I had not heard of electric bikes before I met a young man named Adam. It was three years ago now , at a Fall festival we attend.
I just happened to roll by this booth with some really cool looking bikes. Adam, was there and explained how they are all electric. His energy, enthusiasm, and passion for these bikes got me thinking. I told him about a bike I was going to build in 2018. He had mentioned keep in mind the thought of making it an electric motor driven.
I built my handcycle in 2018, and it is everything I expected and more. Ideal workout machine. Upper body weights and cardio.
I have decided I would put out a challenge to any electric bike shop in the local region. Zionsville, Carmel, Whitestown, Indianapolis.
My idea is to pay for everything over time. Nothing about this idea is to get anything for free. I just am seeking help making this happen.
Here are my goals:
2x 1000 to 2000 gearless motors in 26 inch standard mountain bike front wheels.
Possibly a mid drive or rear drive as back up. Being disabled I do not get and option to walk my bike.
The ability to keep up with in and around town traffic as my handcycle is bigger than other handcycles. So to be able to get up to 45 mph will be needed as I am wider than most standard sidewalks.
2x 52v lithium batteries with as many AH as possible in each. If needed 4x 52v so as to have a backup.
A separate power supply to run a turn signal and brake light system. The front of my handcycle is a T so the front and back of the cross arms and the back of the bike will need daytime bright led lights.
A loud horn - car sounding not chirpy like many electric bike horns.
Proper controls, power management and to have things wired to max the run time I have. All in a safe low amp manner for efficiency sakes.
I want to peddle assist 98% of the time. Only in traffic might I not due to the speed. Even with hills I will assist.
LCD readout control screen to I hope keep tabs on all systems.
A left hand throttle control.
A right brake to handle both front wheel brakes.
This by no means is a hotrod. The handcycle is just over 9 ft long, is 51 inches wide. Weighs about 70 lbs, my wheelchair that I tow behind it weighs 20 lbs, the sound system weighs 25 pounds, and I weigh 230 pounds or less. So now add the weight of the above systems I mentioned. May sound like a hotrod at first, but it won't be.
Well, eBoom Electric Bicycles was the only one to step up.
No promises have been made, so it may not happen. But, the owner of eBoom reached out. She will look into seeing if her contacts might be able to help. And, likes my idea of paying for everything. As I see it, that is only fair.
Since this is a small business, and I have run my own in my lifetime - I want a way to show off what they can do. So more people with disabilities might contact them to make their handcycle electric.
I hope that this also allows others to see the level of expertise they bring when it comes to design and application.
My build will be a showcase of the best eBoom has to offer. And, get people excited about the ebikes they offer. As well as conversions from standard 2 wheeler peddle power, to electric assist.
I hope that the contacts/vendors/suppliers of eBoom see my posts and realize this is an opportunity to get your brand through eBoom out and in front of people in a big way.
To be clear, I am not asking for anything for free. I am only asking to be able to make monthly payments until I am paid in full.
I am available for interviews, news spots - human interest story. And, premotional opportunities. To help get word out about eBoom and the brands they use.
I want to enter eBike related events in my local area, and fly the eBoon banner/flags on my ride.
These are things I am able to do because I 100% believe in ebook and the brands they offer.
I could not recommend them any more than I do now. Not, just for my project here.
But, the passion, the enthusiasm, the knowledge and joy they bring when you interface with this wonderful small business.
Adam, he was the reason I even thought this project would be possible.
Photos show the handcycle I built in 2018.
How many handcycles do you see around? I have not seen another one yet.
How many are designed by someone whom has no experience building one from scratch and no plans?
How many tow a wheelchair/my legs behind them?
Lastly, how many have a soun system?
These attributes make this one off stand out from any other ordinary handcycle or recumbent bike.
They also people talking, and open up conversations no matter where I go.
As unique as this is I feel eBoom Electric Bicycles is equally unique in how they see and treat customers. read more