E-Bikes Repair

E-bikes have been around almost as long as the bicycle. Until recent innovation in battery storage density, weight and capacity were inhibitive and or provided only moderate gains. The quest for a bionic bike has been hit and miss. Early adopters ran out of steam before the advent of affordable storage. However their research into electric motors and transportation form the backbone of a fast growing industry.

Battery technologies like Lithium ion have the storage density at a cost that makes e-bikes an excellent alternative to gas powered vehicles. These gains are not without consequences as lithium is flammable and the batteries require ventilation and are hazardous waste when discarded. Battery maintenance is often of the least concern when it is quintessential to the sustainability of e bikes. Our services create awareness and provide best practices in regards to battery management.

Electric vehicles and charging stations require significant reinvestment into infrastructure and will increase the demand on the electrical grid. While great pains and planning are going on about electric cars, little is being done to support the e-bike community needs. New technologies like USB 240w and sodium ion batteries will become part of the e-bike IOT infrastructure.

The physical foot print of a bicycle is roughly the same as a 200w solar panel. Each E bike parking space when paired with a battery controller and solar panel becomes a stand alone renewable power plant. It can also be tied into the grid to provide offline storage. Ebikes can be self powered for 25 years with investments in renewable energy and sustainable transportation. Sadly we see the crisis of refugees walking many miles where bikes could have secured their safety.

Ebikes come in all shapes and sizes but in general we have 2 basic concepts:
1. A hub driven motor situated at the center of either the front or back wheel. These can have internal gears or not.
2. Midrive sits in the bottom bracket space and provides power via chain to drivetrain in tandem with pedalling.

Batteries

  1. Lead acid batteries Heavy . low discharge rate, temperamental,low cycle rate
  2. Lithium Ion not light, high discharge rate, temperature sensitive, high cycle rate dangerous
  3. Sodium Ion Heavy High cycle rates , stable not enough density as yet but getting there.

While looking like a cure all to short trips, the ebike if mismanaged will be a missed opportunity in addition to an environmental disaster. Companies like Bionx ,former industry leaders left orphaned their users and their technology due to a business failure. Without support the entire product line and their customers have unusable electronics requiring proper disposal. Not the end anyone imagined but without an independent channel of support this is the most likely outcome for many of today’s e-bikes.

Santevelo recognizes that apart from a few electronic components the e-bike requires the same maintenance as does any other bicycle. The increased leads and torque makes frequent inspection of the chain and other components an absolute must. Our short term commitment is to provide companies and riders the technical support and services that they need to get the most out of their ebikes. Our long term vision is to provide e-bike charging for events. Locations and to develop a solar powered charging station for e bikes.