Mastodawn

Q5. Is it possible/how hard is it to add regenerative braking to an existing store bought ebike? Are there any ways make regenerative braking work with a mid drive motor?

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite

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Uire Jun 13

@ascentale @wesley @bikenite

As @voiceofunreason mentions, Grin is a great resource for info about regen braking for bikes. Justin has made me a believer! Here's a link to their page specifically addressing this (and with a persuasive YouTube video about it): https://ebikes.ca/resources/learn/regen.html

But, to more directly answer the original question (and as others have mentioned), adding regen to an existing, 'factory' ebike is probably impossible, or close to it. Watch the video to learn more.

Regen - Learn - Resources

Use the power of your motor to brake and capture the energy to put back into your battery pack. An in-depth look at regenerative braking and how to activate it on your e-bike.

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Nate Jun 13

@uire @ascentale @wesley @bikenite not possible in all cases, but not impossible in many cases

https://youtu.be/KDuZFQy_Q-I?is=BXlfjgQ5KhopdMFP

How to get REGEN braking from your geared hub motor. Lock that clutch!

YouTube

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Mark Chick Jun 13

@voiceofunreason @uire @ascentale @wesley @bikenite It seems some are already doing regenerative braking. Spotted this in the current Cycling UK magazine, shortly after seeing the BikeNite question.

#BikeNite #Cycling

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Megan Lynch (she/her)Jun 13

@DurableAce @wesley @bikenite The chainless systems have been talked up a lot the last two Spezis. I didn't get a chance to try one out, though.

If it does regen, that's great. I think it's huge that it can do reverse. #BikeNite #Recumbent

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😀🚲Jun 13

@meganL @DurableAce @wesley #BikeNite A5 any hub that can regen brake can do electric reverse, but you'll have to let the pedals turn backwards with it unless there is some way to uncouple the chain/clutch. Serial generator+motor discards 20% of your pedal energy and 100% of your crank torque. With a large enough hub motor and battery, that might work okay (though likely outside of what is legally an e-bike is most jurisdictions) but then pedaling is just amusement/exercise. If flat ground, 🤷

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😀🚲

@meganL @DurableAce @wesley #BikeNite A5 and if you're going to carry two motors to use one as a generator, #regenBraking -capable hub plus a crank drive with chain and cassette gives you everything the serial system would except for decoupling the pedals in reverse. IMO, a fair trade for the efficiency, resilience, and ability to climb steep hills.