GreenPlanetBikes.com

We are very excited about having changed our name from CurrentCycleBikes to GreenPlanetBikes.com.  The new name is easier to remember, and more clearly states who we are and what we believe in.  

We are now working on some new bike models (with some surprises coming!!)   It is clear that the times are difficult for many people and for the businesses that they support.  But we have very positive feelings around here about what we are doing at GreenPlanetBikes.... 

I believe that the "upside" of the downturn is that this is an opening, a doorway to new times.   GREEN is the color of the future.  You know this if you are reading this.  Our planet needs us to pay attention.  It is possible for us to live well without some of the excesses that have been our habit in the past.  One of these habits has been our ongoing acceptance that we had to burn fossil fuel if we were going to move ourselves around, especially over distances greater than what we want to pedal.

Now so any longer.  These electric bikes are so powerful that they open up a whole new world in bike commuting.  Of course you will probably keep a pedal bike around if you have the physical ability to pedal.  But having a strong workhorse of a bike like we build is a great option for daily travel.

Run your errands, visit your friends, go get a cup of coffee.... you will find yourself in conversation about your bike.  I like to note that riding one of these increases connection with other people.  It is AMAZING how curious people are about these machines!!!  

Anyway, thanks for checking in.  And keep coming back as new things will be happening.

-Del 

Evening Ride, thoughts on safety and low cost transportation

We've had beautiful weather lately, low 80's daytime, and low 60's at night.  I have been busy, and really missed more riding time.  Took the Schwinn (the stretched and lowered bike) out for a run to the store tonight.  Electric bikes are just so perfect for a run to the grocery store for a couple of things.  Nice night air, the bike smooth and quiet, powerful as always.  I have one long grade with some shorter steeper parts, never any problem even without pedaling at all.  Love it!!!

At night, I often ride back streets (with head and tail lights, of course...) or ride the sidewalks for safety.  I keep myself out of traffic when I can, and always advise customers to do the same.  You have to be really careful with cars.... (drivers on cell phones, etc.) but with extra awareness I feel pretty safe.  And I am now spending somewhere around 2-3 cents to recharge.  Sure beats putting 60 bucks into a gas tank!!!

Happy trails!

New steel battery hangers available

BATTERY HANGERS  $125/set

Here are photos of the new battery hangers, on and off the bike.  They will fit any bike with a rack, mounting securely to the rear axle and the rack.  Comes with all attachment hardware.

These make a huge difference in handling of the bike.  Doing away with that "top heavy" feel that you get with batteries up on the rack (as most kits have.)  And making mounting the bike easier.  There is no way to describe the dramatic difference!  Here is a quote from a customer in Spain:

"The ride now is supreme!!!  With the batteries lower down... the ride is so superior to the old 'high up' battery location!  Plus, I can swing my leg over the saddle with ease."  -Antony E.

These racks are all steel, and powder coated for protection.  (If you want the batteries covered up you can improvise.  Some customers have make their own panniers of leather or nylon.)  I personally like the look of the batteries showing.

There are a few left, then I'll make another production run.

New battery mounting system

Since the last post we have been busy with getting our new battery mount system into production.  Most of the kits to install the powerful Phoenix (Crystalyte) motor system onto your own bike carry the batteries up on top of the rack over the rear wheel.  This creates a number of problems... very high center of gravity which creates awkward handling, makes it hard to mount the bike (swinging your leg up over the battery pack), and uses up your carrying space on the rear rack.

We have designed and are now producing a new mounting system that mounts the batteries just above and aft of the rear axle.  This greatly improves handling, opens up your rack space for carrying whatever you want, and makes it much easier to mount the bike.

These all steel racks come with instructions, all mounting hardware, and have a durable satin black powder coat finish.  They are available from either our shop, or from electricrider.com. 

ALL OF OUR BIKES from here on will be built with this system unless requested otherwise.  We are very excited about this improvement and are getting very good reports on how these perform.  You can email info@currentcyclebikes.com for prices and photos.

Note:  We are now producing mountain bike models as well....same reliable, powerful 48 volt Phoenix motors, but on a strong MB frame with front suspension.  (photos will be up soon).

