Comments on: Stokemonkey overview http://clevercycles.com/blog Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:15:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Todd (admin) http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-356503 Todd (admin) Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:35:06 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-356503 Micro-update: we've successfully tested a replacement candidate motor that's a little lighter and more efficient, and better sealed. We're at the beginning of a negotiation phase with the supplier to see if we can have the necessary modifications made at a reasonable cost without needing to order thousands. So it's coming along, but not likely to be shipping again for many more months. Micro-update: we’ve successfully tested a replacement candidate motor that’s a little lighter and more efficient, and better sealed. We’re at the beginning of a negotiation phase with the supplier to see if we can have the necessary modifications made at a reasonable cost without needing to order thousands. So it’s coming along, but not likely to be shipping again for many more months.

]]> By: Sean http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-356476 Sean Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:06:33 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-356476 Bummer! I've been lusting after a StokeMonkey since I bought my Big Dummy in 2007. I hope the supply chain issues are resolved soon as I'm selling my second car this week and really don't want to use a hub based motor. Bummer! I’ve been lusting after a StokeMonkey since I bought my Big Dummy in 2007. I hope the supply chain issues are resolved soon as I’m selling my second car this week and really don’t want to use a hub based motor.

]]> By: Cody Myers http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-356062 Cody Myers Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:46:16 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-356062 I've been using the Stokemonkey/Nuvinci N360 combo for about 3 and a half months now with like 1200 miles under its belt thus far. I also tried it with my old 3x9 derailleur setup for a time and...it's like night and day, really. I really wasn't crazy about the Nuvinci before electrifying my big dummy for some reason. I sorta longed for derailleurs actually! Upon pairing it with the Stokemonkey though I feel like the 2 are made for one and other. It's just smoother. It's got synergy. Haha, I dunno how else to describe it. Fallbrook tech now makes a new IGH called the Nuvinci harmony or something, that automatically shifts and is supposed to pair well with e-assist bikes or something but I'll never know if it's worth the leap because the N360 works so well. So far so good! In spite of the hub motor taking a dirt nap once early on (you guys replaced it suuuuuper quick. Thanks Jeremy Scholz!) I still think every other day or 3 that I'm glad you guys made such an excellent product available. Hope the supply chain issues clear up and more peeps out there can get stoked. I'm constantly getting grilled by random peoples on what the red spinny thing on my big weird gaijin bike is and it's totally convinced at least a few people I've met over here in Japan to take a sip of the cargo bike koolaid. I’ve been using the Stokemonkey/Nuvinci N360 combo for about 3 and a half months now with like 1200 miles under its belt thus far. I also tried it with my old 3×9 derailleur setup for a time and…it’s like night and day, really.

I really wasn’t crazy about the Nuvinci before electrifying my big dummy for some reason. I sorta longed for derailleurs actually! Upon pairing it with the Stokemonkey though I feel like the 2 are made for one and other. It’s just smoother. It’s got synergy. Haha, I dunno how else to describe it.

Fallbrook tech now makes a new IGH called the Nuvinci harmony or something, that automatically shifts and is supposed to pair well with e-assist bikes or something but I’ll never know if it’s worth the leap because the N360 works so well. So far so good!

In spite of the hub motor taking a dirt nap once early on (you guys replaced it suuuuuper quick. Thanks Jeremy Scholz!) I still think every other day or 3 that I’m glad you guys made such an excellent product available. Hope the supply chain issues clear up and more peeps out there can get stoked. I’m constantly getting grilled by random peoples on what the red spinny thing on my big weird gaijin bike is and it’s totally convinced at least a few people I’ve met over here in Japan to take a sip of the cargo bike koolaid.

]]> By: Todd (admin) http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-351482 Todd (admin) Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:31:19 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-351482 It works well; in fact this is one of the better drivetrains to stoke. The Xtracycle conversion is more labor-intensive than most, but entirely do-able. We cut the chaincases short. It works well; in fact this is one of the better drivetrains to stoke. The Xtracycle conversion is more labor-intensive than most, but entirely do-able. We cut the chaincases short.

