutely loves and can handle it with no problems.
I personally build my e-bikes that weigh far less than bought ones with far better components from suspension to braking with never getting called out on bike paths that I’m riding and ebike. I also at time can be called a spandex guy with my 19lb carbon fiber bike. Ebiking actually got me back into road biking that I enjoy just as much as my powered bikes.
That's what I'm doing now, just building out with better components.
I'll be the first to admit I have champagne taste when it comes to things like ebikes. The problem is I have a beer budget. For what I paid in '21 for my ebike, in '24 I can get a whole lot more features now. Oh well. Thankfully, I still love my original purchase.
@TheCaptain756 🤣
60s here. Got 2nd ride of the year in. Hope to ride later today.
Early 60's here in the bleak Canadian prairies where only the 'fanatics' ride in winter. Well the bike I was watching for 2 years dropped a further $200 at the big box who is responsible for warranty for 2 years so on a chili Nov 26 I rode it home and never expected to be a winter rider especially as we got a heavy snow the next day. 18 rides in December, 7 in January and 2 so far in February and I'm not hating climate change and El Nino 😉
You know if Chicago celebrates Chinese New Year?(2/10)...HNL has celebrations scheduled for today, so it'll be NUTZ!-😂..Not one much for crowds, plan on going down sometime next week to peruse shops/eateries...Gung Hee Fat Choy!
Yes. Chicago’s Chinatown usually has a New Year’s celebration.
Hello Russ. Good points about conversions. Yeah I believe the e bikes are made from frame to finish with the idea that they will have a motor and it will be used and everything about the construction of that e bike is designed with that purpose in mind. Conversions are ok it you are highly skilled welder mechanically experienced in re design and fabrication etc. but most people are not and thus the conversion bikes may not be safe and your bike that served you well before conversion may well fall apart or break down due to the added stresses on it from conversion. That being said I do believe there are some really cool great conversions out there but again mostly by people who are skilled at doing them. So yeah the kits if made for pro persons would be good idea but not for the average joe. But that again is just a personal opinion and I am not a pro at that kind of thing. Happy you are doing better with the new meds and pray for your health and continued success at staying healthy and getting better. I will get out this week and ride. Few good days coming this week. Take Care. Peace.
I am doing better. Health update coming on Monday.
I have that same hope russ! Couple hours south of u im in idnana and rode yesterday and today for a bit! Ive got a new bone coming Tuesday, so def want to get a ride on the new bike. Did you ride today?
I did not.
@@RussIsRight thank you for being able to read my jibberish on that message. Wow
Hey russ happy new year!. I hope you're health is better before riding season. I have been looking for turn si gal for my magic cycle. Living in the chicago suburbs, i would like to have some turn signals. I do not want to use anything i would have to charge. I would like to wire to the battery. Do you have any thoughts?
Russ in grayslake
Thanks. Sorry I never tried any turn signals so nothing to recommend.
Have you been offered the Wired Freedom? Would like your take on it and the Burchda and other alternatives to the Deer. The Deer design looks weak.
I have not been offered one.