Electric bike

[omicron1792]

I’m enjoying this thread. Thanks guys.

 

[yoderjac]

Running through the harvested soy fields has been no problem. The rack holds a rifle or cross-bow (although I use additional straps for the crossbow. 750W Heybike, Under $1000.

This inexpensive Coleman (utility) rack makes putting a rifle or crossbow on the bike easy. For the 'bow I use additional straps. For a rifle the "rubber bands" included with the gun rack hold it steady. I've been running through my forest trail and the harvested soy fields with no issues. As posted before, the fat-tire 750W Heybike has great reviews, is under $1K, rated at 320#, comes with the bike rack, and has held up this past year quite well. I was reticent to spend 3K on a bike if I was not sure if it was a tool or a toy. I am finding mine to be a tool, and if it fails, will replace it with something nicer with no regrets.

View attachment 47010

Thanks for the pic. My rear rack is about that wide. I considered putting the gun holders across from each other like that. The seemed awfully close to each other. My gun holder rotate to any angle, so I put one on the front right of the rear rack and the other on the rear back to get more separation. It also keeps the crossbow from sticking out.

 

[356]

Thanks for the pic. My rear rack is about that wide. I considered putting the gun holders across from each other like that. The seemed awfully close to each other. My gun holder rotate to any angle, so I put one on the front right of the rear rack and the other on the rear back to get more separation. It also keeps the crossbow from sticking out.

For sure, if the bike rack was much narrower they would not work...as it is, I "lay them back" slightly for the crossbow, but they are fine for the rifle. I've not had it long enough to try the shotgun, but I feel it will work OK. Having a place to put the weapon allows me to carry a small backpack with my others essentials (coffee, calls, etc.).

 

[yoderjac]

For sure, if the bike rack was much narrower they would not work...as it is, I "lay them back" slightly for the crossbow, but they are fine for the rifle. I've not had it long enough to try the shotgun, but I feel it will work OK. Having a place to put the weapon allows me to carry a small backpack with my others essentials (coffee, calls, etc.).

Yes, I'm looking forward to having a rack for firearms. My crossbow is pretty short compared to my rifles and shotguns. Muzzleloader season is starting Saturday. I plan to pick up some metal tomorrow morning to build a front rack.

 

[yoderjac]

Well, here are the pictures I promised.

The first is how I configured the packrat gun holders on the rear rack at an angle for the crossbow:

I began working on the front rack today. The next picture shows the tapped holes that can on the front of the bike

I took think paper (actually an old Lowes receipt) placed it over the holes and used a pencil to take an impression. I then taped the paper to a block of wood center punched and drilled the holes. I did not want to make a mistake with the metal. I then attached the wooden block. I used a 1/4 inch bit since it is slightly larger than the M1.0x40mm screws I was using. I figured this would give me enough slop. The block attached well. I then clamped the block to my metal and used to holes as guides to make sure I got the holes just right. Sure enough, it lined up quite well.

I leaned into my nascent welding skills and built the bracket. The next picture is the bracket after welding but before painting:

I used 1" square tube for the bar that attached to the bike. I wanted to make sure I had enough metal on each side of the screws. This bar is 12" long. The rest of the bracket is 3/4" square tube. The front bar where the PackRat gun holders will attach is 24" long. This should give me enough room for adjustment.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[swat1018]

Running through the harvested soy fields has been no problem. The rack holds a rifle or cross-bow (although I use additional straps for the crossbow. 750W Heybike, Under $1000.

This inexpensive Coleman (utility) rack makes putting a rifle or crossbow on the bike easy. For the 'bow I use additional straps. For a rifle the "rubber bands" included with the gun rack hold it steady. I've been running through my forest trail and the harvested soy fields with no issues. As posted before, the fat-tire 750W Heybike has great reviews, is under $1K, rated for 320#, comes with the bike rack, and has held up this past year quite well. I was reticent to spend $3K on an e-bike if I was not sure if it was a tool or a toy. I am finding mine to be a tool, and if it fails, will replace it with something nicer with no regrets.

View attachment 47010

Do you deal with any hills on it? Nice bike for the price.

 

[tn4hunting]

Well, here are the pictures I promised.

The first is how I configured the packrat gun holders on the rear rack at an angle for the crossbow:

I began working on the front rack today. The next picture shows the tapped holes that can on the front of the bike

I took think paper (actually an old Lowes receipt) placed it over the holes and used a pencil to take an impression. I then taped the paper to a block of wood center punched and drilled the holes. I did not want to make a mistake with the metal. I then attached the wooden block. I used a 1/4 inch bit since it is slightly larger than the M1.0x40mm screws I was using. I figured this would give me enough slop. The block attached well. I then clamped the block to my metal and used to holes as guides to make sure I got the holes just right. Sure enough, it lined up quite well.

I leaned into my nascent welding skills and built the bracket. The next picture is the bracket after welding but before painting:

I used 1" square tube for the bar that attached to the bike. I wanted to make sure I had enough metal on each side of the screws. This bar is 12" long. The rest of the bracket is 3/4" square tube. The front bar where the PackRat gun holders will attach is 24" long. This should give me enough room for adjustment.

Thanks,

Jack

that looks really cool. I don't have the tools or skill to create that... lol I bought the rambo gun or bow rack and mounted it to the back side of my bike. it worked well holding my cross bow and now we're moving into gun season so will be interesting to see how it works.

 

[356]

Do you deal with any hills on it? Nice bike for the price.

Yes, we have hills, although most are under 5%--Our dirt road has an 7% grade that the bike does fine on--no issues, and I have taken on some forest service roads with much more significant hills (and had to be in low gear with the assist).