]]> By: Kristy Westendorp http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-351481 Kristy Westendorp Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:22:45 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-351481 Anyone know if having a Nuvinci hub on my bike makes it a no-go to stoke? I have the Breezer Infinity and want to xtracycle it but I'm thinking that the hub might make it difficult to add electric assist. Thoughts? Anyone know if having a Nuvinci hub on my bike makes it a no-go to stoke? I have the Breezer Infinity and want to xtracycle it but I’m thinking that the hub might make it difficult to add electric assist. Thoughts?

]]> By: Richard Cress http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-351046 Richard Cress Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:47:37 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-351046 I’ve used a Big Dummy/Stokemonkey since the Spring of 2010 for commuting between several offices in Metropolitan Washington D.C. I started commuting with the Big Dummy as a test – to see to what extent a cargo bike could replace my car. My mileage is at my personal limit for bicycle commuting, ranging from 50 to 100 miles per day, about 300 miles per week. I use the cargo capacity of the Big Dummy to do what a road bike can’t do; I take about 40 lbs of luggage over-and-above the weight of batteries. My Big Dummy build includes a Rohloff hub and ‘battery bank’ arrangement that provides 1.0 to 1.7 KWH, configured each day to fit the need. Dinotte LED lights are fitted front and rear, powered through a step-down converter. The bike has traveled more than 10,000 miles since last year and my initial question – Can the Big Dummy/Stokemonkey substitute for a car? – was answered many miles ago. I don’t know how many tens-of-thousands of miles the major components will last but, clearly, the Big Dummy/Stokemonkey is a viable choice for transportation. Richard Cress I’ve used a Big Dummy/Stokemonkey since the Spring of 2010 for commuting between several offices in Metropolitan Washington D.C. I started commuting with the Big Dummy as a test – to see to what extent a cargo bike could replace my car. My mileage is at my personal limit for bicycle commuting, ranging from 50 to 100 miles per day, about 300 miles per week. I use the cargo capacity of the Big Dummy to do what a road bike can’t do; I take about 40 lbs of luggage over-and-above the weight of batteries.
My Big Dummy build includes a Rohloff hub and ‘battery bank’ arrangement that provides 1.0 to 1.7 KWH, configured each day to fit the need. Dinotte LED lights are fitted front and rear, powered through a step-down converter.
The bike has traveled more than 10,000 miles since last year and my initial question – Can the Big Dummy/Stokemonkey substitute for a car? – was answered many miles ago. I don’t know how many tens-of-thousands of miles the major components will last but, clearly, the Big Dummy/Stokemonkey is a viable choice for transportation.

Richard Cress

]]> By: Ken Wetherell http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-349306 Ken Wetherell Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:21:27 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-349306 Update: Last October, Clever Cycles built for me a Surly Long Haul Trucker with Stokemonkey with 10Ah LiFePo battery from E-BikeKit. We switched out the stock front fork with one that would accommodate disk brakes. I just passed the 2,000 mile mark on my super-commuter last week. I typically commute twice each week to work, 21 miles each way. I have a shower to use at work, so I make a sprint of it. While I can make the trip easily on a single charge, I typically charge the battery while I'm at work. My average speed is about 18 MPH (I track everything in a log book, but haven't tallied it all up). Stokemonkey makes this rather longish commute with 20-30 lbs of gear a practical trip. There are several sustained moderate to steep hills and this is where Stokemonkey makes a huge difference. I can even make it up my super steep hill at the end (so steep, I used to walk it when I commuted a shorter distance on my mountain bike). With the weights I'm carrying, mine is best described as a speed-commute. However, having the extra capacity is great and there have been times when I've brought home much more than my laptop, clothes and lunch containers (The NRS Access Duffel is an excellent, huge all weather bag for placement atop the Xtracycle deck). I have also completely eliminated the half-way lightrail ride, which saves me additional time and a little more money. My love for this system continues to grow. :) Update: Last October, Clever Cycles built for me a Surly Long Haul Trucker with Stokemonkey with 10Ah LiFePo battery from E-BikeKit. We switched out the stock front fork with one that would accommodate disk brakes. I just passed the 2,000 mile mark on my super-commuter last week. I typically commute twice each week to work, 21 miles each way. I have a shower to use at work, so I make a sprint of it. While I can make the trip easily on a single charge, I typically charge the battery while I’m at work. My average speed is about 18 MPH (I track everything in a log book, but haven’t tallied it all up). Stokemonkey makes this rather longish commute with 20-30 lbs of gear a practical trip. There are several sustained moderate to steep hills and this is where Stokemonkey makes a huge difference. I can even make it up my super steep hill at the end (so steep, I used to walk it when I commuted a shorter distance on my mountain bike). With the weights I’m carrying, mine is best described as a speed-commute. However, having the extra capacity is great and there have been times when I’ve brought home much more than my laptop, clothes and lunch containers (The NRS Access Duffel is an excellent, huge all weather bag for placement atop the Xtracycle deck). I have also completely eliminated the half-way lightrail ride, which saves me additional time and a little more money.

