Mongoose/Currie MTN24V450Additional view
OwnerMark Druckmiller
LocationSaline, Michigan United States map
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Vehicle2006 Mongoose MTN24V450
This was originally a standard Mongoose bicycle, manufactured with a Currie motor and 24V battery, controller, and twist-grip throttle.
MotorCurrie Permanent Magnet DC
DrivetrainStandard bicycle chain, 7-speed rear sprocket, motor attached to separate sprocket on rear wheel.
ControllerCurrie
A very bad one. It's dead.
Batteries1, 24.00 Volt,
Sealed.
System Voltage24 Volts
Heaterworking up a sweat
InstrumentationPush-button on switch, twist grip throttle (pot) detached and deactivated.
Top Speed20 MPH (32 KPH)
AccelerationSee Additional Features.
RangeJust modified the bike to NOT use a controller (see Additional Features) so it may not have the original suggested factory range (15-20 mi).
Seating Capacity1 adult
Curb Weight90 Pounds (40 Kilograms)
TiresMountain bike
Conversion Time2 hours for new modifications, removal of controller.
Conversion Cost$440 for original bike, $12 in modifications. See Additional Features.
Additional FeaturesController removed and replaced by a $4 pushbutton ON/OFF switch, six feet of #14 wire, some wirenuts and electrical tape.

Also bought nice, wide comfy seat ($50).
You can't obviously see what was changed on this bike. I bought it in early 2006 and rode it until mid-2007. The electric motor function failed and I had taken the bike back to the dealer and waited for months to have the bike fixed. He claimed it was a bad controller, but was "having problems getting parts from the manufacturer" (Currie). I took the bike back, ordered the new controller myself, but it still failed to work.

There were few/no other dealers in my area without having to travel across the state or to another state.

I figured that I mostly ran the bike on "full throttle" most of the time anyway, and only for short uphill bursts. So why would I need a variable (pot) throttle?

So, WHAT IF I SIMPLIFIED IT? I re-wired the whole setup to a simple loop circuit, just battery, motor, and switch. The switch is a push-button that I would use just to give a boost for uphills anyway. The new circuitry works, have no idea yet if it will affect the range, the longevity of the motor or battery. I'll try to be doing some testing for range shortly.

code by jerry