A hybrid bike

My hybrid bike: the X-treme XB-310Li 

I have been looking at other types of battery-powered transportation ever since we bought our Highlander4WD hybrid about 5 years ago.  Initially I looked at motorbikes and scooters while they transitioned from lead acid to Li-ion batteries.  At the upper end, such bikes can go for as much as 10K, often US- or Japanese- made, and at the other end the Chinese manufacturers have the market.  I had specifically been looking at motorbikes from a manufacturing group called X-treme, but after a recent visit to Holland I decided that powered bicycles ("e-bike") deserved another look. Much like their fully motorized counterparts, e-bikes come in many flavors, and, as many early-adopter toys, can be finicky.  However, given the potential for engine-related fails, an e-bike has the advantage that one can pedal on without engine help, while motorbikes leave you stranded.  So, I made the plunge after a little more internet research (incl Amazon.com) with an X-treme bike that has a 24V Li-ion battery offering pedal-assist (so, tailwind or downhill both ways) or can be propelled with a mere handtwist. Reading the user comments and experiences on several forums, battery-powered bicycles and motorbikes can be as much a hobby as a transportation means, but, when working, they do deliver as promised.  The aluminum, 7-gear X-treme I selected seemed to have similar performance to others, but is more moderately priced (I paid $699, incl shipping at FarBike).

My ~52lbs X-treme bike shipped by UPS and arrived in parts (shown below) and after, mostly instructionless, installation, proved complete.  No parts were missing (I think), nor left over!  The enclosed manual is sparse and demands user interpretation, with several key items never even mentioned, yet critical to the final construction (like somehow inserting the rear suspension module). For added convenience I bought the folding model, which works fine and the construction seems sturdy (with lock clip).  The controller and battery are in a lockbox (Al Gore style) under the saddle, limiting the ability to lower the saddle to a person more than ~5'10" in height (or with long legs).  This configuration also requires a race-like forward riding mode that is less comfortable than I want (see my modification below).

After bike assembly, the battery and charger both worked, and after 3 hours the laptop-like charger indicated that the bike's battery was juiced (a green light showed).  The indicator on the battery itself suggested it was full on delivery, or simply indicates that it works.  Other than inserting the battery pack in its slot and turning a key, the power train requires no installation.  A quick test ride and I learned that power is delivered immediate and without gradation.  Pedal-assist means that after one turn suddenly something seems to be pushing you, just like a permanent tailwind.  Alternatively, the handtwist offers power without any pedaling and is likewise all or nothing (only delayed by inertia).

After my first trip to work and back, it was clear that several cheap parts (below) were used, as was mentioned in online forums too.  Several bolts needed tightening too.

  

So, I bought new handle bars that offer palm support, a new saddle that has strategic padding (and bolts that tighten) and an adjustable handlebar stem.  The latter allows me to raise the handlebar, so that a more upright posture creates less strain on the hands and wrists.  The new grips were slightly longer than stock (and different length for left and right to fit the handtwist), but easily fitted by moving breaks and such with the include (cheap) toolset.  I spent about $60 on these items and now the bike is a lot more comfortable.  My final configuration is below.

I bike about 5mi each way to/from work and notice no loss of battery power.  The manufacturer advises against draining the battery, so I fully recharge it when I get home.  Meanwhile, the tailwind sensation is addictive and makes the distance seem half.  Uphill is also much easier and on level parts one can just cruise using the handtwist.   Perhaps less of a workout than before, but also less excuse to take the car.  Once they become more available and visible, I believe that e-bikes have a clear future and could put many more people on bikes, greatly reducing the carbon footprint and offering much-needed exercise.  The energy required to charge the battery is similar to a lighting bulb (~60W), so inexpensive to charge.  We'll see about reliability in the next few weeks to months, which I will include as a follow-on update. 

UPDATE, 4 September 2013.

I made two additional modifications to my bike.  I wanted a more upright posture than originally possible, so added a new, lightweight 5" handlebar (picture).  Make sure to order 31.8mm diameter at stem, which is thicker than standard ends.

With the new handlebar+adjustable stem, there is optimal flexibility with height and lean-in for taller folks.  Also, the controller rattles in its plastic case, which cannot be good for the electronics and is annoying on bumpy roads (= all roads in my town).  So, I added some padding to the inside of the case, using heavy-duty frame insulation tape, which fixed this issue.

I have been using the bike ~3x per week, 10mi each; I recharge every night (with a timer).  So far, I have had no problems, and the bike is performing as new.  Remember that this is a bicycle with paddle-assist, which makes the ride lighter.  It is not a motorbike, and throttle operation only works well on flat and downward surfaces; it is poor on any upward slope.  In my hilly (and bumpy) town, paddle-assist makes the difference.  The occasional sideways glance from other bikers is amusing, especially when I comfortably coast past them. 

