New Veteran "Abrams" 22-inch Wheel

[InfiniteWheelie]

After putting thousands of km on my first wheel (Sherman), I think I may be done with EUCs until safety and quality is taken seriously. Luckily I bought one of the most robust wheels and never had a serious failure, thanks in part to an abundance of caution. Yet every time I get on the wheel, I have a nagging worry about cutouts, whether they be my fault or not.

I think we need redundant controllers, backup resistive braking, backup capacitors for overpower/cutouts, native PWM access through apps, much louder beepers, and much higher quality control to ensure cutouts never happen. These things are all possible to implement, and hopefully in a few years some tesla-like company decides to create a truly safe wheel.

I know it's slightly off topic, but this thread is reminding me of the constant problems wheels are still facing.  

Edited June 8, 2022 by InfiniteWheelie

[Freeforester]

1 hour ago, InfiniteWheelie said:

After putting thousands of km on my first wheel (Sherman), I think I may be done with EUCs until safety and quality is taken seriously. Luckily I bought one of the most robust wheels and never had a serious failure, thanks in part to an abundance of caution. Yet every time I get on the wheel, I have a nagging worry about cutouts, whether they be my fault or not.

I think we need redundant controllers, backup resistive braking, backup capacitors for overpower/cutouts, native PWM access through apps, much louder beepers, and much higher quality control to ensure cutouts never happen. These things are all possible to implement, and hopefully in a few years some tesla-like company decides to create a truly safe wheel.

I know it's slightly off topic, but this thread is reminding me of the constant problems wheels are still facing.  

I am sure you aren’t the only person who harbours nagging doubts as to the ‘current’ 🤔 safety levels of our chosen wheel/s, however I don’t think one can ever truly expect to declare a wheel to be ‘safe - the “safe” EUC has stabilisers and probably a speed limiter fitted’; in France there is a saying, ‘It is the fate of the glass to break’, and I think this pretty much sums up the inherent risk associated with riding EUC’s, in that sooner or later one may reasonably expect to be let down, for myriad reasons, an nor all totally related to build quality, eg a dynamic puncture? Or a Bumble bee in the face?

All cars, no matter how ‘reliable’ a runner they generally tend to be, have inbuilt potential for a breakdown to happen, it’s just that in our chosen sport/pastime that the consequences of such a failure for the well-being of EUC riders can be rather more significant/injurious. Best we can do is ‘respect the beeps’, ride within what one considers one’s own acceptable safety envelope of speed and always wear appropriate protection, or give up while the going is still good and get the Tee shirt.     Sure, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, but we have the choice - to choose what, where and when to mount and go ride now, or rather wait - until our own, individual personal specifications for safe riding are met, or simply acknowledge the gap between what we would ideally wish to see and the reality of the present, and either proceed with suitable caution or simply move on to other things.      We make our own bed, and must lie in it, aware of the risks. As ever, Ignorance may be bliss, but it is certainly better to be aware of the risks as we are, and do one’s best to address or mitigate same as far as one can.
 

What is not in much doubt is that in spite of earnest endeavour by some manufacturers (and perhaps less by others), we are still some way from realising the ‘truly safe’ EUC.

Edited June 8, 2022 by Freeforester

[That Guy]

13 hours ago, InfiniteWheelie said:

...we need redundant...

Well, it is a new hobby and still very early years of product development. The term "redundancy" is relative to the perceived limits the rider decides to explore. I am sure if you stick with 20mph max and not riding below 50-60% of the battery the risk is very low on most wheels. (But will you?...) ;-)

Edited June 8, 2022 by That Guy

[Silver]

Hadn't really got a chance to test out the new firm ware much but I went for a short ride today to the office to check on something. And as soon as I went to leave I got a hall sensors error and crashed jumping off a curb. Now it won't move with giving me an error

[JoeBean]

36 minutes ago, Silver said:

Hadn't really got a chance to test out the new firm ware much but I went for a short ride today to the office to check on something. And as soon as I went to leave I got a hall sensors error and crashed jumping off a curb. Now it won't move with giving me an error

This feels like playing russian roulette.

