RANS Fusion E-Bike

RANS Fusion - yes, there is a learning curve!

The test riding on the RANS Fusion E-Bike conversion is progressing. Thus far, I have put 50 miles on the motor.  There is definitely a learning curve on riding a Crank Forward Bicycle. After riding 10 of thousands of miles on a traditional bicycle, specifically a Surly Long Haul Trucker, I though my body was going to be in good shape to ride a crank forward.  

Well I was wrong! 

Prior to doing the E-Bike conversion, I attempted to accustom myself with the RANS Fusion. It had been 20 years since I actually rode one in the parking lot of the RANS factory in Hays, Kansas. But now was my first riding a crank forward bicycle since then.  

I started and quickly was thinking that my balance was totally off.  Starting off was a challenge, just kicking myself along to build up speed to be able to place my foot on the pedals.  The pedaling brought back some long buried muscle memories of riding my Stingray Bike from the early 1960s.  After a few short rides, I started to feel a little more comfortable, but still wondering about doing this conversion.

but after a few short rides I thought the conversion would be worth it.  

The conversion was very straight forward. The typical bottom bracket removable. If you do a conversion on a crank forward, do not forget the speed sensor extension.  The write-up on the conversion is HERE.

With the conversion completed, it was time to put some miles on the RANS E-Fusion! 

After 50 miles on the E-Fusion, things are going fine. I am starting to appreciate the ride, steering & balance of the bicycle. For this bike, the Bafang BBS02 is perfect.  Enough power to navigate hills and keep a nice steady pace of 15 mph with the factory settings.   I have not 'dialed in' the programming yet to fit my riding as I'm still getting use to the bike.  

AND MY MUSCLES 

are still getting use to the bike. After the first 10 mile hilly ride, my legs, arms & shoulders were aching!  Different muscles are used when riding a crank forward bike.  You can feel the work and the power as you pull back on the handlebars and push the pedals when going up hills! 

I'm finding that the throttle is very useful for 'take-offs'. I really do think the ability to simply put your feet down on the ground at a stop is a wonderful safety feature of the bike.  As I'm getting older, I was finding it getting less comfortable with the stops and starts of my Surly Long Haul Trucker.  Reducing fall risks is one of the reasons to use crank forward bicycles.

Next goal, a grocery shopping run to further test out the bicycle. 

I'll post again with a 100 mile update!