One of VBike's Mundos with the Bafang system and downtube battery. So many things have happened for VBike over the past few months, but there has seemingly been so little time to blog about it. So we’re going to release a series of posts over the next week or so, covering news about the exciting VBike fleet, funding opportunities, the Take it Home! project, testing out our new e-assist kits from Dillenger Electric Bikes, VBike presentations and consultations, great products we’re trying out (like the fabulous Bar Mitts), and many things related to the overall evolution of VBike.
So, our apologies go out to you for taking so long to catch you all up with our comings and goings. We’ll get better at keeping on this task as things arise.
So, let’s start off with an update on VBike’s 2 beautiful Yuba Mundos with the Bafang mid-drive e-assist conversion kits (donated by our wonderful sponsors at Dillenger Electric Bikes). That’s a mouthful (or earful), so let’s take a moment to explain what that’s about.
So, our apologies go out to you for taking so long to catch you all up with our comings and goings. We’ll get better at keeping on this task as things arise.
So, let’s start off with an update on VBike’s 2 beautiful Yuba Mundos with the Bafang mid-drive e-assist conversion kits (donated by our wonderful sponsors at Dillenger Electric Bikes). That’s a mouthful (or earful), so let’s take a moment to explain what that’s about.
Check out the Bafang motor at the bottom of the frame. It doesn't get in the way and can fit on to practically any bike. Bafang is a Chinese company that has produced some very reliable hub motors (e-assist motors that are integrated on a front or rear wheel). About 3 years ago they introduced the first truly affordable mid-drive motor that that can be installed on virtually any bike. Mid-drives are super efficient because they can utilize your rear gears by driving your chainwheel (the gear your pedals and cranks are attached to). And because it uses the gears, the motor doesn’t have to work as hard (as long as you are correctly shifting your bike). You get more out of your battery and can go further.
Another big advantage or mid-drives is that your wheels are not taken over by a motor with a bunch of electronics, so changing a flat or switching out tires is simplified. The one downside of a system like this is that you can only have one chainwheel up front so you are limited to the rear freewheel or cassette for your gearing. However, if the gearing is set up well (like we have done on our Mundos), going with 7 or so speeds totally works fine.
Another big advantage or mid-drives is that your wheels are not taken over by a motor with a bunch of electronics, so changing a flat or switching out tires is simplified. The one downside of a system like this is that you can only have one chainwheel up front so you are limited to the rear freewheel or cassette for your gearing. However, if the gearing is set up well (like we have done on our Mundos), going with 7 or so speeds totally works fine.
The Shimano Megarange is perfect for a bike that needs some low gearing. This one features the large, black 34 tooth cog. As we have been testing these two bikes out, we’ve found the combo of the Bafang and the Mundo to be an excellent match. We’ve set the Bafang unit to have 5 levels of assist (this thing is programmable) and good use of the thumb throttle for extra power. The assist kicks in as soon as you start pedaling and with the really nice large button controls you can easily power down or power up. It feels pretty natural once you get the hang of it. The throttle is real handy for starting on hills (especially if you have kids on board) or for just getting the extra juice when you need to take the road. The Bafang and Mundo work great together and having just 7 gears to contend with makes things simpler. We upgraded our Mundos with Shimano Megarange freewheels so that we can gear down when riding the hills (we have plenty of those in this state!). We’ve also added on a side view mirror and some great, puncture proof Schwalbe tires.
We feel that these bikes and the whole of the VBike fleet are going to be a revelation for Vermont families looking to shift up towards a car-lite lifestyle and to bring more fun, outdoors and ecological responsibility into their daily lives. We’re looking to upgrade the bikes with disc brakes, a bright lighting system, and some extras. These and other bikes will be available in the spring as part of our Take it Home program (we’ll be telling you more about that in a couple of blogs posts) to give Brattleboro-area families a great chance to try one of these out in their daily rounds.
Having these bikes be the best they can be for the spring is part of our reason for our December fundraising drive. Many of you are looking to Climate Change Conference happening right now in Paris and hoping that there is something we can do to slow down the carbon pollution and bring about an ecological cultural revolution. We at VBike believe that we can do a lot right here at home to bring creativity and take on the responsibility for the changes we need to make now.
Having these bikes be the best they can be for the spring is part of our reason for our December fundraising drive. Many of you are looking to Climate Change Conference happening right now in Paris and hoping that there is something we can do to slow down the carbon pollution and bring about an ecological cultural revolution. We at VBike believe that we can do a lot right here at home to bring creativity and take on the responsibility for the changes we need to make now.
To date, the climate is changing way faster than we are, so please join VBike bringing this exciting change to our state.
P.S. - A big thanks goes out to our wonderful industry sponsors....
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