I have taken big bumps at 65 km/h and it has not flinched once.

I won't be updating just yet. Full gear everytime. My asshole does puckers up when a car come up behind. 

 

[alex5454]

Hi guys, here it seems that all the abrams are defective mine has 490 KM of which 60 KM made with the latest firmware are few to have a test but it is my feedback and for now everything is fine ...

I wrote several times Linnea / Leaperkim does not answer anything to do ...

I think I will go to other brands for the next purchases they are not serious

[Silver]

17 hours ago, JoeBean said:

I have taken big bumps at 65 km/h and it has not flinched once.

I had hit bumps going at high speeds too and never had a problem. I even hit speed bumps going at 55 km/h several times and never had a problem. I was sure mine had proved itself But out of nowhere it died after dropping down a small curb at low speed.

[Ronin]

7 hours ago, Silver said:

I had hit bumps going at high speeds too and never had a problem. I even hit speed bumps going at 55 km/h several times and never had a problem. I was sure mine had proved itself But out of nowhere it died after dropping down a small curb at low speed.

Was this with the latest firmware?

[Silver]

22 minutes ago, Ronin Ryder said:

Was this with the latest firmware?

Yeah, this was my second or third ride with the new firmware and the first ride was just around the parking lot at my apartment

[Mordraug]

On 6/12/2022 at 4:48 PM, Silver said:

I had hit bumps going at high speeds too and never had a problem. I even hit speed bumps going at 55 km/h several times and never had a problem. I was sure mine had proved itself But out of nowhere it died after dropping down a small curb at low speed.

This does not sound like the typical Abrams problem, perhaps this curb hit just right (or you know, the straw that broke the camels back) to dislodge/break hal sensor? No way to tell without taking the motor apart i guess.

[Mordraug]

On 6/6/2022 at 8:19 PM, Dan Hillary said:

I've been on the new firmware for about 200 miles and had another incident. I'm convinced the issue is hardware and the firmware is a bandaid; I would have face planted without it, but the firmware probably saved me as the wheel re-engaged after deadfalling 20 degrees forward and with a ratchety groan re-righted itself with me still holding onto the handle and mounted on the pedals.

I'll get the dashcam video, audio and logs after I get home later today to post.

The incident was at about 12mph over a rooty, bumpy section of a blacktop bikepath.

More to come. 🙄

Had the exact same thing happen to me in almost identical conditions, going downhill over loose bumpy gravel road. I was going a bit slower I guess, more like 10-15kph. Wheel let me fall a bit forward and lifted me back up with a terrible noise.

[alex5454]

Hi guys, another firmware abrams 2.0.15

1. Fixed some known bugs.

2. Chance of shocks / vibrations during motion decreased

3. Nothing

and the wheel is not looking for problems, are they trying to fix something with firmware? ridiculous.

Edited June 18, 2022 by alex5454

[RetroThruster]

Was feeling confident yesterday and took the Abrams out for a ride around the yard, 50% battery not being abusive but not dodging the divots in my yard like I usually do, hard lean and hard braking (for me) and nothing, original firmware and 210 lbs.  I'm just gonna gear up and ride the thing, I almost forgot how nice it is.  If you don't hear from me again, you'll know what happened

[kiitick]

I love this wheel. It's one of my most favorite I've ever ridden. My accidents with the wheel have all been user error. It's got so much low end torque, which is great for my fat body.

[Kekafuch]

I am still on the original firmware. Version .02 and reaching 1800km.

Since the ewheels report, I took the Abrams twice on a walking/jogging pace for about 20kms in total. What a workout. I would purposely shake the wheel left and right as violently as I could. Attempted pendulums back and forth. Entire speed average under 8kmh. No issue.