My love for this system continues to grow. :)

]]> By: Metrofiets http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-342456 Metrofiets Fri, 22 Oct 2010 07:21:31 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-342456 Stokemonkey is, by far, the best product we have tested and shipped for our cargo bikes. See what it has done for one of our clients in Vermont - One Revolution http://www.flickr.com/photos/31530356@N08/5104424154/ Stokemonkey is, by far, the best product we have tested and shipped for our cargo bikes.

See what it has done for one of our clients in Vermont – One Revolution

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31530356@N08/5104424154/

]]> By: Ken Wetherell http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-342393 Ken Wetherell Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:56:24 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-342393 When one of my business partners, Jenn, began riding my personal ride (a Stoked Xtracycle-enhanced Bianchi Milano) as one of our company's delivery bicycles, she fell in love with it and asked me to sell it to the business. I did. It has now served ably in full-time commercial operations. And now, I long for another Stokemonkey setup and will likely and imminently purchase another for my longhaul commuter. I'm strongly leaning toward the Surly Cross Check + Xtracycle Freeradical + Stokemonkey. Hold me back. This is what I tell almost anyone who asks me, "What's that red thing?": Stokemonkey is a beautiful system. The Stokemonkey kit is highly functional (i.e. it just works, doesn't fail, hauls A$$, hauls weight, hauls long distances), is simple, bullet proof and nearly maintenance-free (the shop replaced the freewheel on the motor when it started making noise -- under $30). Its riding virtues I like the most are: efficient, through-the-drivetrain operation resulting in low energy consumption, smooth to operate, wonderfully quiet. And while some don't care and others may want a two way freewheel, I love that Stokemonkey is an electric assist system -- meaning there is no free ride. It is a bike after all. When one of my business partners, Jenn, began riding my personal ride (a Stoked Xtracycle-enhanced Bianchi Milano) as one of our company’s delivery bicycles, she fell in love with it and asked me to sell it to the business. I did. It has now served ably in full-time commercial operations. And now, I long for another Stokemonkey setup and will likely and imminently purchase another for my longhaul commuter. I’m strongly leaning toward the Surly Cross Check + Xtracycle Freeradical + Stokemonkey. Hold me back.

This is what I tell almost anyone who asks me, “What’s that red thing?”: Stokemonkey is a beautiful system.

The Stokemonkey kit is highly functional (i.e. it just works, doesn’t fail, hauls A$$, hauls weight, hauls long distances), is simple, bullet proof and nearly maintenance-free (the shop replaced the freewheel on the motor when it started making noise — under $30). Its riding virtues I like the most are: efficient, through-the-drivetrain operation resulting in low energy consumption, smooth to operate, wonderfully quiet. And while some don’t care and others may want a two way freewheel, I love that Stokemonkey is an electric assist system — meaning there is no free ride. It is a bike after all.

]]> By: More News from the Cargo Bike World | PHEW! – Philly Electric Wheels http://clevercycles.com/blog/products/stokemonkey/comment-page-1/#comment-342298 More News from the Cargo Bike World | PHEW! – Philly Electric Wheels Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:54:08 +0000 http://clevercycles.com/?page_id=1709#comment-342298 [...] interesting option is the StokeMonkey kit, which uses a motor that drives a second chainring on the cranks, much in the same way that a [...] [...] interesting option is the StokeMonkey kit, which uses a motor that drives a second chainring on the cranks, much in the same way that a [...]

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