Blog

It is getting mighty close to Holiday time. We've never experienced much of a Christmas shopping frenzy in the DIY ebike community, but in case there are one-wheeled gifts we are opening at least the Unicycle section of the store on Saturdays this December.

Then from Dec 22nd to Jan 3rd we will stay open but with reduced capacity and minimal staff. We will try to reply to all emails, but any issues that are not urgent will be handled in the first week of January. 

The number geeks are going to love our latest ebike accessory - the Cycle Analogger. This compact device takes the serial data output of the CA and records it as a text file to an SD memory card for detailed post trip analysis.

It also has the facility to simultaneously record data from a GPS device to the memory card at the same time. That opens up the possibility for visual display of a trip in Google Earth, showing your energy usage at each step along the way.



Both the standard ($99) and GPS models ($150) are available now. They have a built in DC-DC converter so that they can run directly from your ebike battery pack (10-100V input range). If purchased at the same time as a CA, we will pre-solder the necessary data and power wires from the Cycle Analyst so that the unit has plug-and-play connectivity. Specification Sheet is available for download here

After a Beta run that helped us iron out a few minor issues, we are now releasing the Large Screen Cycle Analyst for general sales, both as a Direct Plug-in (or DPS) model for connecting to controllers and as a High Current / High Voltage version for the electric motorbike and scooter community.

As well, we can supply just the box and membrane switches only for those who previously purchased the large screen OEM devices with no enclosure, but who want one in their application.

Thank you immensely for all the submissions we received (over 90 in all) for the Grin Tech Logo Contest. After going through all of them many times along with our own sketches, we've narrowed things down to several concept ideas that really ring true. At this stage, we are looking to bring in the help of a design professional to assist with the larger picture of figuring how the look and feel will incorporate with the website, product literature etc. So it will be a little while yet before can announce the (likely shared) prize winners. 

Thanks for all of the many submissions we've received as we try to come up with the right logo and look for the new "Grin" name. We are trying to find a clever or fun way of branding "GRIN" that we can use on all the parts that we've been making here (Cycle Analysts, Torque Arms, ebike lights, etc) as well as the many new things that are in our development pipeline.

Some people have asked for additional clarifications on what we are after, so we've put up a small Logo Contest FAQ page here..We're going on a retreat Dec 5th so try to get your ideas in before then.

We had numerous requests from people to record the talk that Justin gave on his 7 years of firsthand experience with ebike batteries. Unfortunately our video recording skills came through poorly at best, but for those willing to watch 2 hours of grainy footage to understand some of the challenges of dealing with rechargeable batteries, it all begins here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5frJlJiCS34&feature=related

Or you could follow on the endless-sphere thread.

We've also made the original slide images available as a PDF document.

Next Wednesday evening, Justin will be delivering a presentation at the monthly VEVA meeting at BCIT, called "Lead Free since 2003". This will be an informative and entertaining summary of all his experiences, lessons, and tribulations with advanced rechargeable batteries since he got involved with electric bikes seven years ago. There is a reason that so many in the EV business groan at the mention of batteries, and this presentation will show you why in all the gory details. The talk is at 7:30pm at the BCIT cafeteria, and is open to both VEVA members and the public.

The Vancouver Public Library is hosting an event on Saturday Nov 20th from 12:00 - 3:30pm that features innovating organizations as part their "One Book, One Vancouver" program. This all stems from Vancouverites choosing The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as their favorite book to read. We've been invited to participate and will have a booth and demo vehicles for people to ride and learn what we believe the future has in store. Note, due to some unforeseen circumstances we will no longer be able to host a booth at the innovation expo, though it will still be a great event to check out.

Since renaming our company GRIN in May, we have been struggling a bit to come up with an ideal logo to go along with it. Our little flying ebiker that serves as the ebikes.ca homepage logo (dating back to the UBC electric bike club days) is fun, but too complex. Do you think you have an idea that suits our style and image? A stylized way of writing "GRIN" with a doodle that communicates what we're into?

If so, we'll be giving away $1000 USD of store credit if someone comes up with a design that we like and decide to use. So feel free to send any sketch ideas that you have via email to logo@ebikes.ca 

Back in 2005, Justin and his friend Matt Chudleigh spent a summer after university figuring out how to design and build a dedicated display meter for ebikes, with no real idea what they were getting into.











This unit was christened the "DrainBrain", and its eventual success turned our operation into what it is now. It's time to show our appreciation to these early adopters who took a leap of faith in our technology when we were just a couple guys in a garage. So, from now until the end of November, we will be offering the new large display Cycle Analyst at 50% off to anyone who purchased and still owns an original DrainBrain from 2005/2006.



In order to get this, please send a photo of your bike setup with a "DrainBrain" running, or send a copy of your original order details, and we will get you on queue for the new Large Screen unit with enclosure for just $75. It's our way of saying thanks, things would have never happened without you. The world owes a lot to Early Adopters.