carrying second battery

[xcentric]

has anyone experimented with attaching a second battery to the downtube? Seems to me it would fit there, though holding it securely might be a challenge. Duct tape?! closed cell foam between the two and tight velcro strapping would probably work though. Be nicer than in a backpack.....

 

[Andy A]

Hmmm sounds like a fairly daft idea that does! It's a long battery and if you had a crash I reckon it would end in tears expensive ones!

 

[davarello]

If I get a second battery it will be going in a backpack, something like an Osprey Talon 44 which is long enough without being massively bulky. It helps i'm tall and heavy so the extra weight isn't really an issue. Pity Specialized didn't make the battery hinged so you could fold it in half - that would fit in lots of regular sized packs

 

[Apples]

Just roll the battery in a padded tent bag and wear it across the top of the bag like carrying a sleeping bag

 

[StuckintheSpokes]

If I get a second battery it will be going in a backpack, something like an Osprey Talon 44 which is long enough without being massively bulky. It helps i'm tall and heavy so the extra weight isn't really an issue. Pity Specialized didn't make the battery hinged so you could fold it in half - that would fit in lots of regular sized packs

Was talking to the guy who’s running Trail Watts booster systems about putting spare batteries in backpacks... even with bags designed to carry them, they are potentially lethal due to the big mass being pressed directly on the back. What companies like Evoc don’t tell you is that there have been fatalities and paralysis even with their back protector bags.

If you have bought a spare battery already, then I suggest you leave it in the car and swap it when your first one is running out.

 

[davarello]

Was talking to the guy who’s running Trail Watts booster systems about putting spare batteries in backpacks... even with bags designed to carry them, they are potentially lethal due to the big mass being pressed directly on the back. What companies like Evoc don’t tell you is that there have been fatalities and paralysis even with their back protector bags.

If you have bought a spare battery already, then I suggest you leave it in the car and swap it when your first one is running out.

I would only carry it if I was going long distance, so there would be no "going back to the car" option. As for death and paralysis, I'll take my chances, and I'd be careful of anyone who sells booster systems using vague anecdotes..

 

[Mina08]

I would reconsider carry something like a large battery on your back, there are many incidents that have happend with carry bulky objects, i know some one who broke there back carrying a shock pump.

 

[highpeakrider]

I’ve got a Focus so it’s covered, if not I’d look to engineer something the same secured to the bottle mount, I wouldn’t have a battery on my back.

 

[StuckintheSpokes]

I’ve got a Focus so it’s covered, if not I’d look to engineer something the same secured to the bottle mount, I wouldn’t have a battery on my back.

I agree: I now appreciate integrated batteries more than simple external ones.

 

[jerry]

What companies like Evoc don’t tell you is that there have been fatalities and paralysis even with their back protector bags.
.

Your source?
There have been fatalities with airbags. With helmets. With protectors. With ABS. With Crumple zones. With every protection imaginable. Those being exceptions means protection is doing its job.

 

[xcentric]

I'm not actually suggesting I duct tape it on, but it seems to me it's not far off fitting. Ok, not for mega downhills, but it seems to me that one could engineer a metal clip that bolted to the bottle mounts, and another at the top of the tube (or even make an enclosed tube for it to slide into to protect it some more). Possibly slightly reduced clearance at the bottom bracket, which is of some concern, but for expeditionary cycling long distances rather than bonkers trails, it still might have some merits.....

Front wheel clears it on full compression.

 

[Andy A]

I'm not actually suggesting I duct tape it on, but it seems to me it's not far off fitting. Ok, not for mega downhills, but it seems to me that one could engineer a metal clip that bolted to the bottle mounts, and another at the top of the tube (or even make an enclosed tube for it to slide into to protect it some more). Possibly slightly reduced clearance at the bottom bracket, which is of some concern, but for expeditionary cycling long distances rather than bonkers trails, it still might have some merits.....
View attachment 12968

Front wheel clears it on full compression.