UPDATE (Fall 2014).  Rattling battery pack fixed by inserting a foam base in box and tightening some screws.  The rear tire developed warp as a result of (unidentified) broken spokes, noticeably affecting ride.  Installing two new spokes from local bike shop (custom length, $1 each) took only moderate effort. I discovered this problem late, so hard to get rim warp out.  Otherwise, bike is working as before and just readied for Spring use.

UPDATE (Spring/Summer 2015).  DISASTER!  More spokes snapped and it turns out that spoke holes are too large for standard gauge replacements.  Need to respoke with washers at considerable repair shop and parts cost.  (After repair) Respoked rear wheel working just fine.  Earlier vibration from uneven spoke tension is gone and, of course, warp from formerly broken spokes is gone too.  Some bolts have loosened and the battery box is back to rattling.  The foam probably did not survive a cold winter in storage.  All easy fixes.  Charging/discharging unchanged from last year, with no loss of power. 

Ben@NSF: A professor’s experience in the real world ..... of DC.

In early winter 2011, then Geosciences Assistant Director Tim Killeen approached me with the suggestion to spend some time at the National Science Foundation working on cross-directorate program activities.  A late March dinner with Tim and Deputy AD Marge Cavanaugh finalized the arrangements and I started my one year stint in August 2011.  I found a (pricy) 1B apartment in Arlington at stone’s throw from NSF, allowing easy transportation to work and to Reagan National Airport.  Living on the 15th floor, my vertical commute was about as much as my horizontal commute to work.  My IPA assignment was in the GEO directorate’s front office, focusing on the foundation’s evolving Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES) portfolio that was initiated and led by Killeen, and related activities.  I also had a role as program officer in one of the SEES programs, SEES Fellows, which focuses on workforce development by supporting young scientists to enter the sustainability research area with a multi-year grant.  Cross-directorate activities at NSF are much like interdisciplinary teaching and research at universities.  Everybody talks about it in a positive manner, but execution is complicated by siloed organizational structures.  Nevertheless, the commitments among the directorate ADs and NSF leadership (Suresh and Marrett) ensured that significant progress could be made in the development of this investment area.  When I write this, 16 programs fall under the NSF’s SEES portfolio, five of which were finalized when I was there and have recently been posted on the NSF website (www.nsf.gov/sees ). 

What is sustainability science?  Discussing the term alone can fill several pages, but we define it as:

In a sustainable world, human needs would be met without chronic harm to the environment and without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Meeting the grand challenge of sustainability requires multi-faceted approaches, with research and education at the nexus of societal needs and behavior, environmental impacts and economic demands.  NSF supports this through interdisciplinary, use-inspired research and education programs that reflect the foundation’s unique role for the nation.  Three goals guide the portfolio’s development: (1) Building the knowledge base by supporting interdisciplinary research and education that facilitates the move toward global sustainability; (2) Growing the workforce of the future, by supporting the development of a workforce trained in interdisciplinary scholarship needed to understand and address the complex issues of sustainability; and (3) Forging critical partnerships, by building linkages among projects and partners, and add new participants in the sustainability research enterprise, including industry and policymakers. 

Given the above description, it is clear that the SEES portfolio takes a broad approach, which can group in the following themes :

• Natural Environment - Understanding of the natural and living environment, particularly coupled human and biophysical effects on climate systems, hydrologic  systems, geologic systems, and ecosystems.
• Human Environment - Focusing, across the full spectrum from individuals to societies, on social, behavioral and economic aspects of environmental sustainability.  Such research also seeks to understand how scientific discovery and its development results in societal adaptation and resilience.
• Built Environment - Examining the interaction between technological and constructed systems, such as urban areas, electric grids, cyberinfrastructure, transportation networks, energy resources, materials, and extreme events, in the context of environmental sustainability.  

You will find more information on the programs and its goals on the SEES website and in a piece I wrote with Tim and Marge for AGU's Eos in early 2012 (http://goo.gl/9ou0C)

One year at an organization as diverse and complex as the NSF does not allow a full assessment of the enterprise, but I came away impressed with the pervasive commitment to the research and education communities.  Leadership, program officers and support staff all share the mission of NSF and are very concerned about the well-being of their respective constituencies.  By interacting with leadership and program officers in many directorates, I saw different perspectives and heard alternative opinions, which was most refreshing.  Besides the satisfaction of working on an important activity for human society, I also returned intellectually invigorated, and have just started a new First-Year Seminar that deals with sustainability issues (Earth159).  NSF is a welcoming place for “rotators”, encouraging new perspectives and supporting one’s personal development, while maintaining focus on the mission of the organization.  The personal separation, with my wife Lies staying in Ann Arbor for her work, and resulting commutes between DCA and DTW, were probably the least attractive part of the arrangement for me.  TSA officers at Reagan soon recognized me as I regularly went through the Delta security line (perhaps my tong twisting lastname helped their memory).  I encourage active scientists to consider a rotation at NSF, because such involvements bring community experiences and perspectives directly to the table.  From my own perspective, it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the activities that were started and newly proposed for future years during my stay, within a political climate that has an uneven view of science, and sustainability science in particular. 

