It's so long I had to remove my "other initial thoughts" and "Closing thoughts" sections to post it. I'll put those into the next post with the pics of said bikes.
This thread is kind of a spin off of my other post on my recent Cali Trip. This is what I went to buy.
My 1st impressions of the “Stealth B-52 Bomber” and E-biking in general. First off let me say that I really love the fact that it doesn’t make any noise. This allows you to go unnoticed, even when you’re up to no good. Which for me is reserved to cheating on a few traffic regulations. Like switching from road, to sidewalk, to parking lot to get around traffic.
Battery management thoughts: Battery management is the key to making this thing practical. It’s so high powered that you can drain the battery very quickly or putt around and make it last for hours. One of the major disappointments of the B-52 was that it doesn’t have a torque sensor for peddling. What I mean by that is that when you peddle the sensor measures how hard you are peddling and applies electricity to the motor to match. The harder you peddle the more power goes into driving the motor. On the Stealth peddling and motor are completely separate. Motor is controlled solely by the throttle. I think a torque sensor could greatly increase the battery life. Since the hand throttle/motor is incredibly responsive and twitchy. It would definitely make it more ride able as a bicycle on technical trails. Everytime u hit a bump it will twitch, and will spike the wattage output which drains the battery faster. I’m still trying to perfect my grip for maximum control. From full stop to wide open it took ½ mile to get up to 49mph. And it drained 6% of the battery to do so. I haven't held it open for longer than that, YET. Yet cruising at 20-25 I still got 1.5 miles on that same 6%. Fortunately the computer has setting to limit the maximum wattage output to the motor and also limit the maximum mph. Both of these settings are easily adjustable and will help manage the battery drain even if you have no control. I think to get the maximum claimed 60 miles on a charge. Ur gonna have to keep it around/under 20mph. Which is what electric bicycles are supposed to be limited to anyway.
Ride 1) 1-16-2020, ride at night.
Night riding is something that I will very rarely if ever do in my hood on a regular bicycle. It’s a safe hood, but I don’t feel the world is as safe these days. When I was a young man I could do 15 miles a night just goofing off in the hood with friends.
Distance covered: 21+ miles.
Battery % end: 29%
Ride description: Took it for a shakedown ride around the surrounding neighborhoods. Ended up 5+ miles away showing it to a friend. Average speed 20ish. Slowest speed cruised at 10mph. Max speed: 49. One run of 40-43mph for .7 mile (on BW-8 service rd.) And one ½ mile run from 0 to 49mph. The ½ mile run used 6% off the battery. All in all I still had 28% battery left and it took less than 2 hrs. to recharge. The charging system is quiet sophisticated, but when the battery is the single most expensive item to this bike. Sophisticated is good. The battery meter on the bike will not change until the battery is full and then the charger shuts off automatically. The on board computer counts charge cycles. It actually has quite a few stats that it keeps up with.
Ride 2) 1-17-2020
Distance covered: 20+
Battery % end: 28%
Ride Description: Today I tuned the maximum output to the motor from 5200w to 4000w. Just to see how it affects things. Not that noticeable a difference, but then again the only time it uses that much wattage is under hard acceleration. I mainly cruised 20ish on the sidewalk and 25-35mph on the rd. With some slower cruising thru the parkinglot or 2 and a couple of times over 40. One sustained 40 for a couple miles and one ¾ mile sprint up to 47. I had a good head wind for the first half of the journey. I was planning on using county flood control drainage - rights of way, but the grass was still wet and it needs fenders. So I got back on the roads. Went to Hartz, Locksmith, and cruised HomeDepot parkinglot (just so I could say I've ridden it to other side of I-10). Average speed according to the computer on the return 9.8 mile ride was 18.7mph.
Suspension: Still getting it dialed in. Initially it was set at its softest settings all the way around. I really haven’t felt much difference in any of the settings. But then again it’s a Chinese knock off. Left the rebound on a faster setting and stiffened up the compression to middle of the rd. Aired up the front fork to 145psi. Still need to get a spanner to add some preload into the rear spring. Even if the changes don’t make a difference, with 8” of travel, I love it already. It has soaked up most all of every bump that I’ve hit so far. Including 1 - 4x4 hidden in the grass hit at about 10mph. Even with the tiny saddle I rode over 42 miles in under 18hrs and my feels fine. If it had been a regular bicycle with that tiny HARD saddle. My would be hurting like . Instead I feel like I could go another 42.
