The Bionx Bike Hack

Hi everyone, I have a nice little article for you e-commuters out there! Electric bikes are all the craze now here in Canada. Among those brands that are leading the pack, the BionX system is the Cadillac of eBikes. Here’s what they have to say about their product on their website:

BionX intelligent mobility products are the system of choice for many world renowned bicycle manufacturers, when it comes to powering their electric bicycles. In addition, our BionX retrofit kits allow you to convert your current bicycle into an electric one. It installs on almost any bicycle and can drastically improve your commute, training and lifestyle

What’s great about this kit is that it’s easily installed on ANY bike.  Unlike many other electric systems that are designed for a specific bike frame.

I am not an owner of one unfortunately, I opted for a petrol-bike for cost reasons.  However a friend of mine was lucky enough to purchase one.  Needless to say, I am impressed.  It’s quiet, It’s zippy, and just a fun ride.

The BionX system can:

• recharge on breaking
• power assisted pedalling-option
• turn of electicity, and pedal like a normal bike (pop the battery off too!)
• recharge while pedalling.
• everything is computer controlled.

Here in Canada there are some regulations regarding electric bikes.  The Ontario Ministry of Transportation here in Canada has set bikes with the following stipulations:

• it has a total continuous power output rating, measured at the shaft of each motor, of 500 W or less,
• if it is engaged by the use of muscular power, power assistance immediately ceases when the muscular power ceases,
• if it is engaged by the use of an accelerator controller, power assistance immediately ceases when the brakes are applied, and
• it is incapable of providing further assistance when the bicycle attains a speed of 32 km/h on level ground

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/e-bike-faq.shtml

One hot summer’s afternoon, and after a few drinks – we had decided that 33km/h just doesn’t cut it.  After some debate about how the motor was limited at 33km/h.  We couldn’t find any specific component, that would have limited the speed of the motor.  Therefore, the computer/spedometer must be controlling it. After donig some google searches, and a bit of fiddling, we were able to determine that we could very easily have this bike break 33km/h! This softhack will allow e-bikes to go past their limited speed of 33km/h.

1. Hold down the chorono and mode button at the same time
   • hold it until the screen shows four zeros (0000)
2. Change the 4 zeroes to the number 3773
   • use the A and G buttons to change the numbers
   • push the mode button when you are done
3. This will take you to the next configuration screen.
   • 0 = no speed limit (>33km/h)
   • 1 = speed limited (33km/h)

[Via http://theubuntugeek.wordpress.com]