(from UM's Dept of E&ES Fall Newsletter 2012)

A troubling footnote (Dec 2014)

The NSF takes security and conflicts very serious and does so in a heavy-handed manner.  Interviews and conflicts are handled without much recourse.  Then, my personal information was stolen from "secure" government servers, which includes extensive health, financial, family and friend records, and physical attributes (like images and fingerprints).  A form letter and some financial tracking promises are offered in response to this breach of trust.  Given their many protocols and procedures, one should expect that a government organization likewise prioritizes personal care and respect.

Planet under Pressure: Planetary Stewardship (Day 4; final day)

Planet under Pressure: Planetary Stewardship
Several high-ranking people gave presentations on the final day.  A UNESCO director, a British minister (the political kind) and several leads from major groups, including a passionate Johan Rockstrom on the new "Future Earth" initiative.  They all said the right words about need for change; none were sure about actions toward change.  In contrast, an outstanding presentation by Berkeley prof Richard Norgaard got to the point.  Until we change our current economic value system, no change is likely, if even possible.  There is need for a moral path that is rooted in international trust.  Neither is there now, but this is the likely way forward.  Equity, not efficiency should guide the new economic system.  And, the desire for market-based win-win solutions is fundamentally flawed,  There is no win for everybody; instead, we need to back up a little and want less.  Incentives by our governments should be toward the economic system we want, not building on the past.  I would love to hear a long lecture from this guy, including a bit more on the hard theory he alluded to.
The stewardship panel was 80% female this time (well-balanced, according to one panelists), which solicited a tweeted question about the value of a matriarchal system v today's patriarchal structure.  Are women better in governing?  None of the panelists went as far as supporting that contention ... in public.
The conference ended with a PuP declaration that can be found here: http://www.planetunderpressure2012.net/.
Again, the right words and certainly the right spirit.  Unfortunately all this gives me little hope for any progress at the Rio+20 summit later this year.  The key politicians have not even decided to attend (like UK, USA, China), so agreements would have limited impact.
This type of conference, which is unusual for me, offered a great experience.  It reminds me of op-ed pieces in newspapers that have powerful words, but do not require accountability from the writers.  It also reminds me of the classes my colleagues and I give.  Similarly, professors are not held accountable for change.
No grand conclusion, although pathways are crystallizing in my head.  As such, the PuP conference provided lots of excellent stuff to engage my future classes, which are stocked by the young folks who will demand action and may be willing to accept change for themselves.  Clearly, continued (economic) growth is not the answer.  Equity and human behavior are directions toward solutions.
Saturday, March 31, 2012.

Planet under Pressure: Challenges to Progress (day 3)

Planet under Pressure: Challenges to Progress.
Awoken by the hotel fire alarm (picture), I missed the first two presentations while standing outside in "casual wear". No fire and not the nicest way to get up. However, I made the presentation by Laurence Tabiana, who offered a levelheaded assessment of global governance.  She nicely situated the failed Copenhagen conference as the end of old world thinking, and expecting little future progress in international collaboration. We are in a stage of state-based thinking, which limits the willingness for international cooperation.
The panel echoed this and also emphasized that we remain in a world that measures national progress by GDP. New measures are needed that include natural capital. Also, a new thinking about values is needed to convince citizenry of our place on this planet.  Is a catastrophe needed to jolt us into action, much like the Great Depression and World War II?  Hope it does not have to come to this.
A break-out on green economies proved disappointing, ins pite of moderator Nisha Pillai efforts.  High-level folks (including Aussie minister, OECD rep, WTO rep, etc) gave mostly platitudes.  The Aussie politicians did offer a very astute observation that  consumers do not drive all decisions.  We often do not know what the upstream connections are (for example, where did the electricity come from in food production, or the source of battery parts in our Prius).  A second break-out on hazards showed the UK's attempt at integrating all its agencies into one alert system.  I asked about upscaling to larger, less homogeneous societies, and cheekily added less rule-obeying people than the Brits.  Won't be easy, especially in developing economies, where government agencies compete instead of collaborate (say, Brazil).  I am developing my own view of environmental risk assessment, which revolves around an individual's willingness to accept risk.  Give the info and any alerts, but let citizens decide on tolerable risk (perhaps with their insurance companies).
Final day tomorrow is on planetary stewardship and run up to Rio+20 (named after the 1992 Rio conference, 20y later).  I doubt that Rio+20 will achieve much, based on what I've learned here, and limited apatite for agreements among developed nations.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012.