Electric Bicycle Conversion Kits

Questions & Answers about the Pro Drive Kit

How fast will the bicycle go   The U.S. Pro Drive propulsion system has the capability of propelling the bicycle up to 18 mph. (dependent on your weight and the terrain).  One of my dealers has measured the speed of his bike with
the kit installed at 17.3 mph.

Does the battery have a "memory" like my cellular phone   Unlike the Nickel Cadmium batteries found in most computers and cellular phones, the U.S. Pro Drive battery may be partially recharged at any time. Our "Smart Charger" recharges the two 12 volt sealed lead acid batteries without over-charging them. You can leave the charger plugged in whenever the bicycle is not in use.

How long will the batteries last     The U.S. Pro Drive reserves the bottom 20% of the battery to prolong its life. Without this system, a completely drained battery would give only 100 recharges. By using 80% of the battery capacity we increase the number of recharges to 300-400 cycles. If you use half of the available charge, you can get up to 700-800 cycles. As you can see, the battery life is dependent on how often you use it and how deeply you discharge it. Riding 10 miles with normal pedaling 4 to 5 times per week would allow about 2 years of battery life.

How long to recharge the battery pack   The battery can be completely recharged in 4 to 6  hours using a 2 amp output   battery charger.

How far will I go on a charge    With nominal pedaling, the U.S. Pro Drive will travel 20 miles on flat terrain.

Does the bicycle recharge the battery while pedaling or going downhill     No. Our E-Products are
completely friction free, recharging while riding would create friction and unwanted drag. Recharging the battery
while riding can also overcharge and destroy them. Instead, our Direct Drive system allows the rear wheel to spin
freely while riding faster than the motor. No additional drag, just complete assistance

What is the maintenance on the U.S. Pro Drive system     Normal bicycle maintenance is required. The bicycle, battery, motor, and drive system can be washed off and wiped dry while the system is turned off. The electronic controller is sealed inside the motor. Chain adjustment and lubrication is just like that on a normal bicycle.

Can the motor overheat    The motor has a built in heat sensor that automatically shuts down the system before any damage occurs, should the system overheat. When it cools down, the system will restart.

How much weight is added to the bicycle     Approximately 28 lbs. are added to the bike. For transporting
purposes we have designed our batteries to be able to disconnect from the frame by the turn of a key. The
batteries weigh 18 pounds, so you want to remove that weight when lifting your bicycle onto car racks or upstairs.
The weight of a bicycle primarily matters when climbing a hill or when first starting from a stop. Of course, that's
when the US Pro Drive Direct Drive system provides you with the most assistance.

What is the warranty    The U.S. Pro Drive propulsion system is warranted for 12 months. Batteries are pro-rated over a 12-month period. Exclusions (except for manufacturing defects) include chains, tires, and brake pads. See warranty in owner's manual for details.

Is the Electric Assist produced by friction     Absolutely not!  The US Pro Drive is a chain driven Direct Drive
unit. When the motor is not activated and your coasting your bike will freewheel without any additional drag. There
is no friction, no loss of power, just pure electric assistance.

How do they handle up-hill    The US Pro Drive kit has enough torque to take the hills. Simply press the thumb
throttle and the fully integrated, patented Direct Drive system instantly gives you the power to take the hills you
encounter along your ride. No more walking your bike yp the hills again

Is the motor always on      The motor is controlled by a thumb throttle mounted on your handlebars. With your
battery on, the motor is available at anytime during your ride by depressing the throttle with your thumb. The
throttle has a variable speed control, meaning the further down you press the throttle the more power you receive
from the motor. This feature allows you to be in control of your bike. The US Pro Drive kit on your bike allows
you to build your endurance and maintain your target heart rate without over working yourself.

Can you add the Conversion Kit to any bicycle    Our E-Conversion Kit can be adapted to a 32 or 36 spoke
pattern that crosses three times at the hub. Please see the section "Will it fit my bike"
 

Question:
If a person rides a bike to get exercise, doesn't putting a motor on the bike defeat the purpose of riding a bike?

Answer:
Actually, No. The motor kit adds 28 lbs. to the weight of the bike. When you increase the weight of the bike, it's like adding collars on a dumbell: you have to apply more muscle to get the job done. The motor is an assist, which gives you more "range". The bicycle then becomes an alternative form of transportation. No one wants to ride a bike to work, and arrive "all sweaty".

The Currie Conversion Kit solves that problem. AND Most of my aquaintances have always dreamed of being able to ride a motorcycle, but, many are intimidated by the shear power and size of a motorcycle. The electric bike is a safer alternative. "It's a bicycle, not a Harley- Davidson." AND It's a BLAST to ride. If you try it, I can GUARANTEE, you'll be smitten.

Question:
Is there any difference in "power output" between the Hard Case Battery Pack, and the Rack Mount Battery Pack?

Answer:
Yes, the Rack Mount Battery Pack has a pair, (in-line), of 12v/10a batteries, putting out 24v/10a. The Hard Case Battery Pack has a pair, (in-line), of 12v/12a batteries, putting out 24v/12a. In other words, the Hard Case Battery Pack is delivering slightly more power, for a slightly extended period of time.