Clean Republic Hill Topper Electric Bike Conversion Kit

I had a week to try out Clean Republic's ebike kit on my Giant hybrid bike. Conversion of the kit onto my existing Giant bike frame was super easy and effortless. Just like Clean Republic's youtube installation tutorial, it was quick and was done within 15 to 20 minutes. The kit comes with everything you need to get you started including the tubes for your wheel hub. The electric front wheel hub size is small enough so it will not draw much attention to your bike while being parked at public spaces. The electric hub is quiet enough that you will not notice the sound of the hub during normal traffic flow. The Hill Topper will definitely reach the top speed of 14 miles as promised on a flat straight pathway. Of course the speed will be reduce when using the Hill Topper to climb a hill due to the incline and degree of the slope of that hill you are climbing. The Hill Topper performance is good from flat surface and continuing up a hill as long as you continue to paddle and use the Hill Topper's electric front wheel hub to assist you up the hill. It gets a bit tricky if you have to stop at the middle of the hill. You then will have to propel your bike up a few feet until the electric hub gains enough momentum to kick in and assist your manual propulsion. The standard Hill Topper model retails for $399 and it comes with the electric front wheel hub with tire (just need to add air), an 8Ah Standard battery which will last you approximately 10 miles and the battery charger (lithium battery kit also available at $745). To activate the electric hub, you will have to continue pressing on the button as long as you need the electric hub to operate. Therefore, the kit is ideal for only very short trips like your local grocery stores and the farmer's market. The Hill Topper is not built for the long commuters. The motor is powerful enough but if you plan to use the Hill Topper as your daily commute, you might find it very difficult to keep your finger on the power button while having to deal with riding your bike in traffic safely and defensively.

Having said that, I do appreciate the simplicity of the Hill Topper system. It is a good system for some one to get their feet wet with the electric bike movement without dumping tons of cash up front on your first ebike set up. Best part is Clean Republic do offer a money back guarantee which is a huge selling point compared to other ebike kits out there that just simply do not offer such an incentive for the consumer to try out the product.


Specifications:

Includes (everything you need to ride the day your kit arives):

Complete Wheel: (tube, tire, and rim) with 250-watt 24-volt brushless planetary hub motor (motor is sealed, rain and mud-proof).

Battery: 10-mile 8Ah Standard battery/controller system pre-installed in a rain and mud-proof quick-attach seat bag

Grip Switch:On/Off handlebar motor control installs quickly, lets YOU control when the battery gets used (not a twist throttle).

Charger: (smart/auto shutoff) for U.S./International 110-240v, 50-60hz wall sockets or extension cords


Website: cleanrepublic.com

Photo courtesy of Clean Republic

Vectrix First Hybernation

Last weekend, the weather was finally warm enough and the winter rain storm finally has passed. My Vectrix has been parked and charged on and off for the last 4 months. Taking the scooter out brought that joy back again. Unfortunately, my scooter battery loss all of it's charge after 3 miles of driving leaving me with just enough juice to get back home. So what I've learned with the Vectrix when it is parked for a long time is it needs to be driven on it's first ride out from hybernation in order for the battery pack to deplete itself properly. Then the subsequent charges is back to normal allowing me to ride a 30 miles range again at 25 miles per hour.

Vectrix Filed Bankruptcy

Today, the dreaded news is official after months of losses, Vectrix has filed bankruptcy. It is so sad that these wonderful breakthrough product is just a bit ahead of it's time and the general public did not have a chance to appreciate these awesome scooters. The good news is there is a buyer already set up to take over Vectrix so the production of these beauties will not be affected. For more detailed info on this visit: vectrixfan.com.

Givi S850 GPS Holder

The GIVI S850 GPS Universal holder does not require brackets or other supports and is mounted easily and directly on to the handlebar of your scooter or motorbike using velcro straps. All zips are waterproof and for extra water resistance, it comes complete with a rain cover.

The advantage of using a bag, such as this, is you don’t have to have a motorcycle specific GPS. By stowing them in this transparent bag you reduce vibrations and keep them free of mud, dirt and other debris. There are also several pockets that you could use for your cell phone, spare change, etc. Dimensions: 6″w x 4.5h” x3.5″d. Retails for around $79.99.

About Me

Back in 2008, gas prices was skyrocketing from $2.50 per gallon to $4 plus per gallon. This was the begining of my concern in two folds. My biggest delima was the insane amount of money I had to pay just to fill up my gas tank in my 95' BMW 525iT (wagon). Cost was anywhere between $50 to $60 just to fill up my wagon, that's alot of dough. My other concern was how long will the oil supply in the world last. So I decided to unplug and find an alternative mode of transportation so I started researching online. Of course Vespa was the first thing that popped in my mind, then motorcycle was another consieration. Then by chance I came across Vectrix and it's 100% electric, doing 0 - 50 mph in 6.8 seconds with a max speed of 62mph!

Very thing about the idea of an EV really spoke to me and made sense to me; environmentally and oil dependency. What really sold me over to electric vehicle is the maintance free requirements. Since there are no engine, I do not have to deal with the regualar schedule maintanence like oil change, spark plugs, minor and major tune up, belts, hoses, etc. You know this all adds up to a whole lot of money not to mention the average $60 - $75 per hourly mechanice / technician service fees. Plus regualr gas motorcycle and scooter polutes 2.5x more than automobiles making EV the obious choice as a conscious buyer on all level: budget and environmental.

After numerous days and hours of research, I've settle on the Vectrix Maxi-Scooter model 2007 VX-1. Why the Vectrix? No gas, 100% pure electric was the main reason, saving me a ton of money. To charge the Vectrix scooter from 0 to full charge only cost me $0.80. It's large enough so I can be seen on the street of Los Angeles for safety purpose since most of our drivers here in LA are always on the phone and not paying attention to what's around them. The size and heft of Vectrix made alot of sense. Althought I must admit the 450 plus pounds was a bit intimidating but once the scooter gets some speed, the weight issue dissappears. Plus I was tip toeing when I am on the Vectrix and with a lower seat upgrade totally resolved the issue allowing both my feet to plant flat and firmly on the asphault. And the aesthetic of this scooter is beautiful. The sexy lines of the scooter looks more like a motorcycle than a standard scooter profile, very futuristic. The LCD color gauges are just pure joy to look at during night riding, definitely very Sci-Fi. In addition, the back seat was super comfy and roomy. And it's the first electric scooter that has been certify for Highway driving by the US Department of Transportation since the Vectrix can reach up to speed of 62 mph. So far, It's been almost a year and I am having a blast riding the Vectrix scooter around town! And each time when I hop onto the Vectrix, it just feels like I am stepping into the future with it's nearly silent engine and it's futuristic design. If this is a glismp of what the future has to offer to man kind, and I know we're just getting started here, it's is going to be a beautiful world!

Until next time, share the lane and be safe.

Welcome!!

Hello there everyone. Just wanted to say thank you for visiting and finding us. I've created this blog as my digital electric vehicle (EV) experience journal. All of my thoughts and ideals, good or bad with my EV experience (EVE) will all be recorded here online for other fellow EV owners to share. So stay tune for more info.