Ebikes & Greenways Committee

Thanks for expressing your interest in ebikes in Nashville. And for those that have been volunteering, a special thanks to you! 

I have a few updates to share as we get into 2022!

1. We are starting a Ebikes & Greenways Committee in 2022! First meeting is on Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 6pm via Zoom. Link to Zoom registration here. We are looking for a co-chair to lead the committee with Carey Rogers. Write to me and Carey if you are interested in chairing the committee and want to learn more about co-chairing it.

New Source for Bike Parts

I have waited three months for my popular bikes source (Nashbar, BikeTiresDirect, and Performance) to get Hyperglide+ chains (CN-M7100-12). Finally, my son found an alternative source, Bicycle World. In early January, we have purchased eight of these hyperglide chains for the same best price that others were selling (if they ever receive them).

I think I just found my favorite source for bike parts. 

SIDEBAR: Doug has used CN-HG601-11 chains for his VADO 5.0 SL with 12-speed Ultregra. Almost everyone suggests they should work, but he has found the chain tends to hang up on the small cassette gears. We are guessing the 11-speed chains are a bit thicker than the 12-speed chains.

He also warns "Make sure your chain breakers are compatible for 12-speed chains." Those suitable for 5 to 11 speed chains might have a drive pin with too great diameter. It will crush a 12-speed chain.

Nashville's Ebike Controversy on Greenways

Cities Want Ebikes to Stay in Their Lane—but Which One?

 

From New York to Moab, Utah, bicyclists and municipal officials are divided over whether ebikes should be permitted on bicycle trails. 

https://www.wired.com/story/cities-debate-ebikes-belong/

It’s hard tofind anything that unites Nashville, Tennessee; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Moab, Utah; and New York City. But all of those communities, and many others, are grappling with what to do about electric bicycles.

Electric Bike: Watt, Volt, and Amp Hour Resources

EVELO list of several, hand-picked watt, volt, and amp-hour resources.

• “The Complete Electric Bike Buyer’s Guide,” is a comprehensive guide for understanding how to compare electric bikes.
• “E-Bike Motors, Explained,” is Dan Roe’s Bicycling magazine article. Well worth a read.
• “Ebike Volts VS Amp Hours,” is the Blue Monkey Bikes video featuring Michael Geurts which was quoted extensively in this article.
• “What Are The Differences Between Motor Types on Electric Bikes” explains the difference between the types of motors that may be used on your electric bike.
• “Which is better: 48V or 52V battery?” in this video electric bike expert, Micah Toll, explains the difference between lead-acid and lithium battery cells and how that difference impacts the batteries used for bikes.
• “How Much Power Does An Electric Bicycle Need?” also by Micah Toll.
• “Batteries And Power Systems” is chapter 11 of Tony R. Kuphaldt’s book, “Lessons in Electric Circuits.”
• “Electric Circuits, Hydraulic Analogy: Charge, Voltage, and Current (introduction)” is the Gary Chang video referenced in this article. Chang has many excellent and applicable videos on his YouTube channel.
• “How Much Battery Range Do I Need?” compares amp hours to electric bike range.
• “How do I maximize the battery life of my electric bike?” describes how to maintain and treat your ebike battery.
• “How do I increase the range of my electric bike’s battery?” explains what you can do to get more range on a single charge.
• “How Electric Bike Throttles and Pedal Assist Work” this video explains pedal assistance and throttles.

Installing Shimano Hyperglide Chain

Dealer Instruction for installing the hyperglide chain (CN-M7100-12) for the Vado 5.9 SL ebike is on our Maintenance Manual. listing. These chains must be installed in the correct direction. I purchase the chain at Bicycle World for $33.

For those who do not having the Shimano link tool locate the link slightly below the ring. Lock the rear wheel not to rotate. Verify the link pins are correctly on each side ot the chain plates. Quickly step firmly on the pedal crack clockwise. That will click the power link

The instruction are shown below

2021 WalknBike Nashville

https://www.nashville.gov/departments/transportation/walknbike

Nashville’s leaders have heard the demand to improve walking and biking and the Mayor is committed to meeting the need for more sidewalks and bikeways. Led by the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT), Metro project team members include the Mayor’s Office, Metro Water Services, Metro General Services, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Metro Parks and Recreation. The project team is also composed of LDA Engineering, CDM Smith, Fairpointe Planning, and a steering committee made up of internal and external partners.

Everything About Chains

Doug Depew found the alternative Shimano 105 CN-HG601-11. The outer link for an 11-speed is standardized at 5.65mm and the 12-speed 5.25mm. Doug says the 11-speed will work for the 12-speed set. Is he correct?