I took it on a 80km loop. Avg speed around 27kmh with many bursts over 50kmh. During a gravel section, I rode seated for over 10km. No issue. 

Then I took it on this local mountain service road. 10km up and 10 km back down. The climb is 1000m. The entire path is loaded with fist sized rocks. Many many successive bumps. No issue. 

I plan on updating to the new .11 firmware and then redoing the mountain road test. Now there is .15 firmware I see.
 

I appreciate the ewheels report but I hope they can let us know what the exact issue they think needs to be solved. my retailer from AliExpress says they confirm I can try the new firmware but they are waiting on LK for more information as well. Linnea has not responded to my last 2 casual emails requesting for an update. 

Video of the Mountain Ride. 

 

[spb]

Hello. Our rider was updated from version 11 to version 15, but the problem of cod and loss of horizon remained. It is observed when driving at low speed over small obstacles / roots. It seems that the firmware does not correctly switch to the control mode by sensors from the no-hall mode.

[spb]

Common link to the photos https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZvW7LVZycCM3jn0bq0cdJSUhNoIXzTsUBzX

 

Some words about my Abrams:

First ride

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZAy7LVZyR4BwbwK8fLSewl2s8lUJYBxbvSk

Custom pedals. collapsible stand with adjustable pedal mounting height. in this version +55 mm relative to the factory position in order to make the knees comfortable.
The rack mounting screws are recessed into the racks and do not interfere with removing the motor from the arch.
When folding, the pedal rests on the rack, and not on the battery. Thus, there is no damage to the battery and it is protected from external influences.

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZyW7LVZHhy3KjvmV60nzv4SdW60l0ujuFsy

The support bracket is cut from a single piece of aluminum plate. Thickness increased to 6 mm. The width of the bracket is also increased.
In the factory version, the bracket is thin 4 mm and fragile, as it is cast in silumin alloy.

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZpW7LVZfQijMPgB1burpRVewkc3MuDpfeDk

In the photo below we see what I was talking about above - custom racks, custom brackets, rack mounting screws recessed into the racks. The edge of the arch is glued with noise insulation to reduce vibrations and reduce the penetration of dirt from the side of the tire.
The stock handle has been removed. A metal-plastic water pipe was used as a handle. the ends of the pipe are filled with polymorphus from the inside. The fastening of the pipe to the bracket is made with self-tapping screws that pass through the pipe and polymorphus.
As you can see in the photo, the rim has been repaired. A tubeless tire releases air when it deforms. The rim of the wheel, hitting an obstacle, cracks.

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZ4W7LVZCMvQRxvge3Y3PsvtqE0PyVChcykX

A camera has been installed to avoid such a situation. For convenient pumping, a 135 degree adapter with aliexpress is used. Its weight is 15 grams. On the opposite side, a balancing weight of 15 grams is glued to the rim.

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZhW7LVZn6Su4bjrKv0k5bM3FjrCq5P5l64V

Extra details sawed off. Extremely poor wheel design. Flimsy support bracket, M4 screws securing the controller, which rips off on impact. and the frame in the mudguard area. Imagine that your wheel is somersaulting and hooked on this ledge. The huge mass of the wheel breaks the structure.

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZWW7LVZEsRUMp0A7umDkFiVvC6y648MIRpV

The wheel should be protected with an egg-shaped outer contour of the protection so that in the event of an impact, the load is evenly distributed over the attachment points. The new transport handle made of 20 mm multilayer pipe is already used as a load-bearing element. Provides protection for the controller, headlights. Yes, of course the headlight and taillight are sealed. The splash guard is cut out of a plastic kitchen board. The coloring is ambiguous, but it protects perfectly from splashes. And the mudguard doesn't break. I bought a set of three plastic cutting boards for the kitchen at the home improvement store for three bucks.

