This article first appeared in the July issue of the Ashland Locals Guide:

The Wheels Go ‘Round & ‘Round

by Jerry Solomon

There are various types of motor drive systems in use on ebikes today. The most widely used type are hub motors, and that will be the focus of this article. A hub motor is an electric motor that is laced via the spokes directly into one of the wheels of the bike. It serves as the central hub/axle assembly. There are two types of hub motors to choose from: direct drive or internally geared.

Direct drive motors are the simplest design of the two. A relatively basic electric motor becomes the central hub and axle of the wheel. As the motor turns once, the wheel turns once, hence the name direct drive. They are smooth and quiet running at higher speeds and are very durable. No internal moving parts means nothing to wear out. Direct drive motors can handle higher voltages and stand up to considerable (ab)use. The downside is that they create a noticeable amount of drag that can be felt when pedaling the bike without running the motor. They are heavier and provide proportionately less riding range than the more energy efficient geared motors.

Geared motors have a set of planetary gears inside the case that allows a smaller motor to run in the neighborhood of a 5 to 1 ratio, increasing the power output relative to its size. This allows them to deliver more power from a standstill with less electricity than a direct drive. Geared motors are smaller and lighter. They create very little rolling resistance when running under pedal power alone and their efficiency provides greater range from each battery charge. The flipside is that they are a bit noisier and, since they have moving gears inside, will require replacement parts eventually.

As to the question of which is better; there is no definitive answer. It depends on your needs and desires. If you’re looking for an ebike that’s lighter and feels more like a standard pedal bike, a geared motor is the choice for you. If you want a rock solid motor that can ‘take a licking and keep on ticking’ or you want the quietest option available, a direct drive motor is the choice for you. Ultimately, choosing between different bikes should be based on much more than just the motor type. The final decision should be made, quite literally, by the seat of your pants. Come test ride the different styles and see which one feels the best to you. All details and specs aside, the bike that you’ll say “Yes” to riding the most is the best bike for you. So, what are you waiting for? Its time to discover your new two-wheeled partner in adventure and travel!

What can I say? I love this bike! For those of you who have followed the electric bike movement for awhile you may notice something familiar about the Wind Runner. The basic bike frame is, in fact, the old Tidalforce S-750 from the early 2000’s. At the time it was considered by many to be the state of the art in ebikes. Things changed and the company closed up shop around 2004-5. My source snagged all the remaining new bicycles minus their drive systems and sold them to serious ebike D.I.Y.ers including myself via the internet for years. The various iterations of the Wind Runner through the past four years have been my reinterpretations of this classic piece of ebike history. In early 2012 I bought the remaining inventory of these new-in-the-box bikes in the country. It wasn’t until last summer that we finally ‘cracked the code’ on our ultimate vision of what the Wind Runner could be. The current offerings are all variations of that long-held idea.

The key component and challenge of the bike has always been the battery. The ideal location, of course, would be in the center triangle of the frame. However, its a fairly tight space and its been no small feat to build a pack within those parameters. We finally hit pay dirt when we found LiPo cells from Tenergy Corp. that, literally, fit the bill. We’ve been able to build both a 36V and a 48V 10AH pack that fit into our custom aluminum and ABS plastic cases. With the battery issue tackled, every other component option is open to choice.

We offer two basic versions of the Wind Runner - the 3600 series and the 4800 series. The nomenclature refers to the battery voltage and each series is equipped with its own compliment of drive systems and components. The 3600 series sports a 350 watt geared motor, 26″ wheels, and Tektro V-brakes.

The 4800 series is equipped with a 500 watt direct drive motor, 24″ wheels, and Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes. Tire styles, fenders, seats, and handlebars vary from bike to bike depending on customer preference. We also offer a tasty Suntour dual crown fork upgrade to bikes destined for serious trail time. I can personally attest to the success of these as hard core, serious single track trail bikes. See my “A Moment’s Reflection” blog for more about that.

Pricing starts at $2499 for the basic 3600 edition and $3299 for the 4800 edition. The Suntour dual crown fork adds an additional $200 to these prices. Tires, fenders, seat, handlebars, and brakes can be modified as well. Pricing varies based on specific upgrades.

I have a few of these already built up in different versions as described and the remaining bikes will be built to spec for the customer. (The above photo is a ‘one-off’ build that includes a White Bros. Groove 200 fork, Cycle Analyst computer system, and monster Schwalbe Big Betty dirt tires. We’ve since added an additional 24V pack to boost this bad boy up to 72 volts of trail taming ecstasy!)

I have less than a handful of framesets left to build out. Once they are gone it will truly be the end of an era. We sincerely believe that the few dozen or so Wind Runners that have and will make their way into the world are destined for some measure of classic status among ebike aficionados. If these photos encourage you to agree, I invite you to come see for yourself what the Wind Runner’s are all about. Grab yourself a piece of Ashland Electric Bike history that you can ride into the future!

Just in! At last, I’ve found a quality ebike priced well below $2K that I can stand behind with confidence. My friends at Sun have introduced the Electrolite electric bike for everyone desiring a solid entry-level ride. It sports a 250 watt geared motor, 36V 10AH lockable and removable lithium battery, and both pedal assist and manual throttle modes. Suntour front suspension, Shimano 8 speeds, and a sturdy alloy center stand add to the value.

This bike has many features that are usually only seen on higher priced models. With each one I assemble I discover new details that impress me even more. Its available in two sizes so even the shortest of riders can be accommodated. All this for the value price of $1599. Its taken me almost five years to find an ebike around this price point that was worth a 2nd glance. The Sun Electrolite is worth a long hard look; its a budget bike that will stand up to the test of time, I’m sure.

At that price there’s no reason to wait any longer - Come Ride The Future - now!

I got the chance to take a couple of Wind Runner trail bikes out this past weekend with a friend for some serious off-road testing. The results; the bikes performed beyond my greatest expectations! They turned long uphill climbs into veritable walks in the woods. Their balance and handling through technical terrain and steep downhills was spot on. Needless to say, I was very satisfied with the end result of what has been over four years of development to bring the Wind Runner to the point its at now.

It’s a fine fine feeling to look in the rear view mirror and see my bikes shining in the sun, waiting for their chance to get out and kick up some dirt! With time, grace, and a pinch of good luck all things are possible. Go out and make your wildest dreams a reality!

Adam Vollmer, the founder of Faraday Bikes down in the Bay area speaks to the issues of transportation, sustainability, and the future of humanity on this planet. Bicycles of all types, including and especially ebikes, will play a greater role in our collective unfolding situations. I applaud Adam’s worldview on these topics. I also think he makes a pretty nifty ebike as well!

The Spirit of e-Biking. Click forward to the video titled: The Faraday Effect.