Why don't you just buy the 700wh battery?

 

[xcentric]

ah but this way I can have 1200Wh.....

 

[Andy A]

ah but this way I can have 1200Wh.....

Don't you mean 1000wh as the batteries are 500wh? However you attatch the extra battery on that down tube it will look daft, I am not a fan of the bottle cage range extenders but one of those would look better than strapping a long battery onto the frame!

 

[xcentric]

700Wh + 500Wh = 1200Wh.Would not be doing it for svelte looks, would be doing it to allow me to do long expedition-style trips across mountain ranges.....

 

[Pendo]

I think there is a Emtb Tour group in New Zealand who make a neoprene sleeve that attaches with velcro to the down tube. Saw it on Facebook but can't find it now. Looked like a great product, just wondered though if the wheel might catch when forks fully compressed. Wouldn't use it in a bike park but would be ace for a marathon day out.

 

[Andy A]

Don't you mean 1000wh as the batteries are 500wh?

700Wh + 500Wh = 1200Wh.Would not be doing it for svelte looks, would be doing it to allow me to do long expedition-style trips across mountain ranges.....

Ahh ok I just realised that you must have a 500 and a 700

 

[davarello]

Your source?
There have been fatalities with airbags. With helmets. With protectors. With ABS. With Crumple zones. With every protection imaginable. Those being exceptions means protection is doing its job.

Well said Jerry. If I want to do an 70-80k ride I'll need to take a spare battery, and as I'll be wearing a pack anyway (sleeping bag etc) putting it in is no big deal. Also at 120kg the extra weight isn't going to affect my centre of gravity and the bike's handling too much. No-one is being forced to do this, so each to their own.

 

[xcentric]

I think there is a Emtb Tour group in New Zealand who make a neoprene sleeve that attaches with velcro to the down tube.

Sounds ideal - let me know if you can find it.....

 

[Pendo]

Found it Electric Mountain Bike Tours NZ - try contacting them, saw a photo of it on facebook but I'm an old bugger and can't quite work out how to post it here.

 

[highpeakrider]

I'm not actually suggesting I duct tape it on, but it seems to me it's not far off fitting. Ok, not for mega downhills, but it seems to me that one could engineer a metal clip that bolted to the bottle mounts, and another at the top of the tube (or even make an enclosed tube for it to slide into to protect it some more). Possibly slightly reduced clearance at the bottom bracket, which is of some concern, but for expeditionary cycling long distances rather than bonkers trails, it still might have some merits.....
View attachment 12968

Front wheel clears it on full compression.

I’d just rip that off or destroy it with rocks in the Peak District, complete non starter for me.

 

[R120]

The proper back packs designed to carry a battery, are top bits of kit and I have no worries using mine. The battery is held totally secure, and the back protector is located correctly in relation to your back and the battery. Of course this doesn’t really help with the Specialized as the battery is so long.

 

[thepalerider]

You can get a range extender from a company in Belgium. I think it looks pretty neat and tidy and adds another 50% to your ride. I'm doing 40 miles on my 2018 levo so this would get me closer to 60. ?

 

[StuckintheSpokes]

You can get a range extender from a company in Belgium. I think it looks pretty neat and tidy and adds another 50% to your ride. I'm doing 40 miles on my 2018 levo so this would get me closer to 60. ?

Trail watts is UK based range extender. Trail Watts Booster Battery Systems

 

[atcspaul]

My ass can't take much more then my current battery will deliver lol

 

[yolo_MTB]

My ass can't take much more then my current battery will deliver lol

Sounds like you are using the battery wrong then...

 

[yolo_MTB]

If this thread is still a thing, this guy posted his "hack" and it is brilliant! 2018 TL Second Battery install - EMTB Forums

 

[Jackware]

Good work, restarting a thread from a year and a half ago with a link to a even older thread.

 

[yolo_MTB]

Good work, restarting a thread from a year and a half ago with a link to a even older thread.

It is still relevant so yeah, i do think its good work...