Traffic on a bicycle: First off leet me say I've never considered riding a bicycle with traffic on a busy street like I did today, but on the bomber It was awesome. One absolute must is to have a mirror on the handlebar end and lights (even in daylight). This is the first upgrade and it is defiantly a must do for riding with traffic. And being able to easily keep up speeds of 20mph will make it much less nerve racking to ride with traffic. A big stretch of today’s riding was on Uvalde rd. All the way from I-10 to Beltway 8. It’s 35 then 45mph speed limit. Some of the 35 stretch I rode on the sidewalk (at 20ish) Even found one decent ramp to jump. And then at the intersections that were backed up. I went over the curb, down the sidewalk, and thru the parkinglots to bypassed sitting in traffic. On the 45 section I kept it up 40+. I find that cars actually ride behind me. I think they were just amused at the guy peddling his off at 40+mph. And when the car in front of me slows to turn. I felt very confident in moving to the left lane and passing just like if I was on a MC. I found myself reaching for the turn signal (which it doesn’t have). I’m going to have to get one of those
amazon bike light kits. The ones with brake lights and turn signals.
Thought on the authorities: While in traffic I passed a couple of HCSD going the opposite direction on Uvalde. They didn’t give me a second look. Passed a group of 3getting gas at a station on Uvalde while I was cutting thru the parking lot. And they didn’t give me a second thought. Saw one more going the otherway while we were both sitting at a red-light and just like all the rest. When I took off and left the traffic behind he didn’t seem to worry about me either.
Security (theft): This one has a code that has to be entered after turning the key on, but it’s a really flashy bicycle. Theft will definitely be a big issue. And being able to take it in wherever you go or having a secure locking mechanism and solid point to locket to is a must when left unattended. With the more expensive bikes it would be wise to add them to your home policy. I’m considering getting a policy as a moped type or scooter on this one. Some even come with anti-theft stuff and GPS tracking built in, but it’s a bike they can carry it off if they can’t ride it. So you have to physically lock it to something.
Disclaimer: There are laws regulating E-bikes and although electric bicycles in general are legal to ride on public roadways and most anywhere a non motorized bicycles are allowed. They are classified into 3 catagories Class 1, 2, and 3. The “Stealth Bomber” bicycle that I’m referring unfortunately falls outside of these classes and regulations and is technically not legal for use on public roads, pedestrian rights of way, and established bike paths. It does have a setting that will limit it to the legal limits allowed by law, but this only muddies the water regarding its legality. I’m hoping that if I tune it down (when on public pedestrian paths/trails). Don’t draw too much attention and ride with some respect and courtesy for fellow citizens and trial users. Then I might be able to skate by under the radar. “It has most always worked with my other vehicles.” It’s those times I haven’t been respectful and courteous that I got into trouble. lol. Once the new wears off, I’ll probably look into getting it insured, inspected, and registered, as a moped.
Most of my trips from my home (excluding work) are under 15 miles. Most of all of these trips are using the Wing or a caged vehicle, but could very easily be done on a bicycle if I had a little more energy. In getting into electric bicycles, I am getting some exercise and cutting down on the fuel, maintenance, and other cost of getting around. On the health improvements front. Here’s an example, I have a treadmill that I am just getting into. And haven’t been on at all since starting with E-bikes, but when I do I usually cover 1 ¼ to 1 ½ miles in 20 min. at 3.5 to 5mph. Mostly 3.5 to occasionally 5+. Last night after doing 21 miles on the bike. I got on the treadmill and did a longer stint (½ mile+) at 5 and 5.5 than I’ve ever did before. I could have continued at that pace, but I stepped it up to 7mph for a 100yds. Before slowing to a cool down walk. Ended up covering 1 ¼ miles in under 15 minutes, a new best for me. Also since starting E-biking. I’ve weighed in a couple of pounds lighter than normal. Which I’ve been trying to do for a long time. Don’t really need to lose weight, but I am hoping to replace some of the fat with muscle. 
. That was on a moped, and then I’d park it in the bicycle rack too. I’d have driven it into lecture hall if I could have mounted a desk top to it. Very fun and fond memories.
CMRA#672
this is super expensive... I'll rather by another dirt bike...
