Orange P7 e-commuter

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

Right, that took a while... tough frames these!

Put a small dimple in the chainstay, went slow - a case of hit it a few times (big hammer), check clearance and try again.

Fits perfect now, used a medium cigarette paper as a feeler gauge...

Left the wheel in place in the hope that it would help keep the frame aligned. Will double check later but pretty sure all is well.

Have put some paint (primer) on it. Will stick some black on once it's dry.

Glad I started with a rough looking frame!

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

black

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

Motor, cranks, pedals.

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

getting there.

 

[Captain Stupido]

It's now a rideable bike. Some tweaks to make but it's giving the impression that it'll be a comfy and solid feeling beast. Obviously I've got all the wiring to do yet.

The motor unsurprisingly adds a bit of weight. It's still very managable but definitely not worth being a weight weenie about the build. With hindsight it might have been better to fit the motor last as the whole thing is a bit of a lump to put in the workstand. Pleased though that I built this around a relatively beefy frame and forks.

Longer term I plan to fit disc brakes but the LX Vs feel strong so that's good.

Saddle is not neccesarily a keeper but it'll do for now.

Tyres are being sods to seat evenly. I'm in two minds between trying again and just fitting different tyres. Maybe I need to change the rim tape. I quite like the brown but originally the plan was for an all black build and I'm partly inclined to go for a stealthier look.

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

Swapped the tyres, and pleased with the decision - the Marathon Mondials are more rugged and will also be more capable off road. They're a bit heavy but on this bike it's moot. The Big Bens are pretty weighty too. Not sure why I even have them tbh... only bought them because they were on offer!

Replaced the mangled old plastic rim tape with nice new velox. You can't beat the good stuff. Makes a difference, tyres were much easier to fit.

On the subject of "good stuff" a (so called) KMC missing link I bought off eBay turned out to be bogus, and useless. It doesn't click closed. Beware!

 

[mynchiboy]

Re:

Watching this with interest!

It's almost tempting to give my cargo bike this treatment, once I've had the thing rewelded up where it's looking tired. The drivetrain is set for replacement anyway so it would be a win there, although the kits aren't so cheap now...

I've a new missing link from a KMC 8 speed chain (Z8 I think). Let me know if you need it and I'll post it on

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re:

Watching this with interest!

It's almost tempting to give my cargo bike this treatment, once I've had the thing rewelded up where it's looking tired. The drivetrain is set for replacement anyway so it would be a win there, although the kits aren't so cheap now...

I've a new missing link from a KMC 8 speed chain (Z8 I think). Let me know if you need it and I'll post it on

Thanks Joe, that's a kind offer but I've sorted it now.

Electric cargo bike sounds brilliant. I'd like to put one of these on the tandem too...

Just took it for a ride up and down the road. Don't like the saddle. But otherwise it's all good, gears seem sweet, the big 9 speed cassette is giving a good range even if it is at the expense of in-between ratios. It's heavy but rides OK even without assistance. Reminds me of riding my tandem with its Nexus hub. Hopefully with the battery hooked up it'll be quite a bit better. :mrgreen:

Might crack a beer and have a look at these wires... :|

 

[Captain Stupido]

Cockpit wired up. Cables could be neater but not too bad.

Need to fit the rear wheel/speed sensor and sort out connections from the battery (seems to be a "deans" connector) to the motor which is 4mm bullet connectors.

 

[adroitstif]

If you can hide the battery (wearable backpack?) no one will work out it's electric-assist! You could, for example, fit a bunch of C-types inside that 200mm stem...