Spring Riding

            

 

Above I have added a couple of photos, cleaner shots I of the new 72 volt bike.  (see last post)

Gray and windy today, but warm... and I love the feel of the wind buffeting me around a bit as I ride.  It really is spring, flowers popping out all over town, green starting to show here and there.  So it was a breezy and gray day, then late this afternoon a black line of storms came in from the SW... blew through quickly and left crystal clear skies with bright stars and a moon shaped just like everyone draws it in grade school.  Beautiful night, took a bike out for a short ride, just to enjoy it all. 

If you don't have an electric bike and you are reading this, listen... You gotta get one!  So damn much fun ALL the time.  Beautiful to ride in the quiet...almost meditative.  And no gas cost.  My friends are planning to do all the grocery shopping with their bikes...fold out baskets to hold what they need.   It just works! 

Note:  I want to mention that my friend, Punkrod Todd, is organizing a car show in Kansas City on the 26th, but with an Alternative Power section... a section with No Gas vehicles!  More exposure for these type of machines, and in a different setting that a green tech show.  Good to get other groups of people interested!  Thanks, Todd  (If you want to enter you can email to lospunkrods@yahoo.com)

Custom built 72 volt bike

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

I want to post a couple of photos of the new machine.  For some time I've had the intention to build a machine of this particular style.... long and low... not unlike some of the custom motorcycles out there, but with electric power.  With no engine there were design challenges, the goal was to answer the question of how to pack the batteries, use the hub motor, and still have a "look" to the machine that was a statement of both style and function.  

The frame was designed and built here at Current Cycle Bikes.   The seat, handle bars and rear fender all hand-made in the shop.  The result is, I believe, clean looking and functional.  The battery/contoller/wiring pack lifts out as a unit for service, the seat flips up for access to charger plugs, etc.

There are no motorcycle parts on the bike, everything is sourced from custom bicycle parts dealers.  The wide tires and extra wide bottom bracket (crank and pedals) allow the batteries to sit beside the chain, centered in the frame, the center of gravity very low. 

A fun ride, still silent, still passes every gas station... but definitely draws attention!

Custom Stretch 72 Volt Cruiser...other thoughts

Just in from the shop....lots of hours this week, building a custom bike based on drawings I've done over the last few months.  Long, low, and quick.  That's the plan.  Just finished welding the frame up....  have the wheels sitting here (24x3" front, 24x4" rear), the front with a 203mm mechanical Avid disc brake set up.  The rear is laced up with a Phoenix Brute (Crystalite) torque motor.  Estimated speed only about 30-32 mph, but it should be very quck.  Powered by 6-12 volt SLA batteries, for 72 volts total.  I will have photos up soon.

Cold and snowy here in Kansas, but spring is not far away, and with the early flowers, the birds singing in the mornings, comes the start of good riding weather.  Lookin' forward to it.  I ride my electric Schwinn some these days, but when it's warmer it is so fine just being out on the street.  Still a joy for me to ride with the silent power... and I still love passing up the gas stations.

Lately I have set up several bikes for "grocery-getters"....folding wire baskets on both sides to hold two good bags of groceries.  I am thinking about setting up with a small trailer so I can carry a lot more, sorta like those child trailers you see on the streets.  I think this is one of the places where the electric bikes are going to become a real presence.  There is something that is just wrong (!) about firing up a car or SUV to run a simple errand.

Simply feels good to be using the electric bike.

Latest bikes and future project!

Just shipped a 36 volt/Racer motored bike to Connecticutt.  This one had several accessories added....lights, baskets, custom seat, and even a windshield (which I wouldn't normally recommend.)  The other bike just finished is an older mountain bike which was converted for use as a handy commuter and grocery-getter....with lights and folding baskets.

The BIG NEWS is that we are building a custom bike for the World of Wheels auto/bike show in Kansas City, MO coming up in February.  IF I can get it finished in time.  This is going to be the first 72 volt system we've done, a long and low cruiser type with 3 & 4 inch wheels on a frame built up in our shop.  This will be a blast and should really be a wild look.  The design is done, the custom parts are on UPS somewhere, due anytime.  Exciting.  I will post photos when it nears completion.

Winter is a good time for new projects, and for adding accessories to make spring riding more fun and/or more comfortable.  We do sell accessories....fenders, bags, lights, seats, etc.  Eventually these will be offered on our site.  Check back later for updates.  Thanks again for all your interst.