The Electric Commuter Begins

Tonight I finally got my hands on a donor bike for conversion to electric power. I’ve been putting this off due to a few nagging reservations. As a cyclist I’m reluctant to be seen on an electric bike, for the most part it’s as simple as that. That and the lack of training which might honestly set me back in races, training and good old fashioned competition between friends while mountain biking, STP-ing and such. Then it occurred to me: I ride the bus sometimes and there is no shame in that. Well, the electric bike is not a replacement for the “regular” biking - it’s a replacement for the busing. The only reason I bus is when I get up late (no time to hunt for clothes and then change), or I’m not feeling well enough to tackle the hills on the way to work. Mr. Electric should solve both of these problems neatly. So, I am now ready to set my petty insecurities aside, and begin this project in earnest. I’ve acquired most of the parts I need, and will be putting this beast together as soon as possible. No more hunting for quarters and waiting 20 minutes for a bus to show up… not even when I’m dog tired. Turns out bikes solve everything - you just need MORE bikes. I always suspected that.

Tonight I began disassembly of a 1995 Novara Alight, courtesy of our own Geoff. That bike is anything but light, but perhaps I’ve shaved a few pounds by removing the bar ends, toe clips, frame pump clips, reflectors, plastic water bottle cage and thickly padded seat. I’ll keep you posted as eBay electric components arrive and the beast comes together, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of photo documentation and probably a vid and some stats on the test ride, range, battery life, top speed and all that. Stay tuned.