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZMW7LVZ8PGvCsxOno0TMIgBb4cXD02znlmy

Additional reinforcement with polymorphus

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZwW7LVZmvpliJ2b6n56OALDVRst4bHUqtwy

On a country trip

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZEW7LVZiBAMBzaqIj7ILYERcE7GMJy42iD7

Additional smart signal is installed.

White night photo. St. Petersburg, Russia, June 2022

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZUW7LVZNnHVnIu053metiyDB5heXkbYACTV

Edited June 22, 2022 by spb

[meepmeepmayer]

@spbThe pictures don't show. If I click a link, it says "This link was generated for another IP address. Try previous step again.". Maybe it's some permission thing for the images to be public?

[spb]

48 minutes ago, meepmeepmayer said:

The pictures don't show

Thanks You, I edit the message and paste links to the pictures.

Unfortunately, I did not find the option to upload photos to the forum, only the option "Insert image from URL"

 

[meepmeepmayer]

7 minutes ago, spb said:

Unfortunately, I did not find the option to upload photos to the forum, only the option "Insert image from URL"

You can only upload pictures from your PC to the forum. But your pictures are online already, and it's better to use an image host anyways. The forum is not meant for storing much data.

[Tawpie]

I am able to view the gallery and wow, that's really something! Congratulations @spb. It really shouldn't come to pieces if you should happen to crash, and it looks excellent.

[kiitick]

@spb I'm curious about your pedals and hangars and rack. Did you manufacture them yourself?  I would love to get a set.  Does it lift the pedals up any higher?  

[spb]

3 hours ago, kiitick said:

@spb I'm curious about your pedals and hangars and rack. Did you manufacture them yourself?  I would love to get a set.  Does it lift the pedals up any higher?  

About pedals please write to @baihyaro in Telegram, hi is author. His name is Jaromir . Standart lift is 0 mm, +25 mm, + 45 mm. I asked for a 55mm pedal lift as I am small, 1,67 m.

For reinforced support brackets, please write @easynick in telegram. His name is Vladimir.

P.S we're under sanctions... mail seems to be still working.

P.S.2 I recommend to pay attention to the channel https://t.me/excera . the author plans to build a new frame for Abrams in July. The video from April has some interesting ideas. I'm thinking of redoing the handle attachment a bit in my version - not to small plates as in the photo in the post above, but I'm thinking of using a long strip of aluminum from one post to another, with two bends. Similar to the video https://t.me/excera/42, but without welding. I think to fix the same strip to the controller case through the corner with screws. there is a place. this will provide excellent rigidity of the position of the controller case . if I do, I will add new photos

 

[spb]

Friends. I would also like to warn against driving while sitting. The brackets to which the arcs are screwed are weak and accumulate metal fatigue over time. Perhaps another bump will provoke a crack, which will lead to a fall. It should also be remembered that the controller case is attached with an intermediate fastener with M4 screws. This is a very weak connection. I saw in the photo the consequences of several falls and everywhere there is a destruction of the support bracket, thin screws securing the controller case. Therefore, I would not recommend riding while sitting until powerful bottom brackets are installed, and plates are not started up between the arcs, similar to the one here https://t.me/excera/253

 

And by the way! Did you know Abrams can fly? https://t.me/excera/259

[Ronin]

19 hours ago, spb said:

Friends. I would also like to warn against driving while sitting. The brackets to which the arcs are screwed are weak and accumulate metal fatigue over time. Perhaps another bump will provoke a crack, which will lead to a fall. It should also be remembered that the controller case is attached with an intermediate fastener with M4 screws. This is a very weak connection. I saw in the photo the consequences of several falls and everywhere there is a destruction of the support bracket, thin screws securing the controller case. Therefore, I would not recommend riding while sitting until powerful bottom brackets are installed, and plates are not started up between the arcs, similar to the one here https://t.me/excera/253

 

And by the way! Did you know Abrams can fly? https://t.me/excera/259

So even seated is not recommended on that wheel?? Seated is the biggest positive point of the abrams, oh man.....