Looking for McGyver

[IrishAyes]

No, really.... I have a pressing personal problem for which there might or might not be a viable solution. Since I'm only 5' tall, my bike's wheels are 24" - otherwise I can't touch the ground with my feet on both sides at once. You don't want to know how many times I wrecked a 26" bike. Well, if you do want to know, I'm not telling. Can't count that high. And I don't trust cable brakes so mine are coaster.

Also with the passage of time, I'm less able to deal with the hills around here, I need some kind of AFFORDABLE pedal assist. I've spent hours hunting a suitable rig online and have finally decided to admit defeat.

So any bike enthusiasts and/or engineer types out there who can help me solve this, I'd appreciate the help.

[TexasTowelie]

1. There are kits for 48 cc engines available online and tutorial videos on YouTube.

The kits cost about $250 and can be installed at home by a person with a modest amount of mechanical inclination or you can see what a bike shop will do but you will have to pay for the labor (ask around-it ranges from $200 to $500 usually). Since the engine is less than 50 cc the rider isn't required to have a drivers license. Generally the top speed on level ground is about 30 mph. Good luck!

[IrishAyes]

7. Thanks - I'll look into those kits. The smallest would do for an old lady

who gets the vapors over 10-15 mph on a bike! My Harley days are gone with the wind.

[pumpkin_lifter]

5. Is the bike set up properly?

Is the bike setup properly? Where you have to step up into the saddle and step down / get off the saddle to reach the ground.
You shouldn't be able to reach the ground with both feet flat while in the saddle of a bike, otherwise you're losing something like 35% of effort.

I would not go for gas because it's horrible for the environment, especially being a two stroke.

I'd look around for one of these. That'd be your best bet.

Otherwise, here's a nice DIY how to, but be sure you don't goof on playing electrical engineer, because blowing up batteries is never fun. Not that I wouldn't know. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Electric-Bike-Conversion/?ALLSTEPS

[IrishAyes]

6. Thanks for all the goodies.

Don't worry, I'm not about to mess with batteries on my own. I get in enough trouble just making coffee!

I appreciate what you say about proper bike setup. The only thing working against efficiency is my tendency to crash on a 26" bike. That pretty much stopped when I switched to a 24" because for safety's sake at my age I do need to be able to put both feet flat on the ground when I stop. The 26" was fun and easier to ride, true; but I gave it up after the 3rd mishap when braking.

While I certainly adore the Striker kit, if I had that kind of $ I'd be saving up for an Elf.

Not easy on the low-income side of life, is it? But then if I'd retired with all kinds of $, I'd still be on a ranch with a straight-line Egyptian Arabian carriage horse. I understand animals but am virtually ignorant about machines.