Canadian
Edgerunner Long-tail Cargo
Nelson, BC
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207
Published: 2023-08-19
The Xtracycle Edgerunner is long-tail cargo bike it has a 20" rear-wheel to keep the load deck low. In 2015 I converted it to electric with a kit from Grin called the "Cycle Stoker" the kit included a pretty awesome mounting system for a direct-drive hub motor to be mounted behind the seat-tube and underneath the cargo-deck. The chain wrapped around the hub motor into an 'S' shape with the use of an idler pulley. The mount had a strain-gauge ingeniously included so it was an after-market torque-sensing mid-drive system! The kit served me well for 6 years, but I kept wearing through idler pulley's and had to replace the freewheel sprocket on the hub motor a few times (until I ponied up for a White Industries one that was seemingly indestructible).
In 2022, I decided to convert the bike again and this time chose a GMAC 10T motor built into the rear 20" wheel, a Frankenrunner controller, and even a new battery with more capacity (the old kit is being repurposed for a few projects, including a commuter for my son). I absolutely LOVE the GMAC motor and new controller! It has gobs of power and can actually climb better than the old mid-drive set-up. I also really like the regen system, especially in my steep hilly city. I did have a minor issue at first with the torque readings going wild when the motor kicked in, which was solved by adding a grounding wire from the power circuit directly to my bike frame.
My life-time average with the mid-drive kit was about 14Wh/km, and the new kit is almost down to 10Wh/km, which along with the bigger battery has greatly increased my range.
