Making a smart bike dumb so it works again
a year ago
- #Bike Hacking
- #DIY
- #USB-C
- The author inherited a smart bike from a friend, but the company that made it went bankrupt, leaving the bike's lights dependent on a defunct app.
- Initially, the author used a cheap external bike light, which was eventually stolen in Japan.
- Deciding to hack the embedded light, the author aimed to make it work with a simple button while keeping modifications reversible and safe.
- Key goals included using a 3D printer for parts, retaining the original light, upgrading to USB-C charging, and ensuring safety to prevent fires.
- The author successfully soldered wires to the light's spare connectors, integrated a USB-C charging board, and 3D printed a cover for the setup.
- Safety measures included shrink-wrapping connections, taping connectors, and adding a resistor.
- A bonus feature was that both front and back lights now turn on simultaneously with the press of a button.
- The project concluded with a functional, simple bike light system that charges via USB-C, proving that simpler solutions can be better.