 

[yoderjac]

I had a rough night last night with my back so I decided not to hunt today. That gave me a chance to finish the rack. I changed my mind and decided to use hex head M1 x40 mm to attach the bracket to the bike. I figure if they work loose, I can put loctite on them and won't have to worry about stripping the phillips heads. I then attached the packrat gun holders. I positioned them so they could hold both rifles and shotguns. Here is a pick of my 10 gauge Browning turkey gun in the rack. You won't find many shotguns longer.

Here is a pic with my smokeless muzzleloader on an TC Encore frame:

Thanks,

Jack

 

[356]

I found a review of the e-bike I have on one of the midwest hunting channels. Glad to know that others are having a positive experience on the lower end of the fat-tire e-bike range.
YouTube Review of Heybike

 

[Garrett S]

While they have their purpose and abilities I never realized how much grasses can be a pia with them (and a derailleur). Just an FYI.

 

[yoderjac]

While they have their purpose and abilities I never realized how much grasses can be a pia with them (and a derailleur). Just an FYI.

Good point. Shouldn't be a problem for me as I'm basically on logging roads and cleared trails.

 

[Bszweda]

I have a surron x electric dirt bike . Thing zips and handles hills no problem. Not completely quite ,but good enough. My problem is figuring out where to put your bike once you get to stand.

 

[yoderjac]

I have a surron x electric dirt bike . Thing zips and handles hills no problem. Not completely quite ,but good enough. My problem is figuring out where to put your bike once you get to stand.

I don't take my bike the entire way to the stand I'm hunting. I do feel much more comfortable taking it much closer than I do an ATV or UTV. Depending on vegetation and terrain and such, I keep the bike out of the shooting area. I've always used my ATV or UTV to go from camp to the general area of my stand. I would always walk the last 100-200 yards. With the bike, I'm generally not walking 200 yards. In most cases I have vegetation or terrain that lets me take the bike close enough to keep my walk to 100 yards or so.

With an elevated box blind, one could probably screen in the bottom and park an ebike right under the blind. I have not tried that yet.

 

[omicron1792]

I don't take my bike the entire way to the stand I'm hunting. I do feel much more comfortable taking it much closer than I do an ATV or UTV. Depending on vegetation and terrain and such, I keep the bike out of the shooting area. I've always used my ATV or UTV to go from camp to the general area of my stand. I would always walk the last 100-200 yards. With the bike, I'm generally not walking 200 yards. In most cases I have vegetation or terrain that lets me take the bike close enough to keep my walk to 100 yards or so.

With an elevated box blind, one could probably screen in the bottom and park an ebike right under the blind. I have not tried that yet.

Got this two days ago.


They are wanting to get them out there. 5k out the door. 40 mile range on one battery, double If you get second. 330lbs. Battery charge time 2.5 hours. Pops right out and is light so can take home and bring with you or charge somewhere else.

Will climb any hill. Instant torque. Will go 45 if you want to. Has reverse.

Almost zero maintenance. Grease the chain is it. Nothing much to tear up. 2 year warranty on battery.

Any more questions let me know.

 

[omicron1792]

 

[yoderjac]

View attachment 47154

Very cool. I understand those motors they put on electric motorcycles are different than the motors on ebikes and have a lot more torque and hills are not an issue. Hope you like it!

 

[KSScotton]

I just ordered a Velowave Prado S. Once I get some time on it I will post my thoughts.

 

[yoderjac]

Here is an update on my Biktrix: ebike. I definitely did not over buy. I thought perhaps I could have gotten away with a 750 watt motor as it was able to creep up my hills with jus throttle with no sweat. Well, I got a surprise tonight. It had been in the mid to high 70s here. This week the temps dropped with highs in the mid-40s. When I went out to hunt this afternoon, stopped part way up a hill. When I started back up, the bike struggled for a bit and I wasn't sure if I was going to need to pedal. I gave it full power and after a few seconds, it got going fine and I was able to back the power off.

This tells me that performance (of this bike at least) is somewhat temperature dependent. I have the bike stored in a barn with not heat and the charger plugged in. One more caveat on this. The bike has 2 modes, Eco Mode, and Sport Mode. I was operating it in Eco Mode. In that mode, it tries to make the batter last longer for long trips. Sport mode is supposed to improve performance. I'm guessing this only applies to pedal assist mode, but I'm not sure. It may apply to throttle as well. Next time, I'll try Sport Mode.

Any any rate, I'm glad I got the 1,000 Watt mid-mount motor rather than the 750 Watt version!

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Here is an update on my Biktrix: ebike. I definitely did not over buy. I thought perhaps I could have gotten away with a 750 watt motor as it was able to creep up my hills with jus throttle with no sweat. Well, I got a surprise tonight. It had been in the mid to high 70s here. This week the temps dropped with highs in the mid-40s. When I went out to hunt this afternoon, stopped part way up a hill. When I started back up, the bike struggled for a bit and I wasn't sure if I was going to need to pedal. I gave it full power and after a few seconds, it got going fine and I was able to back the power off.

This tells me that performance (of this bike at least) is somewhat temperature dependent. I have the bike stored in a barn with not heat and the charger plugged in. One more caveat on this. The bike has 2 modes, Eco Mode, and Sport Mode. I was operating it in Eco Mode. In that mode, it tries to make the batter last longer for long trips. Sport mode is supposed to improve performance. I'm guessing this only applies to pedal assist mode, but I'm not sure. It may apply to throttle as well. Next time, I'll try Sport Mode.

Any any rate, I'm glad I got the 1,000 Watt mid-mount motor rather than the 750 Watt version!

Thanks,

Jack

I have found the same with cold weather. It will zap my battery fast.