Our Specialized VADO 5.0 SL eBike recommended by Shimano Hyperglide+ so we focused on Shimano. However, David Hardin from Biker's Choice added chain test recommendation at

Hyperglide may shift the smoothest, however some research proves its not the strongest for wear and tear.  

According to BikeTiresDirect

Shimano and SRAM 5- to 11-speed cassettes and chains will be compatible with each other, regardless of manufacturer recommendations.

Bruce says

No doubt chain and cog technology has improved over the years. Shifting under a load was a claimed feature of plain hyperglide tech. Shifts were quicker and smoother but I still found they were better with well timed easing off the pedals. SRAM quickly developed a hyperglide compatible chain that on the whole works better from me than the equivalent Shimano set. With a single chain ring and better shifting, especially electronic, dropped chains should be a thing of the past on well maintained bikes. The well maintained is the weak link. Plus now it's possible to put the chain on backwards.

So what is right? We did research about chains at  https://fogebike.blogspot.com/p/chains.html

 

CHAINS

The Specialized VADO 5.0 SL uses a 12-speed setup and the VADO 4.0 uses an 11-speed setup. Doug Depew found the alternative Shimano 105 CN-HG601-11. The outer link for an 11-speed is standardized at 5.65mm and the 12-speed 5.25mm. Doug says the 11-speed will work for the 12-speed set. Check below our Chains research IF HE IS CORRECT (apparently not, see below)

https://fogebike.blogspot.com/p/chains.html  

WARNING: Doug found his Shimano CN-HG601-11 bound up on his 12-speed cassettes. He was to switch to the recommended CN-M7100-12.

 

VADO Handlebars

Okay, I hated that damn VADO handlebar.The VADO is a hybrid, not a mountain bike. MTB riders need 700mm width. Most hybrid riders pick 580mm to 600mm. With the help of my trusty pipe cutter, my handlebar is now 600mm.

Hyperglide+

I'll be damned. I knew something was different with my VADO. I just didn't know what. 

The bike shifted smoothly, even as I was climbing. First I thought, "The bike shop finally got the shifting setup correctly." Then when I started researching 12-speed chains, I learned. It was the design.

First, I read this website, Shimano vs Sram. 12-speed chains,

https://mtbengineer.blogspot.com/2020/11/shimano-vs-sram-12-speed-chains.html  

What was all the BS about Hyperglide?  Then I checked out this video.

The Greatest Cycling Innovation You've Never Heard Of | Shimano Hyperglide

Finally, I checked out Shimano to explain Shimano Hyperglide+

I found the difference is a dramatic improvement. I will stay with a Shimano set.

OTHER:

Hyperglide+ technology also features. Thanks to shift ramps on the sides of the cassette sprockets, gear shifts can be under power. Teeth profiling also improves chain engagement and retention on the cassette. Shimano says Hyperglide+ technology is only compatible with Shimano chains, highlighting the need for a Shimano-branded chain.

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/groupsets/groupset-mountain/shimano-slx-m7100-groupset-review/ 

Nashville E-Bike Survey

Guys,

Are any of your people in Davidson County?  If you’re all “foreigners” this won’t matter.  The parks department has their e-bike survey on line and they only want residents to fill it out.  One thing we’ve found out is that  every comparably sized city in the US allows e-bikes.  Austin, Denver, Seattle, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Indianapolis, etc. etc.

E-bike Survey

They didn’t include the important information that class 1 and 2 ebikes are legal and have been for five years.  Of course this is all about instituing a ban or they wouldn’t bother with this crap.

I will write another blog post if you have anyone who is interested and  can fill out the survey. Does Bikers Choice get any business from Davidson County?  We are leaving leaflets (check out) at bike shops in town.

Carey Rogers
October 31, 2021

Market Is Unclear for the new Lemond Prolog

After waiting for Greg Lemond’s top-line ebike Prolog, I am left wanting. 

Magazine WIRED introduced it in its article  Review: Lemond Prolog https://www.wired.com/review/lemond-prolog. For those popular with ebikes at Specialized, the Prolog seemed similar as a cross between the Creo and Vado SL versions. WIRED said

Premium components. Extremely light, all-carbon-fiber frame. Incredible paint job. Reliable 250-watt smart Mahle drivetrain. Versatile 11-speed gearing system. Integrated front and rear lights. Feels just like an analog ike. Great packaging. 

But WIRED added negatively.

Incredibly expensive. I’d feel nervous locking it up in front of the bar. My friends call it the “Wife Bike.”

Likewise, I can’t decide for what customer market Lemond aims. The Prolog looks a lot like the Specialized Vado SL at the same price of $4,500. Plus it is 26 pounds lighter than the Vado at 33 pounds. But, it misses many other marks.